Ezurum

### Location

Karaman Bay, Northern coast of the Magnian Horn, north-east of Mersin, and south of Boyazi

Ezurum is the capital of the Aydin Vizirate in the Sultanate of Mersin and the second largest city on the Chorenese coast, only surpassed by Tytos. It is currently ruled by Vizier Marco-Khan Valetty. Ezurum is situated in a lagoon and connected by the Bursa River to the capital of Mersin.

The city is the first in Magnia to introduce guild rights, which started with the formation of the Goldsmiths Guild, leading many other guilds to form all over the city. Many of these are quickly gaining immense power, not only in trade. The guilds hold quite a lot of political sway as well.

## Culture

The people of Ezurum favour modesty to flaunting, however, it is high fashion to dress in shawls and veils and loose silks, exposing as much of the body while still covering the skin with clothes. Most dress themselves in flamboyant colours and decorate their belts with slender swords. Duelling is a frequent sight in the city, seen as a display of skill and culture. Walking around armed at night is an open invitation be challenged.

## Economy

Ezurum is a major port city on the Gulf of Gabal between Chorene, the Vaspukars, and the Skahazadans, and controls trade in the region, as well as up the important Ghorkon River. It is perhaps the world's naval center, at the forefront of shipbuilding and development of naval techniques and inventions. The region of Aydin also produces olives, figs, dates, honey, and apricots, the last of which Ezurum is especially known for.

## Geography

The city is built in a lagoon, on a group of over 80 small islands, connected by hundreds of bridges, all expanding outwards from the world-famous Backbone Harbour. Some islands are naturally formed while others have been dug by artificial canals. Parts of the city are most easily traversed by gondola. The geography of Ezurum provides such an effective natural defence system that the city has no need for extensive fortifications. Tidal exchange, shallow water, narrow and meandering canals, all serve to make navigation risky for any enemy fleet, with a high risk of running aground or being trapped in the lagoon. The wetlands and swamps surrounding Ezurum upriver would also hinder any assailing land force.

### Waterways

During the 1300s, Ezurum's small islands were little by little raised above the tides by digging its canals deeper and excavating new waterways where streets once stood. The new canals promoted culture and trade and has become integral to the city's infrastructure and economy.

### Districts

Ezurum is an expansive city, comprised of 7 districts, however the districts themselves hold no degree of autonomy. They are:

* Backbone, the heart of Ezurum, centred around the main harbour.
* Safiya, home to many high-standing citizens of Ezurum.
* The Hooks, tiny isles favoured by artists and philosophers and catering to every imaginable pleasure.
* The Marrow, housing most of the city's butchery and tanning industry.
* The Legal District, dominated by civic offices and markets.
* The Silvers, where the noble families and the vizier live in palaces and grand estates.
* The Sprawls, home to the bulk of the city's workforce and a small elven minority.

### Landmarks

* **Myriad Bridge**: A massive bridge of white stone connecting the Silvers to the Legal District, inspired by Harpy's Bridge in Kardunyas. Luxury apartments and shops perch all along the length of the bridge. Most citizens of Ezurum have never crossed it.
* **Karaman Lighthouse**: A lighthouse on the Silvers that stand out significantly among the estates of the city's nobility. It serves both to warn incoming ships to steer clear of the isle, but also as a lookout tower in a line of bonfire towers along the coast of Karaman Bay, meant to warn Ezurum and Mersin of an incoming threat.
* **Shipwreck Hulks**: Decommissioned whaling trawlers and wrecked merchant ships on the northern coast of Windbreaker Isle, which protects Ezurum from storms and harsh waves. The wrecks now fill the coast like wooden ribcages and serve as hideouts for illegal activity. All sorts of beasts and monsters have been known to make their lairs here occasionally.

## Law and Order

The Ezurum City Watch is the primary law enforcement for the entire city. Most of the old watch died during Mura and Ibrahim Yazi's siege of the city and upon his appointment to vizier, Marco-Khan immediately set about reforming the city's defences by hiring mercenary soldiers.

However, the prospect of standing watch and not fighting, only attracted the laziest and seediest mercenaries and the Watch soon became known as corrupt, violent, and cruel. Some call them the meanest gang in Ezurum and they earned the nickname 'the Fingers', because all they do is take their pay and do nothing in return. The Fingers are divided into companies by district, and they have all formed fierce rivalries with one another. Although often comradely by nature, clashes between the companies have known to turn violent.