Aethria (Ay-three-ah)

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?'

— Samsonn Kri'karn, Prince of Aethria

 

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...'

— Merinna Lishí, High Priestess 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.