Gate
Gate is the most peculiar of cities on Chronikos, for within its boundaries, a stranger would be disconcerted not to hear the cries of shopkeepers and hawkers, the voices of children playing, or the general hum of the city. But said stranger would then quickly discover something much more surprising: the Men of Gate, called the Kharun, do not speak, nor can they. Their vocal faculties have becomes useless through years of neglect. Instead, they communicate telepathically, for the Men of Gate have become masters of mental control and communication. Gate is not a walled city. Indeed, there are no fortifications of any kind. Walking about the city, one would quickly discover there are no guards patrolling the streets. The biggest structure in town is the Hall of the Advocates, the ruling council of the city, and indeed of all the Kharun. Gate is a peaceful city, and tranquility rules supreme. It is quite dull for the adventuring types, and someone coming to Gate seeking excitement would quickly find himself bored to tears. The infrastructure of the town is a living monument to the magnificence and practicality of Kharun architecture. Their engineering skills are quite advanced beyond the other kingdoms of Men. Gate is filled with artisans' shops, craftsmen of all kinds, artists, painters, sculptors, and poets. The hinterland surrounding the town is one of rich farmland. Those who farm the land have no fear of marauders or beasts, for the land is kept quite safe by the vigilance of the people. The Kharun are perfectly content on their island home, in their apparent isolation, working the land and expressing themselves and communicating their minds through various art forms. The community functions like a perfect super-organism; everyone knows his part, his place, how he fits into the grand scheme of the community. Everyone knows how best to be a harmonious part of the whole. When on that rare occasion a Man of Gate leaves his home, he finds himself unbearably lonely in the wide world, for the voices of his people, which he has been hearing all his life are silent. Only if he quiets himself in solitude and concentrates can he hear their voices far-off and distant.