[All Patrons]The Golden City of Orazca 32x56 (Patreon)

Orazca, the legendary City of Gold, is an ancient metropolis hidden in the uncharted jungles of the continent of Ixalan, which is located on the plane of the same name. Orazca housed the Immortal Sun. It currently serves as the capital of the Sun Empire.

Gold covers nearly every building in Orazca, and jade inlays reflect the influence of the ancient merfolk who shared Orazca with the humans of the Empire. For centuries, the earth was closed up over the golden city, hiding its secrets and its treasures from all who sought it. For a long time, three golden spires were its only visible signs where they rose above the forest floor.

Situated in a valley, the blinding brilliance of the golden city can be seen from afar. Spires like needles reach high into the sky, burnished roads and buildings stretch into the distance, and at the center, an enormous temple rises like a gleaming mountain. An arch towers over the gates to the city, and a broad central avenue funnels into a market. The market's stalls are arranged in concentric circles that spread out from a fountain at its center, fed by aqueducts. The city's pyramids were painted red and white, now faded with age, with depictions of Azor giving the Immortal Sun to the Sun Empire.

Orazca was the Sun Empire's capital for many centuries, and tribute from across the breadth of Ixalan was brought to adorn its palaces and temples. The city was abandoned after emperor Apatzec Intli was gifted the Immortal Sun by its guardian and misused it. He wielded the artifact without any wisdom or restraint and the city was ruined. The Immortal Sun was taken away from the humans and gifted to the merfolk River Heralds instead. It remained on the floor of the Sanctum of the Sun of the Tower of Triumph. The Sanctum was guarded by Azor's Gateway.

The merfolk River Heralds had taken it upon themselves to defend the Golden City as they believed that no one should have the power that lay within. To protect its secrets, they only vaguely knew where it was, but not the exact location. They had been making sure no one would get there for centuries. In the end, it was Kumena, one of their own, who rediscovered the city.