Ank'Harel

Ank'Harel is a city in Marquet, the center of Rumedam Desert, and the center of culture, history, and power for the continent. It is also known as the Jewel of Hope, the translation of its name from the northern Marquesian dialect, and the Jewel of Marquet. It was built "long ago", the earliest mention dates back four hundred years ago since the reign of J'mon Sa Ord.

Description
Ank'Harel, described by Jarett Howarth as being "comparable, a bit bigger" relative to Emon, is nestled above an underground source of fresh water, among clay-rich mountains in the center of vast sands of the Rumedam Desert and surrounded by a wide web of smaller villages.. It stands on three differently leveled plateaus, elevating the Ridge, the Guided District, and the Cerulean Palace.

Ank'Harel is ovular in shape with enormous, 65-foot-tall outer walls and tall guard towers, decoratively shaped like hands cradling the walls from underneath. Within the city, there are many tall spires and buildings with pointed rooftops and colorful murals. The structures are often draped in multicolored cloth and the streets are mostly paved with red cobblestone.

The gates of the city close at night, and many caravans camp outside.

Points of interest

 * A Kingly Home: An establishment that appears as furniture store, but inside is a secret hideout for Asharru with a hidden passage behind a basement cabinet, leading toward the Suncut Bazaar.

Guided District
Contains a number of ornate houses of worship to each of the Prime Deities. The poor may find food and clothing here.
 * Temple of The Mentor: The Cobalt Soul archive.

The Ridge
The Ridge is Ank'Harel's industrial district, abundant with smithies, foundries, shipyards, and warehouses. It sits atop one of the city's three plateaus and on the north side borders the mountain.


 * Alsfarin Union Shipyard: The base of operations of the Alsfarin Union and a shipyard, off limit to anyone except employees. Since all skyships in operation across Exandria must come to the shipyard once a year and undergo a maintenance and do the necessary repairs, the area of the shipyard is a manifold of cultures, flocking from across the globe.
 * Sunfire Forge: A premium blacksmith and weapons manufacturer in Ank'Harel, partially embedded in the mountainside. The place is named after the forge's unique power source: liquid sunlight, obtained from the iridescent crystals cladding its roof. "The consistent heat of this concentrated form of energy allows for the creation of fine metalwork that incorporates fragile components such as arcane minerals and gem dust." The forge is operated by a smith, as well as a businesswoman, Rohaya Tak since 816 PD. In addition to usual metalwork, Rohaya produces cannons for use on sailing ships and skyships.

River District
This district is where the oasis on which Ank'Harel was built is located. It is also where a number of canals originate, for water flowing from the spring of the oasis; and where many caravans coming to Ank'Harel make their first stop.

Sand-Herald District
The Sand-Herald District is the heart of military activity and law enforcement in Ank'Harel, housinig the headquarters of the local police force, the Hands of Ord. Commonly the district populate mostly by wealthy stratum of society: merchants, sudden winners of tournaments in the Bowl of Judgment, and local performance celebrities. It located at the upper central platform of the city.


 * Cerulean Palace: The seat of government and court in Ank'harel.
 * Tower of J'mon Sa Ord: A building adjacent to the palace, made for watching over the entire city.
 * Scarlet Prison, also known as the Scarlet Oubliette: Dungeon located beneath the Cerulean Palace. It is rumored that people are placed there to be tortured or to be part of various experiments.
 * Ord Bastion: A major feature of the district, second in size only behind the Cerulean Palace. In contrast to the elaborate architecture of the palace, the immense walls of Ord Bastion are built from durable mud bricks and undecorated except for simple, angular carvings that adorn the tops of the building's watchtowers. Primarily, the bastion is the training center and the barracks for the members of the Hands of Ord, but since their membership is a lifelong commitment, many members have brought their families to live in the bastion.
 * Bowl of Judgment:: On the north side the district and near the Cerulean Palace, warriors fight each other in the immense circular depression that has been carved into the ground. Sporting tournaments frequently organized in the Bowl of Judgemnt, distinguished by the Grand Tournament, held only once in the calendar year. At each competition, spectators can wager to predict the winner of the upcoming match, or become a participant themselves, paying an entry fee of 20 gold. Although most scuffles end with one participant surrendering or falling unconscious, death is always a possible outcome in the Bowl of Judgment. Each match is ringmastered by Sheed Caltor.
 * Indala Skyport: A skyport constructed in the earliest days of skyship travel. Its central terminal is renowned across the world for its intricate stained-glass ceiling, which "depicts a mosaic of the surface of Exandria with glowing dots moving across it, representing each skyship the Alsfarin Union currently has in flight".

