City life

As promised for this week, here are the major settlements and bastions of civilization in the world. It may be a while before I make any kind of attempt at mapping where these places lie in the world, but this is, at least, my starting point.  These are all city-states that have coalesced after the Bloodrift War, and those placed predominantly populated by humans were once part of the Blue Empire for its fall.

In all cases, I’ve listed the size and population make-up for each, along with what type of government oversees the settlement, what the location is known to export to others and a brief description of what anyone visiting wold say are its unique characteristics.

Exeline:

• Size: large metropolis
• Population: diverse, humans
• Government: elected small council
• Major exports: education, art, orchard products
• Main feature(s): built around a waterfall, some homes and business built in into cliff face

Waystrand

• Size: metropolis
• Population: mixed, humans
• Government: Azurai imperial family
• Major exports: medicine, healers, horses
• Main feature(s): seat of Aza Mathera religion; landscape covered with fountains; large, open, and central fountain temple of Aza Mathera

Halifar

• Size: large outpost
• Population: diverse, all
• Government: Azurai regent
• Major exports: fish, timber, ore, whaling products
• Main feature(s): large wooden wall, large harbor, tundra terrain surrounded by alpines and mountains

Sardonia

• Size: large city
• Population: limited, human
• Government: High General with small council from different battalions
• Major exports: warriors, weaponry
• Major feature(s): fortress built atop cliff near desert

Vraen

• Size: small metropolis
• Population: diverse, human
• Government: magocracy
• Major exports: education, magic items, research, science, alchemy
• Major feature(s): built on landmass floating above lake; large central tower academy

Sargesia

• Size: city
• Population: limited, tiefling
• Government: oligarchy of noble houses
• Major exports: wine, art, magic
• Major feature(s): numerous gardens and vineyards among villas

Sher’aamn

• Size: large city
• Population: limited, goblinoids
• Government: warlord and small council of tribal elders
• Major exports: marble, glass, siege weapons, engineering
• Main feature(s): Built in the middle of desert river, surrounded by lush gardens

Caer Cindarin

• Size: large city
• Population: mixed, elves
• Government: king and small council
• Major exports: Orchard products, liquor, wood, woodland guides
• Major feature(s): homes and business built in trees

Caer Salamë

• Size: city
• Population: limited, elves
• Government: magocracy/theocracy
• Major exports: education, magic, art,
• Major feature(s): homes built among trees, hidden in forest by mists

Ral Belrin

• Size: small metropolis
• Population: mixed, dwarves
• Government: king with council of clan representatives
• Major exports: weapons, warriors, guides, jewelry
• Major feature(s): divided into six districts surrounding central market/palace

Cral Werrak (Hall Battlehammer)

• Size: city
• Population: mixed, dwarves
• Government: elders of Battlehammer clan
• Major exports: warriors, mercenaries
• Major feature(s): built into mountainside, close to ground, partially built above ground

Cral Whurdin (Hall Ironwrought)

• Size: large outpost
• Population: limited, dwarves
• Government: elders of Ironwrought clan
• Major exports: weapons, siege weapons, armor
• Major feature(s): huge foundry

Cral Glordek (Hall Silvervein)

• Size: large outpost
• Population: mixed
• Government: elders of Silvervein clan
• Major exports: raw ore
• Major feature(s): large mining camp

Cral Entzgen (Hall Highpeaks)

• Size: large town
• Population: limited, dwarves
• Government: elders of Highpeaks clan
• Major exports: magic items, tomes, education
• Major feature(s): built on high mountain top, snow-covered

Cral Vonest (Hall Deepdelve)

• Size: small outpost
• Population: mixed, dwarves
• Government: elders of Deepdelve clan
• Major exports: Underdark guides
• Major feature(s): large tavern

Cral Orauk (Hall Gemfounder)

• Size: large town
• Population: exclusive, dwarves
• Government: elders of Gemfounder clan
• Major exports: jewelry
• Major feature(s): elaborate, golden, gilded buildings

Draconix:

• Size: small city
• Population: limited, dragonborn
• Government: council of tribal elders
• Major exports: education, magic items, dragon-based goods
• Main feature(s): steel-covered buildings and magical barrier

Tri Riven:

• Size: large outpost
• Population: mixed, half-elves
• Government: landed aristocracy
• Major exports: fish, agricultural products, textiles
• Main feature(s): built among the intersection of three rivers at a natural harbor

Shadow Way:

• Size: large town
• Population: exclusive, shadar-kai
• Government: plutocracy
• Major exports: guides to Shadowfell, Shadowfell products
• Main feature(s): constantly dusky light due to open rift to the Shadowfell

If you’ve made it this far, please feel free to leave comments or questions. I know I used a lot of terms not encountered since high school social studies classes, but I’m free to answer any questions on why I thought a city worked well as that type of government.