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Ælmesleóht

Ælmesleóht, high elven for "the water that comes to those who thrist", is the greatest city in Akshus, as measured by population and economic strength. It has historically been the capital of Upper Akshus, and it is today the capital of the Imperial Province of Akshus. It is built on both sides of the Ye'or river but is culturally and economically a part of Upper Akshus.
It is currently the seat of power of the Tanin Dynasty, from where king Ibrahim al-Iliesar Tanin rules. It is a metropolitan city, with peoples of many races making their home within its great sandstone walls. Originally the city was limited to its walls, but the city has grown beyond these walls as part of reclaiming desert lands and converting it to useful farmland.

Demographics

Most of the city's population are Akshusians, but there are also many other races that have moved south from the Gold Empire. There are halflings, dwarves, gnomes, goliaths, humans, elves and others. There are also a few genasi, but these are rare.

Government

The city government of Ælmesleóht is nominally led by king Ibrahim and his royal council. However, the royal council's work often takes them across Akshus and the Gold Empire on royal business, so the king has employed a city council with representatives subordinate to his councilors. The city council also has several representatives from the Metal Church, representing their interests. The council thus consists of:
  • Viceroy Mohammad Eamil, the voice of the king. The Viceroy is the leader of the city council, a kumawt and veteran trusted by the king.
  • Captain Fatima Westriver of the Princeguard. The native Ye'oran was trained by prince-consort Israfel Fredriksen, and has responsibility for law and order in the city. They are also responsible for the security of the royals when they are in the city.
  • Arch-Bishop Odyseon of the Silver Metal Church. Arch-Bishop Odyseon is responsible for enforcing imperial laws in the city and maintaining courts of law in the city.
  • Mother Tetyana of the Silver Dragon Church, chief physician of the Royal Akshusian Hospital
  • Bishop Kovacs of the Copper Metal Church, army chaplain of the Capital Stables
  • Bishop Aethelgold of the Bronze Metal Church
  • Father Amadeus of the Brass Dragon Church, Chief Librarian of the Esther Memorial Library and professor at the Royal University of Ælmesleóht
The city council makes day-to-day decisions in the government of Ælmesleóht, and sends biweekly reports to the royal council. The city council meets in the Viceroy's Bastion near the northern gate.
The city council's functions are many:
  • Collect taxes and tariffs within the city
  • Administrate the city's finances and prioritize different parts of the city's infrastructure
  • Serve as a link between royal authority and clerical authority

Defences

Princeguard
Ælmesleóht is currently under the protection of the Princeguard, who serve as its city guard and protect it from outside attacks. The Princeguard command groups of Akshusian cavalry stationed in the city, organized by captain Westriver. Patrols of this kind consist of 1d4+1 Akshusian Cavalry (armed with spears, scimitars and shortbows), led by 1 Akshusian Princeguard (armed with a gravshield, psy-spear and a stormrifle). Their integrity is 25 and their vigilance is 17.
Copper Priests
The Copper priests, who serve as warriors as well as clerics, also take up the responsibility of protecting the city. Many guard patrols in the city has at least one priest with it, who can conjure fire and fury and use their magic to investigate murders and crimes. To determine if a Copper priest is travelling with a guard patrol, roll a d10. On a 6 or more, the guard patrol includes a Copper priest.
Witchhunters
Less an actual fighting force and more of a pre-emptive tool, the witchhunters are charged with hunting down rebels and terrorists. If it came to it they could stand and fight as a formation, but they are far more useful in groups of two or three hunting clues and executing rebels.

Infrastructure

The city of Ælmesleóht is divided in two by the Ye'or river, and surrounded by a great octagonal wall that has been rebuilt to an even greater size by the Gold Emperor.
The dock districts along the river are filled with warehouses for the transport of grain, food and fish.
The northern city has many taninite trade depots, filled with spices, luxury clothes and fancy foods.
The southern city has factories for producing clothes, textiles and food.
Both ends of the city has big and small markets, with each market dedicated to one of the trade-routes. There is an imperial market, an upper market, a middle market, a lower market and a river market, along with a few smaller city markets.
In the south of the city lies the Silver Cathedral, atop a hill. This is the seat of power for Arch-Bishop Odyseon. There used to be an old ithraki temple there, but it was torn down and replaced when the Empire invaded.
In the north of the city lies the Palace, where the Prince-Regent rules.
There is also a great githzherai monastery in the south-west.
There is also a library in the northeast, which some acolytes of the brass dragon have made their home.
And there is a small tavern, called the Desert Griffon, run by three air genasi sisters.

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