The City of Brass
Floating amid the Elemental Plane of Fire, the City of Brass was the epicenter of efreet culture and was the place from where the Sultan of the Efreet ruled.
Geography
Hovering in the hottest areas of the Plane of Fire, the City of Brass sits in an enormous hemisphere of brass some 40 miles (64,000 meters) across. A curtain of beaten brass surrounds the entire city, stretching for hundreds of miles and giving the city its name. However, since the brass hemisphere gives the city its ability to fly, (albeit slowly,) these impressive walls are typically unmanned. Throughout the cosmopolitan city, the dangerous fire effects of the Elemental Plane of Fire are suppressed by the will of the Grand Sultan in an effort to foster more interplanar trade. Despite this, the city itself has a hindering effect on those of good alignment, giving them a -2 on all charisma rolls, due partly to the nature of the efreet but also to the numerous connecting portals with the Nine Hells. Surrounding the city itself are large tracts, known as the Obsidian Fields, used for the cultivation of the exotic crops that inhabited the plane of fire. Examples included qamah, habbat, verdobba, umbelin, tergamit, and fireweed. There were also areas for slaves to mine tin, copper, and diamonds for their efreeti masters. Geographical features:Government
The City of Brass is governed by the undisputed Sultan of the Efreet, who rules the city with a tyrannical hold over his subjects. On occasion, the Sultan oversees important legal matters of noble efreet but mostly focuses on wider policies. Although the Sultan is the paramount authority in the City of Brass, he generally delegates the day-to-day affairs to his vizier. The title of Grand Sultan is held by Marrake al-Sidan al-Hariq ben Lazan. Most efreet pledge their fealty to the Grand Sultan, whether they reside in the city or not. Even those residing in settlements outside of the city consider it their capital. For matters regarding the Prime Material Plane, the Sultan delegates to his six Great Pashas.Law & Order
Although the streets of the city are bustling with trade and crammed with crowds during the day, by night a strict curfew is enforced by the Illuminated. All shops are shut down and all citizens return to their homes, else they face arrest, the loss of a hand, or even death. Slaves are obligated to bear bracelets that display their servitude and who their master is at all times. It is common for visitors to the city to become slaves by defaulting on borrowed money. In addition, this servitude could be extended by additional offenses that could add days or even years to their thralldom.Trade
The City of Brass is a shining beacon for trade and commerce throughout the planes, beckoning many planar travelers to its bazaars, souks, slave markets, and metalcrafters. Famed for its vendors of smoke, incense, and tobacco, the city is also noted for the azer smiths who work ceaselessly for the efreet, crafting arms for the armies and the sultan. The city's harbor became a hub of activity when the City of Brass was set down near the surface to take on slaves and goods. This was done only by the Sultan's decree but could allow vast amounts of food and goods to flood into the city. Behind closed doors, the efreet of the City of Brass have trade links with the Baatezu. Numerous portals to the Nine Hells allow frequent trade of slaves and information.Defenses
Arguably the city's first notable defense was its uncanny ability to float above and away from most threats. However, the city was still susceptible to flying intruders crossing its walls. The guards did not take such attempts lightly. The armed forces of the City of Brass dwarfed the largest armies of Faerûn and came in a bizarre array of legions. These legions and their numbers follow:- The Unquenchable – 3,000 elite and fanatical efreet guards.
- Eternal Crimson – 100,000 common efreet soldiers.
- Al-Asaf – 25,000 horse archers and lancers.
- Angels of Death – 35,000 efreet archers.
- Striders – 10,000 dragoons.
- Black Eagles – 3,000 janni soldiers.
- Black Darts – 2,000 manscorpion slave-soldiers.
- Bronze Phalanx – 1,200 azer siege engineers.
- First Lancers – 1,000 noble efreet cavalry.
- Order of the Fiery Heart – 500 griffon-mounted efreet nobles.
- Watchfire Legions – 40,000 efreet irregulars.
- Illuminated – 50,000 city guards.
- Sultan's Own – 4,000 salamander skirmishers.
- Branded – 150 efreet mamluks.
