Mesescima

The oldest city in the Demon Realm that is still inhabited in the current age, known for its blacksmiths.

Demographics

Species

• Demon - 83%
• Beastkin - 4%
• Troll - 10%
• Siren - 3%
• Other <1%

Demon Variant

• Traditional - 65%
• Beastly - 12%
• Trollish - 20%
• Inspired - 3%
• Arcane - <1%

Government

Like most demon cities, governance of Mesescima is split between the City Council and the Petty King and their Court at the local castle, Soken's Crucible.
Also like other cities, the Court is responsible for the overall health and safety of those inside the Field Walls surrounding the city, castle, and surrounding farmlands. It is where laws are created, and a small city unto itself. 
The City Council is responsible for running the city proper and liaising between the Court and the common populace.

Defences

Like most demon cities, Mesescima is surrounded by Field Walls that enclose the city, castle, and farmlands - as well as walls around the city and castle individually. Both the city and castle are surrounded by dry moats with drawbridges utilizing dwarven engineering for quick maneuvering. The walls around both the city and castle are also equipped with metal ballistas.

Industry & Trade

Mesescima, as one might imagine, is the leader in weapons and metalworking in the Demon Realm, and has been for some time. They are known for having both the highest quality and largest variety of metal based weapons available - most Petty Kings commission a weapon from a Scima smith as a coronary symbol, and many nobles boast an ancestral weapon from the smithing city.
Mesescima is also a hub for siren engineered goods produced in the Demon Realm - though this is limited in scope, due to professional curtesy.
Wool is a new product being produced in Mesescima, and while much is retained for fire-resistant materials, some is also exported.

Infrastructure

Mesescima has a robust system of roads, but its aqueducts are found above ground to avoid detritus from the heavy blacksmithing activity from leaking into the water supply through the ground. The city also takes advantage of a wealth of magnetic-powered mechanical construction through information and materials exchanges with smiths from the Siren Realm. From a public trolley system to mechanical elevators, Mesescima is likely the most mechanically advanced city in the Demon Realm, despite being politically conservative.

Districts

Internal City Districts

Anvil District

The central district of the city, where the Great Temple to Soken can be found. Surrounding the temple are smithies of every kind, most aligned with particular family factions with specific techniques and specialties.

Temple District

The district where one can find the temples of other deities, namely Maenscul, Deity of Kings; Vemera, Goddess of Judgment; and Vouscu, Deity of the Hearth. A smaller temple to Nosu, Deity of Wisdom, can be found inside of Vouscu's temple.
Notably, Mesescima has the only free-standing temple to Vislaelos, the God of Romantic Love, outside of the Great Temple in Mesgaesculs - but as he is the husband of Soken, their patron god, this makes a large amount of sense.

Court District

The district maintained by the Petty King and Court, which includes public hospitals, storehouses, and related buildings. This is also where one can find the City Council Building and related administrative buildings.

Market District

The district where goods are sold and traded - like a smithy, most shops are buildings with a wall open to the public, no matter what merchandise they carry. The exception to this is the eateries found in the same district, which are closed buildings to avoid smoke and debris from the Anvil District getting into the food.

Entertainment District

The district where one can find entertainment of all kinds - though the most prevalent in Mesescima is the theater, particularly plays featuring stories of romance. Many of these plays are only known well in the local region as blacksmiths, with their ties to Vislaelos, tend to have a prevalent romanticism in their professional culture. And as blacksmithing is the largest profession in Mesescima, the city also has a more romantic leaning.

Residential Districts

Mesescima has several residential districts, named for various tools used by blacksmiths.
The Tongs District is home to noble family estates, as well as residential buildings for visiting nobility or diplomats.
The Hammer District is home to the affluent common citizenry, notably merchants and the two oldest of the major blacksmith families, the Maesculiken and Nouklesse. This is also where more expensive inns can be found.
The Drawplates, Swages, and Drifts Districts contain the bulk of the common population - as well as the family homes of the major blacksmith families of Ascoken, Scusuli, and Geykaonar respectively.
The Bellows District is the poorest of the residential districts, though not by a particularly wide margin. It is also where most regular inns can be found, and is home to the last two of the major blacksmithing families - the Losculi and Unaome.

External City Districts

Soken's Crucible

The castle of the Petty King, a small settlement onto itself. It was named for the high amount of turmoil in the court - while the city was ancient, its leadership was less so. Many vied for control of the city of blacksmiths, though the smiths themselves have long seen the castle as more of a guard dog than a source of leadership. The high turnover of leadership lasted well into the Fractured Realm Ages, only really settling after Lavven united the realm.

