Civilization - Cities

"A wonderful place to visit if you don't mind tall buildings that lack stairs..."
- King Sendel of Normidia

Ruler	His Aerial Eminence, Master of the Piramus Council, Doraki Chandok Arantee
Population	9,800
Demographics	Avarian 94%, Human 1%, Dwarven 1%, Elven 1%, Orc 1%, Ogre 1%, Grum 1%
Languages	Avarese 90%, Northern 4%, Elven 3%, Dwarven 3%
Nationality	Avar
National Colors	Blue and white
Year Founded	879
Currency	Avarian
Natural Resources and Manufactured Goods	Lumber, llamas, iron ore, cotton, textiles, wool, cloth products, sugar, coffee, milk, goats, gems
Wealth	Wealthy
Government Type	Aristocracy
Government Stability	Stable
Allies	Ethara, Uthran, Cyrell
Enemies	None
Walled	No
Crime Level	Low
Technology Level	Dark Ages
Primary Religions	Arros
Other Religions	Avarian Pantheon
Climate	Temperate
Terrain	Mountainous

Description

This grand city is not well known by the outside world and few travelers make it up to visit. The most striking characteristic of Piramus is the unmistakable architecture. Most buildings in Piramus are stone, although some are wood, and almost all buildings are lean, sporting several tall towers. The one characteristic which is true of all avarian buildings is that there are no staircases, stair wells or ramps of any kind. Likewise, walls between buildings have no gates. The only way to get around the city is to fly. Doors and balconies can be found on the outsides of buildings are any height above the ground. One simply flies to the level that is needed. All buildings are closed and sealed. Curtain walls around courtyards don’t exist. There’s no need for them. Everyone in this city, most everyone, flies. Most buildings are designed so that they are attractive and impressive as viewed from the air, not the ground. As the largest city in the Avarian nation and the highest altitude city of significant size, Piramus is known as the "City in the Clouds".

Government and Public Establishments

Government building. Doraki Chandok Arantee rules here as Speaker of the Council.

This is a combination of military headquarters and warrior's guild. It also houses the city dungeon. Avarians hate being kept in enclosed spaces and hence an underground prison is the most dreaded of all to the bird folk. Ruled by Flight Commander Ton Verosh.

A large market square and bazaar. The most unique characteristic of this market area is that it is multi-level. Each "platform" specializes in a different commodity. Controlled by Trade Master Harros Mod.

The Gleaming Stone was originally a privately owned fine jewelry shop. With government funding and support, it has become the official city mint and the largest money changer in Piramus. This large, wealthy establishment is run by Lord Juires.

The Sky Guard of Piramus

The peace of Piramus is maintained by the Sky Guard... a force of 500 avarian warriors who patrol the city from the skies. They roam singly and, due to their flight, are able to get anywhere in the city very quickly. The typical sky guard wears studded leather armor, carries a long staff. Each also carries a horn to quickly call other sky guards down from above in case a single guard needs help. Most nobles and institutions maintain their own small security forces as well.

Temples and Shrines

Temple to Arros - Largest temple in all of Avar. Almost all avarians pay homage here. This temple also sits at a higher altitude than any other building in Piramus. Run by the High Priest, Brell Tan Mir.

Temple to Jakita - This temple sits high above the city, second only to the Temple of Arros. Priestess Darus Ken.

Temple to Kirelia - The temple of Kirelia doubles as a small school which teaches sorcery, languages, diplomacy, art, science and literature. A second building on the premises serves as a museum, historical archive and library.

Temple to Setharus - This is the smallest of the five temples. Only three priests run this small church. All three of them are setharin. The roof of this temple serves as the site of all avarian funerals. The dead are burned on a large funeral pyre and the ashes are scattered to the winds. Led by Death Lord Turon Sarx.

Temple to Xyrus - The temple of Xyrus is the lowest building in the city. It is also the only building that has ground level entrances. This small temple is home to seven priests and one high priest (Land Master). In addition to the main temple, the priests of Xyrus operate a large copper mine beneath the church. Many of the poorest avarians find work here toiling in the mines. Land Master Voj.

