Drake City, formerly a rich city state and now the capital of a growing kingdom, guards the narrow land pass between the Honeywine Ocean and the Narrow Sea. The city controls all trade that would pass through it, particularly between lands separated by the Narrow Sea and lands isolated by the Waste. It is home to a rich merchant class and an entitled nobility class, both of which requires a strong king to reign them in and a cunning one to play the two often-divided classes between one another. Because of its wealth, the city sports many grand buildings such as the Royal Citadel, its great walls, and the Sacred Tower, built in honor of the gods. The city is a major economic and military power thanks to its wealth and resources. In addition to its other buildings, a great moat/canal leading to the Honeywine Ocean gives greater protection to the city and helps in its trade. Outside the walls, there is rich farmland to supply a growing population of people, citizens and slaves alike. Its white stone walls present a picturesque vision of a wealthy and powerful city as well as a civilized culture and people.
The land the city is built upon and the land surrounding it is strangely warm for its position in the world, providing an excellent climate for crops to sustain the population, a testament to one of its greatest riches: the fossilized remains of ancient dragons.
Buried just below the surfaces lies a vast supply of the fossilized remains of dragons: bones, scales, skin, and blood red rubies that were once liquid dragon blood. Every part of the dragon preserved is valuable. Even the fossilized excrement of dragons is highly volatile and explosive, capable of being used either as weapons for war or fuel for metalworkers. Dragonbone and scales mined can be made into superb weapons and many smiths outside of Drake City order a steady supply. This is what gave the city its name.
Consequently, the mines, along with its strategic location, have made the city a target for other powers either wanting to annex it or to install a puppet government. The latest two attempts were made by Valyria, where the ruling and Queen were assassinated and when Valyria attempted to lay siege to the city. Prince Kallias' honest nature heartened the common people while King Moloch's military and political leadership crushed both power grabs in their tracks.
The people of Drake City are reasonably proud about their city and the feats of themselves and their fathers and mothers before them. As a people, they value merit and tradition. To be born in its ruling class is the expectation to contribute in whatever way is possible for the good of the King or Queen and his or her City. The government is an Absolute Monarchy with all power descending from the Throne. Every noble is expected to swear fealty to the Monarch as soon as they take the throne or when the noble comes of age. In turn, the King or Queen promises protection and justice and pledges to rule the city well and is expected to. In some cases, he or she may either raise families to noble status and privilege or exile, banish, or even execute entire family lines, though the latter is used rarely and even King Moloch contented himself with the death of the murderers of his parents and a public reconciliation with their families. Though theoretically, the King or Queen holds all the power, the Nobility is required to run the city's bureaucracy and they know this.
Merchants are only a little below the nobility for most practical reasons and powerful merchant families often mingle with royalty or nobility. Trade makes the city rich and the merchants are keenly aware of this. Most common people are loyal to the King or Queen and the city and are suspicious of these merchants. The norm of the city, however, is pragmatism. People get ahead by merit. The best craftsmen and merchants rise while the mediocre fall. Some may even achieve noble status or sell themselves into indentured servitude to cover their debts. Those in power are not afraid of using politics and dirty tricks to stay on top should they feel at a disadvantage, much to the resentment of those lower in the class hierarchy. Many citizens in Drake City join the armed forces. The navy is small and chiefly concerned with ferrying the army quickly and safely. The army, however, is well-armed, well-trained, and highly disciplined. The armed forces are one of the Monarchy's greatest supporters and enthusiastically supported King Moloch's coronation and plans for the expansion of Drake City's power.
Ithaca is the second biggest city under control of Drake City. It is the size of a medium-sized town or small city and guards the entrance of the man-made canal leading around the capital. Because of this, Ithaca has become a new center of naval trade and the base for Drake City's modest navy. Its coast is heavily fortified and and is one of the three most strategic locations within the city-state/kingdom. It is from the ships and boats docked here that Drake people would invade by sea should the situation call for it. It is also the place that anyone invading from sea must take in order to destroy the kingdom's navy and open out a route through the canal to invade the city.
Situated along the road to Drake City and near many small farming villages that dot the land, Bellona's Spear serves as a sanctuary and front-line defense against invasion by land Originally built along the border between Drake City and the South Atlantic Kingdom, it was destroyed in the war by the enemy king, but was rebuilt. It levies its garrison from Drake City and the peasants inhabiting the countryside and provide sanctuary in the event of an invasion for the villagers and the local nobility. Rangers are welcome to stay, but few visit outside of official business.
Located near the very middle of Drake City is the city's great coliseum, Kiel's Gaze. Here, gladiators fight and die under the gaze of the statues of the gods and the roaring crowds. Most fight for glory, either their own or that of their families or gods. Others are indentured servants, fighting for the gold to buy their freedom. A few fight public duels as a matter of honor. Some simply fight for gold. Whatever their reason, the gladiators who survive long enough to make a name for themselves are never forgotten.
The Temple District is home to the great temples of the gods of Drake from the solemn Temple of Kiel, King of the Gods, to the refined and sensual Temple of Lilam Goddess of Love, each temple varies in rites and architecture. It is a sacred place and both a display of piety and wealth. The Guard does not take kindly to disturbances in the Temple District and offenders are liable to be thrown into the arena.
The Circle of Magi contains the accumulated knowledge of the Magi of Drake and serves the training grounds and home of most Magi. Here, Magi train and learn, developing new spells and researching new technology's with the kingdom's greatest scholars. Magic is a rare gift and the Magi are regarded as the Chosen of Mardu, God of Wisdom. As such, Magi are guaranteed quarters at the Circle and access to a free top-notch education, something unheard of for most citizens.