Lavierin

Lavierin
Image
Type	Capital City
Location	Western Așdilu Mountains, southern Baviare Vale
Region	Khamria
Subregion	Baviare Vale
Geographic Area	Așdilu Mountains
Inhabitants	Arânzeni • Oinien
Population	c. 150,000
Significance	Capital of the Arânzeni Confederation and oldest human city in Khamria
Controlled by	Council of Lavierin

Introduction

Lavierin is the capital of the Arânzeni Confederation and the largest city in Khamria. It is carved into the western side of the Așdilu Mountains, at the southern end of the Baviare Vale. Founded in 302 ME, it is the oldest human settlement in Khamria. It has a population of about 150,000 and is the seat of the Council of Lavierin.

Etymology

Derived from the Arânzeni word Lavierinze, meaning "great cliff".

Geography

Lavierin lies in central Khamria, on the western side of the Așdilu Mountains, which enclose the Domain of Yairan. The city is built vertically, with tiered districts cut into the mountain. Most of it is underground. The Binzir Hills lie to its northwest.

Two Deep Roads begin at Lavierin. The Lav-Lep Deep Road runs west toward Lepigisţil, and the Lav-Gar Deep Road runs northeast to Gareag.

History

Lavierin stands on the site of a Namuril settlement built during the Great Erosion. When the Great Erosion ended, the Namuril sealed the Gates of Origin and left the Baviare Vale.

The ancestors of the Arânzeni entered Khamria in 300 ME and founded Lavierin in 302 ME among the abandoned Namuril structures. It was the first permanent human settlement in Khamria. Loarpie, an architect and Yacinsain, was an early figure in the city and is credited with shaping its civic law.

The Yacinsains emerged in about 310 ME and were formalized as an order in 325 ME, when they established their archive in the Ierigiț Vaults. The Council of Lavierin was founded in 340 ME as the governing body of the city, and the Guzirias were founded with it as its military order.

Oinien tunnels from Orinilure reached Lavierin by way of Gareag in 372 ME and became the Lav-Gar Deep Road. The Lav-Lep Deep Road was opened in 431 ME. The roads opened trade with Orinilure and brought Oinien to live in the city.

In 389 ME a force of Mundari crossed into the Baviare Vale and attacked the approaches to the city. The attack was turned back at the Arlindu Gate, which the Namuril had built during the Great Erosion. Afterward the Arânzeni built the fortified district of Arigiterlic beyond the gate. It was completed in about 400 ME.

When the Arânzeni Confederation was formed in 450 ME, Lavierin became its capital, and the Council of Lavierin took authority over the Confederation as a whole.

The Ziplițic District was added in 640 ME, as trade with peoples outside Khamria grew.

The collapse of Lainer Station in 781 ME closed the Lav-Lep Deep Road for several years and cut the city's western route.

Districts

Oispiún District

Oispiún District is the political and ceremonial center of the city. It is built around the Grand Hall of Yairan and houses the chambers of the Council of Lavierin. Public access is limited.

Sainace District

Sainace District is the main residential and market district, made up of tunnels, plazas, and dwellings in the central tiers of the city.

Iacângeni District

Iacângeni District holds the city's archives. Its tiered vaults surround the Ierigiț Vaults and are inscribed with laws, genealogies, and geological records. It is home to the Yacinsains. Entry to the inner archives requires their permission.

Loar's Refuge

The Grand Hall of Yairan

Loar's Refuge is a cavern district used for public ceremonies and events. It is named for Loarpie.

Stonesteps

The Stonesteps are a spiral stair of obsidian glass cut into the wall of a vertical chasm. They are used for the trials of those seeking to join the Guzirias.

Biașirisă district

Biașirisă district is the outermost district and gives access to the city's quarries. It is inhabited by stonecutters and by Oinien tunnelers.

Arigiterlic

Arigiterlic is the defensive and logistics district around the Arlindu Gate. It houses the Guziria barracks and the city's storehouses.

Ziplițic District

Ziplițic District houses visitors, traders, and emissaries from outside Khamria. It is a later addition to the city.

Notable Locations

Gates of Origin

The Gates of Origin are the only known entrance to the Domain of Yairan. The Namuril sealed them at the end of the Great Erosion, and they have not been opened since.

Grand Hall of Yairan

The Grand Hall of Yairan is the chamber where the Council of Lavierin meets.

Ierigiț Vaults

The Ierigiț Vaults are the civic archives of the city, maintained by the Yacinsains. They hold legal, genealogical, and historical records going back to its founding.

Chamber of Vows

The Chamber of Vows is a room in the Oispiún District where oaths are sworn and pacts are sealed.

Arlindu Gate

The Arlindu Gate is the fortified outer entrance to the city, built of interlocking stone slabs without mortar. It is guarded by Guzirias.

Culture and Society

Lavierin is governed directly by the Council of Lavierin. It is the most formal and conservative of the Arânzeni cities, and civic decisions follow precedent. The Guzirias and the Yacinsains hold the city's main ceremonial and administrative roles.

The principal festival is Ioriea, a celebration of Yairan that marks the new year.

Most inhabitants are Arânzeni. A community of Oinien lives in the Biașirisă district.

Spiritual Significance

Lavierin stands beside the Domain of Yairan, and earth spirits are often encountered in its caverns and halls. The Arânzeni hold that it is one of the few places where Yairan can be heard through the stone. The Ascendant Spirit Yala is invoked in archival and legislative rites.

Economy

The economy of Lavierin is based on quarrying, stonecraft, and the mineral trade. Much of its trade is with Oinien settlements and travels by the Deep Roads.

Defense and Military

Lavierin is protected by the Așdilu Mountains and by its position inside them. It is defended by the Guzirias, who practice the Path of Yairan, the branch of Osia concerned with earth, and can use it to alter terrain in battle.

Dangers and Threats

The main natural hazard is seismic activity. Tremors are rare and are regarded by some Arânzeni as warnings from Yairan.

Notable Individuals

• Loarpie, architect and Yacinsain
• Gire Bialse, leader of the Guzirias and member of the Council of Lavierin
• Bavisle Aită, historian