The Central Capital
The Central Capital is considered the greatest city on the entire continent. Especially by people with a lot of money or people who don't actually live there. In reality, it is simply monumental on scale. It is a melting pot of races and cultures. Being a place with so many cultures and so much foot traffic through, the CC is also a cultural hub. It is so large and filled with such variety that some far less scrupulous types can get away with operating here just short of doing it in broad daylight. Horrors of old that don't thrive in the wilderness can be found in the dark spaces of the city, and there always seems to be new ones forming with the rapid advance of technology and the ever-widening class divide.
Just about anything you could want, you can find in the Central Capital. Not only is it in the Central province but it is relatively center to the entire continent, built along a river system that spans to every province, and many major caravan roads crisscross over it rather than going around. This makes the CC's economy not only unique but bustling. It also makes it a prime center for more elicit trades, such as wildlife trafficking, which the Central Authorities have not been cracking down on as effectively the past few years.
Demographics
It doesn't get more melting pot than the Central Capital. Every race exists here in some capacity and are likely to be more common than they otherwise appear in areas outside their own settlements. Humans and elves make up the bulk of the population, followed by dwarves and halflings, but there are appreciable chunks of half-races, orcs, minotaurs, kenku, goblins, kobolds, dragonborn, gnolls and tabaxi. Among the elven population Drow are almost as prominent as high elf and more prominent than forest. It is more what isn't there- there aren't many aarakocra, for example, because of the flying height restrictions that they're not a fan of. There are also populations where their count isn't well understood, such as firbolg and ilithid, as these races don't really like to be known and would make every effort to appear rare even if they outnumbered the rest. Most fae beings feel the need to exist in secrecy while here as well, though this becomes part of the fun.
There is a shocking variety and number of lycanthropes, including the largest pack of werewolves on the continent. Revenants are also disturbingly common compared to their usual numbers. Other forms of undeath, such as vampirism and lichdom, are illegal and individuals are destroyed upon discovery. Ghosts are completely without rights even if they are still in their right mind and are often exterminated by professionals to try and salvage property values as they are frequently stuck in one place. Also illegal are cambions, AKA F1 tieflings or half-demons, and they are destroyed upon discovery or at birth if the pregnancy is not aborted. Only the cleverest of undead and luckiest of F1s escape these fates.
Class disparity is obvious in the CC. The rich tend to be very rich, the poor tend to be very poor, and the middle-class tend to have blinders to both other ends on. Homelessness always seems to have a rising rate, especially in the last few years. Many entrepreneurial ventures try to get their legs in the Capital, to varying levels of failure and success.
Only the rich population, blue collar folk that work intercity delivery, EMTs, chaperone service drivers and the Central Authorities are likely to know how to drive. Cars, trucks and the like exist and are technically available to anyone along with lessons and licensing, but only the very well-to-do can afford them.
Government
The Central Capital is the seat for the entirety of the government in the Central Province. The Central Province is a democracy and the current person in power is typically only referred to as the Governess. She has won 4 consecutive terms and is well liked by the voters that seem to matter. As a result she holds reigns to more things than she probably should.
Below provincial governor position is a cabinet composed of 10 individuals voted in and 5 selected by the Governess herself. Other than this however, many places defer to individual township government.
Defences
The Central Authorities are out in force on the streets of the Central Capital. A large part of the Central Government's military is also stationed here. The continent has been at peace for the last 100 years so the military has sat idle, and with how things currently are people need protection from the Central Authorities.
In areas where there is denser forest beyond the reach of the city inhabitants are protected by saur fencing, incredibly strong and tall metallic fences that are buried as deep as they rise and prevent monsters from wandering out of the woods and in to the streets. These are typically well-maintained, but in some poorer areas they've been starting to suffer neglect in recent years. This doesn't protect against flying beasts like chimera, harpies and peryton, which are typically taken care of by trained griffins- some mounted, some not.
Raid shelters from the Last War still exist and many are still maintained as a part of public service. In a world with magic and monsters there's any number of reasons such things may be necessary even during peace time.
Industry & Trade
Technology has become the largest draw to the Capital, with both Owlbear Energies and Lightningmage headquartering here and employing a solid amount of the blue collar and educated population for a variety of projects.
Shipping via waterway as a river port city is still a major part of the Central Capital's economy. There are multiple factory districts that have sprung up around this accessible shipyard.
Tourism for their excellent shopping thanks to all the goods that pass through has become a major draw in recent years.
The city is always expanding, so construction is a common position.
A large part of the military and the bulk of the Central Authorities exists here as well.
Infrastructure
There are two warehouse districts, though one is now largely abandoned, and a port on the river that account for all of the shipping business out of the city.
Payphones exist on a larger scale here than most other large cities.
Only newer parts of the city are on a well-planned grid. While there are roads throughout that are maintained and covered with asphalt or done in concrete this is mostly for the benefit of the Central Authorities- richer neigborhoods where civilians are likely to own motorized vehicles have more decorative cobblestone that could trip non-quadrupedal mounts up. Frequent street cleanings are performed in heavily trafficked areas.
Beneath the city is a veritable hell of half-finished subway systems and sewers so complex they had to abandon portions just to continue building another way from time to time.
