Arkessi
This article is a work in progress!
Everything's a gamble and no bets are off the table—whether you're dealing in money, magic, dreams, or blood, you'll find a market in Arkessi.Unknown
Demographics
Arkessi is one of the most populous cities in Lanoa, and perhaps it's also the most diverse—inhabitants vary in age, gender, religion, ethnicity, and income level. Generally, education is poorer than other cities of similar size and wealth. There is an extreme gap between the wealthy and the poor. The massive amount of travellers in the area complicates demographical data.
Government
The city is maintained by three different organizations, whom each are responsible for a set of districts. The most populous region of governance encompasses the districts of Northcity, Westem, and the Cripe. It is overseen by The Citizenry, a non-profit that attempts to uphold a handful of laws aimed at keeping the peace in poor areas, while otherwise focusing on general upkeep, construction, and healthcare.
The Red Ward is responsible for the southern districts of Sodden, Tullom, Tussity, Robay, and Eabik. They have a laissez faire approach to governance though tax heavily and spend a great deal of effort on upkeep of infrastructure and buildings. The organization employs a guard which subscribes to old principles of law, though their authority is often disregarded.
The wealthy districts of Highden, Edgeyard, and Midholm are governed by a subset of The Middle Seas Trade Union, called The Arkessi Maintenance Council. They also have a presence at the ports of Wesstem. There's no official employees of the council, nor any official laws or enforcement of laws; but everyone knows the law of the trade, and what happens if they go against it.
The edge-districts of Odanfor and Faslan have independent governmental bodies, and to a certain extent, so does Robay.
Industry & Trade
The three most profitable exports of the city are coffee, silver, and gold, though all manner of trade takes place in the city. Other raw exports include rice, silk, wool, tobacco, pine-nuts, apricots, juniper, and citrus fruits. The lax to non-existent regulations on trade makes the city an invaluable resource for foreign traders looking for products that are illegal elsewhere. Magical objects, live creatures, and intoxicants are common goods in the city.
Districts
Sodden/Söderön
Sodden is a fairly small island located centrally in the city. It is governed by The Red Ward and home to the estate of The Hoffman Family, one of the few remaining influential families of Arkessi. It's commonly considered the most beautiful district—clean, bright, and home to a sizeable park and an old Nöyhep'r (temple of Ibir).Keeper Island/Vaktön
Keeper island marks the western boundary of Arkessi. It is uninhabited apart from a small group of Keeper guards. In the past the island served as hub of defence for the city, though it is sparsely utilized in peace-time.Midholm/Midholmen
Midholm is the main centre for trade. It's a dock district which houses two large market plazas.Northcity/Norsta
Northcity is the largest district in Arkessi. It houses a little over half the city's population, most who live in overt poverty. By the northern border the Seabed Market is located. Though no goods are considered illegal in Arkessi, the laws from importing areas, as well as when strategic discretion is of importance, make this place invaluable for under-the-radar trade. Northcity is governed by The Citizenry, meaning there's no tax and, in theory, all citizens have access to free healthcare. In practise, however, The Citizenry is too small and has too few resources to be overly effective. Many in the district are suffering from chronic conditions and/or addiction, and the greedy surroundings of the city at large have no qualms extorting the less fortunate. To the very north at the edge of city limits you can find the sea floor, a black market were the most dangerous, dark and terrible trading takes place.Tullom/Tullholmen
Tullom is a residential island in the western part of Arkessi. It is the smallest district of the city, but home to its largest monument.Tussity/Tullsta
Tussity is a small, middle-class residential district that connects Tullom, to the mainland, to Sodden.Wesstem/västhamnen
Wesstem is a the city's port district. It has lower middle-class to upper-lower class housing and has a presence of each governmental group as they each assert some control of the trade.Highden/Höjden
Highden is the wealthiest district in Arkessi. It's home to Nepenthe Seshöl d'lu and her cohort, protected behind large walls. The publicly accessible part of the district is a massive wildlife park.Edgeyard/Nedgården
Edgeyard is a wealthy residential district. There are many influential merchants and some older wealth in the area, along with multiple large estates.Robay/Vävik
Robay contains the southern main road connection to the mainland. It is governed by The Red Ward, although, it also has a small, independent, local leadership. Robay also houses one of the largest hospitals worldwide.Eabik/Övik
The Eabik district is a middle class residential area in the east.The Crype/Krypet
The Crype is a thin area in the north were much magical trade is conducted, primarily in its large bazaar.Faslan/Vasslan
The southmost edge of the city, middle residential with a smaller population density in a less city-like environment.Odanfor/Utföret
Odanfor is the most distant district. It has more rural infrastructure and calmer day-to-day compared to in the thick of central Arkessi.Geography
Arkessi has unique geographical traits due to its construction on a river outlet. The city stretches across six islands, making it inherently defensible, but also posing a challenge to transport. The terrain is rocky, helping infrastructure to stay above water while at times complicating construction. Water is an obvious part of life to all Arkessans—it defines their work, traditions, and hobbies.
Climate
Arkessi has a tropical savanna climate, meaning that there are no distinct seasons and little precipitation. The city's vicinity to freshwater is crucial to its survival—the large bodies of water surrounding the settlement never dry out, regardless of drought.
Type
Capital
Population
990858
Inhabitant Demonym
Arkessan
Location under
Additional Rulers/Owners
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
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