Dikos

Dikos is the regional capital of Allagi, and is located near the northern coast of Allagi Major, near a river that provides access to the ocean. Dikos is a major trading hub for Asylon-aligned or allied settlements due to its central location and safe harbor. It is the largest settlement in Allagi, and the only proper town.

## Town

An exceptionally beautiful town, Dikos is a masterwork of Digend’s creative abilities. The town sits near a deep river, allowing access for traders by water, and the Trail of Moths passes through the settlement itself, with its opalescent brickwork providing the main thoroughfare of the town. The minor roads and alleys are similarly paved, but less wide, easily recognizable from the main passageway.

The layout of the town is somewhat chaotic, as is to be expected. The Opal Tower stands at the heart of the town, towering over all other buildings. There are no districts or dividers in Dikos, with residential buildings, businesses and communal spaces being located haphazardly where-ever they seemed the most convenient, rather than following any strict plan. Despite the very organic and random layout, the town is easy to navigate thanks to the pristine roadways and clear landmarks about town - while confusing to a newcomer, the residents will quickly learn their way about.

The buildings in Dikos are varied and colorful. While the Opal Tower provides a centerpiece, the overall color scheme is more along the lines of rainbow, rather than white. The buildings form a long gradient through the colors of the rainbow, with mostly pastel shades and the occasional brighter highlight, or a touch of opalescence. Many houses have glossy, almost shiny facades to further accent their color.

Architecturally, Dikos might be described by us as classic - there are pillars and grand buildings, straight lines, stairs and platforms to elevate communal buildings above the rest of the town. Colorful mosaics decorate many buildings, showing the Vagabond lifestyle across Hireath, or scenes from Digend’s creation. But alongside this very grand, classical architecture is the touch of chaos - strange gardens, out-of-place buildings, dissonant styles. A classic bathhouse may be flanked on a garden inhabited by cacti on one side, and a stone version of a War-Forged lodging on the other. Somehow, it all fits together, making the end result a sight to behold.

Dikos is surrounded from all sides by the fertile farmland of the Wandering Plains, and the “farmhouse suburbs” stretch out for miles. Each of these little farmsteads is created by Digend, and most are inhabited by a single family or couple, although some larger farms foster their own mini-communities. There is a large, wild orchard around the perimeter of Dikos, similar to the one found in Asylon.

### Opal Tower

*Main article: The Opal Tower*

The Opal Tower stands at the epicenter of Dikos, and is the sixth of Digend’s Towers. It is Digend’s temple within the city, and also where the god lives.

## Culture

As a sister-city to Asylon, Dikos inherits both its culture, and its form of government. Like Asylon, Dikos is guided by Digend’s wisdom, passed down by the Vicars, and the fair council of the Knights. Equality reigns supreme, with reverence for freedom and luck, as well as Digend’s newly announced virtues. If anything, Dikos is perhaps more religiously oriented than Asylon - less of a safe harbor, and more of a settlement with the wish to build its own identity over time.

Unfortunately importing the good of Asylon also brought the negative aspects. The lack of law and organized policing forces means that despite the guidance of the Knights, the town is at times restless. With people from different walks of life coming together, conflicts are unavoidable, and although peaceful anarchy is the end goal, it is easier said than truly achieved. Digend is committed to the promise of his realm as a place of safety - but mortals and their free will are not devoid of the capacity for cruelty nor schemes.

### Religion

Digend is worshipped as the sole deity in Dikos. He is seen as their protector, guide and provider - the near ever-present god who is not only a god-king, but also the servant of his people in a cycle of mutual devotion. The worship of other deities is not forbidden, but they have no temples, and being a devout patron of a different god usually leads to strange looks from the locals. Still, it is not uncommon for residents to retain some affection for their old gods, and prayer to the old pantheon is still offered almost daily - admittedly, often in the hopes of gaining one of their blessings for corruption.

## History

Dikos’ roots are in the creation of Asylon, as the two cities share much both in culture and purpose. From Asylon, Dikos inherited its form of government, its lawless nature, and its appreciation for freedom.

The town itself was created, along with the whole continent of Allagi, in the summer of 1702 after a series of strange events across Hireath. After the continent was made, Digend offered his faithful the opportunity to come to Dikos, telling his people that he would now reside in both of the twin cities in turn. About half of Asylon’s then-residents chose to come to the new town, finding themselves in Dikos in the blink of an eye.

## Notes

* Due to coming from all corners of Hireath, the residents of Dikos don’t exactly have a trademark look - however, moth themed and opal/opalescent accessories are very popular
* Shards are actively used in Dikos, but most residents aren’t “wealthy” by the standards of more established herds. Things are mostly bought via services and trades, and shards are used when those don’t cut it
* Dikos, like Asylon, has no military, although some Mercenaries occasionally patrol the perimeter
* Like other Digend-aligned settlements, Dikos is extremely accepting of all sexual orientations, genders and breeds (although hybrids and especially sleipnir are considered especially beautiful)