Eltabbar
{{City
|image=
and Citadel Thay through the Arch of the Builders ]]
|Name=Eltabbar
|Type=Metropolis
|Region=The Unapproachable East
|Population=101,850 registered citizens, swells by almost 100% in summer months
|Demographics=mixed (Rashemi humans 53%, Mulan humans 31%, humans (other) 10%, elves (all) 2%, dwarves (all) 2%, others 2%)
|Religions=Major: Kossuth. Minor: The Orthodox Church, Rashemi Animism, The Gods of the Sun, The Celestial Bureaucracy.
|GP Limit=100,000 gp
|Assets=2,850,000,000 gp
}}
Long has the name Eltabbar been associated with the wickedness of the Red Wizards of Thay. But in recent decades, the perception has shifted somewhat, largely due to the efforts of its once tharchioness, now Empress Zahl.
The "Jewel of the East" is fast becoming a cultural mecca, a celebration of the diversity and uniqueness of eastern culture, but with the refinement and grandeur of the west. The city hosts several renowned theaters, opera houses, museums, and art galleries. It is also perhaps the finest example of civic planning and architecture in the Realms, with builders coming from far and wide to study its canal systems, its unique road construction, and the modern wonder that is Imperial Square and Citadel Thay.
Eltabbar lies on the southern shore of Lake Thaylambar, in the fertile volcanic plains east of the Thaymount, which is prominently visible from the city streets. It is the heart of Thay, with all roads crossing between north, west, and south passing through it at some point. It is the governmental and academic center of Thay, and is home to almost one third of all of Thay's nobles and merchant princes.
History of Eltabbar
Eltabbar began as a base of operations for the Red Wizards during their eponymous rebellion from 922-1074 DR. Prior to this point, it was little more than a fishing village. The wizards displaced the natives and created the canals of the Great Seal, using the magic-infused waters of the Riven Kozan to form a massive demonic sigil to control Eltab. The demon lord was instrumental in their defeat of the god-kings of Mulhorand to win the independence of Thay.
After the completion of the Citadel of the Skull in 1250 DR, the Red Wizards sold the land and its burgeoning trade plex to Ven Daramos, Tharchion of Eltabbar, who began a lifelong quest to make the city the new capital of Thay. In 1271 DR, his dream became a reality, when his efforts saw Tharchion Rakul Nymar of Tyraturos deposed, and a puppet installed in his place, removing the last opposition to recentering the capital of Thay from Tyraturos to Eltabbar.
Eltabbar has grown very quickly in the last century, from under 10,000 in 1300 DR to over 100,000 in 1375. Its population spiked downward dramatically in 1366 DR, but with growth rates over 5% year-over-year, it has since caught up to its former height and is on track to become the largest city in Thay. It is estimated that, at its current growth rate, given Bezantur's stagnant population figures, Eltabbar will surpass that city's population by the turn of the century.
Who’s Who in Eltabbar
The most prominent figure in Eltabbar is, naturally, Empress Zahl Fe'rya, ruler of Thay. Her entire privy council and many lords of the realm live with her in Citadel Thay or in their various holds throughout the city and its environs.
Governmental Figures
- HL Countess Natasha von Durzig, close confidant to the Empress, spends much of her time in Citadel Thay. She maintains a small residence in the city, but frequently commutes to her family's home in High Thay by means of magical teleportation.
- HHE Tharchioness Mari Agneh is also a frequent commuter from her palace in Bezantur. It is no secret that she prefers Eltabbar's clean streets and high fashion over Bezantur's particular brand of stink, and it makes her no friends in her home tharch.
- HE Provost Vaclav Radduk, once a prominent advisor to Her Majesty, maintains his position as the influential Provost of the Collegium of Necromancy.
- HH The Eternal Flame, Ardyn Flameborn, lives in the newly-expanded Flaming Brazier, the largest temple to Kossuth in all the Realms. He advises the Empress on matters of faith, and serves as her confessor.
- HG Duke Homen Odesseiron, Tharchion of Surthay, maintains a residence in Citadel Thay and frequently attends the Empress' military needs.
- HE Victus Tarkasian, Autharch of Security, was until recently the Empress' open Spymaster. He is now deceased.
- HL Svetlana Marisova, Marches of the Ashane, maintains a permanent residence in the Citadel, as she is technically in exile. She serves as the Empress' chief advisor on Rashemen's affairs.
Other Notable Individuals
- Ashella Milsimmar owns and operates a magical college within Eltabbar, unaffiliated with the Collegia. She is a political activist who frequently speaks out against the Empress' more draconian decrees, and has gained the admiration of the people almost as much as the Empress has, especially among the lower classes. It is an open secret that she is a Chosen of Mystra, and one much better kept that she is the daughter of Elminster and The Simbul. Despite their obvious political differences, she and the Empress apparently maintain good relations.
