Lumöra (/luˈmɔːɹə/)
Lumöra, the City of Gold by trekman10 + DALLE
As the scents of freshly cooked rice and exotic spices waft through the air, you see the ancient Feloran Rice City's noble, golden spires reach for the sky, casting their long, imposing shadows upon the canals and buildings below. Feloran Elves and half-elves weave through the wide avenues and narrow streets. Gazing at the cityscape, both densely packed with houses, apartments, shacks, and walls, yet somehow full of, majestic palaces and halls, and parks, one can't help but be reminded of their lot in life. One hears the din of the workshops where artisans ply their crafts, their creations and wares whispering tales of ancient lore, timeless beauty, and far-off places.
Demographics
The city's population consists mostly of Feloran Elves. Present is a larger population of half elves than most Sorenian settlements, often working as servants in major homesteads and wealthy merchant households. As with all Feloran Successor States, there are no slaves in Lumöra, and the lowest at the economic ladder are the "unskilled" laborers, a relative term when describing the long-lived Felorans. The Sovereignty has not organised a census nor has the Tae'ras, so it is unknown what the specific makeup of the population is.
Most within the city walls are scholars, bureaucrats, government officials, and some skilled artisans. Most half-elves live in the outskirts of the city, beyond the walls. Many half-elves may find employment as servants in major homesteads and wealthy merchant households. They may work as butlers, maids, or household staff, providing essential services to affluent families. Those with creative skill can support the production of various artisanal goods, working alongside their elven counterparts as apprentices or assistants to the professional Guildsperson.
Government
Lumöra is nominally directly ruled by the Sovereign, though in practice they appoint a governing committee, the Tae'ras, consisting of representatives from the Scholar-Officials, nobles, and certain skilled artisans and tradesfolk. The Tae'ras enforces Sovereign edicts, and can enact laws and regulations on it's own. Legal disputes both civil and criminal are settled by the Dojov Öye, a tribunal called by the Tae'ras that consists of three of it's members. The city's residents are represented by the Je'thor Council, a 15 member elective body in which all Felorans who have taken their Törn'kèu Ritual are eligible to vote. It can make laws, subject to Tae'ras approval, and determine the city's budget and financial priorities on it's own.
Taxes for the maintenance of city infrastructure are collected under the authority of the Je'thor Council, while the Tae'ras collects taxes for the operation of the Sorenian State . The Je'thor and Tae'ras collectively oversee the city's modest civil service. Decisions taken by the city government are notoriously slow, and the longevity of the Elven lifespan only encourages centuries of procrastination.
Defences
With it's immense population, the city leadership has spent the last 300 years replenishing and training people for the city guard, now comprised of 3,000 guards. Additionally, the Sovereignty employs the Oyemörn, an elite, if outdated, garrison of 100 crossbow archers, as a specialized force. Together, they ensure the city's security and swiftly respond to any threats that may arise.
In addition to the reinforced city wall, which protects roughly 60% of the city's populace, Lumöra's defensive infrastructure includes a fortified citadel in the western part, overseeing the strategic Lërd Canal. With watchtowers, reinforced walls, and secure gates, the citadel serves as the headquarters for the city guard. Regular patrols, vigilant monitoring, and dedicated training uphold Lumöra's safety and support the revanchist goals of the Sovereignty.
Industry & Trade
Lumöra is renowned for its skilled crafts and tradesfolk, where artisans and craftsmen within the city's walls produce exquisite works of art, luxurious goods, and functional items. While the city has left it's rice paddies far in the past, farmers from the surrounding areas travel to Lumöra to sell their surplus produce, including rice, in bustling markets, fulfilling their tax obligations to the Sovereignty. Lumöra also serves as a vital trading center on the Inner Feloran-Tealastrian Circuit, attracting merchants and caravans with its central canals and strategic location, facilitating the exchange of goods and showcasing the city's economic prosperity and cultural richness.
Infrastructure
There are a great many canals, aqueducts, and channels built in Lumöra, providing for the city's drinking water and transit, while also mitigating seasonal flooding. The city's amenities have stagnated, having not been expanded or maintained outside the most affluent and inner districts, and much of the newer construction has been haphazard and shoddy, particularly with the series of slums on the city's outskirts.
Districts
Lumöra is divided into nine districts, four within it's walls, which are believed to be the tallest and widest wall structure in Felora.
- Èrndìa. The Capital District, literally meaning "Place of Rules" in Feloran, home to the Je'thor and Tae'ras Councils, as well as the site of the Sovereignty's bureaucracy after Kaelbryn's relocating of them from Soren. Many of the city's spires are located here, and house various government, religious, and other prestigious institutions.
