Illyria
Illyria is the largest settlement in Nerevarn, and the capital city. It is home to the Senatorial Palace, the army headquarters and the University of Arcana, as well as a large variety of markets, traders, embassies and temples.
Demographics
Despite its diversity, Illyria is still primarily - at least culturally - a human city. While non-humans are welcomed and have the same access to citizenship as the native population, and many of them have been in the city for generations, they are expected to abide by human cultural norms outside of their own homes and social groups. The only truly race-blind district is Dockland Narrows, which despite - or perhaps because of - its poverty is inhabited by a dense mixture of every conceivable kind of person. Race as a concept is almost entirely abandoned in this district since they divide the world not into races but into ‘us’ and ‘them’ and view all outsiders, whatever their appearance, with suspicion.
Industry & Trade
There are a wide variety of blacksmiths, tailors, general stores etc to cater to Illyria's many human and non-human residents and visitors, and the city is the single most well-stocked place in the Republic for its variety of goods. Elves, humans and humanoids, orcs, dwarves and haflings should have no trouble at all, while gnomes will almost certainly find something, albeit they may have a smaller selection to choose from. Other less common races may have to craft, commission, or adapt items from what they can obtain, but if they have the coin there will be no shortage of craftspeople ready and willing to full the order.
Districts
The South-East side of the capital is home to most of Illyria’s dwarven population. It is a wealthy area with many large homes. The main clans represented in Illyria are Torunn, Forgespark and Gandurr, though there are other minor clans.
The Senate Palace takes up a substantial area to the North East, as it contains within its many buildings, sections and divisions all the various government bodies, as well as the headquarters of the Army, the Senate and City Guards, and the only prison in the city.
To the far West of the south river bank is Dockland Narrows, the most notorious district in the city for both its poverty and its crime rate. It is also generally the place to go for the more raucous kind of nightlife.
History
The city, and the The Royal Palace especially, is extremely ancient, parts dating back beyond the beginning of all records, although it has been added to over the centuries and much of the building is far more recent. The Rose Tower for example is around 300 years old, and is the tallest building in the known world, although it is rarely climbed except by the royal family as it is within the living quarters of the monarch. The most ancient section of the Palace is a central garden containing a deep well. This well is sacred to The Worship of Dianecht, the principal god of Nerevarn, and is rumoured to be in some way the source of the Palace’s defences.
The prestigious University of Magic and Arcana has been in the city almost as long as the Royal Palace, though it's origins are more mundane having been established by a King in the 5th Century who desired a more formal source of magical education for his heirs. The University brings in money and expertise but is somewhat unpopular with the local residents, due to the occasional incidents caused by the combination of student mages and Taverns.
Illyria does have several less luxurious districts, including the area around Spinner’s Gate which is both the poorest and the most crime ridden. However, the locals do have an unofficial honour code which means that those resident in Spinner’s Gate are usually safe there, as are those who are taken under the protection of respected residents. Unless they have access to that kind of local connection, outsiders usually avoid the area altogether.
Founding Date
0
Founders
Alternative Name(s)
The Great City, City of the Lilly
Type
Capital
Population
700,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Illyrian
Location under
Included Locations
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Related Traditions
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