Taleroth, The Black City (Tal-er-oth)

The Black City of Taleroth is the capital city of The Drakkel Empire, a vast empire that stretches most of the continent. Emperor Toran Drakkel, a ruthless and Paranoid warlord, leads the Empire.  The Empire acts as the primary military power on the continent. Because of their sheer militant might, the other three nations on the continent are allies with The Drakkel empire under the threat of violence. 
Most folks see Taleroth as a blight upon the land. Its ominous and imposing black marble walls protect the city. The citizens of Taleroth cower under a tyrannical rule and have limited freedoms. But they do not even receive the worst of it. Amongst the everyday folk, magic is banned. However, the priests are allowed to utilize magic, as the Tyrant labels it as a "Divine Miracle," not magic, thus allowing the continued practice. In addition, every citizen born in the city is tested at birth for magical capabilities. Children who have magical capabilities are branded and taken from their families to become either slaves or weapons of war, depending on their capabilities. If a child is born a tiefling, they are executed in front of the parents, and the parents are imprisoned and tortured. Parents must reveal magic to the empire if a child develops magic later in life. However, most parents will sooner flee the city. If an adult is discovered to have magical capabilities, they are Branded and stripped of all their rights before they become slaves. Depending on how dangerous they are considered, they may even undergo a ritual known as The Severance, which strips a branded from their emotions and free will.

Government

Taleroth is ruled by the Emperor, Toran Drakkel, a Tyrant who refuses to have any advisors out of a paranoia that they will betray him.
The Citizens a taxed 30% of their income, which, as you would expect, leads to a large influx of poor folk who have all taken residence in the Poor district.
The Laws of The Empire:

• 1. Treason Act. Engaging in any act or speech deemed treasonous against the emperor or the empire, including plotting against the crown, spreading dissent, or attempting to overthrow the ruling regime, is punishable by immediate execution.
• 2. Blasphemy Decree. Speaking or acting in a manner that shows disrespect or defiance towards the emperor or the state religion is considered blasphemous. Violators may face severe penalties, including public humiliation, torture, or death.
• 3. Sedition Act. Inciting rebellion, organizing or participating in protests, or attempting to rally the populace against the emperor's authority is considered seditious. Offenders are subject to imprisonment, torture, or execution
• 4. Heresy Proclamation. Expressing beliefs or practicing religions that contradict or challenge the doctrines of the state religion is deemed heretical. Heretics face persecution, including imprisonment, confiscation of property, or death by burning at the stake.
• 5. Arcane Suppression Act. Practicing or even being suspected of practicing magic or any form of sorcery is illegal. Suspected mages undergo trials, and if found guilty, they face torture, execution by burning, or other brutal methods.
• 6. Curfew Decree. Strict curfew laws are enforced, requiring citizens to remain indoors after a designated hour. Anyone found outside during curfew is subject to arrest, interrogation, and punishment, as it is deemed suspicious and potentially subversive.
• 7. Censorship Statute. The dissemination of information, literature, or art that challenges or undermines the empire's authority promotes dissent, or discusses forbidden topics is strictly prohibited. Violators face severe penalties, including imprisonment and destruction of the offending materials.
• 8. Slavery Regulations. The Empire permits slavery, and stringent laws govern the treatment and ownership of slaves. Attempting to free a slave or aiding a slave in escape is punishable by severe penalties, such as enslavement or death.
• 9. Inquisition Act. The state employs a powerful religious inquisition to enforce compliance with religious and social norms. The inquisitors have broad powers to interrogate, torture, and punish individuals suspected of heresy, blasphemy, or Sorcery.
• 10. Thoughtcrime Mandate: Harbouring thoughts or desires deemed disloyal or rebellious is considered a crime. The empire employs informants to report suspicious behaviour, and offenders may face imprisonment, torture, or execution.

Defences

Taleroth's defences are quite impressive, consisting of three large, black marble walls. Each wall towers about 65ft above the streets of the city. Each Wall is home to four towers that extend an additional 25ft above the top of the walls. The four gates on the outside wall are under constant surveillance by a group known as the Gate Watch. Each of the gates has a group of ten guard them, two on the exterior, two on the interior and four watching from towers with crossbows at the ready.
In addition to the Gate Watch, The city of Taleroth is patrolled from the skies by an order known as the Blackguard, each of which is blessed with divine miracles. And each Blackguard rides upon a Black Griffon. Among the Blackguard is an even more elite organization known as the Hell Knights, each of these Hell Knights is more potent than The Blackguard and rides upon Nightmares.
Going beyond The Blackguard and Hell Knights, who have The Scourges, Branded Battlemages have been trained since childhood to cultivate their capabilities and have undergone conditioning to strip them of their emotions.
And as an extra layer of protection, the Three Walls are each warded from most forms of attack and have an unseen barrier that stretches over the city, protecting the city from aerial attacks.

Industry & Trade

The inhabitants of Taleroth buy, sell and trade their crafted goods such as weapons, clothing and jewellery in addition to the agriculture that comes from the farms. In addition, due to its large size, it is a well-known hub for travellers and traders as well as adventurers.
Because of their military might, they offer protection to other nations in exchange for their resources

Infrastructure

Despite the tyrannical rule, Taleroth has managed to successfully develop well maintained Sewers and have built vast roads to connect the nations on the continent

Districts

The Black City of Taleroth is broken up into Three Major Districts, broken up by the Three Walls that protect the city.
Obsidian Heights: The Obsidian Heights is the smallest of the three Districts and is home to the Ebony Chateau, which is the home of Emperor Toran Drakkel. Other than the Chateau, Obsidian Heights is also home to the nobility of the Black City.
Jet Enclave: The Jet Enclave is the district between The First and Second Wall, this district is largely residential, home to those who live a modest lifestyle, and also is home to the inns that outsiders would stay in. 
Onyx Quarter: The Onyx Quarter is located between the Second and Third wall, this district the largest of the three districts and is home to the majority of the shops, as well as where the low-income residents mostly live.
Sick Town: A recently erected quarantine area that has been hit by a plague that is tearing through its streets.

Founding Date

60 P.T.

Founders

• Amir Drakkel

Type

Large city

Population

Approximately 36000

Inhabitant Demonym

Talerian

Owner/Ruler

Emperor Toran Drakkel

Ruling/Owning Rank

Emperor