The city's dump is on a plane designed just for it, and everything gets tossed in via a processing plant where recyclable materials are reclaimed before sending them off.
Many continent-wide banking operations call the Central Capital their home.
Assets
The MONAM, or Museum of Nature and Magic, is a part of the city's pride and experiencing a fresh surge of popularity under new ownership. Most famous is the display about Tchazzar's attack on Dryad's Gold, including the life-size reconstruction of him and the fact that it has the beast's skull on display there. This area now explores not only this but the Chromatic Extermination and reveals many of the atrocities committed after the attack. Talhan Rouge, a man rich by inheritance, went from benefactor to owner and has since been funding expeditions and increasing collection sizes with new plans to expand- all out of his own pocket. The museum takes donations but is technically free to all ages.
The Central Institute is a well-respected college that not only teaches but is responsible for the eventual employment of their own graduates in many fields, turning out research on everything from biology to the weave. They have a lot of spread about business, being in communication with
The Central Grand Library, often shortened to CGL, became the largest library on the continent after the burning of Dryad's Gold and has remained so ever since. They are always seeking to expand and serve the public and are a multi-story building packed wall-to-wall with books. It holds the record in multiple archive collections, including books and intercontinental newspapers, but also some oft-forgotten historical things such as diaries from estate sales, advertisements, flat pack wrappers, blueprints, patent copies, trademark histories, maps and more.
Hell Square is a jam-packed shopping district that attracts tourists, expensive shops, and an intense amount of foot traffic. The closer to the center you get the worse it tends to be. It is a loud and colorful place, and what most people think of when they think of the Central Capital.
Kobold Quest was a popular theme park before it was closed for renovation based on safety regulations. The rides include the second largest roller coaster on the continent, as well as the fastest. Many of the attractions are based around thrill seeking with an Adventuring Age theme. It was popular with tourists and residents alike... even if someone died there every now and then. Whoopsiedoodle.
Both Lightningmage and Owlbear Energies are based out of the Capital, each running power plants, research facilities, and factory production. Almost all modern technology requires a Battery produced by one of these two companies and while they are typically interchangeable people tend to have preferences, so they are intensely competitive.
CC's midpark is massive in its own right and has an impressive number of facilities, as well as serving as one of the only patches of wildlife remaining outside graveyards within the city boundaries. It is typically tended to by local druids who care greatly for it and see that it is safe, with the city leaning on them hard enough to otherwise neglect it. Druids are, luckily, dedicated enough to maintaining some heart of nature near themselves that they keep it up to snuff better than the city could hope to.
CC Medical is not the only hospital in the city but it is by far the largest. It is privately owned and attracts a variety of specialists, since it is not only superior pay but much easier for those traveling to reach them to get to. They do provide emergency services, preventative care, family doctors, psych, cancer treatment, and support for many other common maladies. Those on staff who use magic are secondary to those who diagnose and treat without but thanks to them many wounds, bone breaks, and minor to middling injuries can be cured in one visit avoiding long recovery periods.
Guilds and Factions
The Central Authorities are a province-wide police force that are based in the Capital. While they are under government control they typically act in a way that appears separate. At this time they are militarized, carrying the same equipment as the military with only a fraction of the training. Civilians are restricted from gun access but the Central Authorities are not.
The Copper Fangs, AKA "the bite of the common people," are an anti-facist movement that have existed since The Last War and are experiencing a resurgence here in their Central Capital chapter as resistance becomes more and more necessary. They are ultimately civilians, not soldiers, and many don't know how to fight at all- they are specialists or merely able to offer labor. Those among them who can fight do it exceptionally well and likely had to learn how for not the best reasons.
The Carnies are anyone under Morgan Marigold's employ. Marigold considers himself a neutral figure but looking out for #1 puts him opposed to the Central Authorities often. The Obituaries are more specialized agents of his. Marigold himself is an incredibly powerful man who would be a terrifying force even if he stood alone, and he is not someone you want on the bad side of. He seems to live disturbingly loyally to the saying "snitches get stitches."
Architecture
There aren't too many wooden structures. Most everything is brick, concrete, glass or steel- from shops, to townhouses, to sky scrapers. There are a number of slums that also include cheap metals such as aluminum sheeting as part of their repair. Areas with exceptionally tall buildings, such as the business sectors, have flight restrictions for residents with the ability to do so that are typically enforced by well-trained hippogriffs, leaving many of the buildings in these areas to have ledges for the creatures to rest during the day. These areas also tend to have reflective buildings, and include ornamental masonry such as marble and granite. Shopping districts range between brightly colored with cloth shadowed patios to visually busy areas coated in advertisements, neon lights, and even illusion spells trying to draw business- especially Hell Square.
Geography
Within the city it is a concrete hell. Otherwise it is in a relatively flat place surrounded on all sides by forest- thinned out where travel is frequent and extremely dense where it is not. CC is about as far from the sea as you can get.
Natural Resources
The Central Capital's original start began with the network of rivers that run through the city, making it a convenient waystop for anyone crossing the capital to anywhere else. This became of benefit when the industrial era began and they were able to ship a lot of goods by water rather than caravan.
Alternative Name(s)
Central Capital, The Capital, The Pig Pen
Type
Capital
Population
Over 10 million
Inhabitant Demonym
CC, The CC
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
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