Dairsmuid

**Dairsmuid** is the capital city of Rivain, as well as the nation's biggest city. It is located on the southern end of the Rivaini peninsula, on the coast of Rialto Bay. People from Dairsmuid are called *Dairsmuidi.* Dairsmuid is often called the Blue City, because many of the buildings are painted blue,

## Culture & Society

Dairsmuid is a center of trade, being the biggest port town in Rivain. Antivan cultural influence is strong in the capital.

### Religion

This is the only city in Rivain where the Chantry presence is strong. Dairsmuid is the only city in Rivian that maintains a Circle Tower with a Templar presence. Many Rivanis still incorporate elements of traditional Rivaini religion into their Chantry practice, much to the chagrin of the Chantry. Mages found to be particularly skilled in divination and spirit invocation are trained to become Seers (a practice considered widely blasphemous and dangerous outside of Rivain).

### Sea Guard of Rivain

The Sea Guard of Rivain is a major presence in Dairsmuid. They are the naval force of Rivain. They have a tenuous truce with the Antivan pirates of the Felicisma Armada. After many years of fighting, they came to an agreement: the Sea Guard of Rivain will not fuck with the pirates as long as the Armada stays away from Rivaini ships (whereas Orlesian, Dwarven, Qunari, Free Marcher, Nevarran, Tevinter, Ferelden, and Antivan ships are all fair game...)

Unlike any other major military force in Thedas, the Sea Guard has been known to sometimes take mages into their ranks. Mages who are found to be skilled in Primal magic are sometimes assigned to assist a fleet in navigating dangerous weather conditions.

### Customs

Hospitality culture is strong in Rivain. It is customary to welcome guests visiting your home or establishment with complementary tea.

It is traditional to give an "adiafa" to a sailor returning from a voyage--this is a gift of hospitality, typically an alcoholic beverage.

Cats are considered good luck. People tend not to own their own cats, but rather feed the strays to encourage them to stay around you.

Beetles are considered very bad luck--an omen of death.

## Locations

### The Alcazar

In the middle of the city, at the top of a large hill, sits the Alcazar, the Summer Palace of Rivain, which houses the court of the Sage Council and is the residence of Queen Amaya Nenufar. It is a grand structure made of white marble, with a grand glass dome. The Bastion serves not only as a court but also as the site of many religious ceremonies.

* **The Water Gardens**: The residence of the Queen.

### **Azuli Ward**

The Azuli Ward surrounds the Alcazar. This is the luxurious city center of Daismuid. Every single building in the Ward is painted the same cobalt blue, due to a decree that went into effect at the start of the Dragon Age, when the Oracles saw that it would be so... and so it was. Throughout the district, there are small gardens, beautiful little reading nooks, graceful sculptures. There is little shopping to be found in the Azuli Ward.

* **The Alchemists' Guild:** A guild dedicated to the (mostly non-magical) art and science of alchemy. Dwarves play a very important role within the Alchemists' Guild, due to their ability to handle lyrium.

### The Light Ward

* **The Dairmsuid Circle of Magi:** The Circle of Dairsmuid exists largely as a façade to appease the Chantry. Historically, the mages have been allowed to mix freely with their families, and if a female mage is found to have a talent for divination they are sent to train in the traditions of the Seers. Other Circles would be denounced us as apostates for doing such things.

### Kasbah Grande

The Kasbah is a vibrant, bustling social center and commercial district. It is considered the cultural heart of the city. This district entirely surrounds the Azuli Wardi. s walled off, with many narrow and maze-like streets.

* **The Big Souk**: Many shops can be found in this bustling marketplace. Most of the shops are only open during daylight hours.
	+ **Bit & Bridle**: They sell mounts like horses and mules, as well as saddles.
	+ **Fantastic Flora:** Flowers, herbs, and raw herbalism ingredients.
	+ **Oteshi's Tinctures:** A large stall, full of strong-smelling herbal tonics and tinctures.
	+ **Fazla the Barber-Surgeon**: If you need a haircut or surgery, this is the place to be. (Surgeons can remove many major Injuries.)
* **The Mistveil Inn**: A three-story inn made of adobe and wood, with a sign hanging outside saying "The Mistveil Inn" in Common, Rivaini, and Antivan. During the day, the owner (an old woman named) Tayana will typically serve you complementary rose petal tea. They are known for their high-quality food, but Tayana is known to be very traditional and will never serve anyone more than one glass of alcohol ("it's not that king of establishment"). Most of its patrons are ordinary workers.
	+ **NPC:** The owner, Tayana, is a plump, well-groomed human woman with a long white braid and light hazel eyes, who speaks with a thick, throaty Rivaini accent.
* **Naroli Teahouse:** This is more than a simple teahouse--it is where people come to consult a Seer specialized in matchmaking. Dates are arranged for young suitors at the teahouse, where their compatibility can be measured.
* **Silk Street**: The red light district.
	+ **The Rose & Thorn**: A high-end tavern and brothel.
	+ Bathhouse

### The Queen's Gate

The main gate leading into the city. There is a lively area located just outside of the city walls.

* **The Caravanserai**: Owned personally by the crown of Rivain, this is a large a huge open-air courtyard, where travelers can briefly rest before continuing their journey. The code of hospitality in Dairsmuid requires that all visitors to the city be provided with water and fodder for their animals, as well as a public bathhouse. This is a good place to visit if you are looking for passage to an inland part of Rivain or Antiva.
* **The Little Souk**: A smaller marketplace, located just inside the Queen's Gate. It is the first thing most travelers see when they enter the city by land.

### **Kasbah Erlauntza (The Hive)**

The Hive is one of the oldest parts of the city, and the densest. People who live in the Hive tend to be poorer, but also tend to keep more to traditional Riviani customs that put emphasis on communal living over individual success. The district is mostly residential, and it is not uncommon for people to live in a cooperative dormitory-style house with up to 20 people, called a **s*ustina.*** The homes here are built into a steep hillside, and are densely packed together, mostly made of a yellow-tinted clay. Various community leaders oversee this area. Seers have traditionally had their own *sustinas* within the Hive, and help resolve disputes for other residents.

* **Hall of Atonement:** This is the main prison of Daismuid, traditionally overseen by Seers. It is a tall building of gray stone, with thousands of small slits for windows. Inside, most of the prisoners are allowed to wander and work freely (as the Seers are typically able to sense trouble before it happens). Prisoners are expected to study, learn trades, and perform service in the Hive until the Seers deem them ready to rejoin society.