Amon, City of Fiends

City
Territory 20,000 square miles
Population 16,000 (20% Human, 20% Half-Orc, 10% Nezumi, 5% Halfling, 15% Tiefling, 10% Gnoll, 10% Saurian, 10% Other)
Ruler Sultan Oggog Grath (Half-Orc male)
 

History

It was binders from the Fomorian Empire that summoned the Archdevil Ogun thousands of years ago and failed their binding ritual. It was these binders that then fell under Ogun’s control and founded the devil-city of Ogun-Ra on the slopes of a great mountain in the Scorched Barrier.   Of course, the Fomorian empire could not allow a city to secede, so a war was inevitable. The small new city of Ogun-Ra stood no chance against the mighty forces of the vast Fomorian Empire, so the Archdevil ordered a ritual be performed to summon his armies from the Pitt.   The ritual succeeded, and on the slopes of the mountain the evil outsider forces clashed with troops enhanced by Fomorian shadow magic. Not even the Fomorian Empire had the power to withstand the might of Ogun’s devil army for long and after almost a day of slaughter the Fomorian lines broke.   As Ogun strode out onto the battlefield to personally lead his troops to victory, the leader of the original binders broke through the Archdevil’s control. He quickly used magic to free his companions and together they reversed the ritual that had unleashed the fiendish army. With his army sent back to hell at the moment of his triumph, Ogun teleported back to the ritual site to enact his revenge. There he fought the remaining binders and while he killed most, Ogun was sealed deep beneath the mountain. The presence of his magical prison awoke the mountain’s fire and turned it into an ever-active volcano.   The Fomorian Empire demolished the city of Ogun-Ra and hid the truth of what had happened there.   Millenia later, mages looking for ways to stabilize the use of arcane magic stumbled upon dungeons once part of Ogun-Ra. Led to the site by fiendish whispers, they knew to look for extra-planar power. They ventured deep beneath the mountain now known as Ogun and came upon the Archdevil’s prison. But they had come prepared. The Archdevil tried to take control of them, to get them to release him, but he failed. Instead, the mages bound him more tightly and began siphoning his power.   Over time, more arcane practitioners were lured to the site. What started as a small cult of binders grew into a large organization of scholars and demonologists. The initial small keep on Ogun’s southern slopes became a mighty fortress, which over time grew into a small and then a large city.   The city is named after the first binder powerful enough to claim dominion over the entire city, Sultan Amon Set. In the early days of the city, he united or destroyed the various rival cults and turned their attention outward, to the dominion of the nearby jungle clans.  

Architecture

Amon is located south of the great volcano, Ogun. Ogun’s constant rivers of lava form a lake of liquid fire in which three enormous black stone ziggurats were built, each thousands of feet across. The foundation stones of these ziggurats are said to have been brought in from hell, which allows them to withstand the heat of the lava.   The large open tops of the ziggurats each contain a city district. High towers of black stone and exotic mansions of dozens of different styles are built close to each other. Walking the narrow streets between these buildings gives a claustrophobic feeling, as they seem to lean in close. Only the most powerful and wealthy live on the top of the three giant pyramids. The depths of the ziggurats are home to thousands of servants, soldiers and slaves. Small, dark rooms and narrow hallways that snake through the structure like a maze make up most of the pyramids.   The most famous element of Amon is undeniably the slave pits. The center of each ziggurat is a large shaft, 300 feet in diameter, leading down to the lake of fire below. Large slave pens make up the sides of these shafts. Thousands of slaves are kept here before being sent to the markets on, or in, the pyramid.  

Culture

Life in Amon is dangerous and harsh for most and a paradise of luxury for some. Those that dwell within the pyramids live a life in heat and darkness. They work menial jobs in service of wealthy nobles they never see, under the whip of aggressive overseers. They are paid in food, water and a little bit of copper. Still, they are free citizens and are protected from criminals and slavers by those same overseers.   Slaves have no rights and are often bought simply to be sacrificed in the many fiendish rituals that take place every day. The nobility of Amon lives in palaces and mansions on top of the 3 ziggurats. Most have some form of arcane ability, and many have made pacts of deals with devils, demons or other fiends.   While their wealth and power provide them with many privileges, they are still bound by the laws of Amon. For example, a noble that would assault or kill a free citizen, no matter how poor, would face execution, no matter his wealth. These laws are written down by the original sultan in the Codex, a magical book that cannot be altered. All those within the city limits, even the Sultan, are bound by these laws.   There are also many fiends living in the wealthier parts of Amon. While not exactly common, Rakshasa administrators, succubus and incubus prostitutes and bearded devil guard captains are not unheard of. Imps and Quasits are also a common sight in Amon, and they act as messengers for those that can afford their services.  

Religion

There is no official religion in Amon, as religious practices are considered personal. Everyone is free to worship who and how they want. Devil and demon worship is common in the city. On the other hand, some of the most powerful individuals in Amon, including the Sultan, see outsiders as nothing more than tools.  

Army

Amon has a sizeable army, mostly consisting of summoned outsiders. Binders and mages lead army divisions as they keep the outsiders under control. Amon is also known for attracting large numbers of mercenaries.   Military defeats and loss of numbers mean very little to Amon as they can replenish their forces easily through summoning rituals.  

Relationships

Amon has been at war with Akek for decades. The fiendish armies of Amon have laid siege to Akek twice during the war and were pushed back both times. Akek, in turn, has dealt a massive defeat to the armies of Amon in a large battle only recently. Raids and battles between both states are common and mostly take place near the Bloodgate between both cities.   The blootgate located between Akek and Amon changes hands every few weeks as the armies win and lose territory. Travelers are still allowed to use the gate. Both armies have allowed neutral parties to enter and exit while in control of the site. Only those suspected of espionage or those seeking employment as mercenaries for the enemy have been detained.   Amon’s relationship with the other city states is strained as citizens of these states are often traded as slaves and used for sacrifices.   Amon’s relationship with Sa Owu has been growing particularly difficult over the past few years. Not only do both states compete for slaves, but Sa Owu’s attempt at selling undead armies to Akek has not been received well by the Sultan.