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Floating amid the Elemental Plane of Fire, the City of Brass was the epicenter of efreet culture and was the place from where the Sultan of the Efreet ruled.[6]

Geography[]

A trio of efreet walk among the flames outside of the City of Brass.

Hovering in the hottest areas of the Plane of Fire, the City of Brass sat in an enormous hemisphere of brass some 40 miles (64,000 meters) across.[6][8] A curtain of beaten brass surrounded the entire city, stretching for hundreds of miles and giving the city its name. However, since the brass hemisphere gave the city its ability to fly, (albeit slowly,) these impressive walls were typically unmanned.[5] Throughout the cosmopolitan city, the dangerous fire effects of the Elemental Plane of Fire were suppressed by the will of the Grand Sultan in an effort to foster more interplanar trade.[1][9] Despite this, the city itself had a hindering effect on those of good alignment, due partly to the nature of the efreet but also to the numerous connecting portals with the Nine Hells.[9]

Surrounding the city itself were large tracts, known as the Obsidian Fields, used for the cultivation of the exotic crops that inhabited the plane of fire. Examples included qamah, habbat, verdobba, umbelin, tergamit,[10] and fireweed.[11] There were also areas for slaves to mine tin, copper, and diamonds for their efreeti masters.[6]

Geographical features[]

Government[]

The City of Brass was governed by the undisputed Sultan of the Efreet, who ruled the city with a tyrannical hold over his subjects. On occasion, the Sultan would oversee important legal matters of noble efreet but mostly focused on wider policies. Although the Sultan was the paramount authority in the City of Brass, he generally delegated the day-to-day affairs to his vizier. Around 1367 DR,[note 1] the title of Grand Sultan was held by Marrake al-Sidan al-Hariq ben Lazan.[6]

Most efreet pledged their fealty to the Grand Sultan, whether they resided in the city or not. Even those residing in settlements outside of the city considered it their capital.[9]

For matters regarding the Prime Material Plane, the Sultan delegated to his six Great Pashas.[8][9]

Law & Order[]

Although the streets of the city were bustling with trade and crammed with crowds during the day, by night a strict curfew was enforced by the Illuminated. All shops were shut up and all citizens returned to their homes, else they faced arrest, the loss of a hand, or even death.[12]

Slaves were obligated to bear bracelets that displayed their servitude and who their master was at all times. It was common for visitors to the city to become slaves by defaulting on borrowed money. In addition, this servitude could be extended by additional offenses that could add days or even years to their thralldom.[13]

Trade[]

The City of Brass was a shining beacon for trade and commerce throughout the planes, beckoning many planar travelers to its bazaars, souks, slave markets, and metalcrafters. Famed for its vendors of smoke, incense, and tobacco, the city was also noted for the azer smiths who worked ceaselessly for the efreet, crafting arms for the armies and the sultan.[14] The city's harbor became a hub of activity when the City of Brass was set down near the surface to take on slaves and goods. This was done only by the Sultan's decree but could allow vast amounts of food and goods to flood into the city.[12]

Behind closed doors, the efreet of the City of Brass had trade links with the Baatezu. Numerous portals to the Nine Hells allowed frequent trade of slaves and information.[10]

Defenses[]

Arguably the city's first notable defense was its uncanny ability to float above and away from most threats. However, the city was still susceptible to flying intruders crossing its walls. The guards did not take such attempts lightly.[9]

The armed forces of the City of Brass dwarfed the largest armies of Faerûn and came in a bizarre array of legions.[7] These legions and their numbers follow:

In addition to these considerable forces, a colossal navy of 18,000 individuals crewed the Sultan's personal fleet.[15]

History[]

Considered the "oldest city in all creation", the City of Brass has long been known as hub for planar travelers and trade.[16] Prior to the Dawn War, it was part of the vast empire of the Wind Dukes of Aaqa.[17]

Over the years the City of Brass was subjected to a number of attacks from outsiders. One notable occasion was when an archmage by the name of Tzunk attempted to conquer the City of Brass with the help of the potent artifact, the Codex of Infinite Planes. Even with the powerful tome, he could not best the four million efreet that protected the city and was eventually defeated and bound before the Sultan.[18]

At some point, the frost giant Kostchtchie led an attack on the City of Brass in a devastating raid. By traveling aboard the flying Ark of Kwalish, he and his followers caused much chaos.[19]

Some time in the mid–14th century DR, the ship Moonwind sank 50 miles (80 kilometers) off the coast of Ravens Bluff and a passenger's well of many worlds unfurled, opening a portal to the Elemental Plane of Fire. In the roughly four days that followed, water from the Sea of Fallen Stars drained into the portal and poured out on to the streets of the City of Brass.[20]

Rumors & Legends[]

Plots and rumors abounded in the City of Brass, and a large degree of that concerned the efreet, if only for their numbers. Reputedly, the Sultan's court trafficked with baatezu from time to time, though much of these secret dealings happened behind closed curtains and only added to the tyranny of efreet rule.[15]

Layout[]

A map of the City of Brass.

