The Auric City

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Along the Meleatte River, in the deserts of Arad, are the Sungold Trees. From their magical nectar, bees produce ichor which, when imbibed, grants visions of the future.   The Auric City, Thripia, founded over seven hundred years ago by Halemica the Great and her exiled people the Thalassians, lives off the trade of ichor which brings them great wealth and knowledge. The allure of the ichor is difficult to resist and many are drawn to Thripia in search of power. Wars are fought between factions and organisations, between clandestine groups and mercantile leagues.   The Guilds of Coin profit from ichor and control Thripia with their wealth and their proxy government, the oligarchic Wise Council and the Merchant Lords who make up its members. They compete with the magi of the Cult of Sargos, worshipers of Thripia's patron sun god, who employ Oracles trained to use ichor to its fullest potential in order to control the hearts of the people. Both are opposed by the Cabal of the Black; a secret, zealous clade of assassins and spies founded to preserve the prosperity of Thripia at any cost and who reject greed and ambition in all its forms including ichor.   Once, Thripia was ruled by the imperial monarchy of the Dynasty Kings of the Thraeo line descended from Halemica. For seven hundred years they endured but ultimately the corruption which festered within their nobility lead to the People's Uprising in which the Guilds, the Cabal and the citizens of the city united under the banner of the Gold Army. They overthrew the regime of the Dynasty Kings for good, instating the once advisory body of the Wise Council as leaders of the city in their place, swearing them to the values of unrestricted trade, democratic deliberation as well as freedom and equity for all.   Ichor is the language of wealth and power in Thripia. As long as it is spoken and the war for the city continues, the future is never certain.

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