The Outpost lies elsewhere in Mizahar... meaning it has no known attachment to any region in the world. Instead, its connections are to cities and places of civilization, towns, and strongholds in every location of the world. However, it does enjoy warm weather year-round. There is no recorded rainfall annually and temperatures can soar from the high 80's and 90's F. The overall feel of the place is desert and many desert people feel at home.
Drought is not a problem in The Outpost despite its desert climate. The Keiss claim there is a powerful artesian well beneath the area which provides abundant drinking and bathing water year-round. This well provides the water for The Outpost's abundant water gardens, ponds, pools, and fountains which can be found everywhere.
To reach The Outpost, people must find a dovecote in their given city or settlement. This dovecote, one of Xyna's symbols, is the doorway. They must simply enter the dovecote through its door, close the door behind them, take a breath or two, and reopen the door they just entered through. They will find that the other side is the heart of The Outpost. To return to their city or settlement, they simply need to enter The Outpost's dovecote, close the door, take a breath or two, and reopen the door to exit out. The exit will lead them back to their home where they first entered the dovecot.
No one can be from The Outpost. They can, however, choose to live there exclusively, but they must initially be from somewhere else.
In terms of using the dovecote's travel mechanism, people can only use the dovecotes one at a time unless the group entered The Outpost from the same place. If a group of people entered from the same place, the dovecotes will operate as normal. However if even just one person in the group entered from a different location, the dovecote will not function and move people to and from The Outpost. The dovecotes are not traveling devices to ferry people around Mizahar quickly. They only operate to and from The Outpost and their linked dovecotes.
All dovecotes are large enough to accommodate a packhorse, but no wheeled vehicle passed the size of a wheelbarrow can pass through either way. Once in The Outpost, people from around the world can mingle and exchange goods, services, and ideas. Besides horses, all sorts of small animals and riding animals, even Ashta can pass through the dovecot if the original doors are large enough.
Resident Population
The Outpost has a very small resident population. Venders in the Great Bazaar come and go. The most stationary population are the followers of Xyna and the shopkeepers who stay to do business in this unique place. People come and go from The Outpost frequently and some choose to say. There is no racial bias and all races and ages are welcome.
In terms of flora and fauna, there are unique plants and animals among the population of The Outpost. One quite famous tree is a giant deep purple Kalin wood. Seeds can be acquired and exported.
One important thing to note is that cats are considered sacred at The Outpost. Having successfully quelled infestations of brats from Sunberth, green-winged fliers from Nyka, and other pests (namely a small rodent with a very toxic bite) that can destroy market goods, cats have pretty much claimed The Outpost as their own and are cared for by The Keiss, fed by everyone, and run feral all over the city.
Cats are welcome in everyone's homes, and most are completely tame. People are welcome to adopt street cats from The Outpost. A high percentage of these individual animals - which come in all shapes and sizes and can grow fairly large - are polydactyl.
Doves hold almost the same status as cats being Xyna's symbol. However, since they are not as important for security and happiness they get less fame and notoriety. They are equally revered and protected, with people often putting seed out for them on a regular basis.
Anyone caught harassing or even harming a feline or dove in this domain will be subject to swift retribution by The Keiss.
Commerce
Xyna is the Goddess of Money, Trade, Commerce. Everything is for sale here. She makes no distinction between goods and services. There is no underground black market. Everything is in the open. Slavery is a legal trade, and so is the exotic animal scenario. The one exception to this rule is cat meat. It is forbidden to harm or consume a cat in The Outpost thus making the trade of cat meat forbidden.
One secondary rule though not as strictly enforced as the protection of cats is the fact that if an individual enters The Outpost a free person, they can leave a free person as well. No customers of The Outpost face threats of slavery or subjugation while at The Outpost. Somehow, The Outpost Dovecot knows this and will not function for slavers having acquired new merchandise that's been newly enslaved within The Outposts boundaries. Slaves entering The Outpost, however, can leave free people.
The Outpost Laws
The Outpost has very few formal laws. Murder is illegal. The harm or harassment of cats is illegal. Enslaving denizens, shoppers, and vendors at The Outpost is illegal. Everything else having to do with Commerce, Money, or Trade is fair game. All other situations are dealt with by The Keiss, who are well trained and effective fighters. They are led by highly intelligent men and women who are authorized to decide the outcomes of situations on a case by case basis.
Since murder is not allowed in The Outpost, nor is capital punishment. The Keiss are not without their means of punishment. The biggest punishment of all to The Outpost denizens is banishment. The Keiss have the ability to mark an individual with a tattoo that cannot be removed which will bar the use of dovecotes forever.
Stealing is not allowed at The Outpost. Contract acquisition for thieves to do jobs elsewhere outside of The Outpost are perfectly legal.
Sex work is legal at The Outpost. However, sex crimes on the free are not, for they are the exchange of goods and services without payment. Sex crimes on slaves are a grey area at The Outpost for unless the owner is the one performing the act or the act is performed with the permission of the owner, then the action is considered a crime.
Architecture
The Outpost has been influenced by many cultures, surprisingly both above and below the water. As a result of this ‘melding’ of cultural aspects, The Outpost has distinctive architecture that is recognizable almost anywhere and is heavily influenced in artistic design rather than protective design. Due to the relative peace that The Outpost enjoys, most of the buildings both public and private are very artistically designed with relaxation and beauty in mind.
Design elements include soring arches, elaborate geometric patterns, curling calligraphy in a multitude of languages, open courtyards, lavish central gardens. Walls are generally soft beige or neutral, with stucco roofs, prolific arches, and large domed ceilings. Many buildings are designed for maximum cooling and air flow to counteract the desert climate. Streets are entirely paved either with brick or cobble, and pathways are similarly fashioned. Bare dirt is all planted with lush greenery and tall shade trees are prominent.
The Outpost has a noted atmosphere of wealth and luxury. People that come here to participate in commerce and merchanting often do well. Many people own businesses elsewhere but open shops in the outpost walls or have booths in the open sky bazaar itself. And while these people may bring their own architectural style, more often than naught after just a short time in The Outpost, folks tend to start leaning towards Outpost design and aesthetics.
Gardens are very common. Most are planted for their shade, color, and scents.
Fashion
Of final note is the fashion of The Outpost. Because of the diverse cultures that meet at this hub, one can find anyone dressed any which way from the thin spider silk of Kalinor to the heavy luxurious furs of Avanthal. However, time melding this place together has created a rather unique set of styles onto itself.
Due to the climate and relatively clean state of The Outpost and the fact that its streets are paved... many outsiders have adopted its relatively distinct insider fashion.
Men often go shirtless or wear tanks. They have been known to wear short vests or long vests of woven fabric. Long loose flowing pants gathered at the ankle are very common. Skirts are acceptable and almost always worn by The Keiss, who take pride in their appearance.
Women wear brief halter tops or lace tanks. They wear maxi dresses and skirts or the same free-flowing pants gathered at the ankles. They might sport gauzy overwear kimono-style garments called bisan.
Both sexes often wear sandals or go barefooted. Sometimes light kidskin boots or slippers are worn as well. Everyone enjoys jewelry at The Outpost and it is not unheard of for both men and women to be heavily decorated.
