Bekilk
"Bekilk is the emerald on the crown that is the Osmad Desert." -Unknown
Bekilk, meaning "desert" in draconic, is the largest city in the Osmad desert, the capital of the Osmad Sultanate, and arguably one of the most beautiful cities in all of Veridia. Visible after cresting a hill in the north, Bekilk is a magnificent sight to see for the many merchants who brave the Osmad Desert for days to come to this rich trading hub. Long ago, a group of settlers found an oasis in the middle of the desert, only to discover that an ancient red dragon had settled there first and enslaved the native dragonborn. The dragon refused to leave and threatened the settlers time and time again, until the settlers took arms and faced the dragon head-on. After a brutal battle, the dragon was slain and the city of Bekilk was founded on its corpse, as well as the Osmad Sultanate.
Bekilk has always been a strong trading hub and a rich cultural center in the region, connecting the Osmad desert to the Veridian Empire and the Ironwood Province to the north. In the year 1411, a religious movement swept over the city. Seemingly overnight, the Church of the Sun took control of the government and the minds of the citizens. Those who went against the will of the Church were oppressed, imprisoned, and even publicly executed. However, a group called The Eclipse was able to defeat the radical organization.
The Emerald Bazaar
Within the heart of Bekilk, lies the single largest open market on the continent: The Emerald Bazaar. On most days, it's so packed with merchant stalls and customers that it becomes difficult to walk through without bumping into someone or brushing up against a few crates of goods. You can find practically everything sold here: local veggies, homemade rugs, exotic fruits, live chickens, rich coffee, musical instruments, magical trinkets, fortune telling, sketchy street food, and illegitimate jewelry. Much of the market's success comes from the Sultanate simply refusing to regulate the market in the past, with the exception of obvious illegal goods. This led to the pure and simple exchange of goods and services for money developing into the market today. Even today, in line with tradition, the Sultanate does not interfere with the open market - instead it is overseen by noble families in charge of the Merchant's Guild.The Ivory Palace
Towering above the entire city rests the magnificent Ivory Palace - the seat of the Sultanate's power, and home of the Sultan. The palace can be seen from outside the city: an impeccably clean white building with a large bronze domed roof, flanked by 4 minarets. The front entrance is a beautiful walkway with a vibrant green garden - a stark contrast from the dry sandy colors of the desert. Within, a majestic palace of bronze, marble, and granite - and a throne room fit for the Sultan and no one else.The Prism Parlor
Within the Emerald Bazaar is a popular hookah establishment called the Prism Parlor. Entering the building fills one's senses with the flavorful and colorful varieties of smoke they offer. The social etablishment in such a popular area makes it a prime venue for individuals getting together, whether that be friends having a smoke together, nobles seeking to do business, criminals trying to blend in, or just anyone who enjoys the public space. The female copper dragonborn who runs it, Surina, allows it all to take place; business is business after all. The Prism Parlor was shut down by the Church of the Sun for being a place of "unadulterated hedonism." When the Church was defeated, Sultana Nala donated a hefty reconstruction fund to Surina to open up the parlor once again. It quickly became even more popular than it was and continues to flourish to this day.Fort Sere
Fort Sere is the home of Bekilk's garrison of soldiers. Built against the plateau where the Ivory Palace resides, the fort is well protected within the heart of the city. Here, the city guard conduct their training and organize their routines throughout the city. It is also where they rest, ready at a moment's notice to address the next big threat.Demographics
Upon the founding of Bekilk and the Sultanate, the population consisted of the native dragonborn and the human vagrants from the north. Over the years, the human population grew as the city attracted more people, now being fairly diverse as a trade hub. Still, humans and dragonborn are the most common races.
Government
The city the seat of power of the Osmad Sultanate and thus city is governed directly by the Sultan/Sultana.
Industry & Trade
Due to the city's central location in the Osmad Desert and its proximity to the roads that connect the northern part of Veridia with the southern, Bekilk makes a hefty profit by taxing these routes as well as exporting its own goods to both regions. Most of this trade occurs within the city's Emerald Bazzar, which happens to be one of the largest open markets on the continent.
Guilds and Factions
Aside from the ruling Sultan, power in Bekilk comes from money. With the largest open market in the continent, a few noble families have risen to the top of the market chain. These families came together to establish a Merchant's guild within the city, and all transactions that occur in the city go through them. Such power is rumored to rival even that of the Sultan's...
Also in the city, the Tensor League maintains a presence. Though not quite as prominent as within the Veridian Empire, the League still provides for the Sultanate's magical needs.
The Veridian Empire maintains an embassy within Bekilk. The Empire has good relations with the Sultanate, and this embassy gives them the means to continue that relation.
History
Long before the Chromatic War, the place where Bekilk now stands used to be the capital settlement for an ancient civilization of Dragonborn. Known as Ryna, this ancient city was highly advanced for its time and achieved impressive feats of architecture. However, when the Chromatic War reached the land, the city was ravaged and conquered by a red dragon. It wasn't until pilgrims from the north came upon the city, and the dragon that claimed it, that the city would be free again. The explorers valiantly defeated the dragon and established their own settlement over its lair, though the city that came before could not be restored. Thus, Bekilk was established by the founders of the Osmad Sultanate and the city was declared its capital.
Geography
Bekilk is situated within the very center of the Osmad Desert. Beyond the city lies days of travel through the harsh, sandy desert of the Osmad. However, Bekilk is a sanctuary, due to it being established by the large Dawnbreak Oasis. It's also in a comparatively flat section of the desert, whereas much of the rest of the Osmad is covered in dunes and rock formations.
The Oasis does connect to the ocean through the Emerald River, which continues on for hundreds of miles to the south, but it is not a journey for ships to take. The river shrinks and expands, is full of dangerous rapids, and travels through multiple waterfalls before it reaches the ocean. Because of this, Bekilk is landlocked and relies mostly on land trade routes.
Maps
Founding Date
50 CE
Type
Capital
Population
~70,000
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
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