Jaora
A city of approximately 16k people, located along the Jao River, as well as the name of the surrounding district of Ikela.
District
Smallest and least prestigious of the districts, considered somewhat backward and superstitious by most (especially the "progressive" eastern cities of Mirzapor and Varanasi). Borders the districts of Calabar, Rewa, Bayannur, Varanasi, Sheopur, and Surat. Most of the agriculture and productive land lies north of the Jao, where large silk and cotton plantations lie. The land to the south of the river, especially to the east, are swampy; many consider them cursed because the lair of the Dragon Tyrant was said to lie there.
Major Houses
- Jala family: the first (ruling) family of Jaora. Led by Rajai Jala.
- Narbrook family: Owners of much of the north-country plantations. Desperate to escape the "backcountry" label and especially solicitous of the social trendsetters in Mirzapor. A branch family to the Jala, as Rajaput Jala (father to Rajai Jala) was a Narbrook by birth and so most of the children are Narbrooks. Maintain a large estate on the southern side of the river in the city.
- Dhamatri family: Another substantial family that has fallen on hard times. While there is a district of the city named after them, they no longer own that area and only maintain a small house in the city. Their main estates are in the swamps to the south and east. Notable for being extremely difficult to pin down.
City
An elongated snake-like city following the river. Not: the Mahaan is an alternate, local name for what most people call the Jao. The city's name means "City on the Jao."
Districts
- Helicodes: The poor and working-class district outside the wall to the north and east. While not a total slum, it's certainly close.
- Dhamatri: Formerly the estates and possession of the Dhamatri family. Now the "middle class" district, full of merchants, foreigners, and others who are not high status enough to live or work within the walls but wealthy enough escape the Helicodes.
- Narbrook Estate: Home to the Narbrook family. Separately walled and with its own temple, it's a micro-city all in its self. Many of the residents (especially the higher-status servants) pride themselves on rarely having to leave the estate and mix with the unwashed around them. Includes private docks.
- Coin Quarter: Full of manufactories and warehouses for the wealthy merchants (unlike the poorer docks and warehouses in the Helicodes.
- Bridges: The "New Money" quarter.
- Blessed Quarter: Home of the major temple (Church of the Congregation, United). Old money district.
- Old Town: Formerly home of the old money, now mostly tenements for the servants of wealthy folks living in Bridges or Blessed Quarter.
- Majal Jao: The palace of the Jala. Walled and fortified, unlike most of the First Family palaces.
