About Isstia
The Empire of Isstia is a melting pot where cultures, beliefs and trade routes meet, and a place where great military strength keeps the people safe from enemy forces and the dragons alike. Isstia is a land rich with politics, social struggles, gladiators and challenges of strength.
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The capital city of Isstia rests with it's northern districts flush along the Azurian sea. To the east and south reaches of the city, the lands open into a lush forest of evergreens and flowing rivers, abundant with wildlife and dangers, while to the west the high peaks of the Serian mountains climb high overhead. Isstia is a bustling city, home to more 65,000 souls and numerous trades. Isstia is ruled by the emperor who is always a blood decedent of the first emperor, Paullus Remes. The emperor and his beloved consort, Anticleia, rule over the city proper and surrounding countryside up to the Serinese Deadlands, located to the far south. The king is highly involved in the day to day running of his city. Isstia is divided into eight districts that all frame the Mercantile Quarter. Each district is governed by a Tribune who reports to the King. Great stone streets, built many centuries ago, connect the separate parts of the city. On the western side of the city stands the Imperial District, more commonly known as the Phoenix District. It is here that you will find the members of the the Palace, the Holy temples and many other important buildings. It is also home to the families of the Phoenix Clan, who are the living blood of the Emperor. At the center of the city stands the Mercantile Quarter, the land's largest marketplace. Goods arrive in Isstia from all points of the compass, meaning almost anything can be obtained here as long as the buyer can afford the asking price. A bronze sculpture over 100 feet high, depicting a giant Phoenix with it's powerful wings outspread, stands at the center of the marketplace. This impressive landmark is often used as a meeting point by the locals. The open-air markets around the phoenix are packed with hundreds of stalls, while snake-charmers, water sellers, tooth-pullers, barbers and musicians wander amongst them, offering their services. Leading off from the market-place in all directions is a maze of narrow alleyways and streets. A ninth district rests beneath the city streets, accessible by dark staircases located in various darkened alleys of the other districts. The Ninth District, known as the Shadow District, stretches out in a series of subterranean stone archways and streets. The subterranean district is a mystery to the people, as it's history has been wiped out of Isstirian records completely, leaving the hows, whens and whys unknown to even the Emperor himself. Those that call this district home are the lowest of all Isstirians, and are composed of criminals, thieves, murderers, woman of ill repute and those (and the decedents of those) who have been exiled from their clans (often referred to as "The Clanless"). This district is supposedly ruled by a sinister crime lord known only as the “Ninth Tribune”. This district is the home to the least respectable businesses, such as dollhouses, gambling dens, and soothsayers. Being seen frequenting the Shadow District can do irreversible damage to someones reputation, and result in the lost of political influence, reputation and social clout. Though common folk can move to and from the shadow district at will without any significant backlash, no one really /wants/ to be associated with the district. Isstia's climate is one of warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The city experiences high humidity, meaning fog is common on autumn and winter mornings. Although precipitation is generally low in the summer, this is when thunderstorms are most likely to occur. Winter snowfall is rare but not completely unheard of. |
Related Topics
The Clans
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