Culture and Society
Eltabbar's culture is largely defined by a new movement, exclusive to the city, which stresses individual accomplishments over familial heritage, but retains the favor of good breeding, noble mannerisms, and a taste for the fine things in life. Eltabbar, being the richest city in the world per capita, has a very small underclass, and a well-off middle class, who toil ceaselessly under the constant social pressure to rise up, to build wealth, to do more than merely subsist.
Eltabarrans value upward mobility, demonstrable achievements, and constant progress. Resting on one's laurels is not considered a noble pursuit. Thus, capitalists and merchants tend to thrive more in Eltabbaran society than landed aristocrats, a trend that is spreading throughout Thay.
Eltabbar shares a trait with other cosmopolitan cities of the east, a rapidly evolving fashion industry, whose favored designs change with the season. This is largely attributed to the Empress, who is never seen in public with the same dress twice, whose innovations in hair and cosmetic fashion continue to stun Eltabbar's high society, who race to keep up. It is becoming impossible for everyday ladies-in-waiting and manservants to tend to the needs of their masters, and a new profession is emerging amongst the nouveau-riche: employing professional stylists.
Empress Zahl sets the bar very high for Eltabbar's elite, and rewards only those who truly impress her. As such, she has fostered a society of overachievers, many who drive themselves mad with the pressure, but some who rise to the challenge, constantly innovating in the fields of art, architecture, economics, magic, and science.
The city's night life is legendary, for those who work hard, must play hard, if they hope to retain their sanity. Most members of the rich and upper class dine out frequently, and enjoy festhalls until late at night. Musicians and artists find ample work in the city, for those of means wish to be surrounded by their works in their homes, their offices, and their places of worship. Courtesans are popular among men, who spend so little time in their homes that they invite companionship into their places of business.
Men still dominate Eltabarran society, but the example of the Empress has relaxed some of the traditional biases. Single women are not entirely rejected by society, nor are married women who employ themselves in serious professions. They are still very much a minority, and are never compensated as well for their work as men, despite royal decrees to the contrary.
Trade and Economy
Coins and Trade Bars
The Royal Mint issues the following coins:
- Kopek
- Size: 1" diameter, 0.1" thickness (slightly thicker than a U.S. Quarter)
- Materials: pure copper
- Obverse: Vitruvian Man, a Sembian work of art that epitomizes the strength and perfection of the common, everyday man. The text "1 Kopek" in clear font along bottom arc.
- Reverse: Scene of a farmstead with a setting sun. ''Tor'veg natchal, un'virren ye'ples ("Salt of the Earth, Blessed of the Sun") circumscribes the scene.
- Value: 0.001 CGP
- 'De'pek'
- Size: 0.75" diameter, 0.05" thickness (similar to U.S. Dime)
- Materials: 20% silver, 80% copper
- Obverse: The Imperial Square, with the obelisk of the Dragonjaw Memorial as a silver shard embedded within the copper plate. The text "10 Kopek" in clear font along bottom arc.
- Reverse: Scene of the walls of Eltabbar, defended by armies of risen peasants, a mostly fictitious harkening to the Great Thayan War.
- Value: 0.010 CGP
- Size: 1" diameter, 0.1" thickness (same as Kopek)
- Materials: sterling silver
- Obverse: The bust of Empress Zahl in quarter-profile, the spines of her Crown of Stars extending across the background of the coin to its edges. The text "1 Ruble" in clear font along the bottom arc.
- Reverse: Image of Citadel Thay. Zahl, mis'Koryn venya, Autora Thayd, Autora Rusin, Autora Aglaryn, Autora Teska. Ka'vol chesnya vir Autora ("Zahl, by the Grace of the Gods, Empress of Thay, Rashemen, Aglarond, and Thesk. Long live the Empress.") forms the foundation of the image and the latter phrase forms an arc above the scene.
- Value: 0.100 CGP
- Size: 0.75" diameter, 0.05" thickness
- Materials: 22-carat gold
- Obverse: The Thaymount, the rays of sunset crowning it in gold. The text "10 Rubles" in clear font along the bottom arc.
- Reverse: The Lady's Sacrifice, an image of Zahl, Tharchioness of Eltabbar, in the torn rags of a commoner, hauling stone from the wreckage of Eltabbar in the aftermath of the 1366 earthquake. Sag'nik abrat, Thayd'nik abrat, plesnya volcha Autora kaliye'' ("Borne of blood, borne of Thay, blessed be our gracious Empress.") circumscribes the scene.
- Value: 1.000 CGP
