CITIES• Liidhaga • |
 • Kungesvald • Liidhaga • Liidhaga is a city of aqueducts and obelisks, of mosaics and frescoes, and of wonders of the past sinking into antiquity; tropical storms, backstabbing politics, and piracy are the greatest challenges to be overcome there. Liidhaga's symbol is the lotus. It is the capital city of the Moorvic Republic and has never fully recovered from the Great Wave and accompanying storms that smashed into it at the start of the Long Winter. Built on the tropical Isle of Emeralds, it is the birthplace of alchemy and the center of a vast web of seafaring merchants, but despite its wealth many parts of the city still lie in shambles or continue their slow descent into the surrounding swamps; it is encrusted with slums. Even considering how much of it has fallen into ruin, Liidhaga is still one of the biggest centers of civilization in the known world. The city is governed by the Lotus Parliament, an informal senate of whoever has the most money and influence at any given time. Leadership changes based on which mercantile interests are at the top, but a blend of charisma, connections, and coin is required to stay there for long. The wealthy of Liidhaga often patron the scholarly or artistic; their clients in turn sell ideas or works of art to fund their own pursuits. It is a very green place, filled with gardens and wineries, its buildings draped with vines that break up the white and gray monotony of the cityscape. The older parts of the city bear stonework, or even marble, while modern architecture is focused more on plaster, wood, and tile; buildings that still have stone foundations are considered a status symbol among the locals. Loose, flowing clothing in a variety of bright colors is fashionable in Liidhaga, and geometric patterns and abstract shapes are preferred to more natural motifs by the natives. Headscarves are common, and while unusual, veils or elaborate piercings are growing in popularity. Tattoos regularly appear, as well, usually of similar abstract motifs as those found on regional clothing; heavy inking across many different parts of the body is a common sign of being a Liidhagan resident. The regional cuisine is incredibly spicy with an emphasis on curries and pickled things, and generally avoids meat due to the high dhaja population. Scholars, sailors, and traders are what Liidhaga is best known for, but they are hardly the only ones who make the city their home. The constant decay of Old Liidhaga has led to a repairing and reconstruction industry among the poorer class, who are so prolific as to have created their own pocket culture among the Lowercity slums. Fishermen call its docks their own, and local growers regularly sell their spices and dyes in its marketplace. Any who seek to pursue studies in alchemy or lore would find their task easier here than anywhere else in the world. Most of the population of Liidhaga are dhajas, with a significant goblin presence and the odd handful of menhit or humans. More information about Liidhaga can be found in our wiki! |
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