Callor
The Gilded Bastion of Servellia
Callor stands as a shimmering testament to human ambition and endurance, its gilded spires rising from the barren wastes of Servellia like a mirage of impossible opulence. The wealth of Callor flows from its vast mines, where veins of gold and silver twist deep beneath the scorched earth. The city's treasuries overflow with riches, and its rulers wield their wealth like a blade, shaping the fate of nations with coin and decree.
Government
Callor is an aristocracy ruled with an iron grip by King Odell Ignes, a shrewd and uncompromising monarch. The nobility consists of elite mining magnates, slavers, and merchant lords who have risen to prominence through cunning and ruthless business practices. Wealth dictates power, and those who cannot afford their status are quickly cast into the gutters or the mines.
The social hierarchy is rigid:
- The Nobility: Gold-cloaked aristocrats who hoard their wealth in palatial estates, feasting on delicacies from across Pharus.
- The Merchant Class: Traders of spices, oils, and slaves, wielding influence through commerce rather than bloodlines.
- The Laborers & Miners: Free workers who toil in the mines and refineries, barely scraping by on meager wages.
- The Enslaved: A wretched underclass, bound in chains and forced to labor in Callor’s mines, quarries, and pleasure halls.
Defences
Callor is heavily fortified, its outer walls crafted from reinforced sandstone and alchemically treated metals to withstand both siege and sandstorm. The Golden Legion, a disciplined and well-equipped military force, protects the city. Mercenaries from across Pharus are often hired to patrol the treacherous desert roads leading to Callor.
Industry & Trade
Callor’s location on the Aurum Sea grants it control over vital trade routes, allowing it to dominate commerce between Pharus’ western kingdoms, the distant spice islands, and the heartlands of Servellia. The city’s Grand Harbor is one of the busiest in the world, filled with ships laden with gold, silver, spices, slaves, and exotic oils. Naval fortifications ensure that Callor remains impenetrable to piracy and foreign aggression, while its war fleet enforces its dominance over the surrounding waters.
Callor thrives on three primary industries:
- Mining – The lifeblood of the city, its mines produce gold, silver, and other rare metals, exported to the wealthiest realms of Pharus.
- Slavery – A grim yet vital part of Callor’s economy, slaves are traded like commodities, captured from distant lands or bred within the city’s confines.
- Spice & Oil Trade – Caravans bring rare spices and valuable oils from the farthest corners of Pharus, making Callor a critical hub for exotic goods.
Geography
Callor is located in the northern reaches of Servellia, where the desolate wastelands meet the Aurum Sea, a shimmering expanse of golden-hued waters rich with trade and maritime activity. The city is uniquely positioned as both a desert stronghold and a vital port city, acting as the primary gateway between Servellia’s resource-rich interior and the vast trading networks of Pharus.
The coastal regions near Callor are rocky and rugged, with steep cliffs protecting much of the shoreline from direct assault. However, a series of man-made harbors and deepwater docks allow large merchant fleets and warships to anchor safely. The Aurum Sea’s strong currents make for treacherous navigation, but skilled Calloran pilots guide vessels through its waters for a hefty fee.
Climate
The climate of Callor is unforgiving:
- Scorching Days & Frigid Nights – The sun blazes relentlessly, making the midday heat unbearable, while nights plunge into chilling cold due to the desert’s lack of moisture.
- Sandstorms & Sea Winds – Fierce sandstorms regularly sweep in from the Servellian desert, while powerful coastal winds bring relief from the heat but also pose navigational hazards.
- Rare Rains & Hidden Wells – Rain is a rare blessing, falling only a few times a year. The city depends on underground reservoirs, coastal wells, and a sprawling aqueduct system to maintain its water supply.
Type
Large city
Population
53,681
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Additional Rulers/Owners
Owning Organization
Characters in Location