Sage

"Arcane City of the Boorka..."

There is one city, on a small peninsula named Kreeluk, far off the trade routes of Hariel Minuta, that many eye with fear and trepidation... Sage.
It has no official "ruler," but is governed (by default) at the hand of a Magocracy drawn from a council of transplanted Custodians. These nine elected Custodians become known as "The Curiosity" (aka "The Council of the Nine"). The reason for Sage's existence is a Custodial secret, closely guarded. Sage is one of the few places Custodians are allowed to transfer to and still retain their status amongst their peers in Varuumae Corona.
But what its neighbors fear is not the unknown rationale that established Sage, but rather The Boorka, a renegade magical guild which operates out of Sage, and has several members within the Curiosity.
The Boorka make up perhaps 5% of Sage's population, but whenever the city is mentioned, it's The Boorka who are thought of first. Though never directly connected with any crimes against magic, the brand of arcane truth they seek inspires dread in all but the most hearty. Rumors of planar exploration and expeditions to the Demon Isles (where it is said gates to both Hades and The Abyss reside), along with legends of the things they brought back, are the stuff of nightmares.
Rumors say The Boorka was founded (and is still run) by renegade Custodians, who broke their vows and now live in exile. How this can be reconciled with the Curiosity is another mystery, but so far they seem to have it all worked out. Perhaps there is a higher goal they collectively seek? Or perhaps a greater enemy?

Demographics

75% human, 10% elven, 15% mixed other.

Government

Magocracy ruled by a council called The Curiosity.

Defences

The city defenses consist of a rotating citizen army of roughly 500, accentuated by a company of 200 sell swords called "The Hardblack." Above and beyond this, Sage is further protected by a small cadre of Boorka mages referred to as The Sentinels. At any given time, there are roughly 20-40 Sentinels employed. Though this number may seem small, the power of these arcane casters more than makes up for their limited ranks.

Industry & Trade

Sage is not known for its active trading, but there are a number of businesses within its walls that cater to fine gems and various artistic metal works (rather than arms and armor). Further, in Hariel Minuta, magic is always in demand, and Sage is a great source of it.

Infrastructure

The city is quite modern, with industrial water works and sewers.

Assets

Sage houses one of the largest repositories of magical relics and curiosities in the known world.

Guilds and Factions

The Boorka are the most well known amongst the factions of Sage. Rumor has it that the Thornblacks also maintain a presence within the city.

History

Sage is a relatively new city, having been built less than a thousand years ago by the Custodians and other powers of Varuumae Corona. It was financed with money from the coffers of the Grand Hassir himself, apparently with a specific, if clandestine, goal in mind. The Custodians publicly proclaim it to be a place where they can study in isolation, away from the chatter of the great city. Many of their ranks are sent there on a sabbatical of sorts, where they can perform extensive research and experiments without interfering with the general populace.
It's difficult to write a full history of the city, as the Curiosity, and pretty much every resident of Sage, does a rather amazing job of keeping their secrets to themselves. Why the need for such secrecy is up for conjecture and is the subject of immense gossip and speculation amongst those from the rest of Hariel Minuta.

Architecture

Sage is predominantly built upward, as its overall surface area isn't that great. The buildings are larger and in greater number than the population would suggest. It's almost as if the city expects a major influx of new arrivals. Or, more likely, the residents enjoy their space and relative isolation.
At the center of the city lies Algomeer, the keep of the Curiosity, where they conduct a fair degree of their business. Algomeer is fortified and can easily defend against an extended siege, if the need ever were to arise.

Geography

Situated on the tip of the southern peninsula of Kreeluk (on the eastern edge of Hariel Minuta), Sage is positioned on a craggy edge, surrounded by rocks. As such, its elevation is higher than most coastal cities, thus isolating the residents to a greater degree and making the city easier to defend.

Natural Resources

A bounty of stone and minerals, along with some precious metals and gemstones.

Alternative Name(s)

The Free City of Scholars

Type

City

Population

12,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Southron Peoples'

Location under

Hariel Minuta

Owner/Ruler

The Curiosity

Owning Organization

The Boorka

Characters in Location

• The Curiosity