Faiyan (pronounced fai-YAHN) is one of the largest settlements in upper Khapesh, particularly known for the many surrounding ancient sites from the First and Second Dynastic Periods. Many smaller farming settlements are located near Faiyan, agriculturally supporting the city. The city is divided into two parts - the walled city, enclosed within a fortress, and the outer city, built up outside the walls and around the docks. Traditionally, Faiyan was governed by co-nomarchs, a relic of a very old arrangement to solve intra-city disputes. However, with the arrest of Zamanth following the Incident at Faiyan, Mereruka is currently the only nomarch of the city.
Faiyan's patron deity is Qadesh.
People and points of interest
The market square lies in the middle of the walled city, ringed by important offices and shops. Each morning, the square fills with food stalls and other merchants selling their wares, who get there early to get an advantageous spot then set up shop for most of the day. While specialty or rare goods are usually not to be found here, those searching for food or common supplies will find most they need in the square. The market square is sometimes cleared and a stage constructed in the middle for important announcements or demonstrations.
The office of the Faiyan adventurer’s guild is located on the south east corner of the market square. It is a relatively large building, about four stories tall, but otherwise unremarkable from the outside. Inside, visitors are likely to meet Aren, an oread man who staffs the front desk most days. Although Aren is almost always helpful to those that seek directions or gear, his constant jokes get on the nerves of some visitors. Those without weapons or armor can find some available to them, for free, at the adventurers guild - on the condition of their return once they are no longer needed. Condition is not guaranteed - sometimes good quality gear can be picked up, even enchanted, but more often the armor is dented or cracked and the weapons are dull.
The Temple of Tawaret can be found just west of the market square, on the main east-west boulevard. Those in need of help, and particularly mothers or those in need of healing, can find aid inside in the form of food, a warm bed, and magic to tend their needs. The head priestess is an elderly human woman named Ladakh, with long white hair and laugh lines around her eyes. Priests and priestesses of Tawaret usually wear simple white robes, easy to spot throughout the city. The main room for worship in the temple, right at the entrance, is set up less like a typical church and more like a communal space, with circles of benches around a raised central platform.
Located on the south west side of the market square, the Temple of Qadesh is dedicated to the patron deity of Faiyan.
The home of the government in Faiyan, the palace complex is in the northern part of the walled city. Here one can find the guard headquarters and nomarch's offices - provided the guards can be convinced to let one inside, or another way around the massive walls can be located. Inside the walls, a beautiful garden is surrounded on three sides by large, columned buildings. Inside the palace itself is something of a maze, with hallways that seemingly follow no rhyme or reason. Many rooms within feature skylights, to provide natural lighting to their occupants.
Those in need of food and a place to stay can find many inns, taverns, and restaurants in Faiyan. The ones outside the city walls mostly cater to the everyman, while those inside the walls are usually more upscale with prices to match.