Throughout the city the common efreet and their slaves had their own houses.[3] The houses of noble efreet, on the other hand, teemed with servants and easily doubled as small fortresses.[2]

The City of Brass was illuminated primarily by the ambient light from the Sea of Fire and fiery canals that intercrossed the city and provided a dim red glow throughout. This was supplemented by intermittent pots of unquenchable elemental fire that hung along the streets.[21]

Efreets traversed the Sea of Fire and the city's canals through use of barges and galleys that were made of magically enchanted[22] brass.[23]

The Furnace[]

Main article: Furnace (district)

This was the core of the city and where the Charcoal Palace of the Sultan resided. The other districts of the city surrounded the Furnace in ever widening circles.[3]

Official buildings
Barracks of the Ring of FireBreath of the SultanCharcoal PalaceRed Pillar Halls
Temples & Shrines
Eternal Flame PavilionFlamesight MosqueGuardians of the Three Flames ChapterhouseMosque of Blistering AtonementMosque of the Irreducible

Avencina[]

Main article: Avencina

Cracked and rocky ground marked this area clearly for the slums it was.[3]

Shops & Businesses
Burnt Bean

Keffinspires[]

Main article: Keffinspires

The gilded towers of the azer, connected by numerous high-flying walkways, made this quarter their home.[3]

Shops & Businesses
Golden Tower of the Azer Steel GuildThe Great Smithy
Roads & Streets
Street of Steel

Ashlarks[]

Main article: Ashlarks

Many efreet commoners resided in this district, and even noble efreet made their way here if they were keen on slumming it.[3]

Official Buildings
Krak al-Tawil
Shops & Businesses
Commoner’s MarketZam-Zam

Rookery[]

Main article: Rookery

This quarter was infamous for being a hive of illicit and treacherous activities, so much so that even the Sultan's men were fearful of setting foot there. Rife with gambling dens and pit fights, it accommodated a lot of firenewts.[3][24]

Shops & Businesses
KalianKhat MarketSeven Maidens Gambling Den
Steets & Roads
Street of the Vine

Pyraculum[]

Main article: Pyraculum

Within the Pyraculum district was the city's market, which attracted countless craftsmen.[3]

Shops & Businesses
Edible BazaarHayyat SuqMarabout SuqMarakish BazaarMehara BazaarQahwa Suq
Streets & Roads
Street of CraftsmenStreet of Stelae

Marlgate[]

Main article: Marlgate

Next to Pyraculum lay Marlgate, a warehouse district which only catered to dao merchants and vermin.[3]

Official Buildings
Dao Guard Drillgrounds
Streets & Roads
Scorpion Alley

Iskalat[]

In this district were the public docks, primarily used for interplanar vessels. It was a lively district with a multitude of races from across the planes and was dotted with inns and taverns.[25]

Official Buildings
Octagon

The Foundry[]

Main article: Foundry

The Foundry was comprised of wide streets, plazas, and the homes of the most powerful and affluent efreet in the city.[3]

Other Buildings
Fountain of Clearest Azure

Glory Mine[]

Main article: Glory Mine

Nestled in the very rock of the city, this was the domain of the salamanders. Without a salamander guide, the warren was virtually impassable.[3]

The Plume[]

Main article: Plume

The Plume was a quarter with streets of small shops, coffee houses, and stalls, which welcomed visiting merchants and dao to its exemplary accommodation.[3]

Official Buildings
Krak al-NayyiranMaidanObelisk of the First SultanStreet of the Last HousesWatchfire House
Shops & Businesses
Ashinat Bazaar

The Char[]

Main article: Char

Walled off from the rest of the city, the Char was where the slaves of the Sultan and his nobles lived. Slave barracks and tenements served as housing, while smelters, smithies, and shops were where the slaves plied their trades.[3]

Shops & Businesses
Forge of ManaclesRed Wyrm Smelter
Streets & Roads
Locksmiths Row

Castings[]

