Haroon

It is said civilization began in Khazidea. The Khazan River floods allowed for easy agriculture and bountiful food. From the earliest records, Haroon served as the national capital, the center of worship for the goddess Issa, and the throne for the brother-sister monarchy. Under thrall of Eloesian, then Fharese, and finally Imperial domination, Haroon has not ruled herself for more than a millennium.

TRADE

The primary good leaving Haroon’s port is grain, often going to Imperial City on massive freight ships. Criminals also profit from a secret trade of what is called Haroon spice, a highly addictive drug banned throughout the Empire. Other significant exports are Fharese rugs from the far south, cooking spices, silks, and porcelain.

DISTRICTS

• The Royal Quarter, with a mixed population of upper class Khazidees and Eloesians. The Royal Palace can be found here, overlooking the harbor. The Eloesians have resided here since the conquests of Tarchon the Mad, and are generally not immigrants. They maintain ties with their mother city, Korthos.
• The Temple Quarter, with the Grand Temple of Issa and the Grand Shrine of Atman, as well as a host of lesser shrines. Festival Square lies in the center.
• The Fharese Quarter, an area of Fharese residents, many whom have lived in Haroon for generations. A fire temple can be found here in addition to a shrine of Mina, Lady Love.
• The Lowtown Commons, an area of merchants and lower class Khazidees.

SIGHTS

Religion and daily life are intertwined in Haroon. Festivals overtake the streets throughout the year, celebrating the story of the fertile goddess Issa, her yearly drowning in the Khazan, and the tears of her brother and lover Atman which resurrect her. Popular festivals include the Flower Petal Festival in the spring and the Moon Festival on the autumn equinox.

Visitors should travel to the massive Grand Temple of Issa, a colossal sandstone building with brightly painted onion domes.