Imali

Lying at the southernmost reaches of the Icari Desert, from the outskirts of Imali the hazy fringes of the many-hued land can be seen. And sometimes when the sun is harsh, dark silhouettes are glimpsed over the breeze-blown hemp fields, picking their furtive way along that wavering horizon. A shadowy reminder that the desert is a haven for those who find the hand of Imperatry rule too heavy. Still, within these verdant agricultural borders Imali might seem little more than a dense cluster of tall mud-brick buildings, their plaster streaked with grey-green discolourations where the weather has had its way. Not grand, but secure. And at the height of languorous summer eves, even idyllic.

Region: Roetia, Haedrasia.
Total Population: 1,596.
Demographics: 92% Haedrasian, 8% Kelorn.
Government: Temple Dominion under Astius Ortillus Gaenias.
Wealth: Prosperous (6).
Tech. Level: Imperial (6).
Major Industry: Agriculture (hemp, bamboo), herding (dromah), fine jewellery.
Major Religions: Imperatry Temple (7).

Built around the elbow of the road leading west to Lortellis and south to the Avion/Gaius fork, and along the south bank of the River Scolia, at a shallow point in the Scolia valley, where the river is broad and lazy, Imali now bridges the river in several places. Though the northern bank is less densely settled, and poorer, it also offers more flat land for the town's future. The south bank is home to the paved highroad, and at the far western end of the south bank the Western Temple, with its dome of burnished copper and its broad columns, is both the spiritual and secular centre of the town. The highroad to the east is flanked by fields of hemp, bamboo, corn and barley. To the south the road climbs out of the Scolia valley, and loose-fleshed brahma graze on the slopes.

From the temple the highroad stretches into the heart of town, where the typical brick buildings are tall and plastered in a pale mustard yellow. The central plaza is surrounded by businesses servicing travellers, including a number of general stores, grocer, seamstresses, and some modest sized stables with attached smithy. Homes turn their backs to the highroad, and look either south out over the hills where the brahma graze, or north to the river, and at the three stout bridges crossing it. And here the restaurants and shrines service the folk of the south bank and their trader guests.

At the southern extent of the town the Castra Lucillia, a gatehouse with a small garrison attached, arcs over the highroad. And though Imali is unwalled, it both counterpoints the Western temple at the other end of town, and its elevation offers a commanding view of the Scolia valley to the east and west, and beyond to the fringes of the Icari Desert.

The north bank is home to the subject peoples of Imali who work as labour in the stables and as servers in the restaurants, as well as poorer Haedrasians and the old, inform, and crippled. Here there are streets of more ill repute, and some have turned the lower levels of their homes to drinking dens where they brew throat-burning spirits and sing raucously into drunken nights. It is sometimes whispered that robbers from the desert creep into town in the dark of night to trade stolen goods for supplies in these shadowy dens of debauchery.

Known for its jewellers, Imali brooches and torcs adorn folk of wealth and status as far as the capitol. Its hemp is produced in generous volume, and it is sold to passing great house traders who ship it west to the less temperate lands to the north. In return precious metals and gems come in heavy lock-boxes from the far east. Corn and barley are dried in silos on the outskirts of town in great bamboo silos, and brahma are slaughtered and salted for their gamy meat and wrinkled leather.

Locations of Interest


The Western Temple
The gleaming orange dome of the mud-yellow Western Temple is adorned perpetually with creaking bamboo scaffolding, because labourers toil weekly to keep the beaten copper from turning green.

Oscan's Emporium
The most copious and varied of Imali's tradehouses is Oscan's Emporium. A grand building with vaulted ceilings, packed with all of the wonders and oddities that the proprietor Oscan Isobi has come across.

The Overseer's Palace
On the hills overlooking the Western Temple, sitting low against the shoulder of the hills, a the Overseer's Palace is a sprawling walled plaza of darker plaster than the rest of the town.

Jewel of the Desert
The Jewel of the Desert is a colourfully named dealer in jewellery. The folk of Imali have little call for jewellery, so the Jewel is not a shop, but rather a consortium sponsored by Orange House agents employed to assemble shipments of Imali jewellery.

Bulronus Plantation
Scarcely a mile from the western reaches of Imali, the Bulronus Plantation is the largest and wealthiest of the hemp plantations of the region.

Notable Groups and Individuals


First Brother Astius Ortillus Gaenias, Governor of Imali
Ostensibly the ruler of Imali is Astius Ortillus Gaenias, a local-born templar with a modest record of service with the legions, and an admirably austere approach to his convictions.

Brother Intentes Kobuda, Keeper of the Law
It is said in Haedrasia, in more cynical circles, that if corruption runs deep enough it becomes law. It is also said that a man who does too little to advertise his price is not for sale. Intentes Kobuda is a man who those who need to know, know that they can buy. But for the welcome this offers the Orange House, the fact his loyalty can be bought might arguably benefit Imali.

Salina Damasia
Known socialite Salina is a known socialite. A lean, older lady with a perpetually sour expression and puckered mouth, she is every inch as disapproving as a glance at her might suggest.

Oscan Isobi
Portly, bright eyed, and almost impossibly energetic, Oscan is the proprietor of the eclectic Oscan's Emporium.

Darius Kamunut
Living in a tumbledown house in the subject district of the north bank, Darius once numbered amongst the vain and valiant Turcopoli. Now a cripple winesot thanks to a ruined knee, he has been reduced to something far more pitiful.