Nextictecuani

The City of Blood (Nextictecuani in orcish) is so named by outsiders, among whom the metropolis has a dark but tantalizing reputation. The orc Smoke Jaguar clan maintains a strong presence in the city, and the corresponding human population makes for an unusually large half-orc community here, and perhaps the only distinctively half-orc culture in the world. The city’s reputation draws more from the prolific sacrifice of humanoids that takes place regularly. While this practice occurs throughout the world to some extent (though most civilized areas pride themselves in abstaining from this custom, they often include gladiatorial bouts).

Theocracy

This city is ruled not by Clan Smoke Jaguar’s hierarchy but by a council of priests and priestesses. The high priest of Huitzilopochtli is largely considered the chief among equals, and makes decisions about warfare and the enforcing of laws. Priests of the temple serve as enforcers and officers when the military is mobilized (it should be noted that every high priest to ever serve has been of the War domain). Other churches and clergy oversee agriculture, burials, and because the city employs a workforce of skeletons in building many of its structures, clergy oversee construction and city projects as well. A council of thirteen priests passes laws and makes major decisions, overseen by the head priest of Huitzilopochtli.

Laws

While typical laws apply (no murder, theft, rape, etc.), Nextictecuani does have a few unique provisions. For starters, despite the city’s gruesome sobriquet, blood is specifically and exclusively for the gods. Any spilled in religious sacrifice is not to be taken or consumed, and because of this, the city maintains an extreme ban on sentient undead. Skeletons are frequently used for menial labor, but no other form of undeath is tolerated, and priests ruthlessly scour the city in ritualized hunts. Though some varieties of vampire exist in the multiverse who are born as such and are not technically undead, this extreme ban extends to any blood drinker regardless of status.
Lastly, the sacrifice of sentient creatures is common, and though some districts of the city are ‘safe’ areas (the Docks and Lower Market primarily), violators of city law (to include those who trespass in districts where they don’t belong) are often used as ritual sacrifices. While these sacrifices are seen by many as a great honor, and it’s not uncommon for even powerful nobility to end their lives thus, many of the rituals are brutal and often in need of ‘volunteers’.

Population

Nextictecuani is home to roughly 100,000 souls, 30% of whom are orcs, and another 20% of whom are human. 20% are half-orcs, making this city the unofficial capital of half-orcs everywhere, and the site of the only uniquely half-orc culture in the world. While many foreign half-orcs find the frequent sacrifices distasteful, many still take pride in the city and its art. Nextictecuani fashion can be found on half-orcs everywhere, and the plays and poetry originating in this city make their way to theaters across the globe.
The last 30% is a mix of halflings, dwarves, elves, and shifters. It should be noted that the city priests demonstrate no particular preference for sacrifices.

Layout

The Obsidian Mirror, a massive temple carved from enormous slabs of the eponymous material, dominates city life and sits squarely in the center of the Religious District at the summit of the massive hill around which the city is built. Sacrifices and festivals occur here, and the priestly council meets in the chambers below the altar. Blood flows down special channels to sacred sluices bringing it around the entire city. To the east is a massive lake, and one switchback road leads directly down to the waterfront at the bottom of a steep slope. Opposite the lake, the city proper is divided into two rings and five districts delineated by wide thoroughfares. In addition to the Religious and Lake Districts, the War, Games, Sky, Market, and Cloud Districts all have an upper and lower sections catering to upper and lower class people, respectively. Most buildings here are fashioned from stone; heat and humidity make wood too transient a material, and with the city’s skeletal workforce and generous application of specific magics, stone structures are easy to fashion.

Religious District

As the name implies, temples to the major deities of the city (Mictlantecuhtli, Tezcatlipoca, Xipe Totec, Quetzalcoatl, and of course Huitzilopochtli) are situated here, arranged at cardinal points around the Obsidian Mirror in the center. Open space and terraced viewing areas take up much of the hilltop, since religious observances call upon the majority of the city to witness and partake; this is also the seat of government, so decrees and trials are held here as well. Smaller buildings are scattered around the edge and house scribes, acolytes, ministers, and others necessary for the functioning of a city (who don’t have an office in one of the temples). Outsiders are generally forbidden from entering, and citizens who expect to travel here regularly must bear a jade seal signifying their worth.

