Caratha: The most prominent, wealthiest and most powerful of the Eleven Kingdoms. Called the Center of The World because of its location at the precise geographic center of the world of Arden. Caratha is also a leading center for trade, the arts, religion, scholarly pursuits and most other human activities. And quite a few inhuman activities too.

 

CARATHA

Capital: Caratha

Government: Republic/Elected Monarchy

Ruler: Prince-Consul Ronaldo

Population: 1,000,000

Non-Human:

Resources: Trade, manufactures, shipbuilding, finance

Currency: Carat

Slavery: Yes

 

Fun Facts

• Caratha was founded by the Mighty Champion
• The city-state's motto is "Freedom for All"
• Headquarters of the League of Benevolent Magic.
• Site of the world's largest marketplace, the Grand Bazaar.
• Home of Caratha University.
• The Alcazara palace is located at the center of the city--which is also the Center of the World!
• Notable Carathans include, the wizard Mercury Boltblaster, master thief and spy Rifkin Wildrogue, terrorist Zaran Zimzabar, and many more.

 

Nicknames

• City at the Center of the World
• Shining City by the Sea
• Big C

 

Geography

 

Climate

 

Economy

 

Military

 

 

History

 

Principal Settlements

 

Cities:

 

Towns:

 

Villages:

 

Principal rivers:

• River Crownbolt

 

Geography

Caratha is located at the mouth of the River Crownbolt, where the river meets the Great Harbor before flowing into the Indigo Sea. On the landward side, the city is surrounded by the Vast Salt Marsh.

 

Much of Caratha is built on land reclaimed from the Vast Salt Marsh. In such districts, the soil can shift at the whim of The Gods, who are especially whimsical after heavy rains. At  such times, the ground may collapse into a sudden depression called a sinkhole. Unless the hole happens to emit foul odors and vapors, in which case it is locally known as a stinkhole. On occasion, a vagrant philosopher will take up residence at the bottom of a sinkhole, waving a lantern and muttering about the dearth of honest men. Then it’s called a thinkhole.

 

Neighborhoods

Caratha has many sub-sections, known variously as zones, quarters, bouroughs or neighborhoods. They include: 

 

Arcade

 

Boorboro

Brewberry Hill

 

Crooklyn

 

East Parkside

Estates

 

Filth

Fringe

Gryphon Court

 

Highside

 

 

Low Bridge

Lowtide

 

Monkeytown

Moontown

 

Pantheon Park

 

Sinkhole Park

Soare Point

Squalor

 

West Bazaar

West Parkside

The Wrong Part of Town

 

 

Government

Caratha is ruled by Prince-Consul Ronaldo and the Carathan Senate. It is actually much more complicated than that.

 

Courts

Caratha has many courts empowered to decide matters great and small. There are ecclesiastical, military, civil, commercial, maritime, and even private courts.The Fashion Court tries sartorial offenses. Horse Court decides all cases involving horses. The Court of Public Opinion is empowered to issue non-binding, uninformed, but nonetheless influential advisory opinions on virtually any subject.

 

Nicknames

City at the Center of the World, City of Wonders, Shining City by the Sea, Big C