Lynx

Lynx is a large city located at the southern tip of Felidia in the Kingdom of Hu. The city and greater metropolitan area span several islands and "mainland" areas that are connected by bridges and ferries.

Lynx is a bustling port on the shipping route between Ursidia, to the South, and Canidia to the north. Thus the Merchants League also has a presence (and a large charterhouse) in the city.

**Geography**

By land the Lynx region is separated from the rest of Felidia by several dense forests that are all but impassible even today.

Lynx's geographic location made it a natural locus for dominion of Eastern Hu trade. Settlements had a ready supply of potable water. It easily extended its sea power over the most important trade routes and any attack from the north by land was impossible. As Lynx grew it also controlled the flow or timber and fur pelts from Northern Felidia by establishing a trade route between Lynx and New Felix.

During the Smilodon dynasty, the crown ceded administration and management of sea trade to the Merchants League which boasted superior logistics and faster vessels and allowed for the creation of a kingdom-wide commercial network. By the modern era, the League's monopoly is near total: any native merchant activity either withered or joined with the League.

**History**

Traditionally, the coronation of Hu kings and assemblies of the Council of Barons take place in Lynx. Up until recently, Lynx was the largest city in Felidia (and in eastern Hu) but it has since been overtaken by New Felix.

The city of Lynx and its infrastructure grew during the Smilodon dynasty and it was a favored seat of the royal court. Many extent buildings in Lynx date back to the Smilodon era including some palaces and other structures modelled after the Long style.

**Landmarks**

The palace in which coronations and council assemblies are held is well known for its grandeur and noteworthy architecture. The outer walls are comprised of three stories of tall arches and inside the grand assembly chamber has "stadium" style seating and booths containing seats of different noble families. The chamber's walls are all covered in dark Felidian wood panels.

In addition to the Coronation Palace, Lynx is also home to a grand royal residence which the king and his court occupy during sojourns in the city.

**Culture**

Lynx and the surrounding region has a cosmopolitan population with communities of peoples originating from different areas across the kingdom as well as visitors. This includes a western Hu/Cetacian-Sirenian quarter. most of whoms inhabitants are involved with trade, and resident foreigners and expatriates from Long. There is an old and well-established community in Lynx of "Long ethnicity" citizens whose families have lived there for generations. Lynx also has a large Vesper population--likely the largest of any city worldwide.

The people of the Lynx region have a strong local identity: the city has its own unique Hu language accent (rich in sibilant, pharyngealized and vocal-consonant sounds) and slang and Lynx citizens view the city as an elite cultural center and one of the kingdom's capital cities because of its cultural, governmental and ceremonial importance. Some think of Lynx as the "Old Capital" with New Felix as the "New Capital." In reality, Hu has no official capital.