East Koriel is actually of many different provinces. The most prominent is Bellingrath. The province that holds the capital, which is called Koriel City. Imperial Province of Bellingrath is bordered by the Aquila Mountains to the north, the provinces of Hillfire and Gladstone to the south, and contained on the sides by yet more mountains and sea, is the seat of Imperial power in Koriel. The whole of the province surrounds the Carisp Sea, an inland ocean that still supports many common-folk with a steady supply of fish, some unique to the Carisp, as well as providing a place for the wealthy of Koriel to put their pleasure barges. During the summer months the Carisp becomes alive with activity as the affluent sail to and fro across the Sea, displaying their wealth ostentatiously outside the docks of the capital city.
Koriel City, the capital of the Koriel Empire, is a worthy jewel set at the base of the crown that is the Carisp Sea. The mines of the northern mountains have returned enough wealth to the city alone to ensure that it keeps a high standard of living, though the city is not without its undesirables.
Near the banks of the Carisp is the Imperial District, its very streets trimmed with resplendent polished granite. Even the guards here carry weapons lined with silver, their armor all engraved with special markings, signifying the honor of defending the wealthy and powerful. The Imperial Palace is here, as is the Grand Cathedral of Kiira-Leen, widely believed to be the largest temple of any kind dedicated to that goddess in all of Thaamal. The wealthy who live in the Imperial District do not enjoy the palatial estates of those who live in the countryside, but what they lack in horizontal space they make up for in vertical space: structures stretching ten stories into the sky make the streets below into canyons, the tops of these high-rising buildings often capped in beautiful, elegant rooftop gardens, bubbling with fountains sustained by magic. These tall buildings go from the Palace to the even higher stone wall that surrounds the Imperial District and keeps it seperate from the rest of the city. A small market square serves the elite near the entrance to the district, but it mainly sells the things that one cannot find in the Market District, such as wines and oils and spices, as well as displaying examples of statues and other decorations that the wealthy can commission from local artisans.
At the very heart of Koriel City is the Market District, directly south of the Imperial District. It is difficult to write about simply because it must be seen to be appreciated: wares from all over the empire are traded here, including fish from the Carisp and jewels from the Aquila and stout whiskey from Gladstone to the south, even fine wood crafts from the elven kingdoms to the west. Common wares such as food and pottery and clothing are sold here in abundance, but jewelry and other finery are sold readily, though closer to the entrance to the Imperial District to make access easier for the elite and their retinue. The most reputable and comfortable inns and taverns are also to be found here, though they can be expensive compared to those located in some of the other districts. One thing is clear from looking at this place: all of the wealth of Koriel flows here, like a stream of glittering reals, a river of fortune flowing into the “sea” that is the Imperial District to the north.
To the East of the Market District is the Agimm Plaza district, a place named, supposedly, after a legendary magus-general from an ancient war. Legend has it, however, that not long after the Emperor of the day named the district of the city after him he went mad and turned on his own soldiers, killing them all. The city had already filled that district with plaques and symbols of his name, so rather than have them all stripped back down again they left them up, keeping the tale of his betrayal quiet. Still, his curse has followed this district, and it has become the most undesirable of all the places in Koriel City. The cheapest lodgings and taverns are found here, true, but it is a rough place, with a relaxed guard presence and few places to be where one cannot fear for their life or their purse. This is also the only place in Koriel City where one can find illicit substances, or women of ill repute, though travelers are advised to avoid both, as should an encounter with either go poorly, there is little chance anyone would assist them. The guards themselves avoid this place for many reasons; some accept bribes from the local crime lords, but many also believe the Plaza to be cursed, as weapons have an odd way of breaking there, and the Guard are a superstitious lot.
To the West of the Market District is the Stadium District, a place that at times is the most lively of any of the city, but when an event is not being held it can be rather sedate. The most prominent and outstanding feature is, of course, the Stadium its self, capable of holding tens of thousands of spectators as they watch a given event unfold in the pits below. These events can be anything from a popular play to a gladiatorial match to even a miniature naval battle. A thriving industry based on betting on the outcome of various sporting events inside the Stadium exists as well, and a lucky or calculating person can make a real or two, but one can also risk becoming addicted to it and lose it all there as well. There are also a few taverns here, but they tend to be rowdy and geared toward the Stadium crowd, which often means cheap drinks but a coarse clientele, with fights breaking out at the slightest provocation.
The second-most populous city in Bellingrath, after Koriel City, is the town of Irondale. Nestled at the base of the Aquila Mountains, Irondale is a robust, hearty city filled with stout miners of all races; while the operation is, of course, overseen by dwarves, all of the major races of Koriel are represented here– there is even a small contingent of orcs who begrudgingly work in the mines, employing their natural strength for a respectful salary. The city its-self is built into the side of the mountain, only the outermost district of it resting outside of the halls of stone.
The only part of Irondale outside of the mountain is, quite simply, called The Outside. The Outside is where visitors and trade caravans come to purchase the ore and gemstones mined here, and as such it exists mostly to service travelers. The streets are lined with inns and taverns, as well as markets selling rare gemstones and ores in whole lots, but one can also find stalls where resident dwarven craftsmen sell some finished armor and jewelry. These tend to fetch a very high price, as the dwarves who make these items tend to see them from the very beginning of the process to the very end, from mining through smelting or cutting right through to crafting them into the final product. Some say this gives those items special properties that no other items possess. As previously mentioned, The Outside abounds with inns and taverns, most of them reasonably affordable, as the more expensive lodgings are in Irondale proper. The cheapest lodgings are right next to the very large staging areas for the trade caravans– the reasons for this become readily apparent, as the cacophony of the materials being loaded sounds at all times of day and night.