Kel'al'ar

The oldest continuously-inhabited city in the Jungle of Fangs, Kel'al'ar was founded by the nobles of the Fanged Kingdom nearly 1200 years ago. Since they departed for parts unknown about 550 years ago, the city has remained under the control of first the Stone Throne and then the Serpent Dominion. It was the center of the retreat of the Stone Throne at the Cataclysm; it is currently the capital of the Serpent Dominion.

Visually, the city is dominated by a crescent-moon cliff of limestone rising about 200 feet above the lower city; on that upper hill area is the noble district. A gigantic building in the shape of a serpent's fanged head, jaws open, juts from the cliff in the center; a waterfall cascades from its open mouth, pooling below.

Map

Districts

There are 6 major districts, each of which has a northern (Cheung') and southern (Baung') division. The division line is the Coiled Canal, an artificial branch of the local U'psa river which passes to the north of the city. Despite its varying width and depth, the channel is fixed by enchanted stone barriers and it never exceeds its bounds and remains clean all year round.

• Isal: the isal districts are restricted to nobles. These are mainly large gated complexes, but some smaller estates dot the landscape. The Cheung' side is the more prestigious side, and closer to the river is higher status. The Upper Wall encircles this district.
• Sur'lai: The district of Esteemed Tradesmen, this is where the wealthy and high-status merchants and crafters live and do business. Here the buildings are close-packed, but often enclose interior courtyards and gardens. Slate roofs and half-stone construction are most common. This district spills up the side hills and even extends slightly inside the Upper Wall.
• Ba'lai: The district of Low Tradesmen. This is where those who cater to commoners and foreigners dwell and do business. These buildings, like those in sur'lai, are close-packed and half-stone with slate roofs, but generally share courtyards and gardens.
• Teab: the district of Trusted Commoners. These are the servants and workers for the tradesmen and those who support the nobles. Most of the foreign influence is also located here, away from the delicate sensibilities of the nobles.
• Saam: the district of Trash, or the Untrusted. This is a slum, where those laborers and others not trusted inside the city wall dwell. It is also the site of most of the manufacturing and other heavy crafting for the city. Here are found the giant looms, the warehouses, and the smelteries and great hammer forges.
• Klenosaoy: The Stinks. Along the bottom of the canal are those industries that are too odoriferous and unpleasant to be kept inside the city or even in the saam districts.