Swar

Swar is the city of the dead of India; much as Stygia serves as the capital of the Dark Kingdom of Iron, Swar serves as the head city of the Bhuvar, or the Indian Shadowlands.

Geography
Bhuvar, Swar, and Bhur, the Skinlands, are known as the loka (upper worlds), for those of Indian decent. Much like their Western counterpart, Bhuvar is a place of perpetual decay; many wraiths are disappointed that the promised reward of Swar is not given to them immediately.

Swar itself is a walled city; within the walls is a seeming impossiblity. Beautiful plants and flowers grow fruitfully from the earth, a clean, clear stream wends its way through the city, and food and drink are abundent. Beautiful palaces and temples blend in with gardens and courtyards. Music and singing sounds everywhere. It is heaven itself.

There are also talas (lower worlds) accessible to wraiths. These serve as hiding places for those who work against Swar.

Surrounding the whole thing is the Sea of Shiva, better known to Western wraiths as the Tempest. It is as chaotic and tumultous as it is anywhere else in the Shadowlands.

Population
Wraiths are generally divided into those who have been granted entry into Swar and those who have not. Those who have entered into Swar fall under the sway of the Holy Regent. He rules over Swar, keeping it out of the hands of those he deems unworthy. Within Swar, there are any number of jobs a wraith can have. Apsaras are beautiful dancers whose music perpetually fills the city; Gandaharvas are the singers that accompany them. Coutiers make pleasent coversation. However, all these jobs are minor compared to the wraiths known as Tvashtriyas. These wraiths gifted in Moliate, Inhabit, and Usury are responsible for the city's appearance and sensations. They are the dirty secret of the Holy Regent, and he will do anything to keep them hidden away.

Outside the city, most wraiths attempt to gain entry to Swar by being judged worthy. However, two factions decry the Holy Regent and his so-called paradise. The first of these, Nagas, want entry into the city on their own terms; they frequently attack and attempt to break down the walls to enter Swar. The second group, the Asuras, contend that Swar is not the paradise it is believed to be and want to expose the corruption and save their fellow wraiths from the horrors within.