Cirta (SEER-tah)
Cirta, known as the Sapphire of the West, is a beautiful city that grew around the mouth of a river leading into the Sea of Anaïs. A destination of vacationers, artists, scholars, and merchants alike, the city is fairly wealthy and boasts a relatively small economic gap between the rich and poor. This may be due to the historically weak grip the city's Consortium has on its citizens, who are free to conduct business as they see fit, or simply the humble origins of the city as a refugee camp founded by poor revolutionaries fleeing the conflict between humans and elves in Ester Fal in the Crystal age.
The city's designation as the capital of Lodone is purely symbolic, as the God-Kings of Chandris are far more powerful than the Consortium. However, after the alliance that formed Lodone, Chandris remained fairly xenophobic and its government insular at best, and as such Cirta was named the official capital. In an attempt to compete with the capitals of Beré, Estenwald, Sarkhaan, and Ester Fal, the Consortium had the Plaza dei Sette constructed in early Tempest by bringing in relics from all across Talonn. The results of their labors are impressive-- the temples in the Plaza are some of the most beautiful in Talonn, and the pride of the city.
The city's other claim to fame is the Athenaeum, a magical college founded in 231 Magic to compete with Ester Fal's Royal University. The much more recent addition of the Medical Academy in 1415 Dawning has boosted the Athenaeum's fame with its unique success.
Demographics
Primarily Cirtan residents are human, elven, or some mix of the two; however, since it is a port town, many other people have come to live there. Overall, very mixed.
Government
Two factions war openly for control of the city, a consortium of wealthy merchants and a noble aristocrat, the elven lord Cilo Suttoso . Both of them are controversial, but the Consortium controls the Cirtan Guard. Suttoso is trying to take control of the Thieves Guild, but is being blocked by Has-Many-Arms Zhosa , the local priestess of Mask .
Infrastructure
Cirta isn't known as the Sapphire of the West for nothing. It is a highly important trade port for ship traveling west towards Ester Fal, and is known for its art and craft. The Dock Ward is an impressive feat of engineering, as is the ancient aqueduct system dating back to the Runic age that supplies the city's inhabitants with fresh water.
Districts
Cirta has several districts, which people can move freely within:
- The Artisan's Quarter, which is exactly what it sounds like. Outside of Beré, there are no finer craftspeople than those who reside in Cirta. Many are graduates of the Athenaeum, and make enchanted items that are shipped from the port all over Talonn.
- The Dock Ward is Cirta's port, and home to many warehouses and traveller's hostels, as well as the Harbormaster's office.
- Greater Moor Village is the finer area of the city, where nobles and wealthy merchants reside. It is also the location of the Guildhall, where those with the funds can hire adventurers.
- El Nido, "the rat's nest", is a shadier part of the city that is most residential. However, it is also home to the Birth-mark tavern, the well-known front for the Cirtan Thieve's Guild.
- The Plaza dei Sette, also known as the Cathedral Ward, is home to the impressive seven temples to the main pantheon of Talonn. It is a popular tourist spot.
- Dock Market is a neighborhood located behind the Dock Ward, and is a bustling place filled with transients hawking their wares. It can also be dangerous at night, or magical, depending on the kind of day you're having.
- Il Passe de Gigante is another, quieter shopping district named for the path the Lacrime river takes through the city, and is an area frequented by couples at night.
- The Athenaeum is a large academic sector carved out of the heart of Cirta, where the Medical Academy and the old Athenaeum are located. Many students and professors also live in the surrounding district.
- Bard's Rest is a seaside entertainment district known for its incredible views of the harbor. It is also a popular tourist spot, as it is known for having excellent food.
Architecture
Cirta's buildings were made for a seaside, warm-to-temperate climate, and reflect that. In the summer, it can get quite hot, so many buildings have interior courtyards open to the sky and white limestone walls. It is well-known for its unique terra-cotta roof tiles, which are coated in a speacial resin to protect them from the sea air and are bright cerulean blue.
Natural Resources
Cirta is well known for its seafood, which is abundant and sometimes borderline strange.
Founding Date
2763 Runic
Alternative Name(s)
The Sapphire of the West
Type
City
Population
24000
Inhabitant Demonym
Cirtan
Characters in Location
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