Calabras

Calabras Trade City is a massive city-state on the continent of Tamariel. The city has it's own government which is divided up between the noble houses, and the guild houses. The city is a massive, three tier structure built around a central pillar that holds up the top and mid layers. The city has been built over the centuries, building the new on top of the old. The city also has deep structures built deep under the city, originally as shelters from the enemies that the citizens faced long ago.

Founding
The city was originally founded by a nobleman known as Azzro Ugo Calabras, to be a central place of open trade and without influence of the powers from the southern areas of Tamariel. With a group of 13 families of influence, the original city of Calabras was created. Azzro lead with a keen mind and level hand, and kept the city and the families in line, and made their fortunes flow. However, eventually Azzro passed, and left no heir. Because of this, the families decided to not name a new leader, instead they established the Parliament, where the nobles congregate to pass the laws of the city.

The Guilds Form
After several centuries of prosperity and financial gain, the city began to suffer from the strife associated with people from different lands all coming with their own view how things should be carried out. As a result, the different views gathered into groups, and the first guilds were formed. Because of the business savvy of the guild members, they quickly amassed a fortune, and gained considerable power.

The City Strife
Eventually, the noble families, with their power being challenged by the guilds, took military action. They began a process of seizing facilities and means of production that the guilds used. This was thought to curtail the influence of the guilds, however, the noble families failed to understand just how much power and influence the guilds had managed to amass during their time active. In response to the noble families' actions, the guilds unveiled their own armed forces and retaliated, which sparked the Calabras Civil War.

Law is Restored
As the war tore through the city, a group from both the noble and guild sides did not see this ending well, and united to stop the war. They eventually forced both sides to enter a peace talks, as a result, the war ended, and the group that banded together to stop the war became the first generation of Judge Knights. The peace accord that was eventually agreed upon returned much of the assets taken by either side to their original owners, and it also made the Judge Knights the sole power and authority to enforce the laws of the city. The nobles would create the laws, and the Judges would enforce it. The guilds would continue to run most of the services that allowed the city to operate and keep the trade going.

Recent Events
A group of Imperial Inquisitors from the Hawkthorn Empire arrived on assignment to hunt down wild mages that had been causing trouble in the city. Their investigations eventually lead them after a soul scarred mage who was leading a movement to challenge the laws of the land against unlicensed magic use. To that end, he would raise a titanic metal golem to attack the city. This massive battle would heavily damage sections of the city, and killed hundreds. The devastation was blunted due to the inquisitors aiding in the city's defense, and kept the defensive shielding spells up. The battle ended and the golem was left motionless on the outskirts of the city, and the mage was dead. The inquisitors were hailed as heroes, and the Empire, the nobles, and the guilds all granted them boons for their work.

The After Effects
The city's landscape has changed due to the mage's attack. The Horologium (the clockwork guild) gained wide notice of the people and reaped considerable power and influence for their part in the battle against the golem. Their inventions of the Null Magic Firearms and the Rune Cannons made them highly sought out for their technological prowess. The other guilds also saw an increase in their influence, by contrast, the noble houses saw their power weaken, as the people saw them as ineffectual in preventing the attack.

Religion in the City
The people of the city follow the Church of the Empire, which worships the Three Tamariel Gods. The Gods are the divine trinity consisting of Abacaius, the Holy Scales, keeper of the Balance. Justicar, the Holy Avenger, Wrath of the Gods, and the Upholder of the Law. Lastly is the Punisher, Castigaius, the One Who Reaps the Unworthy. These three make up the only recognized gods of Tanmariel after the God Cleansing centuries ago.

City Layout
The city is laid out into three tiers built around a central pillar. The Low City is what could be loosely called the original city originally built over a millennia ago, the Mid City is the first plate on the pillar where the guild houses and nobles live. Lastly, the High City is where the members of Parliament live, along with the Lyceum of Law and Order.

Low City
Low City is a large, roughly circular area that is divided into 12 sectors where the guilds are known to have power. Many people who live here are workers or the destitute, though there is plenty of work to be had for those who wish to work their ways up.

The Guilds
The Guild houses of Calabras are a group of merchants that provide services in the city that allow it to operate. There are 12 guilds that run most of the day to day operations in the city, and as such, hold a lot of influence and power, which brings them into conflict with the noble houses who see their traditions and station as the way things should be run.

Locations of Note
The Hall of Law - located in the Upper City, where the Judge Magisters pass judgement on offenders. Also the location where the original Common Law Canon was created and stored. Headquarters of the Knight Judges.

The Lyceum of Order - a wizards' college of study, producing some of the finest Law Mages in the world. Focuses on the magic that brings order and enforces laws. Many mages also become negotiators and middlemen when one needs a third party during disputes. Neutral when dealing with other forces.

The Stacks - the unofficial name of the Hall of Tomes, a library that extends deep underground of the city, protected by many layers of defense.

The Smelthouse - a local tavern in the trade district of the lower city where the metalworks are located.