Sigil District
The Sigil District is a smaller district on the south-eastern side of Ank'Harel but also one of the more bustling. Daily people from across the city attend two available places of learning to gain knowledge of various kind of intellectual depth and area of pursuits. The Allegiance of Allsight has the dominant presence in the Sigil District, many members of which affiliated with the faculties and staffs of Crystal Chateau and Teres Schoolhouse.

Institutions made up of both the weathered buldings constructed in the beginning of Ank'Harel's history and newer structures, and buildings representing cultures from across Exandria, neighboring Marquesian-style domes of the Crystal Chateau. The streets here are paved in an opalescent stone that includes traces of whitestone particles.


 * Crystal Chateau: An elite university and the headquarters of the Allegiance of Allsight. A monumental, elaborate, multi-story building of white marble and smoky quartz. Its grounds include gardens and a small stream, running through the greenary and around the building before flowing under an opening into the main hall of the chateau. The building is surrounded by a large, white-painted iron fence, restricting access to all except members of the Allegiance of Allsight. Though not all members of the Allegiance are students or professors at the university, every enrollee must first become the member. Tuition is free for all residents of Ank'Harel, since the Chateau's expenses are subsidized by the city in the expectation that the university's graduates will use their gifts to protect Ank'Harel and enhance its prestige across the world. Jor Raashid is the gatekeeper for the Crystal Chateau.


 * Maw of Cael Morrow: A 150 foot wide pit in the center of the Sigil District whose excavation is overseen by the Allegiance of Allsight. To conduct its exploration into the ruins of Cael Morrow, the organization turned a public square into an excavation site with a 10-foot-wide path spirals down along the edge of the maw, descending hundreds of feet below. The maw is roped-off, the access is prohibited to all except for holders of Allegiance of Allsight badges, and the area is patrolled by members of the Scarbearers under the leadership of Hakzorne.
 * Omnival Library: A collection of texst from across Exandria located on the northeast side of the Sigil District in the enormous tower of stone columns and archways that form the circumference high up into the sky. Any individual is in the right to borrow from the library, though access to the most "esoteric and delicate" materials needs approbation of an Allegiance of Allsight headmaster. The library is managed by Bookkeeper Khime.
 * Teres Schoolhouse: The larger of the city's two universities, Teres Schoolhouse occupies a large portion of the Sigil District, but its physical presence is not as imposing as that of the Crystal Chateau. The schoolhouse is less stringent in its approach, offersing a curriculum that features practical applications of magic as well as a wide range of trade skills. Academic schedules are typically divided into two semesters, each five months long. There are also single-session educational seminars available for anyone to attend. Tuition is free for all residents of Ank'Harel.
 * Teleportation Atrium: A domed building containing a permanent teleportation circle. Most teleportation tablets made by the Allegiance of Allsight are attuned to this circle.
 * The Frog and Kebab: A popular tavern, serving no actual frogs, which is frequented by students of the Crystal Chateau.
 * Emerald Ibis Relic Hall: The hall where the Allegiance of Allsight examines newly discovered items. It is guarded by green glass statues shaped like giant ibises.
 * Scroll's Alcove: An apartment building mostly used by professors at the Crystal Chateau and visiting guest lecturers.
 * Lawbearer's Librams: The most extensive legal library in the city among dozens in the Sigil District.
 * Boughs of the Wildmother: A giant sycamore tree where students often make it their place of study during the day. Rumors say a ghost lurks in its vicinity at night.

Suncut Bazaar
Distinguished by strands of flags of all colors, hanging from the street corners, the Suncut Bazaar is an open-air market! the center of commerce in Ank'Harel. Most of the permanent, densely packed stone buildings are shopes that sell artisan goods and establishments that buy and sell magic items and nonmagical trinkets.

