Sothis

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Sothis

(City)

Titles

Stormhaven of Osirion

Nation

Osirion

Region

Sothis, Sphinx Basin

Size

Metropolis

Population

111,989

Demographics

87,453 humans, 6,055 dwarves, 4,918 halflings, 3,361 elves, 2,266 gnomes, 1,924 aiuvarins, 1,563 genie-kin, 1,109 dromaars, 3,340 other

Government

Autocracy (dynastic king with council)

Alignment

Lawful neutral

Demonym

Sothans

Adjective

Sothan

Ruler

Ruby Prince Khemet III

Images of Sothis

Source: Osirion, Legacy of Pharaohs, pg(s). 32ff.

Sothis

(Region)

Titles

Stormhaven of Osirion

Nation

Osirion

Alignment

Lawful neutral

Capital

Sothis

Ruler

Ruby Prince Khemet III

Government

Autocracy (dynastic king with council)

Adjective

Sothan

Languages

Taldane, Kelish, Osiriani

Religions

Abadar, Nethys, Pharasma

Images of Sothis

Source: Osirion, Legacy of Pharaohs, pg(s). 32ff.

The Osirian capital city of Sothis is located just south of the River Sphinx delta, and is the largest, and most prosperous city in the kingdom of Osirion. The city is built around the molted husk of Ulunat, a colossal beetle that was one of the spawn of Rovagug and slain by Ancient Osirion's first pharaoh, Azghaad. Except for a short time under the Four Pharaohs of Ascension, it was also the Osirian capital city before the millennia of Keleshite rule.

Etymology

Sothis was named by Azghaad after the Ancient Osiriani word for Cynosure, the north star. The adjective used to describe something from Sothis is Sothan.

Government

As the capital city, Sothis has become accustomed to the Council of Sun and Sky, the body that rules the nation in the name of Pharaoh Khemet III, dabbling in the politics of the city. This interest has grown under the current First Speaker, Dahnakrist Phi. Each city district has its own council, which generally sends one or more members to sit on the Council of Sun and Sky. The members of these district councils are highly influential in their area. These councils will defer to the Risen Guard, the personal bodyguards of the Pharaoh, or another of Pharaoh's agents, if they become involved.

The city guard, known as the Eyes of Sothis, maintain order in the city. The First Captain of the Risen Guard serves as Commander of the Eyes of Sothis. Traditionally the holder of this role drops her name in favor of a title reflecting her favorite weapon. The current Commander is the Khopeshman of Sothis.

Geography

Sothis is built a dozen miles from the River Sphinx in the eastern deserts of Osirion, and was largely dependent on oases for water until the construction of the Crimson Canal, which allows the shipping directly into central Sothis and the devotion of the River Sphinx to agriculture.

Sothis began as a series of tribal settlements around the husk of Ulunat (which became the Black Dome) due to the natural springs and the shell's shelter from the khamsin winds. Since multiple locks branch away from the main canal and traffic is observed and regulated from the canal's only island, the Eye of Sothis, there is less congestion than is common in other major ports.

Sothis's skyline is dominated by the massive Black Dome, which houses the Palace of the Forthbringer and the Council of the Sun and Sky. Malhitu Bazaar takes up much of the southeastern sector. The Necropolis of the Faithful is situated on the western bank of the Crimson Canal, expanding out from the original grounds of Pharasma's temple. There is a Pathfinder lodge in the city.

Districts

Sothans refer to the 'lower' and the 'upper' parts of their city related to the flow of the Crimson Canal and the River Sphinx towards the Inner Sea: the lower portion is to the north, while the upper is to the south.

Sothis is divided into sixteen major districts with many of these incorporating many more smaller neighbourhoods. Each district preserves a distinctive culture refined over thousands of years. In addition to the sixteen districts, Sothis also includes the island within the Crimson Canal called the Eye of Sothis. There follows a brief overview of the sixteen districts:

Aru-Da

a wealthy, peripheral suburb and the northernmost city district on the east bank of the Crimson Canal

Baza's Pool

a prosperous, peripheral district in the west of upper Sothis

Canal District

immediately west of the main Crimson Canal and the Old City, this district is the industrial heart of Sothis

Crimson Island

South of the Canal District, this island is one of the seediest parts of Sothis always watched over by the law enforcement agencies of the city

Grand Oasis

a wealthy, peripheral suburb and the north-easternmost city district

Marblecourt

a wealthy, peripheral northern suburb lying between the districts of Aru-Da and Grand Oasis

Newstone

a prosperous, peripheral district in the south-east of upper Sothis

Old City

lying immediately east of the Crimson Canal, the Old City surrounds the Black Dome and is itself surrounded by the old city wall

Oldstone

a prosperous, peripheral district in the south-east of upper Sothis

The Palms

a wealthy, peripheral suburb and one of the two easternmost city districts in lower Sothis

Peacock Square

a wealthy, peripheral suburb and one of the two easternmost city districts in lower Sothis

Rose Quarter

situated east of the Old City, the Rose Quarter is a seat of illegal trading lacking the frenetic atmosphere of the Malhitu Bazaar

Scorpion Road

a peripheral city district on the east of the city

Sphinxside

the most north-western peripheral district, Sphinxside is a poor area full of less successful artisans and merchants

Street of Artisans

a peripheral district on the west of the city, the Street of Artisans district is home to many fine craftsman

Triangle Gate

the most southerly city district it is a prosperous, peripheral district in upper Sothis immediately east of the Crimson Canal

Organizations

The Aspis Consortium, an international trade corporation with interests throughout the Inner Sea region, has placed its regional headquarters in the city.

Inhabitants

See also: Category:Sothis/Inhabitants

Halflings

Sothis is one of the main halfling settlements in the Inner Sea region, and they perform important duties in all parts of Osirian society, be they slaves, labourers, or artisans. This arrangement has changed little since the days of the ancient pharaohs. Osirians believe halflings emanate luck and are pleased to include them in their businesses.

Religion

The most prominent temples of Sothis are the High Temple of Pharasma at the Necropolis of the Faithful, the grand temple of Nethys and Azghaad's Spire opposite Pharasma's temple, and the Temple of the Eternal Sun. The center of the cult of Norgorber in Osirion is a hidden, grand temple on the southern end of the Eye of Sothis, and the faith maintains a small temple at the southern end of the Malhitu Bazaar as well. Temples to Nethys have been built and destroyed, often by the nation's rulers, several times throughout the ages.

References

Paizo published a major chapter considering Sothis in Osirion, Legacy of Pharaohs.

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.