Thalatesh

Home of the Imberhollow within the Tempest, Thalatesh is a city that lies mostly below the sea.

Demographics

The population of Imbera is mostly genasi, human, and half-elf, though any and all races are welcome.

Government

Thalatesh is ruled by a loose coalition of councilors, each elected from a portion of the city, with an Algusbound chosen by the council. The Algusbound has final say in all matters, though, traditionally, they have sided with what the majority of the council desires. There are times where the Algusbound is able to seize all power for themselves, but these are few and far between and only used when there is a dire need for quick, decisive decisions.
Though it is not officially making any decisions within Thalatesh, a major influence on those that are made is what the inhabitants have taken to calling the Empress. The Empress has been at Thalatesh as long as anyone can remember, possibly even before the city was constructed. She resides at the very bottom of the city, hidden away from the eyes of most of those within the city. Only specifically chosen few are allowed in a chamber that is close to her, as her voice will fill the mind of any who stray too close.

Defences

The majority of the defense of the city is the fact that it is underwater. By having most of the city under the waves, it makes it impenetrable to most traditional siege weapons. At the top of each of the tubes leading under is a barracks and guard tower, each of which is given explicit instructions to scuttle the path in if there is any question to their ability to safeguard it.
Once under the water, there is little in the way of defense as it has not been needed. The Arcadel have been able to handle any threats from sea creatures. The raging storm at the surface forces any would-be invaders to think again about any attacks they have planned.

Industry & Trade

Under the water in individual pods is everything the city needs to function. Textiles and food are easy enough to grow with artificial light from the magic users of the city.

Infrastructure

There are airfilled tubes that lead from the open air to under the waves to the bottom of the sea. All along the way are branching pathways to construct the vast city underneath the surface of the water.

Districts

Threst Boulevard: The main thoroughfare of the city, the Threst Boulevard is where the majority of the businesses are and connects Lower Thalatesh to Upper and all the way down to the Empress' Throne. There is a large assortment of shops and taverns that line the street, each one its own little bubble branching off from the main tube. Stalls will adorn the sides of streets, and back alleys have many stands built into the sides of buildings with awnings easy to open at dawn and close at dusk.
Lower Thalatesh: This portion of the city is closer to the surface and is generally regarded as the poorer district. Here it can be expected that food and lodging are much cheaper than that of Upper Thalatesh, though the quality is what one would expect from a lower price. Crime, while kept under control, is much more common here, though the Arcadel leave the area mostly to its own devices, which inadvertently resulted in a form of thieves' guild sprouting up over time. Most of the lower class live in large apartment blocks, typically four to five floors tall with a dozen or so different families per floor. While living can be cramped at times, they have grown used to this and know it is their burden to bear if they mean to help defend the rift.
Upper Thalatesh: The wealthier portion of the city, Upper Thalatesh is almost always heavily patrolled by Vanguards of the Arcadel. High end restaurants and shops are set up here, offering a vast assortment of many different goods and services. Each of the upper class live in individual houses, allowing them the space they need to gather an assortment of art and other artifacts that have made their way under the waves.
The Empress' Throne: The very bottom portion of the city, the Empress' Throne is where the Empress of Thalatesh resides. It is mostly filled with water, with a narrow path leading to the center of the large, hexagonal chamber. The dim light of bioluminescent creatures fills the water, though this only serves to further obscure the Empress who stays beneath the surface. Far below the surface, one can just make out the outline of a wrecked ship and see the faint glint of piles of coins. Water elementals swim through the water, rising to greet any newcomers.

Guilds and Factions

The Arcadel: The Arcadel serves as something of the city guard of Thalatesh, keeping order on the streets as well as defending from any would-be invaders -- whether those are from the Rift or from elsewhere on the world. Each of the guards wears a corded belt around their waist, the color of which signifying their rank in the Arcadel. There are only three ranks in order to ensure that most everyone is kept on an even footing: Nym (White cord) > Aerith (Red cord) > Tygoras (Gold cord). The Tygoras is the only one that is truly above any of the other members of the Arcadel, though this is purely for reasons of maintaining a sense of order. They are expected to train and fight as all the rest in the Arcadel are, being granted no special exception. The Tygoras is chosen by the Aerith as a whole, allowing them to elect who they believe would be best to lead them in one year terms. After the year is up, a new member Tygoras is chosen, and the previous one must wait at least ten years before being able to be elected once more.

Tourism

Tourism is not something that Thalatesh is known for given the fact it is in the middle of a constantly raging storm. Those that do visit are usually either traders or those who are making a pilgrimage to the city to help defend it.

Architecture

Nearly the entirety of the city is underwater, constructed in a somewhat Greco-Roman style. The stone used for the construction of the city is enchanted to be able to withstand both the pressure of the water as well as the assault of underwater creatures that may wish to crash into it. It is mostly gold and blue which sparkles when the sunlight hits it right at sunrise and sunset through the ocean waves. The pathways of the city are made of pine wood imported from the Northern Expanse, and the city is one of the Kingdom of Kaldir's largest customers for the wood.
Pillars are commonplace in the city, used to support most of the different permanent structures. The tops of some of the governmental buildings are adorned with cornices and domed ceilings that have been painted with some of the history of the city, including its founding during the Primal Age.
Houses are typically more muted, the stonework almost blending in with their surroundings.

Population

12000

Inhabitant Demonym

Imberhollow

Location under

The Tempest

Owner/Ruler

Gwencia Wyntoris