Carasalas

Carasalas is situated one mile downriver from where the bridge carrying the Men Miredor crosses the Miriant and is adjacent to the sacred island of Tol Ithil. It is the capital of the Dominion of Miredor and was in its time the capital of the ancient Elven Kingdom of Miredor which included all the Seven Dominions. Visitors are struck by the beauty of the city but also how small it is compared to the capitals of other countries. The Elven system of government, however, which has been followed by the individual Dominions is highly decentralised and the road network, defence and foreign policy are the only functions of government administered from Carasalas.

The city is thousands of years old, built it is said soon after the Great Cataclysm, and it was situated primarily with defence in mind on a granite bluff high above the Miriant river. It features several abrupt changes of level which the Elven engineers mitigated by ortani, elevators and lifts of marvellous design. The city is thus unsuitable for horses which are in fact banned from the city and have to be left in stable blocks outside the gates. The city houses several remarkably beautiful buildings such as the domed university/central library but it is its overall appearance it is most famed for with high walls faced with white marble whose colour turns to amber at sunrise and sunset.

The population of the city is 20% Elven, 60% Half-elven, 15% human and 5% other races. The culture is dominated by the Half-elves most of whom are admirers of Elven sensibilities. Crime is rare but house prices are extremely expensive. Most of the working class could not afford to live in the city were it not for the fact that the Council reserves houses for what it deems essential jobs. Similarly students attending the university (which has the highest possible international reputation) receive subsidised accomodation.

Carasalas trades extensively with other Elven coastal communties including those in Sambia and the Elven Coast further north and Taaliraan in the south.