Sytheene
Sytheene is the largest and most prosperous city in The Ends. It is located on Wren Island at the intersection of several intercontinental trade routes, and home to hundreds of thousands.
Population & History
Present Day Culture
Sytheene is made up of an extremely biologically and culturally diverse population as a result of their central location for trade routes and long-distance travel.
Walking the streets of Sytheene, it's common to encounter Elves, Dwarves, gnomes, thri-keen, kenku, and more, with some large subcultures gathering in districts of the city largely made up of their own kind. The Snaglak District is a community of orcs and orc-hybrids in southern Sytheene, while the northwestern part of the city contains a large population of Tieflings in the Rashbrow District.
Built originally as a mining community, there is a massive working class gathered in and around the city, though years of trade have allowed for a wealthy class to crop up and establish affluent neighborhoods near the city center.
Government
Sytheene has a centralized government led by a single mayor, with a lower council managing the city's various districts and government entities. This council is typically made up of guild leaders, local industry titans, and community leaders, who are responsible for evaluating and appointing their own members. Sytheene's current Mayor is Tical Clyfford, a well-respected Sytheenite.
Religion
The diverse culture in Sytheene is tolerant of many religious groups, though The Church of Rutar is the most dominant. Rutar shrines pepper the Wren Island coastline, and a large church for his worship can be found near the port at Bewick's Bay.
History
Sytheene was founded in 1459 BF by the adventurer, cartographer, and local legend Wren Maw. After decades of traveling The Ends to explore and document the previously undiscovered region, Wren Maw settled this city on the later renamed Wren Island due to it's hospitable lands and climate. He attracted new settlers to the city by sending scouts to recruit from the northern coasts of Voluien, offering land in to able-bodied workers and craftsmen.
The city experienced rapid growth for several years, building infrastructure and wealth through the trade of precious materials found on Wren Island and surrounding islands. This attracted the attention of pirates, and led to a decade-long conflict culminating in The Battle of Fleetfall - a massive sea battle between Sytheenites and the assembled pirate forces of 3 nefarious pirate captains.
Sytheene's victory over the pirates earned Wren Maw a legendary reputation, and word spread to all four major continents - attracting immigrants from all over the world.
Notable Inhabitants
Geography & Features
Environment
Sytheene is located on Wren Island, and stretches from Bewick's Bay to Wren Island's eastern coast. The city is relatively flat, and experiences heavy rains for large stretches of the year.
Natural Resources & Wildlife
Sytheene's success comes in large part from the mining and trade of precious metals mined from caverns that stretch deep under the city's surface. Above ground, heavy rains and storms fascilitate a thriving wildlife community, including a colorful variety of plantlife and small creatures that find shelter in trees, brushes, and alcoves.
One notable presence on the island is that of the Sytheenian Fruit Bat - a charming nocturnal creature with a taste for mangoes.
Infrastructure & Economy
One of Sytheene's most developed architectural features is a city-wide system of storm drains that line nearly all city streets and squares. These channels funnel rainwater out to sea or to water reserves used by the city's residents. Rooftop rain gardens are a common feature in Sytheenite buildings used to grow dense vegetation that hangs down over walls, improving insulation and protection from harsh storms.
Sytheene has several city features dedicated to their founder, including a large statue in the city center, as well as a dragon memorial welcoming travelers to Bewick's Bay. One of Sytheene's oldest structures, The Cimitraz, is home to the Order of the Wounded Dragon.
Notable Locations
- The Cimitraz
