Capital City
[VIEW MAP] [VIEW MAP WITH DISTRICTS NAMES]
Statistics:
Type: Metropolis and Capital
Region: The Vhaliss Empire
Population: 42,000 approximately
Racial Breakdown:- Humans: 38%
- Dwarf: 16%
- Halfling: 10%
- Elf: 10%
- Dragonborn: 8%
- Half-Elf: 6%
- Half-Orc: 4%
- Gnome: 4%
- Thiefling: 2%
- Others: 2%
Architechture:
Despite its location being more than ideal to properly defend itself, the city has a 6 meter wide by 10 meters high wall surrounding its core and a 3 meters wide by 5 meters high by 6 KM long wall going from the main wall to the mountain to the South-East, protecting access to all the farms in that section.
As if that wasn't enough, similar walls, 3 meters wide by 6 meters high were built within the city, separating it in multiple districts, each under the control of a Noble Family, often referred too as the Wardens.
A huge 10 meters wide tower as high as the clouds and made of Ivory is erected in the center of the city. It is known to be the Emperor's Tower, but as much as there are countless rumors about it and its emperor, few truly knows what goes on in there and what it looks like inside.
At the feet of the Ivory tower is the Manor of the Shungo Family, ruling over D-Shungo.
The city is divided in 12 Districts, each controlled by a Noble Family and every District has their own Laws, as deemed fit by their Wardens. The City has 3 main laws that applies in every districts and to anyone, even the Nobles, but each Warden Family can add as many other laws as they want, as long as none of them goes against any of the main laws. It is rumored that even the slightest ambiguity in one of those sub-laws could result in the loss of their power over a district.
There are multiple gates between each districts and most gates opens and closes with the sun, all but the ones to access a district known as Barranor. Of course, the ones leading to the Shungo District are well guarded, and may be closed sometimes, but are still usually found open during the day.
Landscape Area:
Located near all the resources, the city is has one of the best possible spot to thrive and to defend itself against most attackers.
Build at the very end of a large river, just a few miles away from where the river mixes at sea, fishing is its main resource where people can catch both salt and soft water kind of fishes.
The river is about 60 KM wide on just about 20 KM on each side before it starts narrowing to the West, becoming as little as 20 KM wide after a 50 KM distance, while growing even wider to the East as it merges with the ocean.
The city was built on the South bank of the river.
About 5 KM East to South, where one would expect to reach the sea, the land is cut by a 20 KM wide series of impossibly dense and high mountains with peaks that are often hidden by the clouds, blocking the path from any invasion by the sea. Anyone approaching by the sea would have to climb hundreds of feet of moist cliffs to reach the nearest and lowest plateau available before having to hike through the mountains if they wanted to reach Ghateelock.
From South to South-West, the mountains aren't as harsh, but makes any approach quite hard for its lower mountains and hills are covered with a very dense jungle and more then enough trees to provide for the city's needs.
The West side is mostly plains and forest with a large network of small streams, rivers and even waterfalls, usually flowing East as the ;landscape in general offers multiple plateau of plains gradually growing down and towards the city, as if some giant stairs had been made in the land, offering eighteen such stairs, each stretching from 1 to 5 KM long and forming arcs going from the river to the hills.
Main Laws:
- #1: Never kill a Humanoid creature, unless it's self-defense.
- One is expected to try saving its perpetrator's life if possible even after such circumstances.
- #2: Never pretend to be a Noble or a Constable.
- Real Nobles and Constable must wear the appropriate emblem or symbol to identify them or announce their titles to you at all times.
- #3: Never enter a dwelling that isn't yours, unless explicitly invited or authorized.
- A dwelling is considered 'yours' only if an official city registration exists for it under your name.
- By decree, all Constables may enter your dwelling with an official authorization from the District Lord.
- Any of the walls, main or secondary are considered a dwelling and no one is allowed to climb over, or go through them at any points that isn't an open gate.
The punishment is usually a long stay at the South Mines, where they will work the life out of you before returning you to the city, crippled probably, battered, broken, tamed, but not dead.
Secondary Laws:
- Never knowingly attack a Noble or a Constable.
- Always pay your taxes to your Wardens.
