Kansujian: Map and Physical Layout

Map (WIP)

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Physical Layout

Kansujian’s metropolitan area covers about two square miles. For scale, it would take a little under two hours to jog around the entire perimeter of the city. Crossing the city are three main roads: Ji-in Road heading northwest to Chamatkaar (about 200 miles away), Tsuzuki Road which leads southwest to Ashimachi (about 1,200 miles away), and Kaerimichi Pass which heads east out of the city directly to the border of the Unkai Directorate (150 miles away).

The Kaieki River cuts deep through the western third of the city, carving a river canyon about 100 feet deep, so the Starward (on Ji-in, north) and Sunward (on Tsuzuki, south) bridges are vital infrastructure in the city.

Entering the city from Kaerimichi Pass on the East, the road immediately splits into a broad triangular loop which tours the Promenade District (primarily parks and storefronts, some of which are centuries old) before heading west into Kansujian Plaza, a quadrilateral forum where the city’s main attractions and biggest businesses are located.

The Hegemon's Rest Hot Springs are located further west, bordering the Kaieki River, and west across the river from there is the Cloudraker District, AKA "Little Alman." South of that is a small community called Heilige which sits across the river from the All-Sellers' Market: a massive continuous interior bazaar which stretches all the way across town. It also surrounds Southend, a high-density low-income residential sector which is (forcefully, if necessary) kept away from the eyes of tourists. 

On the northern end of the city, along Ji-in Road, Fort Pira straddles the river outside the Kansujian metropolitan area. To the Southeast is the Arena District. 

Blue Sands

The region surrounding Kansujian is a sprawling scrubland called Blue Sands after the azure-colored sand that permeates the landscape. Given its proximity to the edge of the Coast, hugging the southwest border of the Unkai Directorate, it has the lowest concentration of ambient magic of all areas surrounding the city-states. Because of this, it is one of the least dangerous and most environmentally stable regions of the Coast. With that in mind it comes as no surprise that Kansujian is the most heavily-populated city-state, boasting a permanent population of 350,000.

Unlike other city-states, which feature a single major city and a handful of isolated settlements dispersed throughout the region, Kansujian's metropolitan area sprawls out in three directions from the Kaieki River: northwest toward Chamatkaar, southwest to Ashimachi, and east to the border of Unkai. The towns lining these routes are primarily set up as industrial and agricultural centers serving businesses in the capital city, but are also set up to take advantage of the constant influx of tourists to Kansujian. After all, whether traveling by land or river the journey is a long one!

The relative constancy of Blue Sands and 1,200 years of human civilization mean that it holds far less in the way of magical mystery than other regions. Barely a thousand miles across at its widest point, the open scrubland beyond the borders of Kansujian's metropolitan area is set on hilly terrain with sparse waterways throughout. Dominant species of flora include shrubs, grasses, and tubers; cacti inhabit the southern region near the equator line. Owing to the blue sand from which the region takes its name, many of the plants there are tinted various shades of blue; these same plants, taken out of the region and planted in regular soil, exhibit no such coloration. Located on the edge of the subtropical line, the climate of Blue Sands is hot and dry year-round making some areas susceptible to wildfires. The northern regions are an exception to this, owing to the transition into the Aaakashe jungle surrounding Chamatkaar.

Animal life in Blue Sands is well-adapted to its surroundings. With few exceptions (mostly large grazing animals) the majority grow no larger than a common deer and are most commonly the size of a fox or smaller. Burrowing animals and reptiles are common, and one of the more popular attractions for tourists straying outside of the capital city is the huge variety of bird species that live there. Snakes are also quite common, with venomous serpents one of the major safety concerns for residents of the city-state.

While an unpopular destination for Explorer's Guild adventurers, Blue Sands is not without attractions for those with an interest in archaeology. Only 15 years younger than Ashimachi, Kansujian's sprawling landscape also hides countless failed settlements and experimental constructs, all with their own treasures ranging from ancient scripture to vast hoards of jewelry. Generally speaking, though, one's findings in the wilds of Blue Sands are unlikely to be fantastical things such as great manses and ruined magical courts; more often than not, they were abandoned simply in favor of more prosperous conditions closer to the capital.

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Additional Info

Kansujian: The City of Lights

Kansujian: Map and Physical Layout
Kansujian: Notable Factions
Kansujian: People of Note
Kansujian: Places of Interest
Kansujian: Resources, Technology, etc.
Kansujian: Flora and Fauna