Tyr

The majority of full-time residents are human. Unlike so many Eastern cities, Tyr's population is almost a third fae. Sylphs make up the majority of the non-humans. The largest ethnic group comes from the Highlands. Beyond them, there are also sizable communities of Waldish and Fenilish people of the Forest Sovereignty. Additionally, almost every sizable ethnicity has at least a small pocket in the city somewhere. That is to say nothing of the transient population. More than a million people travel through Tyr annually from all over the continent and beyond.

The city state of Tyr is ruled by the grand duke of Tyr "advised" by the Council of Honorable Tyrian Houses and the Council of Steadfast Tradesman. At least this is the official stance. As in most places, the truth is more complicated. The Tyrian constitution requires that the Honorable Council approve any tax increase by majority vote. After the Great Tool-Down Strike of 945 YST, laws regulating artisans and their wares must be approved by the Steadfast Council. What is encompassed by "regulating artisans and their wares" isn't yet codified. The two councils spend much of their time fighting with one another. This is often used by the grand duke to his advantage. The one thing that all groups agree on is that trade must be allowed to continue so that all may profit.

According to City records, some of the oldest in Tanderia, Tyr has never been captured without inside help. Its greatest defense is its geography. With narrow bends at either end of the canyon, a frontal assault is impossible. Rumors abound of secret entrances into the catacombs cut into the Cliffs, but no one has ever documented such a feature. Outside the city at either end, there is a two to three story wall which seems more to keep merchants from avoiding taxes than preventing a serious attack. Metal grates have been installed to keep people from entering via the Ballenetto River. Some say that the Sylph have attached a machine that generates lightning if the grates are touched. On the plateau above the city are a series of guard towers. A watchman can see for miles across the tableland during the day, and detect campfires even farther at night.

While all cities are in one way or another trade cities, Tyr is focused on the million or so people who travel along the trade route into or out of the Highlands. Inns, food stalls, and livery stables are everywhere and at every price point. Additionally craftsman such as cobblers focus on the needs of travellers.

The largest district in Tyr is the market district. It is a series of ten large squares, five on either side of the river, filled with stalls, carts, and booths. Around the perimeter, more permanent stores, restaurants, and artisans conduct their buisness. Above these are inns and other short term accommodations for traders.

The next largest district is the warehouse district. On the west side of the city, the buildings hold items waiting to be sold on or picked up. As the city grew, the warehouses began to be carved from the canyon. Today these are seen as less desirable and so cheaper.

Almost every ethnic group in Tanderia has an enclave in Tyr. While there are few hostilities between different peoples, most prefer to sleep among their own. Even the Walkenleeder have a somewhat permanent encampment hollowed into the canyon wall.

In every city, there are the less legitimate areas. Tyr is no different. Near the markets, one can find a thriving red lamp district. The guard patrol regularly, but as long as its business stays within the district's boarders, their job is to make sure no travelers get hurt.

In the canyon behind the warehouses is the black market. Even with access to a wider range of goods, it's nothing too spectacular. Rumor holds that one can hire a variety of less than legal professionals here as well.

Tyr has two major points of interest. The first is the great clock above the grand ducal palace. Every hour, a different character carved with spectacular detail appears from one of the many doors. According to the creator, they represent the people of Tanderia. Despite looking like magic, the clock uses complex gears and springs to achieve its delightful show.

The second are the singing cliffs. Wind traveling through the hallowed out canyon creates melodious harmonies. Depending on the angle and velocity of the wind, the tune can sound happy, sad or even haunting. Because it brings people to the city, there is a guild of sylphs who maintain the cliffs. They repair any cracks in the rock and reshape any holes that are creating dissonant notes.

The city is built in a wider area of the Ballenetto River Canyon, just before it opens out beyond the Highland Escarpment. At the widest the canyon is less than half a mile, so the city has resorted to hollowing out the high walls as additional living space. The Ballenetto is a deep but narrow river at this point, crossed by no less than five bridges. Tight bends at either end of the canyon both make the city more defensible and limit its size. It is approximately 1,000 ft from the canyon bottom to the plateau above. According to some scholars, it is the deepest in the world.