Alcamar

## Alçamar

The frozen kingdom of Alcamar (Al-sah-marh) is a landlocked monarchy within the region of Stromheim. It is a cold and windswept walled town protected by natural steep mountain terrain.

## Geography and Administrative Division

Alcamar is a layered town divided by carved walls from the natural mountain range.

The lowest layer called "The Foothold" is where the peasantry is accommodated.

"La Mesa", the centre of commerce, sits comfortably in the middle layer. It houses the population of middle-class and minor nobilities. This layer also contains pools of thermal springs which the people of Alcamar enjoy regardless of their social status.

"The Gardens of Fengari" is a vast mezzanine connecting La Mesa with The Crystal Keep. This is a predominantly rocky terrain dotted with lunar flowers, the only flora found in close proximity to The Crystal Keep.

On the highest peak stands an imposing snow covered igneous rock gates decorated with mystic quarts and beyond is "The Crystal Keep", a towering fortification embellished with whiplash architecture combined with gothic towers and skybridges. The walls of The Crystal Keep are primarily made of quartz and moonstone living up to its moniker. Winding halls and artistically placed vents produce soft tunes as the wind rushes through them.

## Economy

Alcamar relies heavily on its mining industry, primarily gemstones and mithral.

The geography of Alcamar is barren but alpine flora and fauna exists in pockets of warm areas created by geothermal activities.

Hunting and Ovis husbandry are the primary source of food along with trading.

## Culture

Alcamarian culture stems from an ancient human kingdom but borrows elements from dwarvish and elvish settlers.

Alcamar is known for the arts of blade dancing. Its nobility are well known to employ martial prowess combined with graceful theatrics.

Silver and mithral are fashionable but gold is seen as garish and distasteful. Fashionable clothing varies from fur to silk but Alcamarians tend to prefer neutral shades of white and blue.

Alcamarians are heavy consumers of potent alcohol due to the cold environment. A warm shot of liquor is usually enjoyed after a cold plunge at the end of a thermal spa session.

"Black soup" is a traditional stew made of edible lichen, sheep meat, sheep blood, allium and acidic fruit.

## Governance

### Pre Wyrd

Alcamar is governed by a monarch. Under normal circumstances, the monarch employs a council, referred to as "The council of Phases", consisting of 8 individuals to govern aspects of Alcamar.

When a monarch retires, members of nobility are called upon for the selection of the next monarch. The new monarch is chosen through popular voting, everyone who is domiciled is entitled to vote.

**The Deadly Dance**

Every nobles are trained in the arts of courtly politics, known as "The Deadly Dance", from birth. This dangerous game of skulduggery and intrigue has claimed many noble lives since time immemorial. The best "dancers" are usually shrewd and manipulative but the throne is fickle and easily lost.

Outright violence is frowned upon but assassinations are not uncommon even though consequences are dire if caught red handed. The most effective way to eliminate or subdue an opponent is through slander and blackmail.

Usurpation using force is rare but there are short-lived instances in the past.

**Martial Strength**

Knights of Alcamar, known as "Aurora Knights", are proficient in blade dancing and are normally seen with two scimitars. They employ cold, lightning, thunder and wind magic which are widely practiced in Alcamar.

Alcamar also utilises a special covert force called the "Silent Squall" who are highly trained in using longswords in a graceful display of deadly dancing.

### Post Wyrd

After the 3 year time skip, Alcamar's landscape and government has changed. The once white lunar flowers are now giving off a faint purple light as opposed to moonlight blue.

It appears that the governance has changed into a militaristic state and the aurora knights have adapted a black uniform with red and silver scimitars on both hands. They carry banners with a cross scimitar over a circle symbol.