Aethria (Ay-three-ah)
The jewel of the west...
In the sapphire waters of the western sea, where the sun first rises over Qerth, a land exists, known as the Isle of Dawn. An island whose inhabitants claim has existed since the very beginning. While this legend is often dismissed, the island's wonders remains. And at the head of this island lies a formidable beast known across the globe as Aethria.
'You Tyraqi Lords play your games and believe you rule over Cenath...but who controls the shipping routes? Who sits at the head of a larger army? Who commands the greatest fleet on Qerth?'
Economy and Trade
According to legend, the city of Aethria is one of the most ancient human settlements. An oasis in a harsh, tropical landscape. Markets stretch for miles beyond its walls and thousands of ships fill its ports carrying gold, herbs, spices, exotic fruits, the strangest of animals native to all manner of peculiar lands, ancient artefacts from ruins of an old world and the list is endless. Sitting in the centre of a major shipping route, Aethria has clawed its way up to becoming one of the world's wealthiest cities by trading with those from all across Qerth. Those in power are rich beyond imagination with great vaults hidden within chambers found beneath sky-scraping towers with domed tops whose gold leaf spires look down upon the rest of the city. Their owners often made their vast wealth via trade though many wormed their way to the top with other, unchivalrous activities. Together, the extremely wealthy of Aethria have formed a class of nobles known as the 'Golds' who hold the majority of the city's wealth.Geography
Surrounding this jewel of a city, a tropical climate persists. Rainfall is almost constant in this stretch of the world with roughly two hundred days in the year bringing downpours from the seas surrounding the island. It is because of this rain that during the mid-months of the year when the sea is hottest, colossal tropical storms wreak havoc in this part of the world bringing storm surges upon the land and thick, black clouds to drown out the light.'Any army fool enough to attack during the wet season would soon regret their decision. The Gods protect us, don't you see...'
The seas that surround Aethria are renowned for their beauty from across the world. The Sapphire Strait is known due to the clear, blue waters found here. A collection of mountains sits behind Aethria with the palace sitting below their peaks. These peaks have provided the city with protection from invaders throughout the years. Within these mountains, a reservoir sits with towering aqueducts leading from them providing fresh water to the city.
Across the Isle of Dawn, a writhing jungle smothers the earth. Here, all manors of exotic fruits, animals and highly-priced goods are harvested to bring further wealth to the city. However, this jungle has receded gradually over the centuries creating a ring of open grassland that surrounds the city, allowing for a clear view of any approaching attackers...or animals that may pose a threat to the people of Aethria.
Government
With such a colossal city, one would think a well-organised, sound government would be in place...but no. For thousands of years, a royal family has overseen the task of ruling Aethria with councillors by their side, however, this family is often replaced. With hundreds of competing names holding extensive amounts of wealth at their backs - some more than others - deaths are common amongst the ruling class. Poisonings, back stabbings and terrible scandals are all regular occurrences, but despite this for over two hundred years, the Kri'karn family has remained on top. Their use of bribery and spies has been noted and kept them in power for longer than any other royal family of Aethria. Surrounding the central family are a host of councillors known as the Ministry of Dawn. An organisation tasked with counselling whomever the monarch may be. While the name of the family may fluctuate, the Ministry remains static and lives on no matter what family is in power. Their place of work is the Palace of Dawn located in the western reaches of the city, above the Gate of Grass that leads westward, out of the city.Type
CityContinent
Cenath - Isle of DawnPopulation
1,659,000 (1500 ACT)Founding Date
UnknownInhabitant Demonym
AethrianArchitecture
Within its outer shell, lies the bulk of the city. Here, a haze of houses atop houses creates a sandstone jungle where those too impoverished to live within the central district reside. Almost all buildings constructed in Aethria are a sandy yellow colour with small windows and flat rooves often ever so slanted to allow water to trickle onto the roads. Throughout all of its history, Aethria has wielded its spires and domed towers. Ornate carvings decorate these giant structures with depictions of nature and love-making and within their chambers lie vaults or gardens or dungeons where murderers and rapers and plotters may be kept. Their owners: wealthy beyond imagination with power and influence over not only Aethria but the rest of Cenath. Atop the various hills scattered within the walls, stand monoliths dedicated to Gods and Kings made from obsidian and marble and the black stone found in Tyraq. Above all, the Palace of Aethria stands proud over its subjects with eyes of hard diamond and spires towering higher than any other for thousands of miles. Its residents, only servants to its power, owe all they are - and ever will be - to this singular structure.
Infrastructure
Across Aethria span great sandstone arches originating from the mountains to the south. These are Aethria's aqueducts and are a vital part of the city's ecosystem. With the surrounding freshwater sources growing too small to sustain such a giant city, many hundreds of years ago, the construction of a great dam and aqueducts leading from it began. To this day, this flow of water sustains the city's population and without it...disaster.Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
coool I wanna live there!