Salahdin

The city of fire, home of dragonslayers, the burned jewel, all are reference to a single place, the city where the brass plateau, the burning sands, and the heart ranges meet. Most recently the city has taken the name Salahdin after the warrior-king who led its recapture, but it has existed time and again for hundreds of years. This place was once a secret refuge for dragonslayers, giving them space to rest and reequip before venturing out on another hunt, until it grew too large and was visited too frequently to remain hidden. The haven was burned in dragonfire, but that would not be its end. New travelers took up residence, building with stone and greater fortifications to repel dragons and enemy forces alike. This city-state was unaligned with any kingdom or empire, but rather served as a mercenaries frequently serving on both sides of conflicts. This city was assaulted many times and was always rebuilt with even stronger fortifications, forming layers of city beneath the sands, all atop the dragon-ruin of its first city. This state lasted for a time until the sands themselves swallowed the city and left no trace. Many years later, scholars seeking to learn of lost history partnered with treasure hunters returned to the site where they began to build a small settlement and slowly uncover the buried labyrinth below. This practice lasted a scant few years before Salahdin led his army to reclaim the city of their ancestors. Though a deadly band, Salahdin came peacefully to the new settlement, happy to retain the scholars and support their research under his rule. What he would not tolerate was treasure seekers plundering the artifacts of the cities which had gone before. Those who refused to either serve Salahdin as warriors or leave peaceably were executed and left to the mercy of the sands. The seettlement was then fortified and now bears the name of its new king. Its capacity to defend itself has yet to be tested, but one cannot help but wonder how long it might stand this time.