Thousand Cities:Centre

The Central Islands

The Central Islands are home to most of the Thousand Cities. Sheltered by their proximity to the elemental pole of Earth, the island chains of the Near South house the greatest human civilisations of the current age.

Allessandra

On the island of Eildrathe lies Allessandra, birthplace of the Gods Phoebe and Paragon. The city is considered the most ordered of the Thousand Cities, and the most modern. It is alo the most ancient – the first of the modern civilisations.

The city has a vast arena, rebuilt into amphitheatre for the first of the great Contests. Here, Parthos the Swift defeated the God Nerat the Relentless, and ascended to the heavens.

Allessandra is also known as a centre of learning, with a great university that is home to many of Creation’s finest philosophers and alchemists. The direct intervention of the twin goddesses protects the city from most military threats, allowing the city to flourish in relative peace. The Council Hall often hosts negotiations between warring states, mediating the disputes of their neighbours.

If the Central Islands recognised a capital, it would be Allessandra. Its gleaming white marble buildings and monuments honour the many gods and heroes who have helped raise the city to its present glory.

Ildur and Ildrin

The twin cities of Ildur and Ildrin share the island of Nerethain, in the central Southeast. Separated by a steep mountain range, both cultures are entwined closely throughout their long history. Their relationship is defined by their intense competition in all aspects of life. Outsiders often have difficulty distinguishing between the two groups when outside their cities, as they appear to dress and speak in a similar fashion. While the cities share a common root language, attempts to speak the local dialects are fraught with danger, as slight differences in meaning can twist a casual comment into a killing insult.

Unsurprisingly, the God Cypher has played a role in the development of the twin cities. Both cultures are warlike and volatile, quick to avenge a perceived insult. The two royal families are deeply intermarried, as tradition dictates that a victorious army should seize a royal son or daughter from the defeated city for a forced marriage with the victor. Despite their intermingled blood, the inhabitants of both cities would sooner die than give their rivals any advantage.

Constant conflict has driven great advances in engineering, especially in the field of warfare. The Sea Wall of Ildur is considered one of the Great Wonders of Creation. Completed in 1252AF, it has rendered the city's central port almost impervious to naval assault.

For more information, see Twin Cities (Kingdoms).

Karowyn

The island kingdom of Karowyn lies on a fractured landmass, shattered in a battle between Exalted warriors in the distant past. A single shipping lane has been dredged clear of debris, and is serviced by a small pier. The island's coastline is dominated by sheer cliffs, and a winding path leads upwards from the port.

The interior contains steep-sided ravines, each spanned by a bridge of essense-spun steel cable. These paths lead to the main city in the island's heart. The capital of Karowyn lies in the bottom of a hemispherical crater - the result of a powerful protective charm used to parry the stroke that shattered the island. A spiral path leads down to the city.

The city centre contains a temple, raised to the resonant point of the hemispherical valley. From here, chimes, gongs and bells can be heard across the island, and each window of the main tower can hear movement along one of the bridges. The temple can also control the width of the bridges by sounding that bridge's note - this can widen a bridge to let wagons cross, or narrow it to a hair's breadth.

The island was briefly taken by Regolean troops in 1282AF, and freed by returning Exalts from the Guild, with the aid of Skadi and Ariadne.

Meredius

An island city-state renowned for its craftsmanship and alchemical skill. Meredius occupies a sand island in the centre of the Southern Sea. They maintain strong connections with the Guild, exchanging luxury goods such as medicines, oils and liquers for foodstuffs and armed guards. Meredius is an ally of Ildrin.

The city is divided into several districts, each separated by broad canals and immense walls of water. Bound elementals maintain the walls, preventing the spread of fire through the densely-packed timber buildings. Industrial areas produce alchemical reagents, refining ingredients brought from around Creation. Residential districts are comprised of tall, narrow apartment blocks, often built up to the edge of the canals. Rooftops are used as gardens, allowing the city to produce crops to supplement food brought by Guild fleets.

Regolus

Two hundred years ago, Regolus was an undistinguished nation-state in the Central Sea, on the island of Caraille. Today it is the heart of a new empire, founded by Sartrin, Chosen of Klesthes. Sartrin assumed the title of Emperor, and began a campaign of conquest that has expanded the Regolean borders to encompass seventeen islands to the South and East of the capital.

The armies of Regolus are widely feared by neighbouring cities. No other kingdom is capable of marshalling as many Tiger Warriors, nor can any opposition match the perfect coordination of the Regolean troops. In 1260AF, Emperor Sartrin announced a new expansionist campaign, commanding the generals of his three armies to expand the borders of his realm. During the past decade, five more nations have fallen to the Legionaires and Lancers of Regolus.

For more information, see Regolean Empire (Kingdoms).

Yilgarn

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