Dascus

Creatures of Dascus

Here are some details on common creatures, royalty, and political factions in the holy city of Dascus:

• Humans - The most prevalent race, many are devout clergy, monks, and templar knights.
• Dwarves - Stalwart dwarven blacksmiths and architects help build the great temples.
• Elves - A few mystically-inclined elves serve as healers and advisers.
• Rocs - These massive birds of prey are tamed and used as mounts by knights.
• Sphinxes - Wise sphinxes often serve as tutors, guardians and advisers in temples.

Dascus is a city that is built on Strength and Vigor. The strongest live prosperous as well as those who believe in the piety. Others are protected but not treated particularly well. The city has a plaza in the center that serves as an entertainment area for the poor during the day.

Overall citizens of Dascus poor, rich, strong, or weak are considered family and when a faction messes with one of theirs they will face the wrath of the entire city.

Current Royalty of Alavir

Here are some details on common creatures, royalty, and political factions in the holy city of Dascus:

Royalty:

• King Gallus III - Current ruler descended from the holy warrior Gallus the Founder.
• Queen Sybilla - Queen consort known for her charity towards commoners.
• Prince Caius - Heir to the throne, leading military expeditions abroad.
• Princess Velia - The king's youngest pious daughter training to join the priesthood.

Allies:

• The Order of the RADIANT Heart - Legendary paladins allied with Dascus's cause.
• Cloudcity Anu - Airborne city of bird folk that share knowledge and relics.
• Temple of Chalor - Renowned sacred order of monks and healers.

Enemies:

• The Ashen Coven - Cabal of vampires and necromancers looting ancient tombs.
• Rashka the Defiler - Demon pledged to destroy Dascus's hallowed relics.
• Lord Nethys - Rival king with eyes on Dascus's wealth and monuments.
  

Past Kings of Alavir

The ancient city of Dascus was founded in a remote desert valley by the legendary Gallus the Founder, who united the warring human tribes under the banner of the Temple Faith. Gallus built the first hallowed temples and established Dascus as a pious city-state devoted to worship and religious learning. Over centuries, Dascus grew into a major spiritual center ruled by priest-kings and home to sacred orders of monks, crusaders, and mystics.

Throughout its history, Dascus has endured both prosperity and tribulation. Zealous rulers launched holy wars to spread the Temple Faith across the lands, while others sought to conquer new territory and wealth for Dascus.

Temple Faith schisms, corruption scandals amongst clergy, and attacks by heathen forces all challenged the city at times. Yet piety and resilience have allowed Dascus to persist as a bastion of worship and Stacked on ascendency over material concerns. Presently, King Gallus III governs a Dascus that balances religiosity with pragmatism, though shadows of past conflicts, intrigue, and sins still haunt the holy city.

Here is a list of 10 past kings of Dascus along with brief summaries of their accomplishments and failures:

1. Gallus the Founder - Founded the city of Dascus and established its temple fortresses. Struggled to unify the warring tribes.
2. Darius the Wallbuilder - Commissioned the building of Dascus's vast protective walls and aqueducts. Bankrupted the treasury in the process.
3. Simonides the Pious - Established the High Temple and spread faith throughout the kingdom. Was a zealot who persecuted nonbelievers.
4. Titus the Scholar - Founded Dascus's Great Library and expanded access to knowledge. Neglected the kingdom's defenses.
5. Antonius the Warrior - Led Dascus to victory in the Holy Wars but later unleashed the Inquisition to root out heresy.
6. Justinian the Lawgiver - Implemented a code of laws and rights in Dascus. His successors eroded many rights over time.
7. Aurelius the Merchant - Brought great wealth to Dascus through trade but made dubious alliances with greedy merchant guilds.
8. Cato the Martyr - Died heroically defending Dascus from an evil necromancer's undead legions.
9. Cassius the Usurper - Seized power illegitimately but was a strong and popular ruler. His heirs struggled for legitimacy.
10. Gallus II - Reunited Dascus after a period of instability but failed to recover lost territory in the Borderlands.
11. Marcus the Explorer - Sent forth expeditions to faraway lands which brought exotic goods and knowledge to Dascus. However, many lives were lost on these perilous voyages.
12. Nero the Decadent - Embarked on lavish building projects and hedonistic indulgences that drained the treasury. The kingdom declined severely during his reign.
13. Otho the Usurper - Seized the throne in a bloody coup but proved an unstable and cruel tyrant before being assassinated in turn after only 3 years.
14. Vespasian the Restorer - Returned stability to Dascus after Otho's tyranny, though the lingering divisions took generations to fully heal.
15. Hadrian the Wise - Renowned for his wisdom and foresight. Shepherded Dascus through a peaceful era but was unable to name a worthy heir before his death.
16. Pius the Diplomat - Adeptly used diplomacy, marriages, and non-aggression pacts to avoid wars. Considered a weak king by some.
17. Marcus Aurelius II - Reformer king who granted more rights to Dascus's citizens but drew the ire of traditional elites.
18. Severus the Stern - Ruthlessly crushed all opposition and expanded the empire, but his draconian policies and wars drained Dascus's vigor.
19. Philip the Magnificent - Presided over a golden age of culture and learning in Dascus, but prioritized the nobility over the common people.
20. Gallus III - Currently reigning, trying to balance progressive reforms and adherence to tradition. Time will tell what his lasting legacy shall be.