Sitaar

The dunes and cliffs of Sitaar are harsh but beautiful with pink, white, and red sands. Most of the lands beyond the cities are devoid of human civilization aside from the caravans, nomadic tribes, and occasional Ziin'ellar. Three major rivers cut their way from Zeder, Gehnnia, and the unclaimed lands, through Sitaar, before merging into one and flowing out to the Mage Kingdoms and beyond. Where the three rivers meet in a shallow basin is where the ancients built the capital, Mahd Alhadara.   Mahd Alhadara One of the most populated cities in the world, it is both an ancient marvel and modern metropolis. Built upon man-made islands, the city is a maze of streets and waterways, which are kept meticulously clean. The tiers and bridges soar between domed buildings of glimmering white stone capped with bronze. In the center of the city are the five Elemental Ziggurats. The four exterior are temples run by priests and sorcerers dedicated to the divine elements of fire, metal, shadow, and water, while the center is the palace of the Malik and the temple of light. The top tiers of the central ziggurat are made of milky glass, so that when the sun hits it, it can be seen as a beacon for miles around.   They say there is no poverty in Mahd Alhadara, only the wealthy and their slaves. Women and men wear fine silks and jeweled slippers, both wear their hair long and scented with sweet almond oils. Most do not walk the streets but prefer to be carried in palanquins or float the canals in decorated boats. The city is filled with the thick aromas of spiced food, cooking meat, and perfumed oils. The food tends either towards spicy or sweet, though sometimes both.   Due to their trade with many distant kingdoms, the people of Sitaar have easy access to such exotic things as sugar, and many develop quite a fondness for sweets. Honeyed dates and chipped ice flavored with sweet syrups are a common street food favored by locals. When they are abroad, Sitaarians tend to be suspicious if not outright hostile, but at home, they are the picture of friendly hospitality. The laws of the land forbid anyone to turn away a traveler in need, especially out in the desert.

---