Meidua

Meidua is the coastal city on Delos governed by House Marlowe, spread across limestone bluffs below the acropolis of Devil's Rest. The castle itself appears from a distance as a black smear above the city, dark even in full sunlight. A nuclear plant stands at the seaside with plumes of white steam, and a great circus ellipse occupies one end of the main street. The Redtine river runs through or near the city, carrying fishing junks and heavy barges from upriver with the painted Marlowe devil on freight tankers; the waterfront includes a seaport with white sails in harbor and contrails of lifter rockets streaking from the arcing seaport district. The day on Delos runs twenty-six hours.

The Chantry's verdigris dome and nine minarets dominate the skyline, and massive speakers broadcast the call to prayer at sunset. The Meidua Broadcast network covers events across the city and is subject to suppression by Lord Alistair when politically necessary — its camera drones cover public assemblies at Devil's Rest. The city contains distinct neighborhoods ranging from Hightown to Lowtown, and its commercial district includes a hippodrome, grand bazaar, triumphal arch, storefronts, and the annual Colosso arena season. The Delian Miners' Guild maintains a chapter hall with offices in Meidua, where factionarius Lena Balem manages Guild operations. Hadrian uses a secured city penthouse suite — fitted with its own shield system — when conducting private business in Meidua. By night the city's lights come alive, groundcar traffic shifts to night-mode running lights, and holograph panels taller than houses advertise gladiatorial teams and Imperial Legion recruitment.