Myridium

On the west coast of the land-bridge between Vashyl Major and Minor lies the underwater metropolis of Myridium -- one of the only civilizations that predates the Morlu Cataclysm and is still intact. The city is home to some of the most wise and knowledgeable arcanists and magic users known to Ultor. Unfortunately, they are infamously stingy with their wealth of knowledge. It is true, that in all of my travels as a young druid, I was never more frustrated and disgusted than when I was forced to confer with a Myridian sage. Had I asked him where to go to buy my groceries, I am convinced that he would have forced me to solve a riddle before telling me the directions!
I must admit, they are not without reason for mistrusting foreigners. The last time they freely disseminated knowledge was during the pre-War Morlu era. It is Myridian belief that the knowledge that the Morlu gained by consulting the sages of Myridium heavily contributed to the atrocities that they would later commit against one another and the world itself. The city was much more hesitant to trust foreigners after the Cataclysm. If the theory that the sundering of Vashyl Major was due to the Morlu War is correct, then it is even possible that the knowledge the Myridians shared is what caused the destruction of the northern portion of their city. When the continent was destroyed, great earthquakes shook the land around it. In these earthquakes, buildings all over Myridium collapsed, and the city was thrown into chaos. Many citizens were killed, and buildings destroyed, but the calamity was not one that a healthy city, such as Myridium, could not recover from.
Rather, the issue in the northern part of the city was the leftover magical residue that contaminated the earth, water, and rubble of the former city. The contamination made that portion of the city unlivable. Soon after the sundering, horridly aggressive mutated creatures began roaming the ruins, killing anyone who attempted to resettle the area. Perhaps even more horrifyingly, there are mutants descended from the earthquake survivors who did not join the exodus from the northern portion of the city. They are reflections of the modern citizens, but twisted and violent. They still possess some of the intelligence of their ancestors, and are especially deadly to the Myridian Reclaimer Corps. (which I shall discuss in detail in a separate entry).
The destruction of the northernmost portion of the city has created an interesting layout of the general population and city itself. Rather than the city center being the most populous, crowded region and commercial center, it is actually the southern tip of the city that holds this role. The exodus from the north saw many refugees who wanted to be as far from the contamination as possible. As such, the city really seems to have two centers. One, the old city center, is a place of reverence for the citizens of Myridium. It is where many of the sages of the city live and practice. There are many magic shops in the area, and it is quite a scene that I should recommend visiting. The magical items found in the shops there are of the highest quality (though quite pricey by my measure). The other center, so to speak, is on the southern cape of the city, hugging the coast of Vashyl Minor. It is the most populous region of the city, and is home to most of the normal commercial places one might find in a city; vegetable and fruit markets, butchers, brothels, bars, taverns, inns, everything that a modern city needs these days.
Another peculiarity of the city is its singular focus on the reclamation of the old northern section of the city. Never have I witnessed so many people with such a singular purpose. Reclamation is on everyone's mind. The city has closed itself off to the world, because it is so focused on reclamation. A body exists, known as the Reclamation Corps. which is a military outfit singularly trained to fight the beasts of the Arcane Wastes. It is among the highest of honors to serve in this outfit, and each family is required to offer some sort of donation, or assistance to it. The donation can be monetary or in food, a family can pledge some amount of product to go to the Corps., or a family member may volunteer to join. Volunteers come from all corners of life, from aristocrats to simple fisherman, and all species can be found in the service.
Denizens of Myridium are varied, ranging from merfolk to naga to landwalkers staying in specially designed hovels just for them. Nearly every intelligent waterborne species can be found there, and it is truly an interesting melting pot of cultures. The cooperation that I have observed in my visits there (I was a druidic consultant for the Reclaimers once) is beyond anything I have seen elsewhere in this world.
I hope to see, in my lifetime, the reclamation of that great old city.

Government

The governing body of Myridium is formed by a collection of the 100 most powerful sages in the city. This senate drafts laws which are either accepted or rejected based on a public referendum. Each household is allowed only a single vote -- and only those households which contribute to the Reclaimer Corps. are allowed a vote.
Senators are elected for life terms, but these terms can be cut short if the incumbent is challenged and loses. The challenger will announce the challenge in a public square, or post a notice of it, along with the senator who is to be challenged. Then, each displays his/her wit and knowledge of the arcane arts, and the attendees of the challenge will vote (by cheer) on which of the two is most worthy. Whoever wins this vote immediately assumes the senators position. To prevent endless challenging back and forth and high turnover in the senate itself, challenges are only allowed to be announced during the harvest festival (a festival dedicated to the sea gods, praying that food continues to be plentiful), and can only be enacted one month after the challenge is issued. This allows most of the year to be free of the worry of being challenged so that senators can actually govern.

Type

Large city

Inhabitant Demonym

Myridians