KIREK
LOCATION
LOCATION
Kirek is the most recent location of the capital of Rican. Previously, the capital was Daiarc, but as their allies in Densira more and more visited more Northerly seas, Kirek was formed. It began as a small settlement between the allies to serve as a safe base to operate out of for fishing trade. Due to the lucrative fishing industry, the settlement grew into a bustling city of trade. When the royal family of Densira wanted to visit the port city, the Rine Canopy, named Kirek, migrated his entire household to the city, renaming it after himself, building a palace there. Due to this relocation, Kirek was declared the capital of Rican. It is formally called The Sun Capital, referencing the common lifestyle of the Rine, who move between Sun Villages & Shadow Villages each year. Upon this formal name being given to Kirek, Daiarc was titled The Shadow Capital for the same reason.
Prior to the city's explosive growth, Kirek was a port for fishing and recuperation between excursions and expeditions back to their homes. However, the great appeal of massive success in fishing caused many more Iiru to move to the area to fulfill the various necessities that the inhabitants required. This solidified Kirek as a fishing hub.
Additionally, while quarrying stone, the Rine discovered a valuable cache of precious stones attracting artisans of all kinds, creating a thriving market of jeweled craftsmanship.
Within Kirek sits The Temple of Kirek; the Magi who make Kirek their home are known for their deep connection to the Otarii. It is rumored that these Magi still visit and speak with the Otarii, in some sort of spiritual sense. None but the Magi themselves know whether or not the Otarii are still alive, or even real for that matter.
The Sun Capital
Capital City
Fishing
Jewelry
Stonework
In Kirek, the head of all the Rine, known as the Canopy, operates a feudal system throughout Rican. The Semper is the overall lord, however, each city, town, and village, has their own lower lords who govern them. These lower lords report to and pay tribute to the Canopy, who in turn provides protection, trade, education, and technology.
Kirek is tucked into a valley formed by ancient glaciers and surrounded by steep rocky mountains. This provides a natural barriers that protects Kirek from anyone approaching other than by sailing up the river. They have also been able to build large stone structures quarried from the inland side of the valley. Walls of thick granite form stepped tiers of the city. At the inland side, the palace sits high and proud above the city. Each tier of the city is connected by large staircases of stone. Along the ledges, are parapets that serve to keep Iiru from falling by accident, as well as protective barriers in the case of attack. These tiers can also be blocked off at the stairways so that if one section of the city is breached by enemy attacks, they can still fall back and defend the next tier.
Though the Rine are not well known for their stoneworking capabilities, those who settled at Kirek had little choice but to learn quickly how to use it, as there was little wood to be found without hauling it in from other areas. As such, unlike most Rine architecture, Kirek became one of the first places that the Rine could learn the craft, at a university that was formed when the Rine Canopy needed his palace built. In a twist of nostalgia for their normally forested homeland, the artisans developed columned walls that look like tree trunks.
Rican