- Ëthesh Ahs'pašs. Located to the east of the center of the city, Ahs'pašs is a district known for its lively marketplaces and bustling trade. Its narrow streets and bustling squares are adjacent to the main canals, and are filled with merchants, traders, and vendors from all over the Sorenian Sovereignty. The district's central market is a vibrant and colorful scene, where a plethora of goods, ranging from exotic spices and textiles to rare artifacts and magical curiosities, are bought and sold. The district is a common destination for merchant barges that traverse the Grand Feloran Canal, on their way between Sarendia and Dothara. The district hosts lively trade festivals that draw crowds from across the region. These festivals showcase the district's vibrant commercial spirit and provide an opportunity for merchants to exhibit their finest goods. The streets come alive with music, performances, and vibrant decorations, creating a festive atmosphere that celebrates the economic vitality of the city.
- Yīntre. The hills to the east of Capital District house most of the city's skilled labor, many of whom have their workshops set up in the district. The district is teeming with workshops, studios, and ateliers, where talented individuals hone their craft and create exquisite works of art. From master metalworkers and jewellers to expert woodcarvers and textile weavers, the district is alive with the sights and sounds of creativity. At its heart runs the Street of Crafts, a bustling thoroughfare lined with workshops and specialty stores. The air is filled with the enchanting melodies of hammering, weaving, and carving as artisans ply their trade. Named for the blossoms of the Lumöran Chrysanthemum which bloom every third or fourth week of Druyani.
- The Ancient City. The innermost part of the city, and home to the old ancestral compound of the Miranelis Dynasty and de jure residence of the Sorenian Sovereign. The compound once held the city's Je'thor Council, but was reclaimed by the Kaelbryn Dynasty for their Noble House's primary residence.
- Temple Valley. Located in the northeastern portion of the city, and the lowest point of the city, sitting below the waterline of the canals even. It is the site of the temples made to the ancient Feloran pantheon, before Ëlhyaean practice took root in Feloran society. These temples have since been repurposed, as many of the old pantheon were treated as particularly powerful Yīra.
- Theller. Located on the outskirts of the city, just outside the city walls. A neighborhood of predominantly unskilled labourers, who work the rice paddies outside the city or in the manufactories and mills of the central canals.
Guilds and Factions
Under Soveriegn Aranrata Kaelbryn's reign, power across the Soveriegnty has become concentrated in the noble families of the old Empire, particularly those loyal to House Kaelbryn. Factions loyal and/or supportive of the Soveriegnty dominate city politics, wielding the significant political and economic power of the Tae'ras to maintain their privileged status. This alliance of noble families, scholar-officials, and other people of privilege aims to consolidate their influence, protect their interests, and advance the goals of the Sorenian Sovereignty under Sovereign Aranrata Kaelbryn's reign.
Despite the suppression of most independent trade and markets, there is a notable Merchant's Guild clamouring for more rights akin to those enjoyed by their counterparts in the cities of more forward-thinking successor states. The city's half-elf population frequently clamours social equality, improved working conditions, and expanded rights for the entire population.
History
Lumöra traces its origins back to before the Àntrepari, and is believed to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the former Feloran Empire. As the city grew and prospered, its agricultural prowess became intertwined with its identity, earning Lumöra the moniker of the "Rice City." During the Royal Era, a prosperous Ancient Feloran civilization thrived in the region, ruled from here or Tìl Soren. Unfortunately, much of the knowledge about this society was lost due to the devastating Getnian Cataclysm, which reshaped Feloran society and its beliefs. It became the central repository of taxes for successive Feloran dynasties, first holding rice collected from paddies across the ancient Feloran Kingdom during the Royal era and then the treasury of gold and gems that the Empire valued.
As the Feloran Empire expanded its reach, Lumöra played a crucial role in administering its native & conquered territories, serving as the central hub for collecting taxes, including rice from the ancient Feloran Kingdom during the Royal Era. Over time, the city's immense spires came to be seen as a symbol of Imperial dominance and control to the Empire's dispossessed and poor.
During the height of the Feloran Empire, Lumöra experienced a period of opulence and grandeur. Empress Maelyrra V, in a display of decadence, ordered the city to bear the title of "City of Gold," reflecting the abundance of gold and gems stored in its treasury. The city's buildings were adorned with impure gold stock and additional conjured gold, showcasing the empire's wealth and power. Amidst the chaos of the collapse of the Empire, Lumöra stood as a resilient city, and was spared the worst of the violence. In the ruins of the devastated Imperial Capital, Aranrata Kaelbryn declared the establishment of the Sorenian Sovereignty, moving the capital to Lumöra, due to the city's rich history, wealth, and influence.
