Athkatla
Population: 122,000 (90% humans, 8% halflings,
2% other)
•
Government: Oligarchy, led by the Council of Six
•
Defense: Amn army
•
Commerce: Ale, armor, grain, horses, iron, jewelry, weapons
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Organizations: Cowled Wizards, Emerald Cabal, Shadow Thieves
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Religions: Waukeen (dominant), Helm, Sune, Milil, Selûne, Lathander, Cyric
Athkatla, the City of Coin, is one of the wealthiest cities in all of Faerûn. The capital of the mercantile nation of Amn, nearly every aspect of life in Athkatla revolves money and commerce. Its wealth and affluence are so well known that legends in foreign lands contend the city’s streets are literally paved with gold… though if this were true, some enterprising citizens would long ago have found some way to extract the treasures from the cobblestones.
The City of Coin never sleeps—it is constantly abuzz with the haggling and machinations of ruthlessly competitive merchants, peddlers, hustlers, con artists and criminals… though in Amn the lines between these groups is often blurred. In Athkatla, money is power, and there is a stark contrast between those who possess it and those who do not. The influential organizations that run the city’s economy—such as the oppressive Cowled Wizards, the enigmatic Shadow Thieves, or the obscenely wealthy mercantile houses—act with unfettered impunity, answering only to themselves. Those who fall on the lower rungs of the social ladder—like the poor who dwell in the slums of the River District—have no recourse to the authorities or the law. For them, life in the City of Coin is a daily struggle to survive where danger lurks around every corner.
Officially, Athkatla is ruled by the Council of Six. Although council positions were once held anonymously, the current council members rule openly, relying on their sponsors to protect them against threats and retaliation from potential rivals. The current council consists of the leader of House Selemchant, backed by the Cowled Wizards; the matriarch of House Dannihyr, supported by the Shadow Thieves; and the rulers of the independent mercantile families of House Alibakkar, House Ophal, House Nashivaar, and House Havarian—the most recent addition to the Council.
Culture
Status in Athkatla is measured almost exclusively by material wealth. As such, it is common practice for those in power to display their affluence through lavish parties and expensive gifts to allies and supporters. Bribery is commonplace, and widely accepted as the proper way to grease the wheels in business and politics.
The constant effort to demonstrate extravagance surpassing one’s peers has led to a culture of Athkatla’s citizens embracing decadence and overindulgence, particularly among the elites of the gem district. During nights of revelry it is common practice to eat and drink to the point of bursting, then to forcefully empty the stomach through the practice of “straking”… leaving behind a vomitus mess for their servants or slaves to clean up.
Not surprisingly, fashion in Athkatla also reflects this obsession with material wealth. Women typically wear elaborate turbans made from rare silks, inlaid with gems and embroidered with gold or platinum stitching. Men favor expensive vests and cloaks sewn from valuable furs imported from the distant North, sacrificing personal comfort in the blazing heat in order to show off their
means. Ornate jewelry is common among both sexes,
with an affinity for custom pieces showcasing rare
gems, especially black pearls.
The various ranks of societal status are correlated
with precious metals: ranging from the “ore” of the
dregs of society to the “mithral” elites at the top.
• Ore. The lowest rank. Used to mean filthy or criminal,
and strongly insulting.
• Bronze. The working class. Can also be used to mean
a low-rank imposter.
• Copper. Acceptable working class.
• Steel. Best of the working class, or military.
• Silver. A rising merchant or one with much potential.
• Gold. One whose wealth was inherited, or one who
was wealthy without business sense.
• Platinum. The head of a mercantile house.
• Adamantine. The highest self-made rank.
• Mithral. Perfection. The highest possible rank.
A common insult is to refer to someone as a low-ranking
metal, particularly if it is immediately below their actual
station. Referring to someone or something as one
of the higher ranks is seen as a compliment… or flattery.
In practice, the richer inhabitants have authority
over the less wealthy. However, a recent public show of
wealth such as a large purchase, high bid, or particularly
extravagant party could temporarily raise an individual’s
status above those who possess greater total wealth.
Because the societal emphasis is so heavily dependent
on measurable material wealth, there is little regard
given to racial stereotypes. As long as a potential customer
or business partner adheres to the basic societal
rules—and has the money to back their position—it does
not matter who they are or where they are from.
History
One of the first major settlements in the region, the
city was originally founded circa 100 DR by Calishite
immigrants loyal to the Shoon Imperium. The region
was first known as the Emirate of Amin, but when
the Shoon Empire fell in 460 DR, Amn became an
independent nation… though the city of Esmeltaran
was its first capital, despite Athkatla being the oldest
and largest city.
The next seven centuries were a period of prosperity
and peace, driven largely by trade with the distant
lands to the North. The rapid rise of the merchant
traders led to a culture that valued economic success
over all else. The obsession with profit and material
wealth eventually became the defining characteristic of
Athkatla and its citizens.
In 1238 DR a series of trade wars began as various
factions tried to exert control over the city. In 1333 all
trade in or out of Amn was halted. Realizing such trade
interruptions were harmful to not just the merchant
houses, but the entire nation, a young Athkatla merchant
named Thayze Selemchant persuaded the leaders
of five other influential houses in the city to join together
and form a new government to “guide” commerce… and
the nation as a whole.
Under the newly formed Council of Six, trade resumed,
and profits flowed once more. The Council
decreed that Athkatla, home of their Houses, would
be the new capital of Amn. Given their economic influence
across all levels of society, there were none
who dared oppose them. Under the Council, Athkatla
flourished, becoming the busiest trade port on the
Sword Coast.
Law in Athkatla is based on the Golden Rule—those
who have the gold make the rules. Actions that would
be considered illegal or immoral in other lands are
tolerated, providing the offenders are rich enough to pay
the pre-determined fines. Lewd and licentious behavior
are rampant in the city, slavery is common, and even the
thieves within the city are permitted to operate provided
they follow the terms of written contracts.
The only real crime in Athkatla—other than being
poor—is the use of arcane magic within the city limits.
In the 13th Century DR, King Dhanar granted the
Cowled Wizards complete oversight over spellcasters.
As a result, only a handful of sorcerers are licensed to
practice in Athkatla, all exclusively under contract with
the various High Houses of Amn. Enforcement of this
ban on arcane magic is under the purview of the Cowled
Wizards, who administer brutal punishment on any
who flout this law. Many of the High Houses now resent
this arrangement, as they feel the Cowled Wizards
are little more than agents working on behalf of House
Selemchant, but the dissenters lack the influence and resources
to effectively oppose the status quo.
Type
Large city
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