Melek is the northernmost city of Nydissia, the Equatorial Empire of the south. The City of Shackles is ruled over by Imperator Setirus, newly appointed after his predecessor’s unexpected death twelve months ago.

The streets of Melek are stone paved, marked with drains, and often accompanied by footpaths. Buildings are predominately stone or brick, decorated with arches, pillars, statues and obelisks. The larger villas display icons of the golden eye, the formal sigil of The Lucentum Temperatures are hot and humid, with cooling breezes blowing in at night from the northern fens. Sanitation is relatively good, and even the lowliest citizens have access to the public baths.