Undercurrent

Undercurrent is an expansive metropolis, three-dimensional streets of water connecting the homes of the residents and leading to a central business area encompassed by a large, magically created bubble. Each home is similarly equipped with an enhanced "Control Water" enchantment, embedded in a round device known colloquially as an "Air Disc," to keep the interior dry and full of breathable air. Goods that can't get wet are sold in airtight containers reinforced with deep-water coral to withstand the pressures deep beneath the ocean. Personally-equipped, smaller Air Discs additionally are used by the few visitors and residents who can't survive the crushing depths or lack of oxygen, often delivered to the surface by parties of diplomats or others, and their "accidental" deactivation has seen more than one "unfortunate incident" befall any who dared to threaten the city or demand it submit to Coalition control. Fortunately, most of the water within the city itself lacks the severe pressure seen on other parts of the ocean floor thanks to a small barrier of air magically maintained around the city, giving it a shallow dome-like appearance from the outside; in fact, a creature who could hold their breath long enough to reach the next bubble surrounding a house could comfortably navigate without the aid of an Air Disc even if it wouldn't be comfortable.
In general, the city of Undercurrent is exceedingly accepting of the few outsiders who manage to visit, though its location makes visitors a very rare sight. Its residents will gawk and excitedly approach newcomers, in general lacking fear of others. This confidence is inspired in part by the largest undersea army in the world, harnessing the beasts of the ocean as mounts to ride into battle, but also by the population's adoration for their kind King Ronan, a man in his 80s who ascended to the throne after proving his worth by securing a formal exception from Coalition rule for the city while acting as a self-appointed ambassador, though the exact details of this are unknown. King Ronan entertains guests of all statuses, inviting an equal portion of upper class members of society alongside those at the bottom of the rung. Thanks to increased trade due to the population's recent ability to safely deal with surface merchants, Undercurrent has prospered under King Ronan's rule, enjoying the least stratified society the city has had in its entire existence. On any given day, you're likely to run into far more genuine smiles than frowns within Undercurrent, though it still maintains a criminal element policed carefully by its guard, and occasional rumors about the king or the elders slip out from time to time.

Government

Undercurrent is ruled by a monarch whose power is checked by a council of democratically-appointed elders. In order to be appointed, the prospective monarch must first accomplish a feat of sufficient enough note and significant benefit to the population of the city to bear recognition by the elders. The elders then, upon the retirement of the existing monarch, vote unanimously to appoint the next; until such appointment, decisions are made via a 2/3 vote. There are currently 25 elders within Undercurrent. A unanimous vote can also remove a monarch by force, though this has only been necessary once in the city's millennium of existence. Traditionally, monarchs resign (occasionally with a bit of pressure) once they become too old to lead the army in battle, though four monarchs in Undercurrent's history have died in office.

Type

Large city