City State of Akkadar

My Iron Heroes (+homebrew magic) campaign is centered around a sprawling city-state called Akkadar which lies along the southern coast of a continent called Anthemios (also the name for the entire setting).

Here is a snippet of info that was shared with players prior to starting the campaign:

The largest Imperial city of Anthemios is a decadent port called Akkadar. Almost two years ago, King Aphmenes II was assassinated, and in a macabre power struggle involving one of his mistresses he was brought back to life through some heinous arcane means (only a rare handful of mortals know this). If before he ruled with subtlety and a dash of fear, he now rules through absolute terror.

King Aphmenes II has augmented his despised secret police force with the addition of a circle of researchers committed to understanding the mystic changes the world has undergone recently. More than simply nascent in their development, and hungry to continue to grow their power, these researchers call themselves the 'Magisters of Akkadar'. Many of the outlying petty nobles who traditionally control the lands around the city proper have been put to death as power continues to consolidate in Akkadar but a rebellion along the east edge of this city-state's area has led to border conflicts. Unrest is everywhere.

Truthfully, it is the rural towns and villages that have borne the brunt of the pain with regard to changes since that fateful night in Akkadar when the gates to the realms beyond the prime were unlocked and Aphmenes II was raised from the dead. Incursions by creatures of the faerie realm have gone beyond rumor - their existence is confirmed. There are tales of miraculous rescues and assistance, but in at least two cases entire villages were razed by the small creatures - their motives are still a complete mystery. Additionally, the horrible nightmare creatures that inexplicably encroach on towns in the dead of night have become more frequent and wholly horrific.

The technological sophistication of the world is inconsistently pre-industrial. The city-states boast miracles such as simple pneumatics, gaslights (and quality glass products such as lenses) and even elementary photography. Recently the advancement of more complicated alchemical disciplines has been accelerated by the opening of the mystic doorways. Large exotic steam ships are being seen with greater frequency (and better reliability), and piracy is up now that Aphmenes II has basically abandoned his dreams of creating a vast navy. Experimental printing presses are fully functional in many places and this has led to the recent appearance of a periodicals which bring news and information to the outlying lands around Akkadar.

The primary monotheistic faith in the city-states area has taken a hit with the emergence of wizardry, faerie and creatures of the dark. Witchcraft, which for centuries was a charge harshly punished when uncovered, has gained a foothold of legitimacy with the common people. Those who would have been persecuted in days gone by are now sought out for their wisdom and protection. Many philosophers and scholars previously excommunicated for their interest in the arcane have successfully returned to their universities and places of study. These once disavowed academics, now returned to their labs and halls, have renewed old rivalries and grudges many of which have resulted in mysterious deaths and disappearances.

Those ancient and mysterious ruins from prior ages, once dark and silent, have become beacons of arcane energy. It is believed that a great maelstrom of magical energy has coalesced across the scorching ocean south of Akkadar, but with Aphmenes II's recent decision to abandon his naval pursuits, no recent expedition has yet returned to confirm this. The ships that once sailed east to west to keep the trade lines open with the Red Shore region have all but stopped.