Lebis
"Horsemen are bad swimmers."The city of Lebis is the capital of Caspia. It is heavily fortified, lying on an island just of the coast, connected to land by a single bridge. It's location is shielded landward by the Kassite mountains. The city is a major naval base for the Common Fleet.
Demographics
The city of Lebis is majority human, but has a large population of halflings, and it is sometimes believed that the city was founded by halflings in the distant past.
The city's population is mostly based around trade, government and the fleet. Many servicing the ships of the Common Fleet is a major source of employment. The city also serves as an export port for Caspian grain and cedar wood, which is plentiful along the Caspian mountainsides.
Government
The city is the seat of the king of Caspia, and is where he exercises most power. The local city council is responsible for most day to day business. Trials are administered by a variety of organizations. Guilds, the fleet, the army, the cult of The Path all have their own laws and courts. For offences external to these organizations the king's "Adjudicator" is often called upon to organize a fair trial.
Defences
Being located on an island makes the city quite difficult to besiege. The construction of several fortresses and towers enhance these natural defences. Wisdom's rock stands on the landward side of the bridge which links the city to the mainland. Harrak Castle guards the other end. The entrance to the city's harbour is constructed in such a way that ships must pass beneath two great towers, The Lighthouse and the Chain-Tower. As the name implies a large chain can be raised from the Chain-Tower to block this entrance, sealing the harbour off. Several other towers and smaller castles overlook potential landing sites, of which there are only a few outside of the harbour itself. Naval batteries are placed at strategic locations to ward of enemy warships. The city is always host to at least a dozen warships ready to sail on short notice. Common Fleet squadrons patrol the waters around the city, and further south. Other squadrons keep watch on the Khandari fleet, ready to warn the city's defenders if the enemy fleets puts to sea. The Bridge which connects to the mainland is also constructed to be collapsible in the event of a siege.
Industry & Trade
Being located on a small island and being the capital of a country much reduced in size the city does not produce many goods of its own. It serves as a safe harbour for merchants to trade, and for the few products produced in northern Caspia to be exported through. Cedar is the most profitable of these materials, followed by grains of various sorts. Carpentry is another source of income forr many Lebisians. Lebis' furniture is famed for its high quality and serves as a mark of status for the wealthy across The "Free Cities" and much of Khandar.
Infrastructure
Lebis is primarily built according to two needs: To be defensible, and to accommodate ships. All other concerns are secondary. Thus the port and the fortresses receive most of government spending on infrastructure. The port is large, deep and well built, capable of hosting dozens of ships at a time along its piers, and many more anchored in the shielded harbour. The fortresses block all landwards paths to the island, and guard any conceivable landing site for an amphibious invasion force.
As the island is long and narrow the single central road known as "The Path" in reference to the local religion, serves as the most convenient thoroughfare, with side streets springing out along and horizontal it when possible.
Districts
The city of Lebis is not formally divided into districts. Geography and tradition does however see its citizens divide it into these general areas:
- Tavernside: While the official "city of Lebis" is entity located on the isles of Lebis and Kayar there is a settlement on the far side of the Bridge. Called tavernside largely because of the disproportionate number of inns and taverns located there. Visitors to the city often choose to lodge here because prices there are lower, both for food and lodging. This due to the availability of space, which is at a premium within the city proper. Some refer to it disdainfully as "scorchtown" due to the fact that it has been burned down every time Khandar has besieged the city. Only to be rebuilt once the invaders leave.
- Merkez district is the southernmost and largest part of the city. The island is widest here. This is where most of the common citizens of the city live. Workshops, mills, and tanneries are found here, along with the meat market and other less savory places. The winding streets here are often considered unsafe for outsiders, who mostly keep to the path, which cuts through this are of the city like a river through a thick forest.
- The Neck: The narrow isthmus connecting the north and south sides of the island is famed for its cloth covered market which envelops the Path. This market is known as Kongil. Here it is common for visitors to the city to buy refreshments, especially a cup of the city's brand of Coffee, Cappa along with iced citrus fruits in various flavors. On either side of this market one finds the guild halls of the city, with the Cedar House of the Cedar Guild at the very end, nearest to the plaza.
- Uzun: The northern part of Lebis island is where the city's wealthy play. This part of the city is famed for its many towers. Rich families compete to built the highest tower on their small plots of land. Unlike other parts of the city buildings here are primary constructed from either limestone or cedar. Not burnt-mud bricks like the poorer parts of the city. The main draw for those not of the elite is the massive plaza-market (also called Uzun) and the commercial harbour, which are found here.
- Kayar Island: Also known as "Royal Isle" it is here that the palace and naval docks are located. Despite the presence of royalty this area of the city is more austere, lacking the ostentatious buildings and flowery facades that are so common in the Uzun. The buildings here are monumental and well built, but favour function over form.
Guilds and Factions
There are a number of factions in the city of Lebis. The most important of these are:
- The Royalists: These men and women are not organized formally into any one organization. Yet they form the single largest and most powerful faction within the city. They hold that only a strong monarchy and an obedient population will be able to resist eventual Khandari conquest. They advocate for the subordination of local government to federal authorities, and for the strengthening of the navy and army. They are consequently strongest represented in the Navy and the Army, but people who identify with the Royalists can be found in most other guilds and factions. The common meeting place for members of the Royalist Faction in Lebis is the Navy Club.
