Cretin's Gate
"Why'd they call it Cretin's Gate y'ask? Well lad, buy me an ale to grease my memory and perhaps I'll tell you, though I warn you the tale's not for the faint of heart!" - Con artist in the Splintered Dragon, performing her third variation on the root of the city's name.Cretin's Gate stands a the foot of The Shards, guarding the only safe passage between the temperate Central Dominance and the frosty expanses of the Northern Dominance . Of all the central dominance's cities, Cretin's Gate is by far the oldest, and is now a thriving metropolitan heartland of The Empire, since it's central location within it makes it ideal as a trade hub. The City is also home to a great many of the Empire's innermost institutions outside of government - the headquarters of The Inquisitors can be found here, along with the largest Polythedral in The Empire, containing the original copy of Ars Religia. Along with this, the city is home to the Cretin's College, which teaches a multitude of subjects. The city is also home to the famous Cretin's Tournament, in which individuals from across Nalan compete in numerous events to earn the honour of greatest Cretin (often called the most cretinous).
Demographics
As is the case with much of the empire, Cretin's gate is mainly human. That being said however, the city does play home to more Goliaths than you might expect, since many come down from the frigid north to live or rest here.
Defences
The Shards to the north make attack almost completely impossible from any angle save the northern gate which, although rarely manned in force, is still a formidable structure.
Infrastructure
The roads of Cretin's gate are notoriously wide in order to accommodate the increased number of Self Pulling Carriages present here.
Assets
As the de facto capital of the Central Dominance, the city is home to much of the areas very substantial food supplies. While the rest of the dominance makes its living in farming, Cretin's Gate earns an impressive income by acting as a trade hub.
History
While not a true Dawn City, Cretin's gate is thought to be very ancient, more so even than Luminessa. The common school of thought is that it was founded in the interim between the end of the Dawn and the beginning of the Noon, making it one of the oldest cities currently inhabited.
Tourism
While the city is always something of a hotspot for tourism - especially from the wintery Northern Dominance - it sees a sharp spike once a year with the Cretin's Tournament, which draws in people from all over the Empire.
Architecture
The inner city is the most ancient area, and still has the original walls guarding it. Outside of this the city becomes more and more modernised, with high buildings and wider streets.
Geography
To the north, the city is pressed up against a gap in The Shards, while to the south is more traditional open planes of the central dominance. Some few miles down the southern road is the entrance to the Crystalline Forest.
Natural Resources
As with much of the central dominance, the soil here is particularly fertile. On top of this, the southern edges of the Shards are used as mines, since many mineral deposits have been found here.
"You here for the tournament as well? I know it's still 3 months away, but its always good to reserve a seat early!" - Local getting ready for the Cretin's Tournament.Although the city is best known for the enormous celebration that surrounds the Cretin's Tournament, its denizens take all other celebrations almost as seriously. Last Apex, a passing Airship believed the town was on fire, when in reality the whole city was so completely engulfed in light it was almost indistinguishable from an inferno.
Founding Date
Unknown, likely somewhere between Dawn and Noon
Type
City
Population
Around 200,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Cretin
Location under
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Related Tradition (Primary)
Characters in Location
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