The Great Walled City, as Jhelom is sometimes called, is renowned for fine horses, valiant warriors, and its massive stone walls. Though most of the major cities have had fortifications in their history, few are as ancient or have remained as grand as Jhelom's. While construction of the characteristic granite walls began long before the time of the king, many of the large slabs still bear the mark of the masons who shaped the stones. Constructed from solid granite imported from ancient quarries in the Serpent's Spine mountains, the reflection off the stone lends the city a reddish glow at sunset and dawn. The walls are also magically enhanced to both preserve the fortifications and repel invaders.
The city itself is situated on raised land surrounded by the fertile coastal plain of southwestern Britannia. Most of the land has been developed into farm and grazeland, of which the majority is owned by the nobles who reside within the city proper. Because of the arability of the land, Jhelom is one of Britannia's biggest exporters of grain. They also produce a variety of grain-based alcohols.
The abundance of grain (and especially oats) for feed allows for the breeding of livestock. Horses are an especially important part of the Jhelhomian culture, and a vast majority of the breeds present today can trace their origins to Jhelhomian stock. Jhelhomians take great care with their herds, and many breeds are in fact named after the nobles that developed them. Culturally, this has made owning livestock a symbol of wealth. A horse adds status to the owner, and there is a distinct class difference between those who ride and those who walk.
Though the charter of the city is egalitarian in nature, the day-to-day politics revolve around the lords and ladies, who are referred to as princes and princesses. These nobles are recognized by their wealth and by their large groups of armed retainers, and possess the largest say in the decisions of the city. In spite of the grandeur of the city, there is a schism between the upper and lower classes. Some argue that only a certain part of society, the wealthy, has a valid voice in city policy. Counter-arguments state that only those who deserve a say should have it, and those who possess merit can attain status.
The people of Jhelom tend to be valiant, proud, and straight-forward. Boasting of one's skill is not uncommon; rather, it is almost expected in some circumstances, as they place a great deal of value on martial prowess. The upper classes commonly wear armor and badges of valor, while the lower classes wear attire that relates to their craft. Jhelomians also tend to have light-colored hair.
Jhelom shares a rivalry with the island city of Trinsic, stemming from treaties determining control of the seas. Though Jhelom has a port, the terms of its agreement with Trinsic keep its navy small. Some detractors claim that the treaty places an unfair burden on Jhelom, limiting the amount of trade that can take place.