Suncut Bazaar.
 * Luck's Run: A casino in the center of the
 * The Corner Cove: An inn within the Suncut Bazaar.
 * The Debt's Respite: A tavern in Ank'Harel run by Treev Bonebreaker and the base of operations of the mercenary group known as the Scarbearers.
 * Oddities & Eccentricities: A curiosity stall managed by Nisaba.
 * The Shade: A lounge tavern with a distinctive, dark green steeple.
 * Bone Garden: Trades construction materials at the most northern side of the Suncut bazaar.

Demographics
During their short travels to Ank'Harel, Vox Machina noted that it has a mostly human population with minority populations of halflings, half-elves, half-orcs, and tieflings. There seemed to be little prejudice, particularly none like that which tieflings at the time experienced in Emon. They noted that elves and gnomes were particularly uncommon, with Scanlan receiving some odd looks, and goliaths were unheard of.

Factions

 * Allegiance of Allsight: A group that runs a scholarly institution in the city.
 * Alsfarin Union: A group responsible for the creation and maintenance of brumestones and skyships.
 * Scarbearers: A group of mercenaries.
 * Den of Drujah: A criminal organisation which ran rather violent activities in the city around 730-740 PD, until an unknown assassin wearing Cabal's Ruin eliminated the den around 760 PD.

The Hand of Ord

 * &rarr; Main article: The Hand of Ord.

The Hand of Ord is the primary guard protecting the city of Ank'Harel and nearby townships and villages.

Culture

 * Kurrak fruit: a fruit that looks like a mango with a spiny, rough exterior. The flavor is described as a "sweet water experience".
 * Fusaka: a cooking spice used to season meat.
 * "Be pleased" as a common expression of politeness, accompanied with a small bow, preferably with the hand down towards the stomach.
 * Sandkheg's Hide, an extremely intoxicating beverage

Background
The city is built atop the Drowned City of Cael Morrow, a civilization wiped out in the Calamity. The ruins remain intact. It has been ruled by J'mon Sa Ord for the entirety of its approximately 400-year history.

When Riskel Daxio attempted to flee Emon before being captured by Vox Machina, a leader of the Clasp stated that Daxio was heading to Ank'Harel.

Before Vox Machina travelled to Ank'harel in search of the vestige Cabal's Ruin, Jarett told them to greet people with the phrase "Be pleased", and that water was as valuable as coin. Once they arrived at Ank'harel, the gates were closed for the night so the group camped inside Scanlan's Magnificent Mansion. Guards from the Hand of Ord expressed concern about the 'strange magic' of the mansion, and advised them not to use it within the city.

Once inside the city, the guards advised them to keep their weapons sheathed. The party visited several areas, including the Suncut Bazaar, noting the similarity to Emon and the range of races of the inhabitants. They next visited two taverns: The Shade, a lounge tavern with a hookah bar, and the Debt's Respite. While at these taverns, they tried Sandkheg's Hide, an extremely strong local beverage.

They visited the Cerulean Palace to seek an audience with J'mon Sa Ord, the ruler of the city. Once inside the palace, they traveled up a tower to a central chamber that looked upon the majority of the desert.

After their audience with J'mon Sa Ord, Vox Machina visited the Luck's Run casino where Scanlan completed his spice deal. After getting kicked out of the casino, the group went back to their rooms at the Debt's Respite.

The next day, the group visited the Crystal Chateau on the upper-class side of the city, where Percy noticed traces of Whitestone in the cobblestone.

Behind the scenes
According to Matthew Mercer, Ank'Harel is distinctly influenced by real-world Arab culture. Ahead of Campaign 3, Matt wrote in a blog post on the official Critical Role website that the city of Ank'Harel was "deeply realized and fleshed out" with the help of others on the Call of the Netherdeep adventure module from Wizards of the Coast. Makenzie De Armas, a Wizards of the Coast writer on Call of the Netherdeep, stated that the writing team wished to make Ank'Harel cosmopolitan without creating a monolith of any culture and that southern and western Marquet are inspired by her Filipino heritage. She described seeing the setting reflecting her Southeast Asian identity as "important and cathartic".