Cidade Do Tolo
City Name: Cidade Do Tolo, the Fool's City
Location: Wherever the wind blows. The caravan travels almost constantly, but if one were to look way back in history, one would find its origins in among the Psychic Isles, though the specifics are unclear..
Description: The Cidade Do Tolo is, in essence, a large caravan of airships. The hot air balloons that keep these ships aloft are made of rather brightly colored fabric, and they often look patchy, as different colors are frequently used for repairs. The air balloons are as diverse and colorful as the people that populate the aerial city. They can be somewhat strange to see, but are intimidating none-the-less. Aboard most of these ships, which would most closely resemble varying sizes of commercial airships, the citizens are of course housed. Each individual, or in many cases, family, have their own quarters or apartments with adequate living space. The residential ships are for just that; residential use. Others along the caravan, however, house a diverse variety of exotic animals from all over Fou Lu. After all, when the Cidade –does- land, many of its people will often put on shows to both delight and fright the people of the particular lands of the time. The rich will often pay well for private shows aboard some of the vast commercial airships. Some of these ships are equipped with elaborate dining halls, used for rather renowned parties and entertainment. At the surface, it would appear that these people exist merely for the entertainment of the rest. Were one to delve a little deeper into the history of the Cidade, they’d realize just how deceiving that illusion is. Though public is generally not allowed on most of the ships that make up the Cidade, a lot of them are available, for trading, gambling and other such merriment. It does, with relative frequency, trade with cities and gatherings, many of which carry with them at least some ill repute. Like on the Pirranica of the past, it’s not always safe to wander alone or leave your valuables unattended. Even the children are trained in their professions at an early age. Really, those are the facts that make the Cidade so unique. Its peoples are quite talented, and completely self-relying. The Cidade has a reputation of being almost magical to some, and wicked to others. It is a different sort of place where the rich go to be entertained, and the poor, occasionally, get swept up in the fray. It is the devout, almost cult-like worship of Thanatos, however, that really holds the people of the Cidade together. He is their single only reason for doing what they do. Sure, many have grown to enjoy the lifestyle, but it all started for Thanatos. And it will continue to be all for Thanatos.
History: The history of the Cidade dates far back into history, to before the time when Thanatos was shamed by the megalomaniacal Rein.
A devout follower of Thanatos, a young psychic elemental by the name of Toloras, lived his life for his God. He reveled in the time he spent in the Great Temple, simply content to be in the presence of his God. When he wasn’t deep in meditation or blissfully browsing the Dream Realm, he was perusing any and all knowledge he could, anxious to please Thanatos with a full and learned mind. This was how he lived his life ever since his Dream Birth.
It was at the time of the first ever Fast of the Mind, however, that the birth of the Cidade actually came to be. When Thanatos was captured by the Dragina, and held captive, cut off from his followers, Toloras and his fellow worshippers were in a right panic. At this time, there was not a Psychic follower to be found in the streets. All had secluded themselves, frantically searching the Realm of Dream for their God, whose presence was tangibly gone. After the ordeal passed, and Thanatos was rescued from his confines, none felt such a pang of rage like Toloras. He was beyond enraged that his God had been affronted so, to the point where his own mind was beginning to crumble.
It was very unlike a follower of Thanatos to react in such a way, and so his behavior was frowned upon by many. Those he shunned as treacherous. As time went by, Toloras became more and more introverted, sparing time or thought only for his God and for his religious practices. Eventually he became secluded upon his small airship, which he had built upon learning about the exciting creations. He did not know it, but it was then that the Cidade Do Tolo was born.
As time went on, more and more of the psychic followers opted to alienate themselves from the surrounding world. They sympathized with Toloras’ rage, and followed him. After a century or so, there was a large number of ships making up what was then known as The Lost Isle of Thanatos.
Over time, the Cidade became less about isolation and more about distracting poor comments from their God and taking it upon themselves. The Cidade grew to resemble a circus, a carnival more and more. What better way to keep the talk against their God quiet than to distract the tongues of those who spoke against Him?
And so the Fool’s City was officially all grown up.
Within the Cidade itself, the Psychic elementals still practice devout worship of Thanatos, though privately. They don’t capitalize on their reverence of their God, and instead maintain a masquerade of foolery and insanity.
Government: Though there is no official governing body in Cidade Do Tolo, there is a general pecking order. The ‘Ringmaster’ acts as a leading body for the people of the Cidade, though many of those filling roles of highest import have a lot of say in any issues that arise. Being such an erratic place, there is rarely much for such a governing body to discuss. Most simply coexist, and go with the wind.
Empire: The people of Cidade Do Tolo ordain themselves above all law save for the Divine. They are, in essence, an independent city-state.
Military: While Cidade Do Tolo has no active military force, a large portion of its populace is comprised of advanced Psychic mages, skilled assassins and other such stealthy characters. Overall, were a small assault to be raised against them, the population could defend its own. At the same time, however, the city does not remain in one place for long, and they rarely plan their next destination much in advance, and so it’s rare that any such body would have much opportunity to stage an attack.
Population: Cidade Do Tolo’s population is approximately 20,000. The majority of this number is comprised of able bodied youth to middle aged people, with a sizable number of children. These people range in profession, from animal trainers, to circus performers, to illusionists, to acrobats, to thieves and assassins. There is a very colorful array of people aboard this unusual city. A certain portion of the elderly would leave the Cidade within the Psychic Isles to settle and live out the rest of their lives quietly, while some remain aboard the Cidade until the day they die. It’s a matter of preference really