Points of interest
- Library of Lumora. Within it's halls are thousands of manuscripts and codexes, some of which have been forgotten to time. Ancient historical and arcane magical knowledge awaits those who will pour over the Library's secrets. It is divided into different sections, each with their own unique focus. For example, there is a section devoted to histories of the Kaelbryn & Miranèlis families, another to ancient magical texts, and another to maps and geography. The library is rumoured to have some hidden chambers or restricted sections, accessible only to certain Sovereign scholars, druids, or officials. Hall of the Imperial Treasury. It is a highly guarded building, with sentries stationed at every entrance and exit. Visitors are required to go through multiple layers of security before being allowed inside most of the Treasury, and must prove they have business there. The hall contains vaults containing the Sovereignty's most valuable treasures, including ancient artifacts, jewels, and gold bullion.
- Ulhmö's Bar & Inn. A bustling hub of activity, popular with adventurers as well as the city's unskilled labor. A mix of locals, travelers, and adventurers coming and going sustain the Bar, run by it's eponymous owner. The bar has a cozy atmosphere, with warm lighting and wooden furnishings. The inn has several floors of rooms available for rent, as well as a common area on the second floor for guests to relax and socialize.
- Central Canals. Located in Ëthesh Ahs'pašs, the Central Canals provide access to the Grand Feloran Canal, as well as to the other districts of Lumöra. It is home to the city's open market, which is renowned for its diverse and exotic imports, and prices. The district's market stalls are adorned with goods from far-flung lands, including precious gemstones, rare spices, intricate tapestries, and ornate handicrafts. The sight of the barges unloading adds to the district's dynamic atmosphere, as merchants negotiate deals and locals eagerly browse the unique offerings. These unique offerings attract are beyond the means of most local residents but is popular with adventurers, scholars, and collectors seeking treasures and curiosities from distant realms. Away from the markets are several watermills, powered by the flow of the canals, and are used for tasks such as grinding grain or pumping water.
- City Walls. Expanded and redone hundreds of times, the sprawling walls subdivide much of the city's disparate districts, and are used by the City Guard to control the movement of Sorenian peasants and laborers into and within the city. Constructed with meticulous craftsmanship, the walls showcase a blend of architectural styles from different eras, reflecting the evolving needs and technologies of the past. The walls are adorned with intricate carvings and decorative motifs that highlight the Inner Feloran aesthetic and symbolize the city's cultural identity. They create distinct sections within Lumöra, effectively separating different communities and providing a sense of order. Moreover, the walls serve as a means for the City Guard to control the movement of Sorenian peasants and laborers, ensuring the safety and security of the city's inhabitants. Guarded gates and checkpoints allow for regulated access into and within the city, maintaining a controlled flow of people and resources.
Architecture
Lumöra is constructed in the style of many late imperial Feloran designs. Five spires dominate the city from afar. rising up from the smaller two and three storey buildings made mostly from mud bricks from the earth of the excavated canals and later on limestone bricks. Each of the spires, as well as the Hall of the Imperial Treasurer are adorned in gold, which makes the city shine at certain times of day. It's streets are paved with hexagonal slabs made of stone from the Vhaelhest Mountains.
Geography
Lumöra's geography, shaped by the meandering Lërd Flama and its fertile floodplain, and by being a strategic position within the Sorenian Sovereignty, has played an integral role in the city's development and continues to shape its identity. It is a city deeply connected to its agricultural roots, while also embracing the influences of trade, art, and the diverse populations that call it home. Over time, the river's course has been carefully controlled and integrated into the city's intricate canal system, enhancing both its functionality and aesthetic appeal. Lumöra's strategic location on the fertile floodplain proved instrumental in its early development. The land, blessed with nutrient-rich soils, lent itself perfectly to the cultivation of rice paddies, which sustained the burgeoning settlement during its formative years.
Beyond its immediate surroundings, Lumöra is surrounded by diverse landscapes that add to its natural allure. To the west, the rolling hills and lush forests of the Oyemörn region provide a picturesque backdrop, their beauty serving as a source of inspiration for local artisans and poets alike. To the east, the vast expanse of the Great Feloran Canal stretches like a lifeline, connecting Lumöra with other major cities in the Sovereignty and facilitating vibrant trade networks.
Within Lumöra itself, the city's layout reflects its rich history and the interplay of various architectural influences. The sprawling city walls, expanded and rebuilt numerous times throughout the ages, stand as a testament to Lumöra's past conflicts and the need for protection. These walls not only provide security but also serve as physical divisions, separating the city into distinct districts that each have their own unique character and purpose.
Founding Date
~250 FE
Alternative Name(s)
Lumaira, City of Gold
Type
Capital
Population
~800,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Lumor'ai
Location under
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
