The Capital City of Tyranoth
Current location: Slightly west of the exact center of Ercus
Population: About 4.5-4.7 million citizens according to the last census, roughly 33% human, 30% elves, 20% dwarves, 10% ogrin, and 4% Abhor and Tersid beneath the city. The heavy racial diversity of the city has engendered more liberal notions of multiculturalism and acceptance in its citizens. Of course, humans still tend to be the ones in positions of power, and racial conflicts still arise, though in a lower frequency than might be expected.
Description: The capital of the empire, Tyranoth is an enormous, sprawling city of many different districts, distinct with their own unique, individual character and architecture, and all of them seemingly dependent upon one another to make the city the cohesive collage it is today. The city is fitted with an extensive rail service that transports citizens all around, and long, wide avenues have been carved throughout the city to facilitate traffic. The most prominent (and most heavily frequented) districts of the city include Old Balarkesh at the southwestern portion of the city from where the entire empire is administrated, and which houses the Tyranian Palace and the Parliament; East Market, a large commercial sector renowned for its specialty artisan crafts and the beautiful architecture of its buildings; Keylan, the neighborhood which houses the University of Tyranoth and its campus, and is also particularly noted as a popular downtown hotspot with various restaurants of different cuisines, pubs, and cafes; and Northgate, the northern entrance to the city that hosts monuments to Gareth Sidlings and Nevrin Arloth, and is a decidedly high-income residential area. Districts more towards the inner city tend to be lower-income, with some slums pocketed here and there. Of course, as land values have gone down in certain areas, gentrification has followed, and new districts are rising as cultural hotspots very rapidly.
History: Following the end of the Serfs’ Revolution in 268 A.R. and the execution of Duke William IX and his Loyalists, the reconstruction of Tyranoth was a long and arduous process. Many of the serfs and those that had fought alongside them came together to tackle the task of picking up the pieces, coming together regardless of race or class in order to rebuild the city anew. The three old towns that comprised Tyranoth were unified, Balarkesh most prominent among them as a site of historical importance as it was where the Revolution had begun. Various new districts were set up between the towns and on the outskirts, laying out the foundations of what Tyranoth is today.
Of course, the perception that racial tensions were eradicated completely during reconstruction is a myth—fights still broke out along the lines of race. A particular event that stands out is the riot that occurred in 436 A.R., amidst an extreme, decade-long economic decline that stands out as the worst in Tyranoth’s history. During this decline, humans, elves, and dwarves were able to eke out a meager living, but the “lower races”—ogrin, Abhor, and Tersids—were starving by scores. Humans, elves, and dwarves tended to own most of the businesses in Tyranoth, and they saved employment for those of their own kind during these harsh times, leaving the other races to fend for themselves. One evening, three goblins loitering on the street outside one elf’s home were mistaken as burglars, leading to the elf’s summary killing of all three. The elf was acquitted of charges of murder, and the “lower races,” seeing a clear disparity in the equality Tyranoth apparently fostered, initiated a week-long riot that was only ended when Nevrin Arloth, the Supreme Commander of the Tyranoth Militaries, declared Martial Law and swept the army through the streets, forcing the rioters back into their homes.
Tensions have since gotten much better, however, as more progressive-minded mayors and Parliaments worked to equalize the treatment of races in the city. Today, the economy of the city is booming, thanks largely in part to the Sikan Company’s transnational operations, the growth of its Central Business District as one of the strongest on Fou Lu, and the exchange of cultures from the various peoples who immigrate to the city. Like every metropolis, Tyranoth has a substantial amount of lower class citizens struggling to make a living—but unlike many others, Tyranoth genuinely cares for these people. After all, the motto of the empire is “From the Least Shall Arise the Greatest.”
Current culture: Tyranoth is considered the melting pot of Fou Lu culture. If a certain art movement, style of dance, cuisine, or anything else is occurring somewhere on Fou Lu, people are likely to find it in Tyranoth as well. Meanwhile, the city itself is often a leader of cultural movements as well, inspiring new forms of art and fashion. The city is accepting of all people and lifestyles, and its liberal-mindedness is often a site of criticism from other nations.
Current leader: Mayor Elias Dek’varren, a dwarven politician on his third and final term as mayor (term-limited); Parliament also has a say in the governing of the City of Tyranoth as well as all the other cities in the empire.
Military: The city is patrolled by the Tyranoth Constables, the official policing body who handle law enforcement duties. There is an operational garrison, Fort Arloth, located at the direct center, with rapid access to all parts of the city through wide avenues and trains. Service in the military is voluntary, though at wartime, drafts may legally be initiated.