- The Federalists: Like the Royalists the Federalists are not formally a guild or faction. They are simply people holding and advocating for similar views. They argue that unquestioned monarchical power was what destroyed Caspia in the first place, as the kings attempted to win glory in open battle wiith the Mahdyan tribes, instead of trusting to the country's strong fortified places. They want the monarchy to adopt a constitution limiting its powers. They are strongly represented in most guilds. Their common meeting place in the city is Madame Desalia's Coffee House.
- The South Sea Company: Being an organization of tremendous wealth, and with influence in the halls and forums of the Republic the SSC hold significant influence in Caspia. As Caspia is a monarchy the Republic refuses to send an official ambassador, leaving the SSC Director in the area to unofficially adopt the role.
- The Lonca Cedra - The Cedar Guild: Second to the South Sea Company the Cedar Guild is the wealthiest organization in the city of Lebis, and in the northern enclave of Caspia as a whole. With a monopoly on the trade in the valuable cedar trees that is the country's most valuable export. The guild employs thousands of people. It has branched of into other industries, such as ship-building and carpentry. It is widely alleged that the guild has criminal connections. However, the guild is too powerful for the monarchy to confront directly without destabilizing the situation in Caspia.
- The Priesthood of the Path: The religious order which conveys the teachings of The Path is the last major faction in the city. While the priesthood tends to support the monarchy in most matters, it is careful to preserve its privileges, and ensure that religious law is implemented and donations of money forthcoming.
History
The city's history is long and storied. It is said that the city is one of the oldest human cities still inhabited, and this may be true. Although some scholars argue that the city was first founded as a halfling settlement, and later either conquered by humans, or slowly evolved into a human majority settlement.
According to legend the Queen Ashale of the Cirian Tribe founded the settlement after fleeing from the "Snake Men" of the Eight Isles. Now commonly believed to be Trumm and the Seven Sisters. True or not the settlement is old, with scholars believing it to have been founded more than three thousand years ago. In that time it has waxed and waned in importance. The Great King of Khandar in the 3rd century BIC built a palace on the island, and in 150 IC the city was described as "having weathered the general collapse of order, maintaining its size and splendor". It was at that time the wealthiest of the remaining cities in Northern Khandar. The city became the capital of the kingdom of Caspia in 660 IC when the king moved his court there. In latter years it has been surpassed in size and wealth by the city of Lixus to its south, but remains the capital of the remnant of Caspia.
Points of interest
- The Winged Palace - seat of the kings of Caspia, this unique building is built of local blue stones and in such a way that it's "wings" fan out, making the building appear larger than it is.
- Uzun Market - The grand marketplace of the city is surprisingly large for how crammed the city is. It stretches along the entire commercial port, and all sorts of products and people can be found here.
- The Naval Docks - If one is interested in military vessels one could do worse than the naval docks of Lebis. Here a dozen or more galleys and frigates lie ready for war.
- Wisdom's Rock - Built by Hameed I great grandfather of the current king, and the last king of the "Golden Age" of Caspia. This fortress is named as such because it was constructed in the modern style to guard the city, at a time when a siege of the city seemed a foolish notion. Only a few decades after its completion the Mahdyan tribes descended from their mountain strongholds, and its worth was soon proven.
- The Bridge - There is only a single bridge worthy of the term in Lebis. This great bridge was built with aid from the Circle of Magi in the 6th century as a gift from the Queen of Caspia to the city of Lebis.
- Harrakk Castle - Built in the old style, this 4th century castle was once the main fortress of the city. Today it serves as the administrative center of the army, storehouse and main garrison for the city's defenders.
- The Lighthouse and the Chain-Tower - While serving a primarily defensive purpose these two towers are an impressive sight that all ships entering the city's port pass. They are decorated with immense mosaics of scenes from Caspian history.
- Madam Desalia's Coffee House - Established in 962 this establishment lie on Tower Hill, a height just northeast of the South Sea Company Office building. Here guests have a fine view either out to sea, or over the port and towards the lush hills on the mainland. It is the primary location for the wealthy, pretty or influential to socialize.
- The Navy Club - Located just off the Naval Docks this austere building hides a luxurious interior. Here the military men of the city and their invited guests gather to discuss everything from the latest innovations in naval technology, to what manner of wig is fashionable. A haunt of the officer class and Royalists.
- South Sea Company Office - The SSC is the wealthiest organization in the city, and they want to show it. Imported marble columns, silver and gold decorations, elaborate carvings and two dozen statues in every precious metal to be found. The building is ostentatious and built in the Republic style.
- The Cedar House - Built entirely from the famed cedar wood of Caspia this building serves as the headquarters of the Cedar Guild. It contains one of the few extensive gardens in the city, along with a fashionable fountain and accompanying pool, in which handsome youths of the city are often invited to enjoy themselves.
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Architecture
Buildings in the city can be said to be of one of three styles.
In the southern Merkez district buildings are small constructions of burnt-mud bricks stacked one atop the other, separated by tiny alleys, or simply connected by ladders from one roof to another. This does not mean their inhabitants do not express themselves. Roof gardens are a point of pride, along with colorful facades and graffiti. The narrow alleys are often covered with cloth to shade from the sun.
In the northern Uzun district buildings are larger, separated by formal (if narrow) streets. They are built of limestone, with elegantly maintained roof gardens, allowing vines to artfully fall down along the walls. The roofs are of cedar wood to signify wealth. Narrow towers sprout from the estates of the rich, competing to be tallest.
On Kayar, the royal island buildings are stark limestone, simple rectangles with slate-stone roofs. Towers here serve military functions and the streets are broader than elsewhere. Here function trumps form. the wealth and status of the monarchy is expressed in its casual disregard for the fashions of its subjects.
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