Aaqa

Geography

The city-state of Aaqa is floatting in the elemental plane of air. Though many dangerous flying beasts dwell around the city, small floatting islands surround the walled city of Aaqa itself, farmlands cover those smaller islands, supporting the city and benefiting from its protection.  

Description

Hawk District

The Hawk District is a relatively new part of the city and is still undergoing construction, particularly along the edge of the city, where large bridge extend the city beyond the border of the floatting island. The district is full of scaffolding and construction equipment. Laborers carry block of granites through the wind currents and raise the frames of new houses anchored by large build while armed guards keep an eye on the surroundings for signs of trouble.  

Elder tempest District

The oldest area in the city, the Elder Tempest District is adjacent to the royal palace known as the Seat of Genies, and it is populated exclusively by nobles and the wealthy elite.  

The Tea Shop

The oldest tea shop in Aaqa was simply called the “Tea Shop” when it was built hundreds of years ago, and so it remains known to this day. The shop is decorated with hundreds of teacups arrayed on shelves; many cups bear the names of famous past patrons, adventurers, nobles, and royals.   The owner, a talkative, neutral air genasi noble named Bi Chin-Hae, greets everyone who enters, offering to prepare them a pot of buckwheat or jujube tea.  

Baduk Hall

The baduk hall is three blocks away from Chin-Hae’s tea shop. Characters who have proficiency in Performance know baduk is a game of strategy played on a board using black and white pieces. Additionally, baduk halls are popular gathering places, particularly for old or noble families.   At the baduk hall, dozens of pairs of players concentrate at tables covered in circular, black and white pieces.  

Haetae District

The Park of the Elders, in the Haetae District, is a beautiful public space devoted to walking and peaceful contemplation. It features a stately monument to the late Queen Young-Soo, aunt to Queen Jin-Mi.    

Earth Gardens

The Elder Tempest district meets the Haetae district in the earth gardens. Trees hides the walls of surrounding building from view, creating the Illusion of being in a forest clearing. A pond dominates the center of the garden, with a pavilion overlooking the water. The place is a serene sanctuary, hidden from the clamor of the surrounding city.  

The Seat of Genies

In the center of Aaqa stands the Seat of Genies, the palace that houses the royal family and government. The outer palace walls are a brilliant red, and the drawbridge over the moat is always open to allow citizens to enter. Important ceremonies take place in the castle courtyard, where Queen Jin-Mi can often be seen greeting her people.  

Air river

Strong air current flows through the city and around Aaqa's walls and is an essential part of the city. The air river carry even the heavier material and create a natural protection for the city. The riverbank holds a bright community of market stalls, colorful art, traders, peddlers, tinkers, and vendors of food and drink.   On official holidays, people gather along the riverbank to throw ribbons into the air river, play games along the shore, and celebrate with good food. However, these gatherings sometimes turn ugly, with fights breaking out due to muggings and territorial disputes arising among merchants. Cautious vendors often hire guards to protect them from trouble.  

Society

Djinn, Air genasi and Aarakocra are the most populous folk in Aaqa. Languages. The city’s official language is Primordial, though most citizens are also fluent in Common.  

Government

Aaqa’s residents believe in sacrifice for the good of the community. One must work selflessly, listen to one’s elders, and act according to one’s status for Aaqa to prosper. Structure is the central pillar of society. Class structure and family structure are key components of life within the city. Change is possible, but usually only when it’s driven by members of the royal family or the noble families. Queen Jin-Mi sits at the apex of the social order, followed by the noble elite, the various ranks of government magistrates, and the heads of each family.  

Rule by Magistrates

The city-state of Aaqa is ruled by the beloved Queen Jin-Mi, a djinn said to be descended from the city’s founder and first ruler, the Djinn Mireu. The bureaucracy surrounding her consists of officials known as magistrates, who govern the city-state and enforce its laws. Those who aspire to become magistrates must undergo the exams—known collectively as the Test of Ascension—that take place each spring. These tests are notoriously difficult, and typically only those wealthy enough to afford Time to study and special tutoring pass. Still, many less affluent but dedicated students have used this path to change their social status. Even non-citizens are allowed to take the test if they show proper respect for the process.  

Culture

The people of Aaqa are proud of their traditions and welcoming to those who respect their ways.  

Law

The city boasts a military forces. Use the Guard Arrival Times table to determine how long it takes for guards to arrive at a location after a crime or similar incident is reported.    

Valour

Family live in compounds that often hold every member of the family, organized with its own hierarchy and led by a designated elder. When people meet, they exchange family information before personal details, and the few folk in the city who have no family—whether they were ejected from a family or never adopted into one—are viewed with sympathy.   When people marry—whether for love or for social or political reasons, both of which are considered equally valid—they must choose which partner’s family they will belong to after the union. In rare cases, a new couple decides to establish their own family, though they often face judgment from their birth families.  

Names

Family comes first in Aaqa, and thus an individual’s family name is spoken before their given name. The royal family is an exception—they have no family name, since it is expected that everyone should know them at first glance.   Given names in Aaqa typically have two syllables. Within each family, siblings and cousins of the same generation often share one syllable of their name. For example, a couple might have a son named Ji-Min and a daughter named Ji-Yun. The head of the family chooses each new child’s name. The following are examples of common Aaqa names:   Family Names. Bae, Chun, Ha, Ju, Seong   Feminine. Gyung-Won, Hana, Ji-Yun, Su-Min, Yun-Hi   Masculine. Do-Won, Gang-Min, Habin, Ji-Min, Oh-Seung   Gender-Neutral. Haneul, Han-Sol, Ji-Su, Si-Won, Yu-Min  

History

Thousands of years ago, the great djinn Mireu founded the city-state.  

Notable members