Mazbaaran
The capital of Zarvand, on the Talodin: a city of blue-tiled domes, walled gardens, wind towers and underground salest channels, crowned by the fire-temple of the Eternal Flame, which Salestaad the Builder completed in 183 R. In 398 Khaasar Kasaadeer III, his vizier, three of his sons and forty guests died at a poisoned feast here, and Zarvand's tradition of ruthless succession dates from that night. Khaasar Zhinraad the Learned founded the House of Learning here in 681, and the fire-temple schools teach every child of the city its letters and numbers. Prince Faasheer holds the citadel with the Unfading; the Khaasar's horse stud here is the most valuable herd on the continent, hoopoes nest in the garden walls, and snake-charmers work the streets with Talodin cobras. It is the hub of the Khaasarate's roads, and the goal the First Crusade died trying to reach.
See also: The Eternal Flame, House of Learning, Royal Mazbaaran, River Talodin