Lánchúlaí

Lánchúlaí is the heart of The Realm. Once a humble town surrounding an abandoned fortress and old temple, Lánchúlaí has become the largest urban center in Efaanu.
Lánchúlaí's twin purposes are reflected in its two major buildings: the Tempspiroaid and the Caislean de an Saol, reflections of the spirituality and government of The Realm respectively.
The Tempspiroaid is the primary temple of the Bealai Galahmora Biotalle, the primary religion of The Realm. In it sits the Primshelodah, the leader of the the Bealai religion as a whole. The temple itself was once more humble but over the generations have turned it into a grand structure with impressive stonework and soaring towers. Inside the Stuthoir (Augurs) of the Bealai go about their business, conduct ceremonies, and operate the massive apparatus that is the religion. When not seeing to matters of the Domhanda Council the Primshelodah lives here and leads the Bealai from his impressive chambers.
Meanwhile, the Caislean de an Saol represents the government. The original seat of power of Joaniala, the Caislean de an Saol is the primary seat of power and home of the Bunusach Cainteior (Primordial Speaker), the leader of The Realm. The Domhanda council also holds its meeting in the castles central tower known as the Súil. The castle is a massive stone construct, much like the Tempspiroaid, and due to the importance of the Bealai to The Realm's national identity the amount of religious art and depictions are almost as high in the Caislean de an Saol as they are in the Tempspiroaid. The Castle also houses the Order Hall of the Caemon Haeori.
As the spiritual and governmental center of The Realm Lánchúlaí is a bustling urban center, filled with pilgrims, traders, soldiers, adventurers, and more.

Demographics

While the demographics of Lánchúlaí more or less mirror the rest of The Realm, it is notable for an even higher percentage of Genasi than the rest of the continent as many are sent to Lánchúlaí.

Government

Like most of The Realm's heartland territory, local governance falls to the Augurs of the Bealai Galahmora Biotalle. In the case of Lánchúlaí the Primshelodah him/herself is responsible for ruling the city. The Primshelodah uses Bealai resources combined with taxes to keep order in the city, and puts respectable (or favored) Stuthoir (Augurs) in charge of local judgements and governance.

Defences

The city enjoys the several layers of defense. The Bunusach Trodai, The Realms military, keeps a sizable garrison near the city at all times, protecting it from direct attack. In addition the the cities ports contain a portion of the nations navy, protecting it from assault at sea. As if this wasn't enough there is also a city watch that is paid and supplied by the Bealai itself, and the Caemon Haeori will aid the City Watch as needed. The city also has walls and other traditional physical protections, in addition to wards and magical defenses put in place by the Staidear, the mages of the realm.

Industry & Trade

Beyond religion Lánchúlaí is known for its fishing and farming, as the nearby Swamps and flatlands offer plenty of opportunity for both. The high amount of craftsmen is also high in the city.

History

Through history the area that Lánchúlaí would become was mostly a humble town at the mouth of the strategically useful Arais River. Until the founding of The Realm, the town was known as Taal'tala and was home to an ancient and abandoned Atkorian Sea Fortress and an ancient temple known as Tempspiroaid that served to the followers of Bealai Galahmora Biotalle, the worshiping of the Elements.
After the Storm Genasi Joaniala saved the Tempspiroaid from a local bandit king the Augurs of the Temple declared her the first Bunusach Cainteior, and set the stage for what would become The Realm.
As Joaniala expanded her reign and power more and more followers and supporters came to Taal'tala to join her. Eventually the city began to grow and expand along with Joaniala's realm. Since her death the city has served as the capital of the nation she founded.

Architecture

The city enjoys a mixture of old Atkorian architecture and much newer Realm architecture. The notable architectural landmarks are the Tempspiroaid and the Caislean de an Saol. Both buildings reach out of the city as if reaching for the skies themselves.
The Tempspiroaid is a massive structure made of white stone to reflect the clear skies, and is filled with countless architectural wonders and smooth and natural shapes.
Meanwhile the Caislean de an Saol is a large castle put atop one of the hills of the city that reaches into the sky much like the Tempspiroaid. Unlike the Tempspiroaid it is made of darker stone and features what is considered to be the largest stained glass window in the world.

Geography

Situated at the end of the Arais River, Lánchúlaí enjoys a prominent strategic position. This is primary reason the Atkorian's made it a fortress town, as it protected the Arais River from invasion. The nearby foothills also put the city on a defensive edge, foothills that have been aided in their defensibility by Augurs past who have called on the elements and spirits to make them larger and more impressive. The Vregmenon Swamps to its Northwest protect it from outright invasion and offer good irrigation for farming, while the temperate regions to its Southwest offer farming.

Alternative Name(s)

Seat of The Realm, Foundation of The Realm, Heart of the World

Type

Capital

Population

220,000~

Inhabitant Demonym

Lánchite

Owning Organization

The Realm