Caffa

Caffa is the second-largest city in the New Sammichian Empire, after the capital city of Fulfwotz. It serves as a major shipping hub, having the largest port in the northwestern Shire. Despite being under the jurisdiction of the Empire and overseen by a Chancellor, the city is notorious for its well-established system of intimidating aristocratic families who are frequently accused of bullying, harassing, or threatening the Chancellor in order to maintain thinly-veiled control over the city's government. Its aristocracy, which is used in a much more literal sense than the informal Fulfwotz Aristocracy, is made up of numerous wealthy and influential families within the city. Caffa covers Isola di Caffay, a large island with its entire eastern shore carved out into a harbor.

Torre di Bellaluce, one of Caffa's most recognizable landmarks.

The city was originally settled by escaped Venezian slaves from the Old Sammichian Empire. During the period known as the Mandatux Imperatia (Thrennexian for Imperial Mandate), which lasted from roughly 210-70 PRY, the Empire began hording vast areas of land and territories. When indigenous people were discovered living in those regions, it was common for them to be brought back to Ceriumuse and forced into slavery. This is exactly what happened when the Empire encountered the ancestors of the Venezians in the south-central Shire in 187 PRY; they were brought back to the then-capital and forced to work on construction projects or mine beneath the city. Finally, in revolt, the Venezian slaves organized themselves and fled the city to the north, where they established Caffa. With the Empire unaware of the slaves' location, Caffa built itself up in solitude and isolation, careful to not alert Ceriumuse to its existence. The city only exposed itself after the dissolution of the Empire in 58 PRY; within a century, Caffa became a wonder of the Old Shire, and trade increased to unseen amounts. The massive harbor was constructed, along with the Colossus di Caffa (known as Magnus Phallus by locals). With so much revenue being generated, Caffa reorganized its bank system and is credited with developing modern banking. Today, Caffa is still an important trading center.

Unlike Fulfwotz, Caffa is not divided into any identifying neighborhoods or districts, but rather territories belonging to the various nobles within the city. While the areas are not actually property of the families, it is similar to gang territory in Fulfwotz. It is an unwritten code to not interfere in the business of a district of another family, and they typically employ private paramilitary forces to guard and maintain order in their respective areas.

With most of the Empire's sea cargo entering Caffa, and many cities eager to trade with it, Caffa brings in a vast amount of income, however, most of this is squandered on construction projects or exuberant festivals which can last for weeks. Caffa has (quite ironically) declared bankruptcy twice since 1900, relying on the decreasing fiscal generosity of their parent Empire. Most of the city's wealth lies in the citizens themselves, and not the government, which is another way the aristocratic families control the city. Caffa's economy is focused on luxuries, such as perfume, clothing, jewelry, spices, tea, along with more infrastructure-oriented industries, such as shipbuilding and banking. The city includes many cultural institutions, such as the Basilica di San Madonna, Castello Alto, and the Colossus di Caffa.