The Grand Imperial City of Mifora
| Government |
|---|
| Oligarchy |
| Organizations |
| Bruised But Not Broken, Sulla Arena, Rhes Haghed, Companions of Elric, Kasarian Embassy, Abjura Dolana, Buel Vitta Society, Resa's Rest |
| Temples |
| All gods |
| Merchant Houses |
| Abraxis Combine, Bowman-Outersea Cereals & Commodities, House Ditta, Thal Lithel, Thal Sivale. |
Forever in competition with the metropolis of Midtal, The Grand Imperial City of Mifora claims that if, and that’s a big if, it isn’t the largest city in the world then at least it’s the most cultured and most refined. Ever since the early days it has styled itself the city of refinement and good taste. If it’s not from here then it can’t be much. Recently the inhabitants have been referring to their city as GICOM, it's unclear if it will stick.
It might be the capital of Mifora but it sees itself very much as an independent entity (even if reality would disagree here) and the proud inheritor of the Miforan Empire.
Locations
The city is built on both banks of the Vius river right before it empties into the Sarodin Sea. Nine bridges connect the left and right side of the city which is divided up into fourty four administrative wards.
Ancee Museum
Count Gallisson Ancee was a great lover of art and rumored to be an illegitimate child of the emperor. When the city grew and the wharves were moved, he bought the largest of them and had it converted into a grand museum by no less than three architects; one dwarf, one elf, and one gnome. When he died without heir, his testament declared that his fortune was to be used to keep the museum the foremost center of art in the world and be the meeting hall for the Buel Vitta Society.
Baseborn & Fowlingpiece, Solicitors at Law
Representing the accused and smoothing over life's little wrinkles since 1149. The city's most famous lawyers can be found, not at all accidentally, a block away from Mulsa Palace.
Benthic College
This radical seat of higher learning is one of the city's most advanced universities. They cover many subjects but mostly the experimental. Their building is the sturdiest in the country and explosions and strange magical phenomenon are something the neighbors have gotten used to.
Cathedral of Valor
The largest center of worship to Heironeous in the world is known for its flying buttresses and statues of saints. Its tower is the tallest structure in the city and contains the grand carillon made up of no less than 77 bronze bells. For some reason someone always leaves a wagon filled with hay around the place.
Clouds Bridge
One of the newest marvels in the city, this bridge was recently completed and is already famous worldwide for how its middle part can be lifted up quite high to let any ships pass.
Comedia Mifora
One of the oldest theaters in the world, it claims to have seated every single Miforan Emperor and Empress. Though it started life as a venue for comedies to 'amuse the populace' over time it has staged many different kinds of plays, including some quite anti-establishment ones. These days it is the home of the Upstart Crows, the theater company of famed playwright Ben Stirapple.
Cuto's Cavern
This rather dark tavern across the way from the Comedia Mifora is a favorite hangout of many of the cognoscenti of GICOM. Nowadays droves of people come here just to catch a glimpse of the many artists, bards, writers, and thinkers that frequent the place.
End of Emperors Square
Formerly known as Sevso Square, it used to contain a huge statue of emperor Paneg Sevso on horseback, celebrating his first victories. In Imperial times state holidays and victories were celebrated here with large parades. When the empire fell this is where the revolutionaries camped down after coming into the city. The statue was destroyed and later replaced with the Fountain of the People, built with the very stones of the statue. The permanent gallows at the northern end see little hanging action but are used daily as a platform for anyone to orate and debate on any topic.
High Bridge Lane Arena
This imposing wooden building is where Sulla Arena holds daily prize fights. These have become so popular that they expanded seating and moved their training facilities to two buildings just outside the city. Hetwoman Axa Galmiir hails from the Godfall and is a former adventurer of some repute.
Kargis' Lighthouse
Officially named the Prince Argus Sevso Lighthouse, it is now only known under it's other moniker, named for Zora Kargis, the famous architect. This was her magnum opus, after having designed many more buildings in the city. Built on an artificial island in Corzon Bay right where the Vius river ends, this tall tower tapers to a special housing that contains special lenses created in Baltur of old. Magic is normally used to light the beacon but more mundane options are available when needed.
Life near Death
The largest market in the city started next to the main cemeteries. Over time the market grew and started to incorporate dry goods next to the food stalls that were there from the start. The city started burying its dead elsewhere but a small cemetery remains, dwarfed by a market that is now several city blocks in size.
Mifora Bulletin
Founded shortly after the revolution by the canny Esther Ridgeway, this newspaper is still owned by her family. It is one of the few papers with international corespondents who will use expensive magic to report news if it is important enough. They publish a daily GICOM edition and weekly international edition. The latter are usually over thirty pages and so popular that they are still read months later in countries far from Mifora.
Mulsa Palace
This former palace can be found between the riverbank and End of Emperors Square. It now houses the State Convocation where representatives from all the shires run the country on those rare moments where they aren't insulting and berating each other.
Price Price Imperial Warehouse
Don't let the bombastic name fool you; this is a relatively new business, started not even fifty years ago. Better known as PPIW, it has revolutionized shopping. The company has many caravans on the road, visiting all cities (and some villages) as often as weekly, carrying their most sold wares. But the innovation lies in the fact that anyone can order any product in PPIW's catalogue which will then be delivered by the next caravan.
Summerset College
This wealthy university college contains the largest temple to Boccob in the world on its grounds, see below. Beyond magical theory they are also word-class in subjects like engineering, applied mathematics, law, and more.
Sweet As Honey
Owned by the Boulé family, the best candies you have (n)ever tasted can be found here. Honey from the best apiaries in the country is used for an astouding array of sweets. This includes the common sugared fruits but also fennel flavored 'cushions', honey-lemon 'suckers', and marvelous creations like miniature castles made of sugar-work.
Notable People
- Alexander Todger (Provost [Mayor])
- Charles Dimm (chief of police)
- Russel Sulliver (private investigator)
- Fiona Lamb (sage, history)
- Jack Outend (sage, monsters)
- Rose Thorn (singer)
- Carey Ruislip (publisher)