Côranan

is the largest settlement on the island of and the seat of government of the  a pallid successor of the, the island’s most powerful empire until 565. The houses the Senate of the Republic. Located in the heart of the fertile valley, Côranan is the most important economic center of the region. It is the terminus of the, the main trade route with eastern Hârn, and it sits astride the road and river links between the cities of , , and.

Côranan was founded in 301 by Corthir, the first ruler of the. As the imperial capital, Côranan grew to dominate the cultural and economic affairs of, but became somewhat decadent and fell to the hordes of the in 565. The establishment of the capital of the at, perceived as a deliberate snub, made Côranan a center of intrigue against Tekhosian rule. This culminated with the assassination of Horahnam, dictator of the regime, in Côranan in 588. After the collapse of the Theocracy brought several decades of turmoil, the, founded in 621, managed to restore order in central Thârda and the city began to flower again. In 632, an alliance was formed with the, developing into the in 636. When the League became the in 674, Côranan became its capital.

The city of Côranan is governed by two officials, both appointed by the senate for one-year terms that are renewable at the pleasure of the senators. The is responsible for financial, judicial, and other civic matters, and has a large bureaucracy to assist him. The prefect is Toribir Wejik, a competent administrator who has held the office for four years. Wejik is a scholarly man of 57, whose frail appearance belies his energy. He frequently outworks his younger assistants.

Military affairs are the responsibility of the warden, who commands the, a of eight companies that is the only unit of the  permitted within the city’s walls. The Red Guard was originally formed to protect the, which now houses the. Headquartered in the impressive Citadel, the Guard sees itself as the elite of the republic’s warriors. Entrance requirements are theoretically high, but years of indolence and the practice of granting officer ranks to favorite nephews of senators has blunted its fighting edge. The Guard is also supposed to be the garrison and police force of Côranan, but it deems such duties too trivial and they have gradually been taken over by a multiplicity of privately funded mercenary bands. The position of warden has been vacant for three months due to a deadlock in the senate. The two leading candidates are Harmon Kainel and Azikain Gelber.

With the possible exception of, Côranan is the most cosmopolitan settlement of the Hârnic Isles. The city is noted for its profusion of s and major buildings. In addition to the Chamber of the Red Domes and the Citadel, formerly a palace of Corani Emperors, the city has twelve major temples and Hârn’s largest. Côranan is a city of enclaves; its several quarters are divided by walls. Côranan has the following s and s:


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+ Seat of the of Hârn.
 * Headquarters of the order

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