Arangea

North of the Drow City States lies the city-state of **Arangea**. It is known as the center of alchemists and pyromancers in the West, which even the Citadel of Terpsythea envies, as many Wizards to the east prefer it as their magical center of learning.

Atop Arangea's tallest point lies the Palace of the Magisters, connected to the rest of the city by a gargantuan bridge, with crevices being carved out halfway through its foundations in the shape of houses, serving as homes for the poor.

## History

Arangea is an old city, almost as old as the oldest Drow cities, but it still pales in comparison to the ancientness of the city of Etera. The inhabitants of Arangea and Bumi consider themselves as the heirs of the Eterans, even though scholars generally consider them a separate people. Despite that, many records indicate that Arangea and Bumi were founded around some time before the disappearance of the Eterans.

## City

Arangea is renowned for its impressive and imposing architecture, its victorian and gothic style building mirroring those of Etera. Colors such as white, grey and black dominate in Arangea. Large churches, bell towers, gargoyles and bridges are scattered around the city.

Arangea is considered as the home of alchemy and pyromancy in the west. It's home to the Alchemist's Guild, as well as the House of the Flame. In fact, alchemy and pyromancy are the only types of magic that are allowed to be practiced in Arangea.

## Culture and Religion

The Arangeans worship the goddess Irem, who embodies the spirit of the moon. Many churches and rituals are dedicated to her glory. The Arangeans pray that one day, Irem will unlock the magic seal that covers Etera, allowing them back to their ancestral home.

Although more prominent in Bumi, a darker, more sinister version of Irem is also worshipped. The subject of this heresy is known as Mg'umba, an eldritch cosmic being of the Moon that's clouded in mystery.

## Government

Arangea is ruled by a Magister, who reigns from the Palace of Ministers. The Magister is chosen by a delegation of the nobility of the city, although in reality his jurisdiction is limited.

The most powerful and prominent family in Arangea are the Van Aerlvenhems, whose manor is situated outside the city's boundaries. They often host masquerade balls and exquisite feasts, although nasty rumours circulate around Arangea about their preferences..

## Demographics

### Humans

The majority of the population in Arangea are humans, mostly natives, Bumians, scholars from Hithlone and carpetbaggers from Belsirya and Calcabra.

### Non Humans

Sea Elves Drow are an uncommon sight in both Arangea and Bumi. Trolls and Ogres make up for the majority of the city's slaveforce, mostly used for their brute strength that's particularly useful in carrying statues and other heavy building materials. A race of halflings and dwarves also inhabits Arangea, although they're considered second-class citizens and occupy the carved out houses at the Ever Grande Bridge.

## Foreigns Relations

### Etera

Etera is considered to be both the ancestral land of the Arangeas, as well as the Holy Site. Many make their pilgrimage towards the steep mountains that overlook the city, as Etera itself has been magically sealed for centuries now.

### Sea Elves

Relations between the two have been neutral at best. Although the Sea Elves don't harbor any expansionist ambitions towards Bumi and Arangea, those nations are direct rivals when it comes to trade in northern Scimitaria.

### Drow

Arangea is one of the very few human settlements in Scimitaria that has never under direct Drow rule. Still, like all human states in Scimitaria, the Drow are their rivals and enemies, with a millitary alliance forming between the northern human states against the warring Drow.

### Bumi

Despite their shared history and alleged ancestry, these two nations are fierce rivals. They consider each other as abominable heretics due to their opposed religious views. The Arangeans consider the Bumians as fanatics and demon worshippers who the Eteran Elders would be ashamed of, while the Bumians see the Arangeas as too conservative in their prohibition of magic. Despite their hatred, wars and conflicts between the two have been far and few between since Bumi's independence, often joining their strengths against the threat of the Drow to the south.

### Isle of Wizards and Hithlone

Many Arangean alchemists and pyromancers visit those nations to expand their knowledge when it comes to the arcane, as any magic that's not alchemy or pyromancy is outlawed in Arangea. Likewise, Hithlonean scholars and Wizards from the Wizarding Isles often visit Arangea for academic purposes.

### Blesire States, Belsirya, Calcabra, Aurous Highlands

Trade is rare between those people, but a century old defensive pact has been established against the Drow city-states.

### Moreelse

The White Death narcotic has shied away from the north of Scimitaria. The Hydra's Eyes' agents are numerous in Arangea, although many efforts have been carried out to limit their influence.

### Scarred Phantoms

Despite being extremely expensive, many assassinations have been carried out against the elite of Arangea. It's rumoured that most of those were carried out by the Phantoms, although it's never been proven.