Caldeum
General Info
| Area/Region | Kehjistan |
|---|---|
| Country | Sanctuary |
| Location Name | Caldeum |
| Alternate Name | Jewel of the East |
Overview
Nestled between breathtaking hills and close to the central sea, Caldeum enjoys a strategic position that has allowed it to grow into a powerful trading city. It is at the crossroads of important caravan routes, increasing its importance in the region. The city is governed by a council of merchants, reflecting its strong focus on trade.
But Caldeum is not just a market. It's a city teeming with life, culture, and a belly full of rogue sorcerers, thieves, and other dark elements. Home to many characters, from merchants, scientists, wizards to refugees, it is a diverse city full of stories waiting to be discovered.
Among Caldeum's many interesting sites, the Yshari Sanctum, a renowned magical academy, stands out for its immense contribution to the study and practice of magic. Another notable feature is the sewers, a completely different world with labyrinthine corridors and inhabitants.
Despite the fluctuations of the larger world, Caldeum remains a constant, thriving amidst the chaos, a testament to its resilience and importance in the Diablo universe. It is a place that attracts adventurers, explorers and treasure hunters alike, offering valuable knowledge, exciting research and endless possibilities.
History
Caldeum was built in the early stages of the Second Era as a simple trading post. However, due to its strategic location at the intersection of several important trade routes, it soon attracted a thriving population of merchants, scholars, wizards and thieves. Due to the constant influx of wealth and knowledge, the city grew rapidly and prospered. A major event in the city's history was the Mage Clan Wars, where it served as a neutral site for peace treaty negotiations between the warring factions. A few years after these wars, Tyrael, the archangel of justice, chose Chaldea as his base and attracted all sorts of creatures, human and otherwise, causing the city to grow in population.
Caldeum's signature feature is the Iron Fist board. The Church of Zakarum, obsessed with controlling the city's magical practices, wielded absolute power and imposed censorship and restrictions. This caused widespread resentment among the population and eventually internal dissension. Despite these conflicts, the city continued to prosper due to its favorable geographical location and the acumen of its trading merchants. Today, Caldeum lives up to its moniker of the "Gem of the East" and proves to be a symbol of wealth, prosperity, and diversity amidst the merciless darkness that pervades the rest of the Diablo universe. It embodies the spirit of survival and adaptation and is a testament to the triumph of civilization against all odds.
Background
For decades, the Caldeum was an important center for scholars and researchers, especially those specializing in ancient relics and mystical artifacts. The city's vast library and endless repositories of knowledge and arcane relics are phenomenal intellectual resources for adventurers and historians.
But the Caldeum's ornate exterior masks a delicate balance of power. The city teeters on a razor's edge, caught between ruling nobles, nascent sects, and powerful trade consortia. These factions are constantly fighting for supremacy, making Caldeum a hotbed of intrigue, politics and secret warfare.
Spiritual friction is added to this infused complex. Caldeum is home to an incredible diversity of religious beliefs and practices. An early example is the Vizierei, a clan of mages known for their obsession with demonic magic that has a large influence on the city. The city's cultural and architectural aesthetic is heavily influenced by various ethnic groups from the eastern continents, each contributing to the rich tapestry that sets Caldeum apart from all other cities in the Diablo universe.
Despite its challenges and setbacks, this city remains an attractive destination for many souls. Sheltered from the relentless sun and windswept dunes, Caldeum still stands as a testament to the undying spirit of its citizens and an iconic beacon of human ingenuity and resilience.