Founded: Unknown
Government Type: Republic
Leader(s): The Council of Harmony
Population: Unknown
Region: Gypsum Sea coast
Official Language(s): Common
Currency: Gypsum
Overview
Standing on the southern coast of the sprawling Gypsum Sea, Harmony is a major city-state that thrives on its strategic exports of salt and gypsum. These invaluable resources, particularly gypsum, have earned Harmony a distinct place of relevance within Tarisia. Gypsum, coveted for its dual utility as a soil additive and prized ingredient in alabaster and plaster, forms the lifeblood of the city’s economy.
The salt and gypsum trade serves as the city’s lifeline, fueling its prosperity and helping to maintain its autonomy from the other distant city-states. Deep within the dimly lit corridors of Harmony’s gypsum mines overseers, gifted with magic infused symbols of the republic, are tasked with controlling hordes of undead labor, a largely open secret. Harmony’s wealth not only shields it from criticism for this practice, and conquest from its neighbors, but also enables it to remain a bastion of comfort in the surrounding wastelands.
Ruled by The Council of Harmony, a quorum composed of seven priests devoted to Taris, Harmony claims a republic form of government. The current council has remained in power for well over 300 years, leading many citizens to question quietly about the use of corruptive Magic within the quorum’s chamber, and the gaunt skeletal appearance of the priests themselves.
Although not ruled by an iron fisted despot, The Council enforces its own strict form of control by weaving its religious dogma into the fabric of daily life. Their deep socio-economic influence acts as a stranglehold on personal freedoms, and dissent is met with swift retribution. Despite the veneer of collective leadership, the citizens are bound by the Council’s unwavering guidance and far-reaching power.
The city’s architecture reflects the interplay of faith and wealth. Majestic temples dedicated to Taris loom over the city, their alabaster spires reaching for the heavens. Artistry thrives in Harmony, as artisans craft intricate sculptures and ornate plasterwork, showcasing the versatile use of gypsum in both construction and art. The streets of the city are lined with stalls offering an array of gypsum-based creations, from finely detailed sculptures to sturdy building materials.
Harmony, with its salt-encrusted shores and gypsum-rich lands, has forged a unique path amidst the desert’s unforgiving landscape. Its significance in trade, coupled with the influence of The Council, sets it apart as a city-state that thrives through cooperation, control, and the strategic export of its precious resources.