Beschcadik

The imperial capital of the Sarameian Empire is one of the world’s largest cities with a population of around 70,000. It’s a sprawling metropolis with a layout that reflects both its ancient heritage and strategic coastal location.

Beschcadik is divided into six core districts (Kasir Althour, Bazgharik, Marzaqar, Nahrzin, Djezirak and Ataljur) and two surrounding areas (Sharhinz and Ajal Jafra).

Kasir Althour

Built atop the largest hill near the coast, Kasir Althour is home to the emperor’s residence, and the Halls of Concord, where advisors and foreign emissaries gather. The hill offers a panoramic view of the city, the sparkling bay to the west, and the sprawling desert to the east. A grand stairway, flanked by bronze statues of past emperors, leads up to this elevated quarter, symbolizing the ascent to power.

Bazgharik

Encircling the Kasir Althour is Bazgharik, the oldest part of Beschcadik. Narrow, cobbled streets wind through clusters of stone buildings, libraries, bathhouses and artisans’ workshops. The Seyrnama Majida stands here as the city’s spiritual heart, its grand dome visible from nearly every district. Bazgharik is also home to the Bazaar of A Thousand Stars, an expansive market where traders from across the empire and beyond sell spices, silks, jewelry and rare manuscripts.

Seyrnama Majida

This sacred structure is central to both the spiritual life of the Sarameian people and the political prestige of the empire. The Seyrnama Majida was originally constructed by an early Sarameian emperor, a visionary ruler who sought to unify the empire’s diverse faiths under one roof. The interior of the temple dazzles with intricate tile mosaics depicting scenes from Sarameian mythology, while massive, dome-topped chambers are illuminated by skylights casting filtered, coloured light. Within its walls, clergy from the empire’s most ancient faiths conduct rituals, hold council and tend to libraries of sacred texts, while the emperor himself is ceremonially crowned here.

Marzaqar

The western coast of the city forms a bustling hub of maritime commerce. Marzaqar is a hive of activity, with ships anchored along deep-water docks and wharves. Warehouses, fish markets and trade halls fill the area. There is also the Mariner’s Guild Hall, a towering structure adorned with the carved figureheads of ships from distant lands, where merchants and sailors negotiate deals and host celebrations. A stone seawall protects this district from high tides and winter storms.

Nahrzin

Following the river that cuts through Beschcadik, Nahrzin is an essential part of city life. Numerous stone bridges connect the two sides, lined with vendors, street musicians and hawkers. This district is known for its Gardens of Song, a series of public gardens and fountains gifted by past emperors, where citizens gather for festivals and poets recite verses. The quarter also contains mills, waterwheels and irrigation channels that sustain the farmland just beyond the city limits.

Djezirak

The eastern edge of Beschcadik borders the arid sands and serves as the city’s gateway to the desert. Djezirak is populated by traders and nomadic families who often travel between the empire’s inner cities and Beschcadik. Camel markets and caravanserais dominate the area, alongside the House of the Sun’s Path, a temple complex devoted to celestial observance and navigation. This district is particularly vibrant during festival seasons, with colourful tents and open-air performances celebrating desert lore and legend.

Ataljur

To the north and south, where the hills extend out from the coast, the nobility and influential families reside in opulent villas surrounded by terraced gardens. These villas overlook the sea and river, giving the elite a commanding view of the city and its surroundings. The House of Echoes, a famous theater built into the hillside, offers performances that draw audiences from across the empire.

Sharhinz

East of Nahrzin, the fertile floodplains extend along the river’s path. Small villages, waterwheels and canals irrigate fields of grain, dates, and vegetables. The farmers rely on the river’s seasonal flooding, ensuring a steady supply of food to feed Beschcadik’s growing population.

Ajal Jafra

Beyond the floodplains lies the vast expanse of the Sarameian desert, marked by rolling dunes and ancient, half-buried ruins. Desert caravans, led by skilled guides, depart from Beschcadik regularly, bringing salt, rare stones and desert herbs into the city.