Kiem

## Overview

Kiem, is a city in Midi. Located in on the coast of Midi on the Galvan Talon, Kiem is an ever-expanding and sprawling city. While artifice, the economy, and numerous wonders are rapidly developing, Kiem is still rooted in some traditions from its founding. Natural and Divine Magic is highly prized here.

While not as popular as Aqivez for tourism, many still visit Kiem to see the fights within the Sabbia Arena, or to admire the new buildings being hastily constructed.

Ruled by an Emperor, Kiem is currently ruled by the great grandson of Orsos Ashcoat.

## History

### Founding of Kiem

After Orsos Ashcoat became Kohpoli's first official Bloodhunter, he traveled down to the end of the Galvan Talons, clearing out dangerous beasts along the way. Wanting to keep the path to Kohpoli reasonably safe if someone were to walk on foot, Orsos also carved out dusty roads on his way down. Granted the ability to rule the new city, Orsos named it Kiem, after the bird calls common in this area. However, the Blood Hunters of Midi did not have many resources to properly establish a city. Lacking funds, Orsos merely made an outpost at first, connecting what little roads the area had to a central point in the area to be settled.

### Emperor Orsos' Rule

With funds desperately needed, Emperor Orsos decided to use his Blood Hunter training in a rather unconventional way. Filling in a pit with sand, Orsos decided to host duels for a small fee. Both viewers and potential contestants would pay to enter, and contestants would have the ability to win money, should they beat the Emperor. This was the origins of the Sabbia Arena. Within a couple years, it was enough to fund the first bits of Kiem, and construction began. A portion of the proceeds would go to Aqivez's construction, all while the gladiatorial matches would continue in the increasingly more developed Sabbia Arena.

After Aqivez's construction, Orsos in his last act as Emperor, would unite all of the city states under the Midi banner, requiring that they meet yearly in Kiem to discuss issues.

### Glass and Sand

Lacking a building for each representative to meet, the new Emperor, Orsos the Second, demanded a place for this event to occur. Spending reckless amounts of platinum, the Emperor commissioned an Aqivez glassblower to make an entire building of glass, and Kiem wizards to enchant it for durability. Upon construction, a few workers noticed a relatively large supply of Aetherium right below the foundation. Adding a secret basement, the wizards soon worked to make this an Aetherium gate, connecting it with other ones made in Aqivez and Kohpoli. This would be soon taken over by Mavros, in fear of the gates being used improperly.

### Modern Times

Ever sprawling out and expanding, Kiem's lack of organization and rule has lead to increasing problems. In particular, the Serossa, a gang of ex-military individuals, started to wrestle for control over Midi, taking over smaller cities. They wished to put pressure on nearby city states, and soon attempted a failed coup in Kiem. While many of those responsible were caught and executed, there still remains fragments of the original group. If conspiracy theorists are to be believed, the Serossa are the ones ruling, but in the shadows.

## Layout

Kiem consists of a city sprawled along the coast and up into the Galvan Talon. While rapidly expanding, there are important places within the heart of the city.

### The Senate of Galvasitz

A building constructed mostly of hardened glass, the Senate of Galvasitz is where the leaders and representatives of Midi meet to discuss matters pertaining to the Collective. It is also where diplomats of other countries would visit to conduct business. Below in the basement lies the Aetherium Gate, much to the displeasure of many Kiem officials.

### Sabbia Arena

Established under Emperor Orsos the Second, the Sabbia Arena is a large stadium dedicated for the sport fights that occur weekly within. Participants are paid well, but it still gains a large amount of controversy due to the high likelihood of death, dismemberment, and lasting scars.