The Free City of Eschen (ESH-en)

The city of Eschen is one of the few remaining bastions of Dichotomism remaining in Oristhane. As is true with the nation's Dichotomist minority in general, the city's population is largely made up of ethnically-Rozhov people. Located in the east of Oristhane only about a hundred miles from the nation's border with the Federation of Vay, the climate around Eschen is dominated by constant, oppressive heat because it is near-equatorial; as a result, like many other settlements in the region, Eschen is entirely subterranean.
Though midsized in terms of population compared to the other Oristhanian free cities, Eschen punches above its weight in terms of wealth. The discovery of a massive arcolith deposit drew settlers to the region some nine hundred years ago, and it was the arcolith mines that sprung up in the area soon after that first brought wealth to Eschen. Arcolith mining remains a major source of wealth for the city to this day. Several "mining dynasties"—long-standing family lines who have owned and mined arcolith-rich land for centuries—dominate the city socially and politically. Over the last several hundred years, Eschen has always been one of the top producers of arcolith across Aotra.
The city's wealth is obvious. Eschen is a beautiful city: the historic sections of the city are well-maintained and pristine, while the newer sections are artfully designed. Like many subterranean cities, Eschen makes up for its relative lack of scenic beauty with an abundance of public parks, gardens, and conservatories. Floating lamps light the streets, while a magically-crafted breeze stirs the air. If it weren't for the ever-present earthen ceiling, one might almost forget they were underground. The wealth of the city is evident in the way that bourgeois centers of entertainment are so common throughout the city: Eschen houses numerous luxurious public baths, fine casinos, and vast amphitheaters, which host attractions as diverse as dramatical performances, horse races, and gladiatorial combat.
One mining dynasty, the Ulanov family, has ruled the city of Eschen for some three hundred years after seizing control from another historic (but now extinct) mining dynasty. Stannis III, the patriarch of the Ulanov family, reigns as Prince of Eschen, though it is expected that he will soon pass the throne to his eldest son, Valerya, Hereditary Prince of Eschen. Two other mining dynasties, the families Orlov and Koloska, wield significant power within the city, as does Eschen's branch of the wealthy Djernina family, the patriarch of which is a particularly influential Dichotomist pastor.

Founding Date

c. 190 YW

Type

City

Population

c. 200,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Escheners

Owning Organization

Oristhane