Main article: Castings

Home to the efreet army that stayed within the cavernous barracks, the Castings was a district of frequent skirmishes and duels.[3]

Official Buildings
Embassy of the Brotherhood of the True FlameGate of the FallenRing of the Unquenchable

Cindersweeps[]

Main article: Cindersweeps

Here the navy of the Sultan was stationed.[3]

Official Buildings
Krak al-Zinad

Arches[]

Near to the naval yards and within the shadow of the city's hills was this staging area for receiving slaves.[3]

Shops & Businesses
Slave Market

Notable Inhabitants[]

Appendix[]

Notes[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Canon material does not provide dating for the Al-Qadim campaign setting. For the purposes of this wiki only, the current date for Al-Qadim products is assumed to be 1367 DR.

Appearances[]

Novels

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Bruce R. Cordell, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel (July 2004). Planar Handbook. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 138. ISBN 0-7869-3429-8.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Wolfgang Baur (November 1993). Secrets of the Lamp. (TSR, Inc), p. 22. ISBN 978-1560766476.
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 Wolfgang Baur (November 1993). Secrets of the Lamp. (TSR, Inc), p. 24. ISBN 978-1560766476.
  4. Richard Baker, John Rogers, Robert J. Schwalb, James Wyatt (December 2008). Manual of the Planes 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 70. ISBN 978-0-7869-5002-7.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Wolfgang Baur (November 1993). Secrets of the Lamp. (TSR, Inc), p. 29. ISBN 978-1560766476.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 Wolfgang Baur (November 1993). Secrets of the Lamp. (TSR, Inc), p. 23. ISBN 978-1560766476.
  7. 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 7.18 7.19 7.20 Wolfgang Baur (November 1993). Secrets of the Lamp. (TSR, Inc), p. 25. ISBN 978-1560766476.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Jeff Grubb (July 1987). Manual of the Planes 1st edition. (TSR), p. 40. ISBN 0880383992.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Jeff Grubb, Bruce R. Cordell, David Noonan (September 2001). Manual of the Planes 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 75. ISBN 0-7869-1850-8.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Monte Cook and William W. Connors (December 7, 1998). The Inner Planes. Edited by Michele Carter and Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), p. 47. ISBN 0-7869-0736-3.
  11. Wolfgang Baur (November 1993). Secrets of the Lamp. Genie Lore. (TSR, Inc.), p. 23. ISBN 978-1560766476.
  12. 12.0 12.1 Wolfgang Baur (November 1993). Secrets of the Lamp. (TSR, Inc), p. 27. ISBN 978-1560766476.
  13. Bruce R. Cordell, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel (July 2004). Planar Handbook. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 139. ISBN 0-7869-3429-8.
  14. 14.0 14.1 Wolfgang Baur (November 1993). Secrets of the Lamp. (TSR, Inc), p. 28. ISBN 978-1560766476.
  15. 15.0 15.1 Wolfgang Baur (November 1993). Secrets of the Lamp. (TSR, Inc), p. 26. ISBN 978-1560766476.
  16. Richard Baker, John Rogers, Robert J. Schwalb, James Wyatt (December 2008). Manual of the Planes 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 73. ISBN 978-0-7869-5002-7.
  17. Wolfgang Baur (December 2005). “A Gathering of Winds”. In James Jacobs ed. Dungeon #129 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 40.
  18. Wolfgang Baur (1993). Secrets of the Lamp (Adventure Book). (TSR, Inc.), p. 14. ISBN 1-56076-647-6.
  19. Mike Mearls, Brian R. James, Steve Townshend (July 2010). Demonomicon. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 978-0786954926.
  20. Wayne Straiton (November 1992). “Downunder the Living City”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #77 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 9–10, 13.
  21. Richard Baker, John Rogers, Robert J. Schwalb, James Wyatt (December 2008). Manual of the Planes 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 74. ISBN 978-0-7869-5002-7.
  22. Richard Baker, John Rogers, Robert J. Schwalb, James Wyatt (December 2008). Manual of the Planes 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 65. ISBN 978-0-7869-5002-7.
  23. Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins, James Wyatt (2014). Dungeon Master's Guide 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 55. ISBN 978-0786965622.
  24. Richard Baker, John Rogers, Robert J. Schwalb, James Wyatt (December 2008). Manual of the Planes 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 76. ISBN 978-0-7869-5002-7.
  25. Bruce R. Cordell, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel (July 2004). Planar Handbook. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 141. ISBN 0-7869-3429-8.

Connections[]




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