Ejindor
The prefecture of Ejindor consists primarily of the trade city of Ejindor and surrounding farms. Though on its official maps the Xha’en Hegemony extends much farther south and east than the prefecture of Ejindor, in practical terms, Ejindor functions as a border town between the Hegemony and the wilder lands beyond it. As such, the population of the city and the surrounding countryside tends to include more than the average of Xha’en’s various minority peoples, particularly tengu, tabaxi, Halflings, and half-elves. In addition, the average monthly population of foreigners visiting the city of Ejindor is nearly 10 times that of other typical cities in the Hegemony.
For these reasons, as well as the prefecture’s proximity to the controversial Ghon Complex boarding school, laws in Ejindor are strict, curfews early, taxes high, and the military ever-present. Despite these potential drawbacks, however, Ejindor has a reputation for treating visitors well and all residents fairly. Governor Jerain sa Kha is largely beloved by her citizens, known for her wise and measured interpretations of even the strictest laws, and her just sentencing when punishment is necessary.
Religion
Though Governor Jerain sa Kha personally observes only Imperial Pantheon religious practices and holidays, all religions willing to play well with their neighbors are welcome in Ejindor and are permitted to make public their festivals. The summer solstice festival is especially multicultural and considered by seasoned travelers to be a must-see event in the region.
Trade and Commerce
Trade and commerce are the primary reasons for Ejindor’s existence. Without them, the city would be neither so large, nor so diverse, nor so economically relevant to southern Xha’en. It boasts several great public markets, the largest of which is the river market, where one can buy fish and seafood of all kinds, as well as foreign goods brought to Ejindor up the Jhoni River. This is also where locals come to sell any goods found to be in high demand among river merchants and captains.
The farmers’ market on the east side of the city is where farmers bring in the fruits of their fields and sell delightful local confections, and where visitors from surrounding regions bring livestock for sale. Finally, to the south of the city stands the smaller, covered, year-round market hall where the finest of local crafts and creations are sold alongside the works of famous Xha’en tradespeople and exotic foreign riches from all over the world. The indoor market is the most heavily guarded (and taxed), but it cannot be argued that its offerings are a wonder to behold, even in the dead of winter (when it tends to be dominated by goods crafted from materials gathered in The Cauldron to the south of the prefecture).
Loyalties and Diplomacy
Ejindor is a loyal vassal-prefecture of the Xha’en Hegemony but it often finds itself in a delicate place politically as it is so far away from the center of Xha’en’s politics and has such a large and constant influx of foreign contact. To avoid arousing suspicions of sedition, Ejindor puts on twice the show of imperial loyalty that other Xha’en cities might do. Governor Jerain sa Kha manages this balance with grace and dignity, but not without a certain degree of discord between herself and Grand Teacher of the Ghon Complex, the other most powerful appointed leader in the region.
Indeed, though even Governor Jerain sa Kha only knows or suspects less than half of the “education” techniques being used to influence the Ghon Complex children, rumor has it that a small rebel organization has sprung up in Ejindor with the intention of staging a prison break and freeing the Ghon Complex children. If Governor Jerain sa Kha knows of any such thing, it would appear she has chosen to turn a blind eye, which could potentially bring terrible ramifications down on Ejindor if the situation were presented to the emperor in the wrong way.
Government
Governor Jerain sa Kha has authority to run Ejindor as she sees fit, though the commander of the local military garrison reports to military superiors elsewhere in the Hegemony rather than to the governor. Governor Jerain sa Kha and Commander Mornys su Rin work well together, however, so this division of authority does not interfere with the smooth functioning of the prefecture. Governor Jerain sa Kha serves as primary lawmaker (after the emperor, of course) and judge and makes all non-military appointments, prioritizing skill and integrity above connections or flattery. Military appointments are the province of Commander Mornys su Rin, who also oversees the military in their regular service as the watch and police.
Military
Unless Ejindor is actively threatened by war, defense of the town is left to the larger-than-average resident garrison of professional soldiers. These troops enforce the curfew, guard the town’s imperial taxes until they can be shipped north, and otherwise function as police. Their unit includes two wizards and two clerics, none of whom is particularly high in rank or skill.
Major Threats
The Jhoni Falls to the north do much to defend Ejindor from river-borne threats, and the town maintains good (or at least civil) relations with all its neighbors. The threat of retaliation from the might of Xha’en is enough to make any force think twice about attacking the city. As such, the greatest threats to Ejindor tend either to be economic, such as the tengu bandits that disrupt shipping in the Jhoni Canyon, or come from individual monsters, such as the salamanders that have been known to follow the Jhoni River downstream from The Cauldron in summer.
Of course, one looming threat is the eventual loss of Governor Jerain sa Kha. Under Governor Jerain sa Kha’s rule, the markets thrive and, despite the high imperial taxes, the citizens mostly prosper. The only problem is that Jerain sa Kha is 87 years old. She is improbably hale for her age as well as sharp of faculties, but even the healthiest of humans — even with unlimited access to magical healing — must ever more often play dice with death the older they get. Jerain sa Kha is aware that one day soon her luck will run out, and mortality will win the round. She is doing her best to prepare her people for her passing, but the future of Ejindor remains uncertain.
The Ejindor prefecture is an appointed rather than inherited position. Jerain sa Kha has begun to float suggestions for her successor to representatives of the court at Xha’ahan, but so far none has been all that favorably received. For now, Jerain sa Kha remains alive and well, and Ejindor is a happy and diverse city, strict laws notwithstanding. Only time will tell what the emperor will decide in appointing the next prefect.
Capital
Ejindor, Prefecture of
Type
Capital
Owning Organization
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