Field District

The farm and ranch land surrounding the castle and city. Mesescima is one of the cities working towards domesticating Mountainhounds for their wool, largely for it's fire resistant qualities.

Guilds and Factions

Political Factions

Family Factions

The Grand Stars - the unofficial name of the seven oldest and most influential blacksmithing families - have lived in Mesescima for as long as the city has existed. Having been the ones to found it, after all. As such, politics in the city are ruled largely by family allegiances and attitudes, rather than more general beliefs.

Maesculiken, The Gold Fire Family

One of the two largest of the old families, the Maesculiken are weaponsmiths of the highest order. They are large believers in traditionalism - and often eschew the smithing styles of other realms. They are the family most contacted for weapons by nobles and leaders and garner the most public prestige of all the families.
While typically staunch conservatives, a recent upset occurred within the family - the eldest twin daughters of the main family, Jeakke and Nevve, both going against their family's wishes and causing significant scandal. Jeakke by abandoning smithing altogether in favor of becoming a warrior herself, and Nevve by leaving home and learning smithing styles from across the realms. Both were disowned, but later reinstated when their successes reflected well on the family.
However, Jeakke's considerable prowess as a warrior leading to her acceptance into an old Beast Hunter band and Nevve's undisputed skill as a weaponsmith caused a divide within the family itself. There is a progressive faction pushing for more intercultural exchanges of weaponsmithing and experimentation in support of the twins, and a conservative faction pointing to Jeakke's death and Nevve's current status as a civil smith as proof that the old ways are best.
The Ascension of Jeakke's son, Jurao, to Demon King has only deepened this divide - though publically, the family stands in support of one of their own being on the throne.

Nouklesse, The Thunder Hammer Family

The other of the two largest old families, the Nouklesse are civil smiths focused on public infrastructure. They are by far more progressive than the Maesculiken, and work most closely with siren smiths of all the families. They focus on innovations that can benefit the population at large, such as above-ground aqueducts, superior ventilation systems, and public trolley systems. While the Court subsidizes these initiatives, it's Nouklesse smiths that keep them running.
The Nouklesse and Maesculiken families often butt heads - and it's widely believed that their rivalry is the one that's led to the wider antagonism between weaponsmiths and civil smiths in general. While in the past the Maesculiken often had an advantage due to the public prestige of weaponsmithing, the peaceful millennia have made the skills and hard work of the Nouklesse family shine in the minds of the common people that benefit the most from it. This shift in attitude, combined with the scandal of Jeakke and Nevve dividing the Maesculiken family, has garnered the Nouklesse family more equal public prestige.
Nobility, recognizing the importance of public infrastructure in the long peace of a unified realm, have also been making more attempts to build a relationship with the Nouklesse in hopes of bringing some of the public works to their own cities.

Ascoken, The Soken's Kin Family

The Ascoken trace their lineage back to Mahen - the original Deity of Blacksmithing before one of cer hearts fused with a vein of iron to become Soken. Specifically, they trace their lineage to the mortal lover that broke Mahen's heart and caused cer to cut it out to cast away the pain of it - seeing their devotion to the god born of that heart as a form of atonement. Particularly by specializing in armor and armaments. While no one can shield a heart from emotional pain with armor, they can at least build a physical barrier against material harm.
While not as glamorous as weaponsmithing, as many demons go without armor altogether due to their naturally thick skin, the patronage of career warriors and the close relationship they maintain with the Maesculiken family have made the Ascoken one of the bigger families after the two most influential lineages. They also work closely with the Stonemason Guild in regard to the construction and maintenance of defensive walls and structures.
The Ascoken tend toward traditionalism socially but tend to be more open to new ideas politically.

Scusuli, The Night Sword Family

The Scusuli family specializes in weapons and tools most often utilized by assassins or otherwise requiring finesse. As another weaponsmithing family, they also tend to align and work closely with the Maesculikens - however, they do not command the same prestige. While demons, having long lived in a realm where survival is the goal, do not see shame in tricks or sneak tactics, they do attach greater cultural esteem to more direct methods of physical combat. The Scusuli are therefore often seen as being in the shadow of the Maesculiken - which they profess to prefer, as an assassin does their best work from the shadows.
The Scusuli tend to be moderates both socially and politically - as adhering too strictly to traditions can cause stagnation, but ignoring them entirely is tossing away the wisdom of the past.

