Zandar

Demographics

Zandar thrives as a bustling melting pot of diverse species and cultures. Humans, Elves and Dwarves form the majority, with all races uniquely contributing their expertise to the town's flourishing shipbuilding industry. Zandar also has a sizable population of other Zakharan races, adding to its cosmopolitan prospects. The town's residents hail from various regions across the continents of Zakhara and Elifiya, combing a rich tapestry of traditions and perspectives.
Despite economic stratification, from the wealthy elite to the hardworking laborers, Zandar prides itself on its inclusivity and tolerance, something any outsider will quickly refute, as they are intolerant of the people of the Badiya, and would rather die than interact with a person from the Isle. The wealthy elite also control most of the going ons, causing a great gap in power.
Its bustling docks and waterfront are hubs of activity, where shipwrights, sailors, merchants, and artisans mingle, driving the town's prosperity and cementing its reputation as a vibrant center of trade, culture, and innovation. Zandar also has many swords and sorcery schools, with most of the Zandari children competing for a chance to enter the more elite schools, however it is known that corruption is cemented in this system and Zandar as a whole, where gold is the mother tongue.

Government

In Zandar, the government operates as a tightly controlled oligarchy, where power is consolidated in the hands of the wealthy elite who comprise the Grand Collective. This ruling body prioritizes economic interests, especially those related to trade and commerce, above all else, often at the expense of the lower classes. Laws and regulations are crafted to benefit the elite and their business ventures, with little regard for social welfare or justice.
Taxation is disproportionately levied on the working class, burdening them while allowing the wealthy to amass even greater wealth. The organization of the government is structured to maintain the status quo, with the ruling families and factions exerting their influence through a web of patronage, bribery, and coercion. Corruption permeates every level of governance, with officials and bureaucrats often more concerned with lining their pockets than serving the public good. Despite the facade of legitimacy, the true engine driving Zandar's governance is the pursuit of profit, with money and trade reigning supreme above all other considerations, and for those within the system, it seems to be working.
The Grand Collective also makes sure to recruit seasoned adventurers, fighters and great sorcerers into the Collective, offering them many of their perks but without much voting power. Most of these recruited members take the offer as they reach the age of retirement and decide to settle and start a family, making Zandar very desirable for all the amenities. The Collective recruits them into their ranks as a way to provide more protection to the city, most of the recruits become teachers and philosophers, providing Zandar with even more knowledge, and the children of these recruits often end up as great warriors or mages with great patriotism to the city. This cycle makes sure that Zandar always has enough people in its main professions, even if the culture is artificially manufactured.

Defences

In Zandar, defenses are abundant, making it one of the best defenses Zakharan city. Combining enchanted walls, watchtowers with scrying devices, and a well-trained militia. Magical wards and hidden traps fortify key locations, while a reserve of magical artifacts stands ready to repel threats when needed.
Zandar also has the MWG reserves (Mages and Warriors Guild), the adventurers that have been invited to the collective, the guild works purely as a line of defense, never offense, at least that's what the public knows.

Industry & Trade

Zandar thrives on shipbuilding, trade, and maritime industries. Skilled craftsmen construct ships, while merchants gather in its markets. The town exports ships and maritime goods and imports spices, textiles, and luxury items. Manufacturing industries like metalwork and textiles also contribute to its economy, making Zandar a bustling hub of maritime activity and commerce.

Infrastructure

The infrastructure reflects a blend of innovation and practicality. Alongside the usual features like aqueducts and shipyards, the town boasts unique elements such as floating markets on the waterfront and subterranean marketplaces.
Sky bridges and aerial walkways offer elevated pathways, while arcane transportation hubs facilitate quick yet expensive travel. Among the scattered high rises, teaching towers and lookout points serve as centers of learning and observation, enriching the town's culture and providing strategic vantage points for residents.

Districts

Azmara Heights: The lofty district where grand estates rise like towers, adorned with vibrant gardens and intricate balconies, symbolizing the wealth and prestige of its inhabitants.
Samarra Market: The bustling bazaar where merchants weave through crowded alleys, their stalls overflowing with exotic spices, shimmering textiles, and treasures from distant lands.
Qudara Academy: Nestled amidst ancient olive groves, this esteemed institution serves as a beacon of learning and wisdom, where scholars and seekers alike gather to unlock the secrets of the ages.
Habiyeh Bites: A haven for culinary delights, where the smell of savory meats and freshly baked breads drifts through narrow streets, tempting passersby with the unique tantalizing flavors of Zandari cuisine.
Zarawi Quarter: The heart of industry and innovation, where artisans work on their trades in bustling workshops, crafting intricate ceramics, textiles, and metalwork with skill and passion.
Nahda Commons: The melting pot of cultures and traditions, where diverse communities converge, weaving a rich tapestry of different beliefs that enrich the daily life of the common Zandari.
Rimal Gardens: A gated community of opulent villas nestled along the coastline, where residents enjoy private beaches, mystic pools, and exclusive amenities.
Jinan Heights: This luxury enclave is filled with sprawling estates adorned with lush gardens and ornate fountains, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Mashati Mire: An overcrowded neighborhood of tight apartment blocks, where residents endure cramped living conditions and crumbling infrastructure. The collective doesn't care much, causing the neighborhood to have the highest crime rate in all of Zakhara.
Tari Tumble: A neglected enclave of rundown houses and abandoned storefronts, where crime and desperation are rampant, and work seems like a distant dream. The area is full of "flake" addicts (referred to as flakes), that use drugs from the Lands of the Badiya, the drugs are known to numb the pain and worries of people, but can lead to permanent nerve damage.

Guilds and Factions

The Grand Collective:: A ruling body comprising wealthy elites who prioritize economic interests in Zandar's governance.
Mages and Warriors Guild (MWG): A guild consisting of skilled sorcerers and martial experts tasked with defending Zandar and its interests.
Spellblade Legion: An starter guild within the MWG, specializing in nurchuring up and coming magic and martial potential, to protect Zandar from future threats.
Above: An enigmatic faction or entity with significant influence in Zandar's political landscape, operating beyond the public eye. It is only known by name.

Founding Date

437 AF

Alternative Name(s)

Zinda, Everset Harbor

Population

71,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Zandari

Location under

Zakhara

Owning Organization

The Grand Collective