Malayesh

Overview

Malayesh is the economic powerhouse of Greater Qirus, a guild-centric trade city where markets stretch endlessly, company houses dominate entire districts, and merchants from across the continent gather to broker deals. Unlike other city-states governed by monarchs or councils of nobility, Malayesh is ruled by five powerful guilds, each holding vast control over the city’s trade, infrastructure, and politics.

The Khamsin Conclave, held in the Grand Amphitheatre, is where these guilds settle disputes, negotiate trade agreements, and enforce their rule. Beyond being a center of commerce, Malayesh serves as the primary hub for all travelers heading to or from Qassala, further cementing its role as the economic lynchpin of Greater Qirus.

For mercenaries and adventurers, Malayesh is a land of endless opportunity—with caravans constantly departing, there is no shortage of work as guards, enforcers, or agents for the guilds. However, corruption runs deep, and the black markets, smuggling rings, and corporate espionage thrive beneath the city’s opulent surface.

Quick Facts

  • Ruler: Council of Five Guilds

  • Location: Central Greater Qirus, at the crossroads of major trade routes

  • Population: ~2.5 million (heavily mercantile and diverse)

  • Known For: Trade monopolies, guild dominance, advanced technology, and the bustling Khamsin Conclave

History & Governance

Malayesh is unique among city-states in that it is not ruled by a king or noble house, but rather by a council of five powerful guilds, each controlling a different aspect of the city’s economy and infrastructure:

  • Azure Holdings – The oldest and wealthiest of the guilds, historically founders of Malayesh. Their influence extends into banking, land ownership, and high-end trade deals. They hold the head seat at the Khamsin Conclave and serve as the city’s diplomatic face to foreign powers.

  • Qazim Kabiir Industries – A dwarven-dominated guild, controlling weapons manufacturing, mining, and large-scale construction. Their influence extends underground, where they manage Malayesh’s vast reservoirs and subterranean infrastructure.

  • Albusat Logistics – The masters of caravan production and transportation, their latest invention, the "Icebox", has revolutionized food storage and cooling technology in the desert. They dictate travel and trade routes across Greater Qirus.

  • Masjid Ziarat – A powerful religious and scholarly institution, controlling arcane research, magical artifacts, and historical preservation. They also serve as advisors on matters of law and spiritual balance in the city.

  • Al-Nusrai Alliance – The voice of the smaller traders and artisans, this guild emerged as a counterbalance to the massive conglomerates. They represent craftsmen, small business owners, and service providers, ensuring they aren’t entirely swallowed by the monopolies of the larger guilds.

The Khamsin Conclave, held in the Grand Amphitheatre, is where the guilds meet to settle disputes, broker massive trade deals, and distribute justice. While Malayesh thrives under this system, it is also a breeding ground for corruption, espionage, and ruthless economic warfare between competing interests.

Culture & People

Malayesh is a city where wealth and power dictate social standing. Life here is dictated by commerce, contracts, and corporate loyalty. The guilds influence everything, from public celebrations to market prices, and even underground dealings in illicit goods.

  • A hub for trade and technology, Malayesh is a melting pot of merchants, mercenaries, artisans, and scholars.

  • Opportunism reigns—whether in legal business, black-market dealings, or corporate espionage, everyone is looking for an edge.

  • Festivals and public events often celebrate new technological innovations, major trade deals, or economic achievements rather than religious or political milestones.

  • The city's architecture and culture reflect the power of the guilds, from dwarven-designed underground vaults to high-tech magical constructs scattered across the cityscape.

Despite the glamour of the trade district, the common folk live under the shadow of guild control. Prices are dictated by monopolies, and independent businesses struggle to survive without guild sponsorship or backroom deals.

Districts & Layout

Grand Amphitheatre & Guild Halls – The heart of Malayesh, where the Khamsin Conclave is held. The surrounding halls house the guild headquarters, lavish offices, and towering corporate estates.

  1. The Endless Markets – A massive labyrinth of trade where everything imaginable is bought and sold. The wealthiest merchants control entire plazas, while smaller traders struggle to survive.

  2. The Foundry District – Controlled by Qazim Kabiir Industries, this area is loud, industrial, and dominated by forges and workshops. Weapons, armor, and magical machinery are produced here at staggering rates.

  3. The Caravansary – The domain of Albusat Logistics, where caravan masters, transporters, and merchants organize the flow of goods across Qirus.

  4. The Lower Warrens – A subterranean network of tunnels and reservoirs, home to hidden smuggler routes, illegal markets, and secret guild-funded criminal operations.

  5. The Artisan Quarters – The stronghold of Al-Nusrai Alliance, where craftsmen and small business owners operate in the shadow of the larger monopolies.

  6. The Black Bazaars – An underground market dealing in forbidden magic, contraband, and stolen goods, hidden beneath the main trade districts.

Points of Interest

  • The Grand Amphitheatre – The massive, central conclave hall where the five ruling guilds debate and decide the fate of the city.

  • The Endless Markets – A sprawling marketplace where goods from every corner of Qirus are traded, from enchanted weapons to exotic spices.

  • The Foundry of Qazim Kabiir – The largest weapons and armor forge in Greater Qirus, churning out arms for city-states, mercenaries, and royal houses.

  • The Icebox Laboratories – A cutting-edge magical research facility, run by Albusat Logistics, where the latest technological advancements in desert survival, magic-infused trade, and caravan travel are developed.

  • The Black Bazaars – Hidden within the Lower Warrens, this is where the city's illicit economy thrives, selling stolen relics, rare poisons, and forbidden magics.

  • The Masjid Ziarat Guild Hall – A prestigious institution of knowledge and arcane studies, where ancient artifacts, powerful spellcraft, and historical secrets are preserved.