x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
xxx
x
x
x
x
x
x
Khare, the Cityport of Secrets
Protected by the great Khare River to the south, the imposing mountains of the Spine to the north, and the Tethian Coast and Sea to the west, the vast city of Khare has grown and thrived over hundreds of generations. It is called many things, the Heart of the World, the City of Spirit, and the Cityport of Secrets—but Khare is many things to many people. A sanctuary from the Infinite Wilds, a place for people to seek out their fortunes, an escape from the stifled tradition and protocols of the Churches of Tethis, or even where one can meet their destiny.
Generations ago, it was a small collection settlements—huddled people and small fires. But it has grown into a sprawling and immense metropolis, one day, it may even rival Tethis: the Eternal City in size. Fueled by the growth of thousands of merchants who have travelled to Khare, one can find almost anything for the right price. Just be careful that you can afford what you agree to; Khare can be... dangerous.
Because of the warm climate, reddish stones and sand, and colourful banners and flags, there is a sense of vitality to the city. The wealth within its gates has created power, and Khare has become the city of prosperity and hope. It's art and culture has been burgeoning of late, growing popular and threatening to supplant the more established forms of Tethian art. This has created an at-times passionate debate as to how Khare will define itself in the centuries to come.
|
History
Established in the Years of Troubles, Khare was founded by a number of tribes to create a safe area where people could dwell. With the Tethian province under constant threat of war, people found a safe place and founded Khare. It started as a small settlement, it grew quickly and the cityport became one of the most lucrative cities—rife with opportunity. Thousands pass through the enormous gates of the city, every day, for trade, for business, or just passing through.
More recently, the city guards the mouth of the nearby Khare River, the grand river that facilitates trade with many other great cities. As there had been many attempts to sack the city over years, rocks were brought from the nearby mountains, or dug out of the earth below, to build the gargantuan walls of Khare. These walls are fortified and heavily guarded.
The political climate over the last hundred years have led to a time of relative stability, though with power beginning to ossify at the top, corruption has taken root. The Crowhoods, the primary thieves guild in the city, has grown powerful indeed, and they play games of power from the shadows.
|
Climate
Khare is blessed with a climate that is generally stable throughout the year. The winter months have warm days with cold nights, sometimes cold enough that they can lead to frost. Summer has long hot days with cool evenings that give respite from the heat of the day. While the markets of Khare never close, they will often shut down during the middle hours of the day to avoid the worst of the heat.
With an arid climate, and surrounded by sand, sand storms can be common during the hottest of the summer months. While these may only last a few hours, there are documented historical cases where the storms lasted for weeks on end, eroding some cities beyond the impressive walls of the city. Some say that this is more rumour than history.
There is very little rain, but with the river nearby, the sea to the west, and powerful magic academies within the walls of the city, there is no shortage of fresh water for crops and to drink.
|
Population
Approximately a million inhabitants.
Due to the sheer number of people who come and go from the city on a daily basis, and this transient population in the range of thousands if not tens of thousands per day, the actual population of the Khare is very difficult to determine. The city is truly vast in terms of cultures and people, and it is said that one could spend a night in every home of the city and never visit them all.
|
x
x
x
x
x
xxxx
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Politics
Council-Based Governance.
Major decisions involving the vast city are made by a council of individuals who represent the main guilds that operate within Khare's city walls. These individuals are expected to act in the best interest of the city, even if that means to work against their own guild's interests. While this is not always the case, all of the guilds in the city (begrudgingly at times) admit that for their own profit and survival, the walls of Khare must never fall. It is also true that no one guild is able to amass sufficient control over the city to become a dominant faction. The numerous guilds and the secretive voting measures causes the city to operate in a state of political balance. If one guild starts to gain too much power, the others quickly move to quash it.
Thus, balance in Khare is maintained.
The power being amassed by the Crowhoods, however, seems to threaten this dynamic. While they have not yet flexed that power, there are many levers of control in Khare that can be manipulated.
|
Types of Stories
Any story, from slice of life, to thrilling adventure, to picking flowers in the wilds and even horror, can be told in Khare and the surrounding areas. There is political intrigue and romance. Your character can set up a shop in Khare or get involved in the sketchier factions of the underground. Your character can come and go as they see fit, so long as the story is being justified. Did you come into town and buy yourself a small house in the slums? No problem. Did you lure the leader of the Adventurer's Guild out of their office and to their death? Possible, but might take more work. Your roleplaying is what dictates your success in the world. But remember also that the world is full of many dangers and actions have consequences. Khare is here for you to explore and create.
Your character can come and go as they please to the many places around the city. Find your stories.
Make your mark.
|
|
