Aldebaran

Aldebaran (Old Ankharan: "Jewel of the Coast") is the capital city of Ankhara, a glittering hub of trade and culture nestled along the shores of the Cuprovite Sea. The city boasts a population of nearly 87,000, with a predominantly human and tabaxi populace, though smaller enclaves of other races can be found in the city's bustling quarters.

Encircled by towering, sand-coloured stone walls that seem to shimmer under the relentless sun, Aldebaran's core is a blend of opulence and order. At its heart lies Sultan Belisarius' Palace, an awe-inspiring structure adorned with minarets, mosaic-clad walls and lush gardens. The palace is both the seat of political power and a fortress of untold wealth, where the caliph governs his people with equal parts wisdom and intrigue. 

Nearby, the Grand Bazaar sprawls across a labyrinthine network of alleyways and grand plazas. This vast market draws merchants, traders, and fortune seekers from across the empire and beyond, filling the air with the scent of exotic spices and the clamour of bartering. The Grand Bazaar is as much a place of business as it is a melting pot of culture and stories, where tales of faraway lands are traded as readily as goods.

Religion plays a central role in Aldebaran’s society, and many of the faithful gather at temples throughout the city. A sense of duty and destiny often permeates the populace, with many viewing the sultan as much a spiritual leader as a political one.

Outside Aldebaran's protective walls, a starkly different world sprawls in chaotic disarray. The shanty town, an ever-growing sea of ramshackle huts and tents, houses thousands of refugees from the ruined city of Silver Citadel. Homes are crafted from salvaged materials and narrow streets wind through the densely packed makeshift dwellings; the refugees live in squalor, forced to make do with what little they can scrape together on the outskirts of Aldebaran. 

Crime and black-market dealings thrive in the shanty town, as does resentment toward the wealthier inhabitants who live within the city walls. Some whisper that the destruction of Silver Citadel was not the work of mundane forces but the consequence of a curse—one that may soon cast its shadow over Aldebaran itself.

Key Landmarks:

• The Sultan's Palace:
  Perched on a hill overlooking both the city and the sea, the Sultan's Palace is a sprawling complex of marble courtyards, lush gardens and elaborate towers. It serves as both the home and the seat of power for Sultan Hamid Belisarius, who rules with both shrewd political cunning and divine authority.
• The Grand Bazaar:
  The Grand Bazaar is a vibrant, labyrinthine marketplace sprawling across the city's commercial district. Traders from across the known world gather here to sell exotic spices, rare silks, intricate jewellery, and all manner of wonders. The bazaar is not only a centre of commerce but also a hub for rumours, secrets, and deals brokered in shadowed alcoves.
• The Gladiator Arena:
  Located near the heart of the city, Golden Sands Arena is where citizens gather to witness thrilling spectacles of combat. Originally built to showcase the strength of Aldebaran’s soldiers, the arena now hosts grand tournaments where gladiators fight for glory, riches or freedom.
• The Shantytown:
  Outside the imposing walls of Aldebaran sprawls a massive, makeshift shantytown inhabited mostly by refugees from the destroyed city of Silver Citadel. The survivors live in poverty and squalor outside Aldebaran’s walls, their ramshackle homes made of driftwood and other scavenged materials.