- Never take what doesn't belong to you.
- No Fly Zone.
- All Wall Guards in duty on any walls or tower will shoot anyone or any creature flying within the main walls, NO-Exceptions.
- Slavery is not for everyone. Regulations must be enforced by the District's Lord.
The punishment is usually a number of hours spend on a Stock Display somewhere.
Districts:
#1 Vhaliss:
Population: 600
Only Nobles and Noble's family members can enter and live in the central District. Other than the Ivory tower, one will find many large estate where every Noble families live. Parties and music can be heard until late at night, every single nights.
#2 Shungo: [More Info]
Population: 2500
You like exotic design, this district was dedicated to the Elven style architecture and way of life. Although it is not an exclusive district for Elves, this is where you will find the most of that 10%, along with other races that has longer lifespan. It's a very nice place to live, although not everyone can afford living there. The Laws are made to best accommodate people who aren't rushed in life, such as the Elves in general. Punishments are often tasks or imprisonment that will take or last for a very long time; after all, how would a 2 years imprisonment, or forced-work truly be punishment for an Elf?.
#3 Drixron:
Population: 1100
Not very dense, not very large, this District offers higher standards than many others. Most houses are large and fancy, for the Upper Class, yet not for the very wealthy. Travelling through that District is limited and you will be questioned about your intentions and destinations at the gates before they allow you in. The laws are strict and well enforced.
#4 Toledo:
Population: 2100
The only district with access to the river, but without any docks. The shore offers a magnificent beach where people can bathe and wash in what is considered the largest public bath ever. You will find many Inns and Tavern near the waterside, and almost none anywhere else in the District. Housing price is acceptable and it is generally good to live in Toledo. Its laws are reasonable and enforced enough.
#5 Trork:
Population: 1500
You have lots of gold and you want to live in the second best place in the city? That's where you want to be. Its Constables not only enforce the laws, they keep the city clean and will pick up trash if they find it. The Constables will help the citizen in mundane tasks if they have time and are asked politely, but they will put you to work should you commit a crime. Getting caught littering will get you assigned to cleaning something in the district for a day or more; from picking up all the horse shit in the streets to washing the walls of buildings. The Trork Family name originates from before the Luckheart wedding with the Vhaliss. The true leader of the Trork District is Iris Trork Luckheart, daughter of Sasai Luckheart and her previous husband Kromm Trork. Iris and her family; 9 husbands and 3 children represents the second most powerful family in all Ghateelock, especially since the merging of the Luckheart with the Vhaliss'. Iris Luckheart is known to be a Winged Thiefling although she looks a lot like a Succubus. She is also known to be a good leader of her people and a powerful Wizard before EoM
#6 Zabatha: [More Info]
Population: 7500
Lots of people per square feet, lots of housing per square feet, this is the most densely populated area in the city. Everything is cramped up together, from the countless warehouses near the river to the countless Marketplaces, Artisan Shops and Slave Markets along every streets, one can find just about anything in Zabatha. The laws are simple and the punishments exemplary.
#7 Fuller: [More Info]
Population: 8100
Known to be the largest in size, and the most populated district of the city. Half of the entire farmland production will go through Fuller at one point or another. The district offers the largest Marketplace in Ghateelock. It offers many Inns and Taverns, as well as a few libraries, cathedrals, Brothels, and lots of artisan shops. It also has the largest Amphitheater in the city, designed to maximize the distribution of sounds and capable of sitting as many as 500 people, and it has the only Gladiator Arena in the city. The laws are reasonable and sufficiently enforced to keep everyone happy. This district is the only place where the Main #1 Law is allowed an exemption, but only within the Gladiator Arena. It is also well known that only volunteers (however crazy they might be) or criminals may be sent into a fight to the death. But Deathly fights isn't the only events on the menu; Cart race, Athletic Games, Archery tournaments and other fighting tournament where death isn't possible, and more. Non the less, nothing is as popular as the Monster Fights, where one or more humanoid have to fight monsters of all kinds.
#8 Barranor: [More Info]
Population: 6500
Ruled by the Barranor Familly, the only family whom almost never step foot in their own district. The last visit from any Barranor family to their district was allegedly six years ago, when Owren Barranor came to visit Constable Meross. His cart was escorted by all ten Constables from the West Gate to the house and then from the house to the West gate.
