Peridine
Peridine is one of the largest cities in the Xanthar Empire, and a major trade hub for the region. Mount Giraand, at the center of the city, is an iconic landmark and marvel due to its unique history.
Demographics
While the original populace was near entirely human, Peridine's prime location forced the locals to accept more races into their fold. Even still, prejudice can be seen across the city, especially amongst the upper class.
Wealth disparity is evident as one looks from the center of the city out; the further from the city, the less the wealth. Although Peridine is a large trade hub, the gold and silver mines nearby generate the majority of income, and under the same ownership for several generations, have been the largest contributor to the wealth disparity in the city.
Government
The Council of Elders is composed of 13 descendents of the original nobility of Peridine. If someone can prove their blood to be that of nobility, then they are qualified to serve on the council, no matter how many times removed. The Elders are decided by a popular vote and will serve for life.
While there is a major economic disparity in the city, it is not necessarily prevalent in the Council.
Defences
A large wall circles through the center of the city with towers posted every several hundred yards. In the event of emergency, citizens living outside the wall are corralled inside as quickly as they can move. Only several hundred local guard police the city, leaving its defense up to the Xanthar Legion.
Infrastructure
The city sprawls outwards from Mount Giraand, creating a vast web of roads and buildings. The very outskirts of the city are farms for crops and cattle, and at the deepest center are manors for nobility. In between are long markets, various shops and artisans as well as the carts of travelling merchants.
History
Peridine was established in 1149 by Artos Braxton as a gift to his youngest nephew, Perios, along with the rest of the land in the Latorius Valley. Under Duke Perios, the then small town prospered thanks to its prime trade location and the start of gold and silver mines in the mountains nearby. After being called to arms by his uncle, Perios was slain at the The Battle for Dernsech, contributing to Artos Braxton's retreat.
Following Perios's death, and the eventual defeat of Artos Braxton by Paladin Gilland III at the Marshwoods, a temporary leadership was formed at Peridine of several of the nobles. After several years of growth and loose supervision from the Xanthar Empire, the Council of Elders became their official head.
Peridine's growth was eventually slowed by The Plague War, which demanded a constant stream of soldiers and materials. Peridine lost an estimated 80% of its young male population during the war.
In 1211 a lunar eclipse covered the world and in its shadow arose a mountain in the center of Peridine, destroying Perios Castle. The Council sent a scout party to investigate the mountain led by Captain Giraan Oathsworn. Captain Giraan and his party discovered nothing significant about the mountain, other than it could not be mined and was, in fact, indestructible. On the return trip, Leonard lost his footing and fell to his death. The Council named it Mount Giraan, in honor of Leonard’s sacrifice, and declared it too dangerous to be explored again.
Type
Large city
Population
~90000
Inhabitant Demonym
Peridian
Location under
Owning Organization
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