Zafiro
The Land:
The land that embodies the kingdom of Epanse is a mixture of lush plains and inhabited Skylands. Zafiro lies on one such Skyland.
The City:
The city is situated atop a large Skyland, taking up every inch of land to its edges. It is a city of divine opulence that is easily recognized as a monument to self-serving hedonism upon arrival. The lower class area is still quite beautiful if not a bit rundown but constantly being renovated by the city. The upper-class area might as well line their streets with gold and diamonds and bathe in the finest of wines before dumping it off the side of the Skyland. This opulence leads up to the monarch’s castle, which towers over the rest of the city. The monarch’s throne hall resides at the top of the spire which uses a floatwood elevator to traverse its many floors.
The People:
The population of Zafiro is a mix of humans and elves, all partaking in the opulent delights that can be found around every corner. There is a deep class divide in this city however, the lower class work day in and day out while having their income taxed heavily. While these taxes do eventually go towards city projects that improve the lives of the lower class, the expenses can mostly be seen when entering the noble area of the city. The projects that improve lower-class life only come to fruition so often as to barely hold back the disdain of the citizens.
The nobles spend their wealth and time on hedonistic delights, regularly throwing huge parties and orgies filled with the city's richest and most beautiful people. This is especially a delight for the elves, who are by nature a particularly beautiful race. The nobles hold an oppressive economic grip on the lower class that is only further enforced by the bureaucracy that the monarchy has put in place. The rich get richer, and the poor get fucked, and not in a fun way, but at least it comes with a gift basket in the way of public works.
The Government:
The ruling government of Zafiro and Epanse consists of a monarchy and its bureaucratic support system in place to enforce taxes on the lower class. The current ruling monarch is a half-elf male by the name of Gerome Gounelle LaChance II, first of his race to grace the throne as the previous monarch fathered a child with an elven woman. This king is a young one, only 18 years of age. This is because his mother was assassinated, and soon after his father took his own life. A grim reality for the city of opulence, he has spent the past five years learning what it means to be a ruler. As much as you can learn from a position that grants you nothing but power and wish-fulfillment. The nobles and bureaucrats don’t give much mind as long as their power is upheld and their orgies aren’t interrupted.
Criminals:
The city of Zafiro is ripe for corruption and crime, the slave trade and drug traffic brought in by the Void Community thrive here. This city is a juicy pocket of gold that supplies the criminal organization with a steady flow of cash for the work that they are experts in. The Void Community has deep roots in this city, and aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Trade:
While Epanse spends most of its time importing goods and “services”, they do have a primary export that brings them a steady income. The beauty of the city has made it a home for artists and creatives who come here to live and sell their works. They sell them to other kingdoms to decorate their throne halls with a semblance of the beauty of the kingdom of Epanse.