Nestled in the heart of the desert, where rolling sand dunes stretch as far as the eye can see, lies the city of Zir—a place that defies all logic. A city that should not exist, yet it has thrived for millennia.

Legend speaks of Zirathrek, the Dragonborn who unearthed a jewel mine in this barren land. Those precious gems turned a humble settlement into a sprawling metropolis. Whether the story is true or not, only the Dragonborn who penned the history books know for sure.

Zir is a city of layers—each with its own purpose, people, and secrets.

The Upper City

The surface level of Zir hums with life and trade. Here, the majority of the city’s population lives and works. It’s a vibrant hub filled with craftsmen, traders, churches, inns, and entertainment. Whatever you seek, the Upper City provides:

• A hearty drink and freshly seared wild boar.
• Master-crafted weapons and armor.
• A warm bed to escape the desert chill.
• Tailored garments or even companionship for the night.

The streets wind upward toward the Great Ziggurat at the city’s center—a monumental structure that dominates the skyline.

The Mid-City

Just beneath the surface lies the Mid-City, where Zir’s elite reside. Shielded from the blistering 120-degree desert heat, this level remains a cool 57 degrees year-round. Here, the upper class enjoys their climate-controlled dwellings, away from the chaos of the surface.

The Lower City

Known as “The Core,” the Lower City is the nerve center of Zir. It serves as the heart of governance, housing the city’s most critical institutions: leadership councils, judicial chambers, and defense forces. Tucked hundreds of feet underground, it is heavily guarded and almost impenetrable.

A City Like No Other

Zir’s intricate design is a marvel. From above, the Upper City forms the shape of a four-sided pyramid with the Great Ziggurat at its peak. Beneath the surface, the Mid-City and Lower City descend in a deeper, inverted pyramid, creating an asymmetrical octahedron when viewed as a whole.

A History Forged in Tyranny

For centuries, Zir bore the scars of a brutal past. Its stark, minimalist architecture stands as a reminder of the tyrannical Dragonborn rulers who exploited slaves to build the city’s grandeur. But the last century brought change.

Under the leadership of a democratically elected council—comprising both Dragonborn and Tieflings—Zir has flourished. The city thrives, yet its shadows hold stories untold, and its depths conceal mysteries waiting to be uncovered.