Docks District

As rowdy and chaotic as the Religious District is solemn and ordered, the eponymous docks stretch out into the lake and provide a launch point for fishing vessels while also serving as skyship docks. Unlike most cities with such facilities, Nextictecuani prefers skyships to stay low, asserting the primacy of their religious district and most of the city over visitors and traders. Because this area serves as the gateway to the city for most non-locals, closely-packed warehouses share space with taverns and inns offering refuge. City law prohibits the Flower Wars (the purpose of which is capturing live sacrifices) from taking place here, though visitors who violate the city’s laws are fair game. Notable locations include Puddles, a deceptively innocent-sounding tavern with blood red decor and a local reputation for serving the roughest individuals who come to the city, and Sleeping Clouds, an inn built into the cliffside that advertises an elevated experience (literal and figurative) and serves local specialties such as foamy cocoa drinks and spicy stews.

Lower War District

City tradition dictates that all men and women born here must train for war from the ages of 14 to 16. Only those who capture a prisoner in the Flower Wars are considered to be full warriors; those who are waiting to prove themselves and their trainers live and work here. Lower War is off limits to outsiders, and the trainees aren’t permitted many luxuries or contact with those outside the district. Relationships are also forbidden. Lower War houses a rudimentary magic school in addition to the fighter’s school, and all applicants are tested for aptitude in a number of fields. Macuahuitl training is standard (treat as a greatclub that deals slashing damage) but otherwise, trainees develop into scouts, warriors, or magic users as best suits them. Poetry, astronomy, history, and mathematics are also part of the warrior’s education. After their two years of training, a graduation ceremony is conducted and a raid ensues; any who fail to capture someone advance no further, and typically return to life in the city. Though still considered citizens (and capable of defending themselves or their homes if needed), these failed warriors would have to accept a menial task in the military such as carrying and cleaning weapons for a proper warrior or something similar to have another chance at glory. Some choose to go this route, though they have a slim chance at advancement. Lower War is essentially one giant academy, with barracks and training grounds near the different schools, but few amenities are available here.

Upper War

Also forbidden to outsiders, Upper War is home to the city’s finest warriors. Though modest by comparison to most nobility, the housing here is lavish compared to barracks, and along with training halls there are a handful of businesses here catering to the warrior elite. When a warrior captures someone in the Flower Wars, they are allowed into Upper War for a probationary period; they must capture two more sacrifices within a year and a day to remain, otherwise they typically become trainers or return to civilian life with distinction. Jaguar Academy is the communal hall and training area for the Jaguar Knights, elite warriors who focus on martial discipline. Paladins who have taken the Oaths of Conquest or Crown are common here, as are fighters (Battle Master or Champion) and barbarians (Zealot). Eagle Academy is the city’s wizarding school, and despite the focus on war wizards, anyone with arcane talent may train here. The resulting mesh of bardic, sorcerer, and even warlock traditions offers a rich variety of information for wizards that is the envy of many other academies; Eagle Knights are, however, even more secretive than their fellows. The House of Smoke serves warrior priests who have not yet secured a position in the Religious District. Though these priests aren’t a knighthood themselves, any priest who passes through Upper War is distinguished and all but guaranteed an excellent position in the temple hierarchy. No ruler of the city has ever achieved their position without proving themselves an accomplished warrior first.

Lower Games

The major tlachtli court for the city is located here, and it should be noted that the district as a whole is not safe from Flower War. In fact, visitors can (and have been) pressed into service for tlachtli games when insufficient prisoners are available, with their lives at stake. Whoever loses the game is sacrificed, though winners receive accolades and, in the case of non-natives, a low tier of citizenship. This is the only athletic competition in this part of the city, and the rest of the district is dedicated to games of chance or leisure. Gambling is a lucrative pastime in the city, and over the years hundreds of debtors have fed the sluices from the Religious District.
Tlachtli is an important game for Nextictecuani, and no match is ever played that grants mercy to the losing team. The object is to score the most points, either by getting a five pound rubber ball through a stone circle at the end of the court, or hitting one of six targets on the sidelines. No player may use their hands, and if the ball touches the ground, the team responsible grants a point to their competitors. Getting a ball through the hoop at the end will end the game, and award three points. (Magic is strictly forbidden, and explicitly does not function in the city’s tlachtli court anyway.) Practice is common throughout the city, and many youth grow up practicing the art of keeping the heavy ball off the ground. Diving hard onto stone isn’t uncommon, and even the winning team often comes away with serious injuries.

Upper Games

Nobles and retired warriors of renown are permitted in the Upper Games District, along with the most distinguished guests. Here, gambling parlors and less intense games of skill are available for relaxation, and just as in the lower ward gambling is an extremely popular pastime. The Anaconda’s Egg is the epitome of upscale gambling establishments, attracting high rollers with a taste for real danger from throughout the multiverse. After all, going into debt is most easily resolved by being selected for the altar.

