Elhag (Ehl · hag)

Demographics

The population of Elhag consists of mainly Gnomes, with a small significant Halfling population, and the rest being Zakharan natives. The Elhagi were more practical over all else, and their attitude reflected that. They were stubborn, logical and prideful, "If you can't help me now, then you are of no use to me." Being at the center of Zakhara, the Elhagish Gnomes adapted to learning the stars and the dunes, they are the best travelers in Zakhara, and many of them leave Elhag to work as guides to merchants roaming the deserts. Most of the people in Elhag were tinkerers, merchants or sailors. A common Elhagish saying "Elhag Ma Telhag", used by merchants when selling rare goods, the saying roughly translates to "Buy it before its gone".

Government

Elhag was a Kratocracy, a government system where the strongest rules, well that is until before the discovery of the "Nevergreen Ringmary". Previously, the current ruler would hold a large tournament where anyone could compete to take over the town, and the victor would be crowned. It was a battle of might to the death or until everyone else surrenders, but now it is more of a battle of wit, where the strongest ones would use their brain to develop potions and machinery that would overpower their opponents. The current monarch "Ragsin Ramla" has consecutively won using a machine that he could use as a suit of armor, that machine increased his strength and capabilities allowing him to win every fight since the year 988AF. It was discovered that his older brother "Graser Ramla" was the one that developed these machines and keeps creating new ones, with the promise that Graser would be on "The Council of Khanatba", as he doesn't like the rules of Elhag.

Industry & Trade

Elhag thrived in trade merely because of its position. Being located at the head of "River Bellhag" and in the center of Zakhara gave Elhag multiple options for trade routes, most merchants need to pass through Elhag when going from one town to another, especially when crossing from opposite sides of the continent.
Herbs, medicines and perfumes were the main exports of Elhag, where they had a few of the rarest herbs in Zakhara, and with multiple techniques they could turn these herbs into medicines and perfumes to be traded. Elhag also had multiple leatherworkers that would utilize the "Nevergreen Ringmary" to reinforce the leather.

Infrastructure

Ancient Elhagish people were nomads that roamed the deserts of Zakhara, and their connection with nature still shows in the way that Elhag is built. Elhag is constructed in a way that complements and builds off of the existing terrain. 
Elhag has multiple tunnels and caves that are made specifically to store rainwater, most of the mountains around Elhag are full of freshwater that is waiting to be utilized.
The mountains in Elhag also have multiple tunnels between them, most are to cut trade times but others are used as housing, storage or specialized areas. Many tunnels can also be used as safehouses in the case of an emergency or natural disaster like flooding.
Elhag also had multiple outposts surrounding it and extending their reach for hundreds of miles, these outposts would help incoming merchants and some are even thriving as small towns.

Districts

Elhag has a few large districts, each district is around the size of the mountain, as it each district encompasses one mountain. Only the residential district encompasses more than one mountain, and as the city expands more mountains are being used for residents. The districts are mainly divided into:
Residential District - Consisting of yurts and small, family-run farms and workshops.
Commercial District - With trading posts and marketplaces, where the people of Elhag trade goods with caravans and travelers. It also includes one main governmental building.
Herbal District - Focused on herbal medicine and alchemy, with workshops and gardens for growing and processing herbs.
Spiritual District - Dedicated to religious and cultural rituals, with shrines and temples, the people of Elhag are tapped into their environment because of their ancient link to the desert. The main building is the arena that holds the battle for the crown every year.
Industrial District - With smithies, tanneries, and other craft workshops where the people of Elhag make and repair tools and supplies. They also craft potions and alchemical solutions that can be used in many ways.
Farming District - This district consists of irrigated fields and orchards, where the Elhagish grow crops such as wheat, barley, melons, and fruits. The farming district also includes livestock pens and sheds, where they keep animals such as camels, goats, and sheep.
Port District - Includes docks, warehouses, and storage facilities, as well as taverns, inns, and other establishments catering to travelers and traders passing through. The port district serves as an important gateway for the gnomes of Elhag to connect with Brayla, its sister city.

Natural Resources

The "Nevergreen Ringmary" is the most important plant in Elhag, and although they don't solely depend on it, it does help Elhag in many ways. The plant only grows on some mountainsides around Elhag, all are guarded by farmers. The plant rarely blooms, and its blooming period is around 3 hours, so it is extremely rare to re-plant and grow more "Nevergreen Ringmary". So the government of Elhag has strict rules against over farming. 
The main use of the "Nevergreen Ringmary" is that it can be used as a fuel, and the Elhagish have developed some tools that consume the plant. The herb works best against infections, especially those caused by otherworldly beings. It is also used by the Elhagish alchemists to create multiple elixirs that temporarily empower the user, however the elixirs still have some drawbacks. 
Distillation is also used to extract the oil within the plant, which is then used as a fuel, the distillation requires a few artificers and alchemists to slowly distill and separate the magical fuel.

Founding Date

422 AF

Alternative Name(s)

The Mesmerizing Canal

Type

City

Population

19,000 - 20,500

Inhabitant Demonym

Elhagish

Location under

Zakhara

Owner/Ruler

Ragsin Ramla