M'banza

M'banza, the Green City, sits on a broad, flat mountain top in the jungle below a massive desert. Occupied primarily by wood elves, humans, and half-elves, the city is run by a royal family of half-elves with autonomous districts for wood elves specifically (most are transient). Most of the homes and businesses are woven into the jungle itself, with abundant links to the Feywild ensuring that ample food is available for the huge population, which numbers more than a million at certain times of the year. Skydocks are common while portals are relatively scarce, other than those which lead to the Feywild (and are typically used for hunts), and all races have a presence in this city, renowned for its invigorating energies. The largest temple to the Great Mother is here, cunningly designed from living trees.
Though the royal family is in charge of the military and protection of the city, many of the policies and trade are dictated by prominent merchant houses, who send members to fill an advisory council. Houses of healing are an industry unto itself, as are potent drinks, exotic meats from the Feywild, ivory, diamonds, and a host of other goods.
Most of the military is composed of barbarians (zealot), who defend their city and temple without fear of death. Though metal armor is not unheard of, the city stays warm throughout the year, and metal weapons and armor must be constantly maintained against rust. When it comes to magic, warlocks (Fey) are fairly common here, to the point of being accepted. Wizards focus on enchantment and transmutation, with an elven bladesinger tradition firmly established as well.

Districts

Nkulumbimbi District - The flattened peak of the mountain is a combination royal district and holy district; temples abound, and the royal palace has space for an honor guard. There are no services here in the way of taverns or inns; those who are not visiting the royal family or on religious business aren’t encouraged to linger.
Crown District - Somewhat deceptively named, this district rings the plateau on top of the mountain. Here sit the schools of magic and war, as well as barracks for the city’s defenders. A handful of neighborhoods dot this district along with a broad range of entertainment.
Roots District - The base of the mountain sits securely behind walls, which come down almost to the river at one point. Most of the city’s commerce and dwellings are located here, with the former located closer to the river (along with the skydocks) and neighborhoods of generally good quality located all around. (This district is the default for listed accommodations.)
Hinterlands - The valleys not adjacent to the river sit outside the city walls, but this suits many inhabitants, who appreciate a degree of freedom. Regularly patrolled, the neighborhoods here are generally safe, though far enough away from the city they can become a little rough. Most of the city’s industry is out in these parts as well, with iron coming in from the jungle.

Places of interest

The Public Lodge - This massive tavern is located conveniently close to the main skydocks, and can seat two hundred patrons with ease. The proprietor is an aging half-elf and her family, who offer a selection of local drinks and more exotic beverages, as well as meals prepared from Feywild quarry. Though most locals tend to avoid the bustle, the Lodge is still a great place to hear news from throughout the world. Beds are available here as well.
Soka House - Though the focus of this school is wizardry specifically, warlocks and sages research here as well. The libraries and mentors contain the largest repository of knowledge on the Enchantment school of magic anywhere in the world, and has received prominent visitors from throughout the multiverse. The House itself is a potent green aspected manse, allowing students and professors alike to wield powerful magics within.
Ndidi’s Oddities - A metropolis of this size has hundreds of shops and an entire market center, but Ndidi carries the very best selection. A human who’s mysteriously been alive for centuries, Ndidi’s shop is far larger inside and guarded by a tremendous amount of mysterious magic. Hers is one of the greatest collections of magic wares on the Prime Material Plane, though she often demands a trade of another magic item in addition to gold.
The Serpent’s Nest - Around the base of the mountain lie some of the city’s seedier districts. There are many services in the city which aren’t outright illegal, but fall under the purview of individual merchant houses, and maintaining good order is always paramount over a good time. Away from their influence lie establishments such as this one however; gambling, intoxicants, pleasurable company, and more can be had for a modest sum, and whispers of darker services rendered for those who earn the proprietor’s trust circulate through the underbelly of the city.

Unique Goods and Services

Fufu - Easily the most popular food here, fufu comes as balls of cassava dough (sometimes steamed in banana leaves as kwanga) or baked plantain balls. These are dipped in spicy stews which often include peanuts and/or goat. Coffee - Though trade has brought coffee beans around the world, it first grew near this very city, and has been perfected here. Coffee houses are common here, and offer innovation in the craft unseen anywhere else. Dinosaur - Though some live in other parts of the world, dinosaurs are most common here, where the jungles and green mana sustain their massive forms. Hunted all around the jungle, dinosaur meat is a rare treat for those in other parts of the world, as it’s not a common export (and isn’t very good as jerky). Arenas - Unlike the gladiatorial arenas of the Empire, the arenas here typically feature jungle beasts pitted against a veteran combatant. This isn’t always the case, but tends to be the pattern; the beast, when slain, becomes a meal, and in M’banza it’s considered high art to make the kill as cleanly as possible, relying on dance and acrobatics to add to the spectacle.

Accommodations

Wretched - Livin’ in the jungle, fam. Squalid - The Mouth of Hell (pit fight arena in the Hinterlands), Twentynine Palms Tavern (Hinterlands), Red Blaze Inn (Hinterlands) Poor - Sun Theater (Hinterlands), The Fattened Goat Restaurant, Jungle’s Bounty (Hinterlands), Spice and Hammocks (Restaurant and Inn), Dunkin’ Donuts, the Riverbed Inn Modest - Spear and Shield Gladiatorial Arena, Palm and Triceratops Restaurant, Bloody Roots Orcish Barbecue (Hinterlands), House of Repose Inn (Hinterlands), Funanya’s Boarding House Comfortable - Sheggen’s Theater and Dining, Ubada’s Prey (Hinterlands), Emerald Clouds Tavern and Inn (Crown), Pisces Iscariot Restaurant, The Public House Wealthy - Bowl of the Gods Arena and Restaurant, Cloud Dragon Coffeehouse (Crown), Azure Hand Pub, Gaia’s Embrace Tavern and Inn (Crown), Sandman Inn (Crown) Aristocratic - Crown Tower Restaurant (Crown), Green Beans Coffee and Restaurant (Crown), the Beryl Pagoda (Inn, Crown)

Demographics

Human 40%, Half-elf 20%, Wood elf 20% (most are transient), Halflings 10%, Shifters 5%, all others ~5%

Government

Absolute Monarchy

Defences

The jungle itself is adequate for breaking up formations and preventing ground vehicles from making an easy approach. A fifteen foot wall surrounds the city proper.

Industry & Trade

Coffee is a major export, as are diamonds and rare woods. Wood elven magics vary drastically from their cousins, and magical items for druids or others more naturally inclined are often sought here.

History

The plateau holding the royal palace began as an advantageous meeting place for wood elf tribes living in the jungle. Eventually, permanent buildings and a temple were set up, and over the next few millennia the settlement grew and attracted local humans and others.

Architecture

Several important buildings on the mountain proper are built out of stone, but most buildings are wood, and particularly in the Hinterlands these buildings are in (and sometimes part of) the trees themselves.

Geography

The city center sits on a flattened mountaintop surrounded by dense jungle.

Natural Resources

Coffee, diamonds, dinosaur goods, ivory, rare woods, iron

Alternative Name(s)

The Green City

Type

Large city

Population

90,000

Inhabitant Demonym

M'banzans