Geykaonar, The Great Hole Family

The Geykaonar specialize in siege weapons, or otherwise large weaponry not intended for individuals. Despite being weaponsmiths, they align and work more closely with the Nouklesse - as their weaponry is designed for protecting and dealing with large populations. As such, their work tends to be included in the kind of public works handled by civil smiths - on the battlements of walls, for example.
The Geykaonar are highly progressive, though the common joke is that most are just seeking better methods for making bigger holes in things. Most members of the family itself would heartily agree with this sentiment. It would be a mistake, however, to believe this straightforward manner makes them less crafty than any of the other Grand Stars - a mistake that has cost kings and would-be kings in the past.

Losculi, The Gold Breathing Family

The Losculi specialize in everyday tools and common items such as nails, hinged, or fittings. While they are not as highly regarded as the bigger families, the necessity of their skills and the products they produce still earn them respect. It is no surprise they tend to align and work with the Nouklesse family, though they work on a much smaller scale in comparison to the public works projects maintained by the bigger house.
They have, however, taken a bold stance against the Maesculiken by reaching out to Nevve and asking her to train new smiths - rubbing salt in the wound of a weaponsmith turned civil, as it were. And, like the Nouklesse, the long centuries of peace have caused the Losculi to gain more prestige in the public eye as their skills are in higher demand. The Agriculture Guild, in particular, has worked to build a good relationship with this family. As such, the Losculi tend towards progressivism, though mostly it seems for the benefits it brings their house.

Unaome, The Silver Tongue Family

The Unaome family specializes in jewelry and is often treated derisively by the other families for the less practical nature of their skills. In fact, the only other family they have a strong positive relationship with is the Losculi, as both often feel slighted by the larger families despite their work being in high demand. Occupying a space seen as neither weaponsmithing nor civil smithing, the Unaome do not align with either of the two biggest houses - though they do maintain a strong connection to the temples. As romantic, queerplatonic, and sexual marriage ceremonies all often include an exchange of wedding jewelry, the temples of Vislaeloes, Nosu, and Maenscul have a strong working relationship with the Unaome.
In this way, despite not having a larger family backing them, the Unaome remain a significant player in the political landscape of Mesescima - often representing the interests of and receiving aid from the temples. And while Soken nor Vemera have a domain in any relationship type, the Unaome's relationships with the other temples has a net benefit of a relationship with these temples as well. Soken for being, of course, God of Smiths and Vislaelos's husband and Vemera for overseeing the civil aspects of all kinds of marriages, including unlabelled marriages.

Mesescima Tradesman Guilds

Weaponsmiths and Civil Smiths

While most demon cities have one combined Blacksmith Guild with branches for more specialized professions, the wider divide between weaponsmiths and civil smiths in Mesescima has caused the guild to be clearly delineated.

Jewelers

With the unique position held by the Unaome family, Mesescima also has a small but dedicated Jewelers Guild. They have only two chapters in other cities - one in Naengaquena and one in Scagesmaes.

Engineering

Actually a siren guild, the prevalence of siren smiths and technology has led to the formation of an Engineering Guild in Mesescima. This guild is focused on invention as well as maintenance of mechanical works.

Agriculture

A chapter of the agriculture guild headquarters in Ae°calikaslavven exists in Mesescima - often working with the Losculi family in regards to tools and equipment to improve their work.

Stonemason

As most demon architecture is crafted from a combination of stone, clay, and packed earth, all three fall under the purview of the Stonemason Guild. This Guild often works closely with the Civil Smith Guild and by extension the Nouklesse family.

Artisans

With the close proximity of Naengaquena, the city famed for its artisans, Mesescima has a larger Artisans Guild than many other demon cities - though, with the exception of jewelers, it is still a combined guild for artisans of all stripes.

Merchant

The Mesescima chapter of the Merchant Guild headquartered in Mavasnier.

