Orion
Orion is a welcome sight when you've been staggering through the desert for weeks, but its glamour fades when you've lost all your money in a casino or have been gravely wounded in gladiatorial combat. Orion is a desert oasis. It is a city of surprising commerce, trade and wealth, and a strange locale to find amidst the Shimmering Sands. Many come here for the entertainment and promise of wealth, and stay out of debt and necessity. Orion is home to crime lords and scum, but also represents freedom and prosperity.
Demographics
Human (59%), Halfling (32%), Elf (2%), Dwarf (1%), Gnome (1%), Half-Elf (1%), Half-Orc (1%), Dragonborn (1%), Tiefling (1%), Tabaxi (1%)
Government
Officially, the city is ruled by the Daggerclaws. Burton Daymond took control of the organization after Ulgir Daggerclaw's death. Ulgir had no surviving children and the Daggerclaw line died with him. He selected Daymond to take control in his stead.
Districts
The city is separated into several main districts.
The Sun Market:
This district contains the majority of the city's shops and market sellers. Many street stalls are set up on the various corners in the Sun Market. It is home to the Hall of Sabb, the Dragonfly Market, All that Glimmers, Sylovan Smithing, the Horned Skull, the Leaky Flask, Xaster's Magic Shop, the Agnosett House, the Merry Desert Theater and the Blue Ribbon Griffon. It also houses a large arena on the east side, which has gone unused under its new, mysterious owners.The Sunset Quarter:
The Sunset Quarter is a diverse district containing many of the wealthiest citizen's private homes. In the area nearest the city center, the Quarter houses the Dragonfly House, the Zephyrun Observatory, Orion Glassworks, the Forge of the Lightbringer, the Obsidian Gate Embassy and the Desert Rose, the city's largest and most well-known casino. The western end near the Tapout Gate is where the poor tend to congregate around the Bad Luck Pub. The majority of the city's entertainment takes place in the Sunset Quarter. Orion's largest gladiatorial arena is in the Sunset Quarter, as well as the Griffon Games Arena.The West Gate:
The city's red light district. Home to the most brazenly criminal denizens of Orion. It contains black market tattoo shops, slave traders, drug-dealers, Leadmane's Rare Goods and the Woolo's Jackpot brothel. It is also home to Dewdrop's Fight Club.The East Gate:
The quietest district in the city. East Gate is home to the various servants and lower class citizens in Orion. It also houses Groff's Messanger Service, the East Gate Dance Hall, and Raj's Bed and Breakfast.Guilds and Factions
The city is divided amongst several major factions. While the Daggerclaws are the technical rulers of the city's day to day operations, the factions have an iron grip behind closed doors. Sunkar the Marked is a prominent figure in Orion. Olmiir's Brigade, while not as aggressive or direct, also holds power in the city.
The Dragonfly Society has influence in Orion as well.
History
It is said that Orion and Aurora are named for two siblings who founded the great cities, both the children of ancient rulers. They split their father's wealth after his death, and went their separate ways. Orion founded a city of entertainment and leisure, while Aurora hid her city away in the depths of the Idela Sea.
While most don't know the true location of Aurora, all roads west of Aspengarde lead to Orion. It's a place for the rich to get richer and the poor to lose money trying. It's relative freedom from the eyes of the Order of the Obsidian Gate attracts some, but repels others.
Points of interest
The Tri-Towers are located at the meeting point between the Sun Market, the Sunset Quarter and the East Gate district. The Raven Tower is located in the Sun Market, the Sunset Tower in the Sunset Quarter and the East Tower in East Gate. Once a symbol of unity, they are now divided among three separate factions.
Architecture
Many of the city's buildings are made from sandstone or white marble. The rooftops are a uniform green, as years of weathering have changed the once shimmering copper. Newer buildings are identifiable from above by their orange gleam.
Geography
The area around Orion is flat and rocky. To the north is a shallow lake. Until recently, the lake was the sole source of water for the city, but it has begun to dry up.
Natural Resources
Natural ore deposits in the surrounding area fueled the city's initial expanse. But after years of mining, the factions have been forced to branch out to places like Hellbend and the Keladihl Mine.
Beggars travel in packs in Orion, as the city's leader often gets fed up with the filth of the city, sending hired swords to chase them away. There's safety in numbers.
Maps
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Orion
Griffons are a common in Orion's skies. The Griffon Games take place weekly and are an ongoing competition beloved by the city.
Founding Date
198
Founders
Type
Large city
Population
18,600
Location under
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Related Reports (Primary)
