Mirage
واحة وجوهرة ساطعة لا يمكن لأي دولة أن تلمسها. "An Oasis, a shining jewel that no nation may touch." -Rais Tahjyr
Mirage (or آل), the city that the world forgot. A deep chasm that hides a wondrous secret, its walls have been worked over in a circular fashion, leading those who wish to descend into its cavernous depths as far as they need to go. But this trading hub isn't for traditional items, this city is far from the prying eyes of its current rulers in Czekny , leaving all sorts of rarities and exotic items to be on sale, for a hefty price. But more-so, this city is filled with illegal contraband from every corner of the globe, from slaves, drugs, and magical artifacts. Rare paintings and elusive items that have been stolen, but are too famed and recognizable can be found here, where gold speaks louder than law.
Demographics
Currently the city has a very diverse and equal standing with all three primary races on Etymon. Sepents live under the pressure line inside their Sekaion, or World Gates, filled with fourth dimensional architecture that would drive any other race mad. Lanjua live in the middle and upper sections of the city, however due to their exoskeletons, are able to visit the lower levels on occasion, although they get lost quite easily. Mankind lives primarily in the upper districts, as well as in the desert itself.
Government
The city's lack of government is its primary draw, peace is kept by groups of guards who are hired to guard each individual store BY each individual store. Larger, more exotic markets tend to carry more guards in their keep, while single owned stores can often be found guarding themselves by their own shopkeepers. While the city technically exists within Czekny , the federal government is unable to keep a reliable force within the city to maintain order, and thus has left it be.
Defences
The city is barely protected, outside of the guards and hired killers that would most likely try to defend it in times of crisis. The environment proves to be a challenge for any standing force however, as the rough terrain and lack of major water sources in the area create a difficult area to conquer.
Infrastructure
Dream to the mason, sculptures of the world.
The city itself is a chasm, falling deep into the earth with a circular structure. History is unclear if it was always this way, but into the world, the sandstone beneath has been carved into what the city is today. Streets extend miles in every direction beneath the world, with stores carved into every possible crevice. The city itself is incredibly cramped outside of the main walkways that circle down the main spire in a loop, often only fitting two or three people at any given time. Into the sides of the city, buildings have been carved, adorned with markings and words, either for beauty or for practicality. You can find anything within these stores, however the further down you go, the more seedy the work.
History
The official history has been lost to time, the outer shell of the city existing far before the first era. From oral tradition it appears the city has always been a trading hub, however early stories don't recall it going down as far as it does today. Serpents began using the city as a way to escape bondage to Czekny , due to their cold blood making them far more suitable to the warm terrain than mammals. Because of this, they helped create the lower levels of the city, and their own district beneath the molten layer that keeps the upper layers warm at night. Lanjua eventually made their way to the city after decades of conquest near their borders and outwards expansion made them leave their initial home, finding solace inside the stone walls.
In the early 3rd century, Czekny attempted to conquer the city as their own, in hopes of stopping illegal trade and to tax all sales throughout. However, occupying the city was difficult, as the lack of natural resources caused a great many soldiers to die of dehydration, and thugs killed more in the night, disposing of their bodies in the magma throughout the city. After a decade, the troops kept a small station of members to try and keep the city under control, however they were either soon bought out or killed by the citizens, and business resumed as normal.
Architecture
The city is a pit, spiral walkways curve downwards, beneath even the natural barriers such as a layer of lava that lays at the bottom. Beneath that are further tunnels, compressed by intense gravitational pressure, leaving it to only be filled with Serpents and Lanjua. Atop the upper floors live a majority of the human populace, with large spires of sandstone filling the shifting sands, these businesses are both the safest, and the most dangerous in their own respected ways. You can find inns for cheap, often surrounded by brothels and market places, but you will be charged exorbitant fees, and the quality you receive is not often what you pay for. As the spiral walkways descend, large colorful lanterns fill the air, strung together from side to side, as the pillars on the inner-most wall show a preview to the other side, whenever the space isn't obstructed by buildings built into that side in particular. Marvelous workmanship has gone into nearly all these buildings, with extensive carvings covering the sides, worn down by the decades of sandstorms that have erased some of the older marks, replaced with fresh designs instead. The main walkway is well worn, but side-streets found on the outer edges lead beneath the sand and into the world, often spiraling over each other. Here, buildings can be built into all sides, from left, right, and bottom. The darkness is lit by candles and the light that beams out from within these shops, often open at all hours, and staffed by the resident's family. Even further down are the lower sectors, where the heat of the world's flowing molten crust causes steam to seep up through the air. Often times the outer layers are covered by the sandstone carved structures, and barely ventilated. Here you can find the most exotic, and illegal items in the world.
Geography
A vicious heat burns at the equator, the land surrounding Mirage a desolate landscape of valleys and ridges of sand and stone. No life grows within a hundred miles, and that which does is often scavengers and deadly beasts that hunt prey through the night. Dunes hide the horizon, and ever shifting sands make finding specific landmarks difficult, if not impossible. Only the best trained travelers and traders can find it, but those who do often come in search of fortune, and more often than not find it.
Natural Resources
The lava that flows at the bottom of the ravine heats the city in the night, adding a natural aura of warmth light amidst freezing cold temperatures. Minerals have also been found scarcely throughout the city as expansion of the carved tunnels and streets expanded outwards, often which is sold to blacksmiths and merchants who use the natural magma rivers and spouts to forge tougher than steel arms and armor.
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