Artaris

*Writer: Theo#2512*

## Synopsis

Artaris is a city state built along the southern coast of Athena. It is primarily a city of trade and affluence with it being the primary competitor with the capital of Nyneve as well as a religious powerhouse, dedicated to the Meticulous. Religion and business often mix in Artaris. The local merchant council often makes many of their decisions in the interest of diverting more of Athena’s wealth in trade, to Artaris instead. With the rise of the company Artarizon™ came the church of the Meticulous which would shape up to become the main religion in the city. Local traders and businessmen within the state usually hold some sort of religious position and often look to the Meticulous for guidance in their deals. Such deals made within Artaris are often formalized with a commissioned piece of pottery to symbolize the ratification of the deal. Such pieces often possess the iconography of the Meticulous with as much detail as possible. Due to their long stay in the underground labyrinth, lots of the original inhabitants of Artaris are drow elves or have developed some sort of sensitivity to sunlight. The population has however become more varied since trade became such a core part of the city.

## Geography

Artaris is built on the southern coast of Athena, mainly because of the fact that it used to be a fishing village. In recent years it has proven that this also has played a major factor in the city’s success in trade and commerce. It is surrounded by exotic flora and small hills with a couple of vineyards flanking the outer walls. The city itself is built like a giant cathedral, most buildings are lavish and tall with high spires and colourful stained windows. Hiding in the shadows of these great buildings are the more slummy and downtrodden homes of the workers, who have to endure the rules of those in charge. The whole city is essentially like a mix between a sleazy pirates cove and a luxurious mega cathedral. The city is divided into many different districts: the coastal districts, the shadow districts and the heaven districts. The coastal districts are located on the coast of Artaris, as the name suggests. This is the melting pot of the city, where travellers and traders meet and people of every class and background come together. It is the most lively district in the city, with a majority of trading and business being dealt in these districts. But as you move more into the city, you will find yourself either heading upwards or downwards depending on your destination. Heading downwards will land you in the murky gutter of the shadow districts, where the lower class resides in run down homes and sleazy bars exist on every corner. Heading upwards will instead lead you to the heaven districts, amidst the great and lavish buildings of the higher standing members of Artaris. Here the grand cathedrals and churches bask in the light of the sun, representing the city's core aspects of faith and wealth. Here you will walk on grand plazas and bridges leading between beautiful spires and castles.

## Hierarchy

Artaris has a strict hierarchy that it follows. At the top is the merchant council, made up of some of the most powerful and influential businessmen in the city. Below them are the olicharchs, noble goblin families with strong connections to Lesos who came to the city after he took control, and the pontiffs (executive managers). The Ministrants are priests and clerics, the main practitioners of religion in the city who are just below the olicharcs and pontiffs in power. On the same level are the wardens and collectors who provide muscle and security while also making sure that debts are paid in a timely and orderly fashion. Then we have the syndics who serve as attorneys, accountants, couriers, merchants etc. Below them we find common workers and civilians who work other jobs. At the lowest we find the beggars, those who have lost it all. They either serve as “indentured workers'' to the royalty or toil around in the deepest corners of the shadow districts.

## History

Artaris was originally founded as a fishing village in Navarre, before the time of the calamity. It was unfortunately abandoned and ruined when the elemental conflict first began, with the locals being forced underground into a hidden labyrinth that lies beneath the village to survive. The labyrinth itself was a mystery. Built in a strange way, It seemed to go on for eternity in every direction, with many bold explorers of the first generation never returning from their escapades. They ended up creating a home out of some of the top layer, surviving on mushroom farms and whatever beasts that roamed the underground. After thousands of years living within these tunnels, the villagers were able to return to the decimated remains of what once was Artaris. However, the locals were not disparaged by this and instead dedicated themselves to creating a new and better home. The new generation of villagers became artisans and architects, building upon the ruins with a desire to turn this ruined ash into an intricate and elaborate successor. Foremost among these people was Ailduin Neveraks, a young elven man who was the son of the former leader. He was the first one to speak in favour of moving out of the labyrinth and who then spearheaded the effort to rebuild Artaris. This led to him becoming a leader of the people and his descendants would follow in his footsteps. Unfortunately, those of shorter-lived lives did not get to witness the result of their labors as the work was passed from parent to child. It would take nearly a hundred years to realise this improved Artaris and even then the work would never be done. The populace had grown significantly within the labyrinth and each passing generation only expanded the needs more and more. It was during this time that Asterin Neveraks, the current ruler of Artaris, and his council became painfully aware of a growing problem: they were running out of money. Both the city and the population were growing with each day, and so did the costs. Local trade and treasures taken from the labyrinth had sustained them for quite some time, but now they were not enough. It was during this time that they came into contact with the rich goblin Neff Lesos, businessman and cleric of the Meticulous, who offered to sponsor the construction in return for establishing his new company headquarters and church inside the city walls. This was the devil's bargain that would shape the future of Artaris for the coming years. Slowly but surely, local businesses found themselves outcompeted by Neff Lesos and his new company Artarizon™. Faster than anyone could say “hostile takeover”, Neff suddenly either owned or had a significant part in all trade and commerce done in Artaris, essentially owning the entire city. Asterin could only watch as each member in his loyal council was replaced by greedy goblins, set on making as much money as possible. He was now only a ruler on paper, Neff was the true king of Artaris.

## Important Characters

* Leff Nesos
* Asterin Neveraks
* Lok Anatoli