Hamanu’s laws, called Hamanu’s Code, are strict and innumerable, covering almost every conceivable aspect of life in Urik. It relies on punishment in kind and emphasizes loyalty to the king and his templars. The Code stands unsurpassed in the Tyr Region for utility, comprehensiveness, and ruthlessness. Templars enforce Hamanu’s laws and handle the day-today bureaucracy including taxes, specify holidays, set standards for construction and artistry, and dictate family arrangements such as weddings, care for elders, and funerals. Nobles manage the farms and water supplies, free citizens engage in business and try to remain free, and slaves provide the muscle to get everything else done. The templars insist that Hamanu’s Code is a divine gift, a blessing that the sorcerer-king bestowed upon his people so they could prosper and grow. In truth, the laws are oppressive and jealously guard the prerogatives of the king, his templars, and the noble classes. Common Urikite citizens understand that the Code exists to protect the powerful, but they dare not grumble. The only good thing that can be said of the draconian laws is that they discourage street crime. In recent weeks, the fall of Kalak of Tyr has upset Hamanu’s delicate balance by proving that sorcerer-kings who rule for centuries might be mortal after all. Hamanu believes that he has nothing to fear from his subjects, but he knows that Urik’s fortunes depend on trade with other cities. If unrest spreads beyond Tyr, even Urik might suffer. Thus, Hamanu’s templars keep an eye on developments in the Free City and pay for information from spies in Tyr, including the mul stonecutter Xalos. From his fortress, Hamanu can personally send more than ten thousand slave soldiers led by a thousand lancecarrying half-giants into battle. Whether their status is slave or mercenary, all of these soldiers are extremely loyal to Hamanu, for he trains with them personally almost every day. One of the most interesting aspects of Hamanu’s army is his company of halflings. He has worked out an agreement with Chief Urga-Zoltapl whereby Urik supplies him with a certain quantity of obsidian in return for the services of two hundred halfling warriors. Hamanu uses these halflings to disrupt his opponent’s rear areas by having them infiltrate during the night to attack the tents of rival commanders, destroy supply wagons, and free his enemy’s slaves.
“I am Hamanu, King of the World, King of the
Mountains and the Plains, King of Urik, for whom
the roaring winds and the mighty sun have decreed a
destiny of heroism, and to whom the life-giving waters
and nourishing soils have entrusted the mightiest city of
Athas.
The Great Spirits of the bountiful lands raised me
from my childhood, instructing me in the art of war, how
to give the signal for the skirmish, and when to draw up
the line of battle. They made my arms powerful against
my enemies, who have always been many, and gave me
weapons to strike off the heads of those whom I fight.
They made of me a man who cannot be killed, and a
general who cannot be defeated.
I am Hamanu of Urik, The Great King, The Mighty
King, King of the World, King of Athas, an unrivaled
potentate who holds sway from the great Ringing
Mountains to the shores of the endless Sea of Silt, the
bringer of death and peace, to whom all must submit.”
- Hamanu, King of Urik
Population: 32,000 (75% human, 5% dwarf, 3% mul, 2% elf, 1% half-elf, 10% half-giant, 3% thri-kreen, 1% halfling). Natives called “Urikites” or the slightly derogatory “Uri.”
Emblems: Hamanu’s face; Hamanu in battle dress; Hamanu surrounded by red fire; and so on.
Economy: Obsidian; water; slaves; silk; pottery.
Located in the hilly region northeast of Tyr, between the Dragon’s Bowl and the Smoking Crown Mountains, the square, clean lines of the city-state of Urik can be found. Urik sits in a fertile belt maintained by careful irrigation from deep wells. Grain fields and fruit-bearing orchards surround the city-state in neat rows. Urik gleams, its stone walls steeped in yellow pigment made from the sulfurous waters of the nearby Lake of Golden Dreams. Statues of bold, bipedal lions march to war across its walls. Lion heads carved from stone serve as merlons atop the dizzying walls, where sentries stand guard, bows never far from their hands. As much an imposing fortress as it is a city-state, Urik is protected by intimidating walls and fearless defenders. Four gates offer access to the city. The Slave Gate sees heavy traffic, including caravans bound to and from the obsidian mines in the Smoking Crown. Nobles and templars enter and exit through High Gate, and most other visitors pass in and out through the Obsidian Gate and the King’s Gate. Half-giant guards, archers, and war templars staff the towers at each gate and rigorously question all who enter.
Most of Urik is a place of straight roads
and clean lines. Bricks pave the streets. In most districts,
houses and buildings are uniform, nearly identical except
for writing that designates the function or owner. A visitor
unaccustomed to Urik’s style can easily become lost. In
addition, one finds Hamanu’s likeness everywhere. The
yellow and white glazed walls feature brilliant murals that
capture the Mighty King’s many exploits. The sorcererking has spared no expense in ensuring that the people
do not forget who rules.
The hills surrounding Urik are mostly barren, but
extensive irrigation transforms the land into arable soil.
Grain fields, orchards, and vineyards create surprising
greenery beneath the looming brown hills. Four roads
emerge from the city-state and cross this verdant tract. The
wide, winding Obsidian Way climbs toward the Smoking
Crown and Urik’s obsidian mines. The High Road leads
west toward Makla, Urik’s most important client village.
The Trade Way travels south to the Silver Spring Oasis,
and the Road of Kings travels east to Raam.
If you visit Urik, be very careful to obey all of Hamanu’s
laws and keep some gold hidden securely away just in
case you must bribe a templar for your freedom. Few
fates are worse than being sold into slavery to work in the
quarry pits. The sharp edges of the glassy stone will slice
your fingers, hands, and arms to a point of uselessness
within days