Ankhapur
Government
Ankhapur is a kingdom ruled by King Janol Famisso. The royal family has the greatest authority in the city. Most political authority is currently enacted on the king's behalf by the Crown Prince Behleir.
Defences
The city is surrounded by a forty foot high wall, ten feet thick. Situated on the outer wall, at the bridge into the city from the east that crosses over the Thornwash, stands the Fortress Laskama. Laskama has sixty foot tall walls, twenty-five feet thick, along with a full time garrison and other fortifications.
A second wall surrounds the Royal Palace (It is a palace, not a castle.) This wall is forty feet high and fifteen feet thick.
Industry & Trade
The most important export is pearls. About 40% of the population is engaged in the pearl trade in some form or another. Other precious jewel and gem trading is a major industry in the city. The surrounding plain is farmed for wheat and both the Lake of Steam and the Thornwash are major fishing locations. The city imports many fine cloths including luxurious silks, linens, cahsmeres, and velvets.
Infrastructure
The city is filled with beautifully landscaped public courtyards and squares. The city has many gardens and fountains, both public and private. The city has a full sewer system, road system, and full dockyard. Markets can be found all over the city.
Guilds and Factions
Zhentarim: the mercenary network known as the Black Network. There is no better place to go if you need a good mercenary for a low price. They are also known to sometimes deal in illicit and rare goods.
El Khamir: A crime family from Camilshan that is looking to increase their influence in Calimshan by extending their influence into surrounding regions. They use enslaved djinn for smuggling and assassinations, though they rarely assassinate in Ankhapur. They can get you goods or power, but you may be called to return the favor to El Khamir in the future.
The Harpers: a semi-secret organization dedicated to promoting good, preserving history (including art and music of old) and maintaining a balance between civilization and nature by keeping kingdoms small and the destruction of animal and plant life to a minimum. Due to the power of their Zhent rivals in Ankhapur, they operated far more secretly, though Harper agents still act against the Zhentarim, El Khamir, and the Church of Bane in the city.
The Church of Bane: A cruel and power-hungry group of religious followers of the god Bane. The Banites have a strong presence in many other Lake of Steam cities such as Mintar and Innarlith. Historically, the Church of Bane has been closely connected to the Zhentarim, but for some reason, the Church's activity in Ankhapur is surprisingly limited in comparison to the Zhentarim activity.
History
The city was ruled by Manferic III in the 1300s DR. After an attempt to take his son's body after becoming a lich, Manferic was defeated, and the city came under the rule of his bastard son, Janol Famisso, a former crime lord. As opposed to the fear that Manferic created, Janol restructured Ankhapur into the shining gem of the Lake of Steam, turning its pearl trade into the most lucrative of businesses. Though a former crime lord, as king, he restricted the overt and citizen-jeopardizing crime that had formerly corrupted the city. In this time, however, more covert crime syndicates such as the Zhentarim and El Khamir began to operate within the city. These groups rarely use violence and seem to only attempt to manipulate profits and power in the city.
Architecture
Ankhapur's buildings are made from beautiful white stone with tuscan orange tiled roofing. Many citizens attempt to incorporate plants into the landscape, so bright, vibrant green hanging plants can often be found adorning patios and balconies.
Geography
Ankhapur sits at the mouth of the Thornwash on the Lake of Steam. The river is responsible for the fertility of the plains on which the city sits. From the city, one can see the Arnrock, the volcano at the center of the Lake of Steam.
Natural Resources
Pearls
Image Credit: Wu Hao
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