History
Considered the "oldest city in all creation", the City of Brass has long been known as hub for planar travelers and trade. Prior to the Dawn War, it was part of the vast empire of the Wind Dukes of Aaqa. Over the years the City of Brass was subjected to a number of attacks from outsiders. One notable occasion was when an archmage by the name of Tzunk attempted to conquer the City of Brass with the help of the potent artifact, the Codex of Infinite Planes. Even with the powerful tome, he could not best the four million efreet that protected the city and was eventually defeated and bound before the Sultan. At some point, the frost giant Kostchtchie led an attack on the City of Brass in a devastating raid. By traveling aboard the flying Ark of Kwalish, he and his followers caused much chaos.Rumors and Legend
Plots and rumors abound in the City of Brass, and a large degree of that concerns the efreet, if only for their numbers. Reportedly, the Sultan's court trafficks with baatezu from time to time, though much of these secret dealings happen behind closed curtains and only add to the tyranny of efreet rule.Layout
Throughout the city the common efreet and their slaves had their own houses. The houses of noble efreet, on the other hand, teemed with servants and easily doubled as small fortresses. The City of Brass was illuminated primarily by the ambient light from the Sea of Fire and fiery canals that intercrossed the city and provided a dim red glow throughout. This was supplemented by intermittent pots of unquenchable elemental fire that hung along the streets. Efreets traversed the Sea of Fire and the city's canals through use of barges and galleys that were made of magically enchanted brass.The Furnace
Main Article: This was the core of the city and where the Charcoal Palace of the Sultan resided. The other districts of the city surrounded the Furnace in ever widening circles.Avencina
This quarter of the efreet city is considered a slum. The walkways and streets sit upon broken, rocky ground. Many clans of harginn call the Avencina home.Ashlarks
This ward of the City of Brass is home to many common efreet, but plenty of noble efreet enjoy slumming here as well. "Krak al-Tawil", the base of Operations of the Sultan's Own is located here.Rookery
Gambling houses, fighting pits, and pleasure gardens fill this ward and are never closed. In addition to the gamblers, thieves, and miscreants who occupie this area, plenty of firenewts populate the Rookery as well. This section of the City of Brass is renowned throughout the Plane of Fire for being the most dangerous and lawless part of the city. The Rookery is so dangerous it causes even the Sultan's guards to avoid treading there. The Kalian is also located in the Rookery. The Kalian is one of the largest markets within the city. Smoke vendors abound here, selling incense, tobacco, smoked foods, and other aromatic luxuries.Pyraculum
Main Article: Within the Pyraculum district is the city's market, which attracts countless craftsmen.Marlgate
Marlgate is situated north of the Iskalat district and south of the Ashlarks district. This warehouse district of the City of Brass is largely abandoned. Alongside the vermin found throughout Marlgate, private armies of dao merchants can be found here.Iskalat
In this district are the public docks, primarily used for interplanar vessels. It is a lively district with a multitude of races from across the planes and is dotted with inns and taverns. The Octagon is also located here.The Foundry
Main Article: The Foundry is comprised of wide streets, plazas, and the homes of the most powerful and affluent efreet in the city.Glory Mine
Nestled in the very rock of the city, this is the domain of the salamanders. Without a salamander guide, the warren is virtually impassable.The Plume
Main Airticle: The Plume is a quarter with streets of small shops, coffee houses, and stalls, which welcome visiting merchants and dao to its exemplary accommodation.The Char
Main Article: Walled off from the rest of the city, the Charias where the slaves of the Sultan and his nobles live. Slave barracks and tenements serve as housing, while smelters, smithies, and shops are where the slaves plie their trades.Castings
Situated beneath the Furnace, Castings serves as the barracks for the efreeti army. Castings is the home of the efreeti soldiers, including the Ring of the Unquenchable . Since fighting among the soldiers is a common event, regular citizens are not safe here. The Gate of the Fallen also lies here.Cindersweeps
Main Article: Here the navy of the Sultan is stationed.Arches
Near to the naval yards and within the shadow of the city's hills is this staging area for receiving slaves.Notable Inhabitants
Map:
City of Brass
City of Brass
Population
4.000.000 (inculding 500.000 Efreet and 1.500.000 Slaves)
Location under
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
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