Helgabal

Heliogabalus is the largest city in Damara, and was once the seat of government until King Gareth moved the capital to Bloodstone Village.

History
Heliogabalus was founded around 1060 DR by Feldrin Bloodfeathers, First King of Damara. King Bloodfeathers had a long, unbroken line of kindly heirs who followed him in ruling Damara, and who ruled it well. His line finally ended with King Virdin's death. Until Zhengyi took control of Damara, the kingdom was a force on the level with Impiltur, and Heliogabalus enjoyed the singular status of being a separate province of Damara. Once the provinces, or baronies, were proclaimed independent, Dimian Ree, moved his seat of power from Morov to Heliogabalus, and then annexed Heliogabalus into the Barony of Morov.

Government
Since the crowning of Gareth Dragonsbane as the King of Damara, the power of many long-standing baronies was reduced. On the surface it seems he is loved and respected by all, but Baron Dimian Ree still maintains a large amount of loyalty in central Damara where Heliogabalus lies. Publically, Baron Ree proclaims to be a public servant of the crown, but Grandmaster Kane of Spysong suspects Ree to be in cahoots with the Citadel of Assassins.

Trade
Various independant merchant and trade guilds allow Heliogabalus to heavily influence the supply of goods to all of Damara. Heliogabalus is the farthest stop north for most merchants traveling north into the Bloodstone Lands. Independent, and loyal to no one outside their respective guilds, the people here rarely object to anything unless it interferes with day-to-day business.

Defense
The merchants guilds once maintained their own private militias by way of hired mercenaries. Recently, by decree of the king, the the guilds were ordered to disperse their private armies. The defense of Heliogabalus is maintained by paladins of Ilmater who lead young recruits in protecting the city.

Guilds

 * Merchants Guilds - various
 * Trade Guilds - various
 * Thieves Guilds - Tightpurse

Faith
Although many Damarans are bitter about the loss of their former way of life before the rise and fall of Zhengyi, the worship of Ilmater gives them strength in the face of hardship and high hopes for the future. Paladins of Ilmater, particularly those from the Order of the Golden Cup, are a common occurrence, as are monks of Ilmater from the Monastery of the Yellow Rose.