History

During the Birth of Kings Ages, when demon society was very young and the concept of kingship had only just begun, one weaponsmith had a dream of founding a city of eir fellows. E traveled with a beast hunting band to find the best smiths e could - and gathered a group of seven (including eirself) which would come to be known as Grand Stars. In this Age, Soken had not yet formed, and Mahen, the Deity of Stars, was also the Deity of Blacksmithing.
The city was a success, and soon a king came to claim it - the smiths, however, were not in favor of being ruled. They declared themselves staunchly neutral in the battles and squabbles of others - to do otherwise, they knew, would spell their own demise. So for some time, the Grand Stars repelled any come to claim the city as a king - not a terribly difficult feat, being talented and experienced smiths with strong walls and powerful weapons.
This period came to an end when one would-be king declared they would not rule the city, but only defend it - after all, the smiths had more important work than fighting any random upstart believing they had a right to best smiths in the realm. While the Stars were wary, this king proved true to their word - and the smiths agreed it was a much more suitable arrangement.
Though many who would lay claim to the castle built by that king were not so noble - this proved to be a very small issue in the long run, however. For the city was well equipped to defend itself, and any king who thought they were taking charge of the city was swiftly put in their place as a defender. Those who refused to accept this position were simply killed or chased out, the Grand Stars finding their own replacement.
Over time, it became known that any taking the castle of Mesescima were subject to the will of the Stars - which significantly lessened efforts to rule the settlement. It was during this period - late in the Birth of King Ages - that Mahen cerself came to investigate this city of blacksmiths. Ce took mortal form to do so, wishing to see the city with cer own eyes and touch its work with cer own hands.
Mahen was most drawn to a weaponsmith named Vaevoscus - one of the descendants of the original Stars blessed with great beauty alongside his great skills. He considered his blades artwork, a stance different from the more practical view most of his peers took. But Mahen, who would later shift cer primary domain to the arts, was mesmerized and besotted. These blades crafted to be beautiful as well as deadly appealed to cer in a way ce did not yet fully understand, and ce was as enamored with the smith as ce was with his creations.
Vaevocus, however, did not return the deity's romantic feelings - but he was proud, and eagerly playacted the part of a loyal lover to keep Mahen's favor. He lorded this attention over his fellows, often bragging about the love Mahen bore him. It was one of the children born between the two that caused Vaevoscus's true character to be revealed to Mahen - they overheard their father confess to a friend that they held no true romantic love for Mahen despite claiming otherwise. The child, both saddened and enraged that their father would lie and betray their other parent, revealed this truth to Mahen.
Mahen confronted Vaevoscus, who guilty confessed to the betrayal. He begged Mahen's forgiveness, though in truth felt little remorse for deceiving the diety - claiming he had only wanted to keep Mahen happy.
Heartbroken, Mahen considered destroying Mesecima entirely - this city that bred so much pride that could lead a mortal to deceive a deity. But doing so would harm cer children as well, and Mahen did not desire this. Instead, they pushed all of their feelings for Vaevoscus into one of cer three hearts and cut it out - casting it and cer smithing hammer aside before returning to the Divine Realm to leave mortal kind to their own devices.
This heart, however, landed on a strong vein of iron ore. It fused with the metal, and it grew into a new deity - one that immediately took up the nearby hammer of his predecessor. For all the love Mahen had bore for Vaevoscus included cer love of blacksmithing, which became the domain of this new god - Soken, God of Blacksmithing.
He studied first in Mesescima, learning from his mortal kin - Vaevoscus had long been cast out before his death, and his children and extended family felt nothing but remorse for what he'd done to Mahen. It was in this way Soken learned of his predecessor - and when he'd learned enough of smithing, he took to the Divine Realm himself. What happened after is a story no longer directly tied to the city of smiths, but the birth of a new patron god inspired the Grand Stars of that time to build the first temple to Soken - which would later become the Grand Temple of the Smithing God.

Points of interest

Soken's Cradle

The birthplace of Soken, the God of Blacksmithing. A large, person-shaped fissure in the side of the plateau Mesescima sits on top of where the smithing god made of iron pulled himself into being. This site is carefully preserved and protected, and high-quality ore can still be found inside - though it is reserved for only the most special of recipients.

Tourism

Blacksmiths from all across the realm come to pay homage to Soken at the Grand Temple and Soken's Cradle, as well as to see the Grand Star families at work as masters of the craft. 
Many also elope to Mesescima to wed in the Temple of Vislaelos. While the Grand Temple to the God of Romantic Love can be found far to the south in Mesgaesculs, blacksmiths have long held a position of romanticism in the Demon Realm for being closely related to Vislaelos. As such, not only do blacksmiths often stand in for Vislaelos's priesthood, Mesescima has a more traditionally romantic appeal compared to Mesgaesculs.

Architecture

While Mesescima also uses the dome-based architecture found throughout the Demon Realm, it tends to build taller than other cities and with more metal adornments.

Geography

Mesescima sits on top of a plateau formed from two deep river canyons on either side.

Climate

With it's high northern elevation, Mesescima tends to experience colder temperatures than the rest of the Demon Realm - though this is often offset by the large amount of smithies.

Natural Resources

As one might imagine, Mesescima is particularly rich in metals - the site being selected for this specific resource.

Founding Date

201 BK

Alternative Name(s)

The City of Blacksmiths

Type

Large city

Population

750,000

Location under

Demon Realm

Ruling/Owning Rank

Petty King

Owning Organization

United Demon Realm