Mephisto

Areas of Mephisto in red.

**Mephisto** (sometimes referred to as **Mephisto City**) also known by the ancient Dellik name **Mephistopheles** was the primary city of ancient Numeria and the Mephistonian Civilization. The city was founded around 10,000 BCE on the island of Mephisto, located in an archipelago at the confluence of the Tabuk and Neti rivers. Gradually it expanded to several peripheral islands and a small part of the mainland.

In ancient times, Mephisto was Numeria's most populous city and the region's cultural, financial, and religious capital for over a millennium. Numerous temples and important structures were built throughout the archipelago and surrounding banks of the river.

## Geography

Mephisto was located at the confluence of the Tabuk and Neti rivers. The city was divided into seven districts: Adad, Naram, Ziyatum, Melem, Sherum, Dagon, and Tirigan. The original settlement was founded on the westernmost point on the island of Mephisto, on a triple-peaked hill in what became the district of Naram.

### **Naram**

Naram, located on the westernmost point of Mephisto Island, was the most densely populated of the districts and held a majority of the population. Most of the old temples and monuments of the early Mephistonian civilization were located here. The most important religious monument in Mephisto, the Temple of Aniu, was located in the district.

### **Melem**

Melem was the primary commercial hub and port for the city, located to the southwest of Naram. It served as the trading hub for all of the empire. Common goods that were funneled through the district included grain, spices, textiles, slaves, animals, and seafood. A significant black market also existed, often servicing Ziyatum.

### **Adad**

Adad was the only district located on the mainland. The main purpose of Adad was defense and military training. There was only a small civilian population, mainly poor, rural farmers. Adad was also the site of the city's prison. Adad was also home to the Temple of Utet, the Mephistonian God of Fire.

### **Dagon**

Dagon was widely regarded as the most violent and dangerous district in Mephisto. It was the sleazy underbelly of Mephisto where crime, lawlessness, indecency, and insidiousness could come alive under the cover of darkness. The residents lived in crumbling stone towers; packed together and lining the narrow streets which winded their way through the district like vines around decrepit bricks. There was a stark contrast between the ancient monuments scattered throughout the district and the depressing shacks that took up residence beneath them. According to legend, Dagon was cursed and unholy; evil lived and festered beneath the soil. There was also an extensive network of tunnels that laid beneath the streets, connecting to an ancient, forgotten temple. The temple served as the base of operations for the Order of Druthos, a secret sect of the government led by the tyrant Blyanis. The Order sought to bring about the reign of Het by freeing an imprisoned Demon; Druthos.

### **Tirigan**

The elite and affluent population of Mephisto lived in Tirigan. Many of these residents began leaving the Old Town when population growth exploded. Tirigan was filled with expansive villas made of shining marble and granite, and lush gardens could be seen in all directions. It was hidden away from the smells and noise of Melem, out of reach from the death and corruption of Dagon, and free from the congestion and bustle of Naram. At the same time, it was just across the river from the holy sites of Ziyatum, and a quick trip away from the illustrious nightlife of Sherum. A majority of Tirigans inhabitants worked in Sherum and Ziyatum or owned businesses and ports in Meletum.

### **Sherum**

Sherum was the "New Town" district. Crumbling infrastructure and an influx of new residents led to a decision to move most of the city's administrative functions to a new area. Entertainment also played a prominent role in the district. Wealthy and poor residents alike would travel for various sports, theatres, and arts venues. Sherum was home to both the head of the city's government and the seat of government for the entire empire. Important empirical buildings in Sherum included the House of Revelations, the Pantheon of Ityx, the Sanctum of Udahari, and the Senate.

### **Ziyatum**

Ziyatum was the oldest part of Mephisto. The district was the seat of the religious governmental arm of the empire; holding the Senate of the Diogenes, the House of the Oracles, and the Monastery of the Amons. The palace of the Mephistonian Royal Family was located in Ziyatum; a vast, opulent, and sprawling compound that was connected to the Citadel, Senate of the Diogenes, House, and Monastery. The most important scholarly religious institution of the Mephistonian civilization and arguably the entire Ancient World was found here, the Citadel of Fytahin. Religious scholars from all corners of the world traveled to discover the wisdom hidden within the citadel's endless ancient texts and study under a rigorous education program. Two important temples were constructed in Ziyatum: the Temple of Zet (the God of the Stars) and the Temple of Sepa (the God of the Soil). Only the most important leaders resided in the district.