Domilia
The City of Delights
The port city of Domilia is the capital of Ashad, Located on the Gulf of Gifts on the Southern coast of Ashad. It is a major trade center as well as a popular tourist attraction. The city is bustling and, as is to be expected in a tourist town, everything is a little more expensive than northeners are used to. The beaches of the Gulf of Gifts feature white sands and clear, glittering, turquoise-colored waters. Hundreds of ships fill the bay, from small fishing vessels to massive cargo ships.
Vast stretches of farmland surrounded the City of Delights, taking advantage of the fertile land provided by the Saarif River. All farms and estates found within one mile (1.6 km) of the city were taxed. Because of this tax, many large estates sat just outside of that distance. However, estates found beyond the taxable distance were not guaranteed the protection of mighty Domilia and her guards.
I care about Domilia as much as I care not to step on a viper. It is a vile place of tangled intrigues miles thick that end up in the few profiting over the many.
Government
While the Grand Caliph ruled most of Ashad through local potentates, Domilia was his personal domain, which he governed through a large bureaucracy of trusted advisers centered within the Court of Enlightenment. Aside from the main court, three bureaucratic centers existed within the city. These could be found in the Northwest District, Central District, and Affluent District.
Defences
The City of Delights was protected by a large military force in 395 PC under the less-than-able leadership of Grand Caliph Nasir al-Hadad. It was kept in good order by the more competent leaders of its subdivisions:
The bulk of the military consisted of 10,000 footmen, which doubled as a city watch during peacetime. They kept order in the city in patrols each under the leadership of a mamluk of the Zealous.
The 2,000 riders of the Imperial Cavalry were mainly renowned for their fanciful appearance in parades.
The scarab cavalry with 250 members provided an impressive-looking defense.
Three units of mercenaries with a total of 2,100 men were considered rough but unquestionably brave and able
The navy of 40 ships in 395 AC was the most active part of the military, keeping watch over the Gulf of Gifts.
All mamluks were ultimately the property of the Grand Caliph—though not all served him directly—and fulfilled various functions, including guarding the Royal Harim. 5,000 infantry from five and 900 cavalry from three different mamluk societies were an integrated part of the military.
An unknown number of dormant warforged served as another defensive force and deterrent to would-be invaders.
A 1,000 strong Palace Guard was charged with protecting the Grand Caliph himself.
Like all Ashadian cities, Domilia had a milita which could be called upon in times of need, though in 395 AC it had recently seen the highest amount of action in generations.
The City of Delights was also completely encompassed by city walls whose gates were faithfully guarded by mamluks of the Forged. though numerous, and flashy, these fortifications lacked the strength and training found in Ashad's northern cities.
Industry & Trade
Domilia lay at the crossroads of several important trade routes: Sea lanes came in from the east and south on their way to Ashad's northern cities and beyond. Caravan routes brought goods from the Sand Sea, the Cities of the Gift and the Ruined Kingdoms. All kinds of items from Ashad and beyond were traded in Domilia’s Caravan District and especially its Grand Bazaar, arguably the largest market in the Land of Faith. There was no sanctioned place for trading slaves in the city, but they still could be had for those willing to pay.
Domilia itself was know for its textile production, but its main export was not in goods but services: It had a number of universities and many a Ashad sage gained their knowledge there. And of course, as the seat of the Grand Caliph it furnished the backbone of the bureaucracy for the governance of his empire.
Infrastructure
The Undercity
The city contained many springs and wells to provide water for the population. These were heavily guarded by amlakkar to prevent against poisonings. Domilia's sewer system was vast. It was constructed in the Seventh Age of Ashad and emptied into the ocean south of the city. The primary tunnels were 30 feet wide with five-foot walkways on each side. Stepping stones over the sewage were located every 50 yards of length. Secondary tunnels were half as wide, with a pathway only on one side. There were also many other pipes ranging in diameter from one to eight feet. More than wells, sewers, and waterways, subterranean Domilia functioned as its own part of the city. It contained streets, buildings, and ancient, forgotten areas and was collectively known as the Muzhajaarnadah, the "city of shadow", or simply the "Muzad". The Muzad was anywhere from six feet to nearly a half mile deep. It was formed over the millennia from all the times that Domilia was rebuilt; rather than clear rubble, newer sections of the city were often rebuilt atop the old ones.The Port
The port of the city was the largest in all of Ashad. Massive, magical sea walls were in place to protect the docks, which could contain as many as 600 private vessels and an additional 30 military vessels. These sea walls were ancient, constructed during the Nuson Empire by marid and Earth Genasi slaves. They were 150 feet wide at their bases 200 feet below the surface. They rose 20 feet above the surface during calm waters and were 30 feet thick at their peaks. The harbor itself was extremely deep, as the shore incline at Domilia was steepHistory
Circa 7800 AC, the noble djinni Awar lord, Dhômm'ahssid Al-Nuson, and his human and genasi slaves arrived in Ashad, in the area where Domilia would later be founded, and formed the Nuson Empire. The slaves built Domilia and were the first inhabitants of the city, forming the culture of Lord Dhômm'ahssid's Empire
Geography
Domilia lies at the mouth of the Shaarif River where it meets the Gulf of Gifts to the south. It rests at the mouth of the Shaarif River at the very southern end of the Trade Way. To the west of Domilia, the coast extends south, forming a natural harbor for the city.
The metropolis is a huge place, measuring almost six miles from east to west and three miles from the coastline to the northern border.
Pentos by Marc Simonetti
Founding Date
7800 AC
Alternative Name(s)
The City of Delights
Type
Capital
Population
800,000 (including slaves)
Related Ethnicities
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
