The Yirdem Empire was an empire residing in Layqasot over 200 years ago until it was invaded by O'koll and decimated.
Culture
The Yirdem Empire was a part of Tondem and a lot of its values derived from there as the first settlers on Layqasot were Tondemites.
They are more secluded and a lot of them are suspicious of outsiders and adventurers alike. They keep their traditions and ways of life rather private which is why they are very old fashioned and traditional in many ways. Even though they are a big city on the island, every neighbourhood has an aura of a small village where everyone knows everyone.
People tend to be very social with those whom they have good relations with and good relations, as well as bad, most likely last generations. You're either a friend of the household or you're not a friend at all.
Giving someone your word is a very serious promise and if you do not uphold it yourself, your family or family friends are to do so. This also means that family friends and family can easily exclude you to save either themselves or you from being shunned from the neighbourhood.
The physical remains from the Empire are mainly the architectural style, which the inhabitants are very firm on keeping. They do this by only employing Tondemite architects to plan the residences, even though the O'koll Government raise buildings in the Okollesh Style, which is a lot more square and doesn't make use of the water canals leading from the middle of the house and out into the street, where it is being led away from the village in a managed fashion that takes the yearly monsoons into consideration. The canals used to lead out of the front door in the middle, which means a lot of older elves and dwarves especially used to walk with their legs slightly spread as if they'd ridden a horse for too long.
The Okollesh style has not ruined the canals yet, but they might if too many are compiled in the same area with no compensation for the water.