Unique City Features

A huge wooden building in the shape of a semi-sphere with a 341 meter (1,118 foot) diameter. In this great chamber, aerial battles and competition are played out. The avarians proudly claim that this architectural wonder is the largest wooden structure in the world. A variety of sporting events, festivals and even combat training are held here. The dome can hold an audience of 4000 spectators. The inner surface of the dome is covered in a complex array of tiles that are magically controlled. These tiles can alter color, glow and flip over to reveal great murals across the dome. Often, the tiles are blue and white and arranged in patterns that simulate floating clouds against a bright blue sky.

Important People in Piramus

Doraki is the Speaker for the ruling council of Piramus and, unofficially, the ruler of Avar. He has worked hard to expand and stabilize the borders of Avar and cement international relations. Doraki feels that Avar has stayed isolated from the rest of the world for too long and it is time for them to join the lower realms. However, he faces conservative opponents that fear cultural contamination. Besides politics, Doraki is a musician, a juggler, a chef and a charismatic entertainer with a reputation for good parties. He has a wife and four children.

Indonan is one of the oldest and most respected elders of the Piramus ruling council. He is also one of the most conservative and argues passionately for Avar isolation and cultural purity. He opposes Doraki on many issues.

Venoll is the most talented spell worker within the city of Piramus. He lives alone in a tall grey tower overlooking the city from a nearby peak. On the rare occasions when he comes down from his tower, he associates with the social elite of the city.

Ynrin is the ranking military officer of Piramus, captain of the guard and ruler of the warriors guild.

Ar'tek-Kin is known to Ar'tek by his friends and family. Ar'tek is the master jeweler of Avar. Through out his illustrious career, he has dabbled in magic, traded in fabulous art and priceless curios from distant lands and had his hand in numerous trading associations. These practices, along with a healthy inheritance from his father, has made him the wealthiest citizen of Avar. He has retired now and currently resides in Piramus, although he maintains a home in Skyloft.

A human, some same crazy, who lives in Piramus and lives with the avarians. He dresses as them, uses a magical winged cloak to fly and truly pretends to be an avarian. The local avarians like him and take pity on him. He amuses them. He cleans the streets, repairs buildings, carries messengers and runs errands. He serves five or six wealthy avarian lords. He earns a small wage from each and gets by. No one knows why he dresses with a pretend beak and such. He adamantly refuses to listen to the suggestion that he is human. Councillor Indonan Graffe Chintar indulges Adivos and no avarian wishes to oppose the elder avarian and so everyone leaves Adivos be.

Shops and Guilds

Name and Proprietor	Description
House of the Broken Wing Seril Sangin	Hospital/Apothecary. Run by Seril Sangin, an avarian with a flair for healing magic and a good deal of plant lore. He combines curative spells with healing herbs which he gathers himself. He often claims that there is nothing he can't cure.
Aviary Wincenty	Trading Post - A general store and trading post which sells just about everything. Run by three avarian traders. All three are former adventurers, now retired.
The Blue Raven Brabant	Garment Shop - This once magnificent shop is now run down and in a general state of decline. It has seen less and less business since its proprietor was wounded badly in the left wing and was no longer able to fly. Because of this, Brabant was forced to put a ground level entry into one wall - a shameful thing for an avarian. This is an example of how flight ability affects social status. For non-avarians, they will find surprisingly good cloaks, boots and garments for fabulously low prices. If they don't mind being seen in a "walker's" establishment.
High Aerie Ujlaki	Inn/Tavern.- This is one of the more luxurious inns in the city and undoubtedly the most expensive. It is shaped in the form of a ten story octagonal tower with eight triangular rooms on every level. Each room has a door leading to the outside of the tower with a small balcony. There are no stairs of course. The lower ground level houses the kitchen and main dining room, storage, offices, staff quarters and more.