The Blessed City of Abed Main Description
This grand city of Parvpora had once been known as the head place of worship of the continent's World Tree and its Gods back before their demise. Several altars and shrines were established and scattered throughout the city so that prayers and devotions could be distributed from anywhere throughout Abed. Despite the wickedness of Parvpora' pantheon, the inhabitants themselves were oblivious to that fact, thanks to the Trickster God who clouded their hearts and minds. Even with the destruction of the divine, the effects of the deception had not left the people entirely. They still praise them and believe that one day they will find a way to return.
The city is rather enormous with tall buildings and countless markets spread throughout; many of them carrying rare spices from the gardens that can only be cultivated from Abed itself. Many foreigners are attracted to the city solely to get their hands onto such spices and other merchandise. Around its perimeter lays several farms and gardens, providing the citizens with enough to sell and feast upon during harvests. Gigantic towers stand around Abed, with watchmen constantly on the lookout in case of danger of all forms. The city guards do not take thievery and other rule breaking lightly and may sentence the guilty party to absurd punishments such as dancing upon hot coal for minutes or being chased down by war elephants. The city is ruled by the Sultan, Devdas Mahatma, who is a young man that is more interested in parties and debauchery than of the welfare of his people. Nonetheless, he keeps a watchful eye over it from his palace, which was constructed long ago from the petrified remains of the World Tree by his ancestors.
Celebrations are commonplace and all forms of entertainment are present. Dancers in colorful garbs and costumes swing their hips and interact with the masses, jugglers of blades and fire captivate their audience with death-defying skill and technique, with peacocks and elephants garbed in festival attire accompanying them. The streets are often filled with decorations. Large bonfires burn brightly through the night, their blaze licking at the air as if they themselves are performers as well. Sweet and wondrous smells of food and drink can be smelled from afar, musicians treat people to beautiful and lively music with flutes, drums, and sitars.
Behind its pleasantries seen, however, Abed isn't a totally peaceful place. While the city does worship their departed Gods, some zealous groups of priests and priestesses have taken it to the extreme and meet in secret to undergo immortal rituals and needless sacrifices. Animals are stolen and people are kidnapped off the streets, particularly if they are outsiders and not seen again. Participation in blood and dark magic is fairly common in their ranks. These corrupted individuals continue the work of their dark gods, for they relish in a foolish dream that if they are seen as worthy through their efforts, then they would be chosen as the next line of sinister deities.