Hashan
Initially a humble village located in the heart of the Ithmia, the city-state of Hashan, Crown of the Ithmia, is Sapience's third major city established in the year 222 AF. Due to territorial conflicts, the expansion of Hashan and its early existence endured rough beginnings, challenged by forestal organizations and their respective patrons Lord Lupus, God of the Beasts and Lady Gaia, Goddess of Nature. Nevertheless, Hashan was successfully brought into being by the mortal Darthus with the support of Lord Twilight, God of Darkness and later the Ladies Valnurana, Goddess of Sleep and Dreams and Ourania, Goddess of the Moon, who remains patroning the Crown in modern times. Today, Hashan continues to display a tenacity to survive any hardship, catering to aid others only when her own interests are furthered as well. It is a haven where the diverse characters of Sapience may live together in harmony and community without fear of prejudice, oppression, or bigotry, and where everyone is free to pursue their potential to the greatest of their abilities.
Hashan is home to Achaea's first and oldest serpent organization, the Cult of the Serpent Lords as well as the Shaman, Sorcerer, and Kharon guilds. The city-state is actively guarded by fierce viragos, mounted tsalmaveths, and hooded nocturni.
Laws and Policies
- Main article: Laws of Hashan
The Crown has been known for Achaea's first complex legal system, having surpassed both ancient Ashtan and Shallam in governmental politics. The Seneschal Elentari originally wrote the comprehensive city charter. Hashan's laws are found listed on a pillar at the Crossroads. The policies of Hashan are recorded in a single, albeit large, text called the Great Canon of Hashan which can be found in a bookshelf in the newsroom.
Shopping
Hashan provides three main shopping "areas" which harbour a large variety of goods and supplies. The Bazaar is Hashan's primary market located in the northern half of the city, holding the Crown's commodity shop and unique letter-making services. Running the entire width of Hashan is Serpentis Boulevard with shops that line both sides of the street, the location of one of Achaea's three candle shops for sealing letters with a Coat of Arms. The third shopping area is Hashan's Central Plaza, which can be found in the Old Quarter near the southwest corner of the city.
Dining and Recreation
Hashan is proud to be the first brewers of Sapience's more unique drinks, provided in The Eventide Alehouse off of western Serpentis Boulevard. Home of the original absinthe and serving Sapience's harder liquors, the Alehouse also sports a new restaurant that serves an eclectic variety of food. Should bourbon, cognac, apricot brandy, or Hashan's own special Darkbrew not tickle anyone's fancy, other non-alcoholic drinks are served as well. Also serving alcohol is the Dragontail Bar as old as the city itself.
Local entertainment is provided by the House of Delights brothel off Epitine Circle, blackjack and roulette tables in the Dragontail Bar, and the Menagerie creature museum visited west of Hashan's Academy. South of the Menagerie is the Park of Hashan which features lush, contemplative surroundings and a placid duck pond. Further entertainment can be sought by visiting a few of Hashan's special landmarks as well. (See below.)
Facilities
Most of Hashan's facilities are located near the government buildings and the city's central Crossroads. The Postal Office of Hashan, the People's Bank of Hashan, and the Crown's citizen-only stables are found off these crossroads, while the Literary Archives of Hashan house the newsroom in the Seneschal's Complex. The slaughterhouse and fishing shop are visited off Cibus road, and Hashan's blacksmith Modron opens his blacksmith's shop for the use of all citizens and visitors. Hashan's city arena, the Stadia Coronae (Crown Stadium), is located in the southeastern portion of the city.
Landmarks
The Crossroads is Hashan's very centre, the most common place for gathering and a useful reference point. The Road of Eternity is Hashan's north entrance road which features a grand display of statues of past and present Gods. Founder's Monument north of the crossroads features statues as well of the city's mortal founders. The Dome of the Triad stands tall as a tribute to the divine Triad of the Night which used to patron Hashan in its early years, and the old Coliseum may be visited where gladiators used to spar. East of the Dome is Hashan's mysterious crumbling temple where dangerous spectres roam free and where the Disc of the Nocturne is housed. Lastly, the Spring of Fluvialis provides a renewable source of fish for fishing and is Hashan's closest water source. This and the Temple of Fluvialis is found south of the crossroads, gifts given by Lord Neraeos, God of the Sea during his time as patron.
Famous Faces
Of the famous faces that hail from Hashan, four are remembered most: Liirup, Hashan's notable rat-eating madwoman, retired Seneschal Elentari Lokelinde-Danial who ascended to Godhood through the collective will of the Pantheon to become Ourania, Goddess of the Moon, Damaris, the Learned who teaches in Hashan's multi-roomed academy as one of the world's most brilliant minds, and Aringar Claros, the first mortal ever to reach the 99th circle of experience and become a Greater Dragon.