Mutsai

     Mutsai lies in a bend of the Yun River, in the territory of House Yeng. The city was planted by them shortly after they were granted noble status. Prior to this they had been mere craftsmen and artificers, but their invention of the automatons propelled them to a position of wealth and influence. The Yeng founded Mutsai as a base for their future endeavors.

    The first part of the city, Oldtown, was laid out as a walled square with three gates on each side. Each gate opens onto a broad tree-lined boulevard. Branching off from these main thoroughfares are lesser streets marking off blocks or "wards". Most wards are themselves enclosed with walls patrolled by the town watch. Guards are supposed to check anyone entering or leaving a ward. In the center of Oldtown is the Grand Lodge, headquarters of the Yeng. Just east of it is their Ancestral Hall. Directly on the Lodge's west side, where one might expect to find altars to the gods of soil and grain, there is instead a towering temple to the Wood Elemental, patron deity of the Yeng. The great marketplace is directly north of this central area. The northeastern quarter of the Oldtown contains many warehouses. The great forest of Lin is closest to this part of the city and vast reserves of timber are brought here for storage. The southeastern quarter is where most of the recreational establishments can be found-- taverns, gambling halls, and the like.

    The Yun River flows close to the southeast corner of the city. Docks and storage buildings line the shore. A collection of squalid tenements and tottering shacks gradually sprang up in this area between the walls and the river. The Dockyards, as it is called, has an ill reputation. Its winding and narrow streets are a stark contrast to the clean and orderly Oldtown. The sewers also empty into the river in this section, which gives it an unpleasant smell and poor health.

    When the Huo capital fell, the King decided to accept the invitation of the Yeng to retreat to their territory, instead of entrusting himself to one of the older noble clans. The Yeng built a palace for him west of the city, guarded by thick walls with cannon emplacements at the corners. Two gates of the west now open on the palace area-- one for general use, the other only accessible to the King and his immediate agents. It is officially understood that the King is the guest of the Yeng, and that they retain full control over the city proper, but the palace is entirely under the King's direction.

    Once established at Mutsai, the King took steps to ensure the continued cooperation of the remaining noble Houses. Each clan leader was ordered to send one of his sons to the royal court, ostensibly to sit upon the War Council. The unspoken truth is that they are hostages. They are, however, kept on a loose leash. Most have raised families of their own in the time they have been here. A few have managed to purchase estates outside the city. The rest are mostly scattered throughout the western side of Oldtown, close enough to be near the palace but maintaining a healthy distance from each other.  The noble houses have longstanding rivalries with each other, and plots and schemes are incessant.

    The Yeng, however, continue to run the city like a machine. Even the taverns are kept under a tight leash. Patrols are constant, and any disturbances are swiftly dealt with. The Watch pride themselves on maintaining law and order above ground.

    Below ground is another story.