Barranor is the poorest of all districts, but a promizing new Gate that would open to the South Farmland area may change this over the next decade. Its laws are barbaric, especially the one that prevents anyone from leaving the district without a special blue Ticket, which are distributed arbitrarily.
#9 Khalahan: [More Info]
Population: 4200
One of the most popular district to live in for the average citizen. With its two main Gates to enter and exit the City, this District is the most visited and hosts more tourists than any other districts. With a very large amount of Brothels, Taverns, Inns, Drug Dens, Markets, Artisans, Libraries, Cathedrals, as well as its many parks, mills, and a few Noble house and even one castle turned into a Inn, not to mention the infamous brothel called "The Relidgyx"; an old cathedral that was abandoned after the End of Magic Era and was bought and turned into a Brothel by a man called Djyx. People from all over the city, from the other districts often stop to stay a night or two in Khalahan in between trips in or out of the city. Farmers from the south and south-west all go through Khalahan's gates. Its laws are reasonable, and some would say; flexible. The Guards and Jury system allows for criminals to slip through the cracks if they know their way around the bureaucracy of it.
#10 Smith: [More Info]
Population: 1300
Unlike its name, this isn't a place to find metal work shops. Smith District is the best place to get ruined. If you don't lose it all to gambling, you'll spend it on Hoes, Whine, and Drugs. It offers more Drug den than anywhere else. Its laws are reasonable, they are enforced as best as all the Constables can, but the punishments are very harsh.
#11 Zhang: [More Info]
Population: 2000
The only Exclusive racial District in the city, allowing nothing other than Humans to enter, or Dock. Non-Human visitors will be stopped at the gates. Even the ships that docks may not have any Non-Human step foot on the docks. Besides its racist policy, it offers many of the usual attractions like Inns and Taverns. Its laws are simple, slavery is very high, although even there, only Humans are taken as slaves.
#12 Kazimar: [More Info]
Population: 4600
This district is probably one of the safest, but most boring district in the city. It doesn't offer many establishment for visitors, but should anyone make friends with a local citizen, they'd probably be invited to one of the countless parties or gathering that are a nightly thing. If it's not in one person's backyard, it'll be in another person's basement, or in their home. Even the Kazimar Family is known to host a party once or twice per week; of course, not everyone can be invited to such event. Its laws are well designed, with very little room to misinterpretation, and strictly enforced. This is the last place anyone would want to steal a simple apple, even if only to feed their dying sibling. Getting caught will inevitably cost you your hand.
Other Points of Interest in Landscape:
Searan Waterfal:
50 feet wide and about 150 feet high, this waterfall is fed from multiple lakes high in the mountains, most of which feeds other streams and rivers. This particular stream is the coldest of all streams coursing down from the mountains, although slightly warm for humans.
Fuller Waterfal:
60 feet wide and about 120 feet high, the water is shooting straight out of a cave inside the cliff. The cave can be explored roughly 40 feet inward before one would have to swim underwater against a very strong current.
Thallan Waterfal:
100 feet wide and about 300 feet high, this waterfall is fed from multiple lakes high in the mountains, most of which feeds other streams and rivers. This particular stream is warm as it comes from a hot lake a a few milometers further in the mountain.
Imizael Waterfal:
This is the biggest and most magnificent waterfall in the realm. It's actually a series of five waterfall, staring over 600 meters in the mountain and dropping a little over 100 meters with each pond levels. Each waterfall is approximately 60 meters wide.
South Mine:
Once a prosperous mine causing dozens of death per week. Security improved with time, the mine became a prison where criminals would pay their debt and many more would die. In time, it became a private mine again and back to a prison once more. The lava, the warmth and the height people have to get to harvest Adamantium are still a danger to everyone, although the death toll is recently no more than 1 per week on average. Miners must use security lines and harness, which prevent most from falling to their death.
Satyr Territory:
Once at war with Ghateelock, emperor Vhaliss brought back peace, but there are still some rebel Satyr who attacks the lumberjacks and farmers near the stream that acts as the limit of their territory.