Lower Sky

The principle residential area in the city is well ordered, even in the slums, and maintains the city penchant for stone buildings. Streets are regularly cleaned by diligent skeletons and menial laborers, and even poor families can afford at least one room. Lords and citizens in other cities mutter that Nextictecuani only lacks homeless beggars because of their dark predilections, but the people living in the City of Blood largely accept this fact, and counter that other civilizations enslave or throw captives into gladiatorial arenas, committing the same acts without even honoring their gods. Because these residences are for citizens of the city, while several restaurants dot the neighborhoods, there is little here for visitors from out of town.

Upper Sky

The palatial homes of priests and retired elite warriors are built here. Once a distinguished warrior leaves active duty, they might pursue mercantile or artistic interests, and most look to have a family and raise the next generation of fierce fighters. The homes here might be considered somewhat modest by the standards of other nobility, but the stone craftsmanship endures, and each manor has a rich history attached to it. As in Lower Sky, there’s little here to entice foreign visitors, though the Purple Corn Restaurant is widely regarded as the best food in the city, though one must be invited by an Upper Sky resident to attend.

Lower Market

Wedged between the residential and industrial districts, Lower Market is perfectly positioned to distribute wares throughout the city. A tunnel runs down to the Docks district so that goods might flow more quickly to the market stalls, and anything found in the Player’s Handbook as well as many Common magic items may be found here for sale. Operating a stall requires a permit, and the permit demands a nominal fee (usually paid with a promise of some percentage of profits) and proof of residence in the city. Foreign merchants may sell wares in one small corner of the market, and often do a brisk trade. It should be noted that only the Foreign District is explicitly protected from the Flower War.

Upper Market

Upscale items and uncommon or greater magic may be found here in well-appointed shops. Upper Market is open to anyone who can demonstrate that they have the wealth, foreigner or citizen alike; there is often a shop interested in purchasing magic items from adventurers, using the rules listed in the DMG for these transactions.

Lower Cloud

Sharing some of the lakeshore with the Docks, Lower Cloud manages all of the dirty work in the city, whether that’s gutting fish to sell, tanning, smelting ore, or any other unsavory task. Priests often use magics to blow the foul stench of this district away from the city proper, though not consistently enough to erase the smell completely. Though anyone may pass through this district, few who don’t work here actually want to.

Upper Cloud

At the boundary between districts sit the smithies of the city, and above them artisans ply their craft. Tailors, cobblers, enchanters, and others create fine finished goods for sale in the markets or for clients. Retired Eagle Knights often occupy one of the mage towers in this district, and while many apply necromancy to manage the city’s skeletal construction crews, some are willing to accept commissions for magical items. The scrupulous buyer should be aware however that the magics of Nextictecuani are often gruesome, and the means by which some items are fashioned may not sit well with moral adventurers.

Demographics

30% are orcs, and another 20% are human. 20% are half-orcs, the last 30% is a mix of halflings, dwarves, elves, and shifters

Government

Theocracatic council

Defences

Twenty foot stone walls encircling the city, including much of the lakefront

Industry & Trade

The lands around the city are rich in jade and obsidian, while also making for fertile fields and an abundance of corn and other crops. Cocoa in particular fetches a good price around the world.

Infrastructure

Elaborate drainage systems

Assets

Copious gold, jade, and obsidian, minor magical items

History

Nextictecuani has stood for two thousand years, and the Obsidian Mirror temple for an additional five hundred years before that. Smoke Jaguar orcs didn't always welcome half-orc children, and the temple was initially built by half-orcs to serve as the site of their own sacrifice. One half-orc had been training secretly as a priestess, contacted by Huitzilopotchli himself, and rallied the other half-orcs to defeat the orcs and offer them for sacrifice instead. The rest of the Smoke Jaguar Clan had no choice but to approve of this development, as the half-orcs clearly demonstrated their god's favor, and the temple was left unmolested. Over the centuries, a town and then city grew around the black temple on the hill, and when five hundred years had passed the small and separate settlement at the base of the hill (which contained the original tlachtli court) connected with the temple support structures, designating Nextictecuani a proper city. Smoke Jaguar orcs tend to be quasi-nomadic, but the temple and city offer a powerful allure to them, for rarely has Huitzilopotchli ever so directly shown his will, and this city is testament to the single time he has done so in favor of non-orcs. Half-orcs in the city celebrate the founding day as the day they were formally accepted as Smoke Jaguars.

Architecture

Primarily stone buildings

Geography

The city sits on a hill, with the Religious District at the top and a steep descent to the lake in the east.

Alternative Name(s)

City of Blood

Type

Large city

Population

100,000

Related Tradition (Primary)

• Blood Magic