Geography, History & Poltics

History

When Aroden raised the Isle of Kortos from the depths of the Inner Sea and founded Absalom, he called upon the wise and brave from nearby lands to inhabit this new territory and tasked them with guarding the Starstone against any who would attempt to relocate it.

Nobles, merchants, and adventurers flocked to Absalom, particularly from Andoran, Cheliax, Osirion, Qadira, Taldor, and Thuvia.

Absalom, situated at the center of the Inner Sea, quickly became a major hub for trade and commerce. Soon, Absalom evolved into the central city of a modest dominion governed by a council, with the Primarch elected for life as its foremost leader. For this reason, Absalom is often called 'the City at the Center of the World.'

Over four millennia, the city of Absalom has endured numerous attacks but has always managed to resist. Some of these attacks, especially the blockades, left the population starving, but the city stood resilient and steadfast.

As a result, the Great Council decided to establish Escadar, a new town on the nearby island of Erran. Its purpose is to support and maintain Absalom's navy and to send reinforcements to break any blockades.

Later, a second town named Diabel was founded on the Isle of Kortos to handle lesser commercial exchanges. Diabel is a port primarily dedicated to serving fishermen, traders exporting fur and lumber out of Kortos, and smugglers seeking to evade the watchful eye of Absalom.

Geography

The Domain of Absalom is at the center of maritime trade in the Inner Sea. Ideally positioned to become a hub for commercial exchanges between Taldor, Andoran, Osirion, and Qadira, Absalom has become one of the richest cities in the world.

The island of Erran lies north of Kortos, and the most widely spoken human languages on both islands are the same: Taldan, also known as "Common" (spoken in Taldor and Andoran), Osiriani (spoken in Osirion), and Kelish (spoken in Qadira).

Currently

The City of Absalom (about 300,000 inhabitants) is governed by a Grand Council comprising 12 high seats (including that of the Primarch) and a variable number of low seats. The Primarch, elected for life by this council, enjoys more power and privileges than the rest of the council. He is the leader of Absalom.

Currently, Lord Gyr of House Gixx holds the titles of Primarch and Defender of Kortos.

The city of Escadar (about 12,000 inhabitants), located on the island of Erran, is the second most important city of the "Isles of the Starstone." The primary function of Escadar is to serve as the headquarters for Absalom's Navy.

It is a lively city, filled with sailors, soldiers, and smugglers. The city is governed by a Small Council, composed of retired captains and young members who are related to the elders of the Grand Council. This council is located at Council Square, a collection of buildings constructed side by side, where priests of Aroden once addressed the island's civic issues.

In this city lies the "Celestial Menagerie," the main attraction, which you have just left, along with its fearsome proprietor, "Mistress Dusklight."

Abberton is a small, declining community of farmers, ranchers, and crafters who value their independence from Escadar on the other side of the island. Although a hermitage dedicated to Gozeh has stood outside of town for generations, most of Abberton's residents attend the Church of Abadar in town.

The townspeople debate whether their community got its name as a shortening of "Abadartown" or from the name of the founding family—the Abbers—whose descendant, Jae Abber, serves as mayor today. It is also where the circus of "Wayward Wonders" decided to pitch its tent.

Inner Seas Deities