Scarlet Gate

Scarlet Gate is the capital city of Xerros and home to King Tyrus Bloodfire.

**History**

“The greatest city that ever was or ever will be,” is the locals’ name for the city. Founded over 1,000 years ago, it has been the capital city in all of Xerros and is by far the most populous city on the entire continent. Named for it’s red roofs and enormous sprawling red stone bridge, Scarlet Gate shines like a ruby when the suns set across The Western Sea.

**Culture**

The population of Scarlet Gate is estimated to be around 500,000 people. The majority of the population is human but due to its close proximity to Calvexia there are a notable number of Elves and Half-Elves. Halflings, Dwarves and Gnomes aren't an uncommon sight but are definitely a small population. Half-Orcs and "free" Dragonborn are the smallest minority in the city.

Scarlet Gate has one of the best economic flows in Xerros as there are countless markets, taverns, inns, shops, brothels, blacksmiths and restaurants throughout the various trade districts. The families with more gold have nicer houses farther up the hillside and regular patrols of the city guard frequent this area. Closer to the docks, there are a huge number of slums and ghettos where people steal whatever leftovers of fish spoils they can from fish vendors. Crime and violence is much more common in this lower area and there are less frequent city guard patrols. If the city guard do frequent this area, however, they usually use violent force against misbehaving (or sometimes innocent) locals.

**Bloodfire Keep**

The ancestral home of House Bloodfire sits atop the hillside and looms over the city like a watchful titan. Its red towers and hanging tapestries signify the royal colors of House Bloodfire, the most powerful House throughout the realm and the largest castle known to humankind. The Bloodfire throne is shaped like an enormous, winged phoenix, the Sigil of the royal family. The throne room is always guarded by The King's Guard, the top warriors of the continent. There is a stark contrast between the beautiful ornate statues and rugs within the castle itself and the rotting heads mounted on spikes along the castle walls of those who oppose the King’s rule.

**The Arcane Citadel**

The Arcane Citadel is the largest known institute of arcane knowledge, study, and progress throughout the known realms. Almost a castle onto itself, the enormous school houses libraries with enough books to spend 10 human lifetimes reading. The sages of The Citadel teach many different schools of magic to the students. The most proficient of these arcane masters are The Circle of Eight, the most incredible wizards in the world. Here they keep the realm safe and continue studying the secrets of the multiverse.

**The Grand Church**

Built on the exact ground The New Gods landed nearly 300 years ago, this is the largest church of The Seven in all of Xerros. There is one major structure in the center with seven smaller structures branching off from it, each representing a different member of The New Gods. Even the “smaller” structures are bigger than most cities’ main church. Due its highly sacred grounds, this is the one place in all of Xerros where King Bloodfire bends the knee.

**The Colosseum**

Known by the locals as “The Bloodpits”, this gladiator arena functions as both public entertainment and public execution. Traitors, criminals, and prisoners of war are thrown into the arena against gladiators and even huge beasts. Gladiators also fight each other for sport and a lot of money can be made betting on the tournaments. The true champion of the colosseum is Karkadrak, the wingless red dragon kept within the pits to torch and rip her challengers into bloody ribbons.