Minaka
"Minaka is, and always will be, a city of two sides. It has the river and the ocean, the Seat and the lowlands, sunny mornings spent in the markets and dark evenings spent enjoying the entertainments of the Red District. It is not one thing, It is more than that. So, so much more."
Geography
Also known as The Royal City, Minaka is the home of the Minaka Royal Family and is a center for trade in Minaka Vale. The city sits on the estuary where the Woolflow river meets the Drifting Sea, on the eastern most point of this inland saltwater body of water.| District | Reputation | Buildings & Businesses |
|---|---|---|
| The Royal Seat | Wealthy, royal, and religious | Minaka Royal Castle, Minaka Temple, royal archive, excessively wealthy homes |
| Sea Harbour | Trade, wealthy and exotic | Wealthy merchants, ocean trade, foreign ships |
| River Docks | Transportation, manufacture and trade | River docks, factories, market |
| Blue District | Artisans and culture | Workshops, artists, writers and performers |
| Red District | Bawdy and entertaining | Bars, taverns, brothels, playhouse |
| Warehouse District | Rough and working class | Warehouses, factories, distilleries |
| Coastal Slopes | Upper class / upper middle-class residential | Several academic schools, |
| Outer Walls | Poor and rough residential | Nothing reputable |
| Market View | Middle class residential | Lawyers, bankers and the like |
| The Lowlands | Working class residential | Trade schools |
History
Minaka is a bustling port town which has a long and varied history. However, scholars all agree that the only part worth talking to started in the 21st Century, when Queen Mo Minaka gave the city her name.
Having gifted the city with its new name and taken control from the previous tyrant overlords, it was from this city that she launched the Spontaneous Handover. As a result, on the fourth day of the seventh month of the year 2030, the mayors and other leaders from across what is now Minaka Vale bent the knee in front of the Castle in recognition of Queen Mo's rightful leadership. The spot is still called the Kneeling Steps to this day.
It was in that same year that Queen Mo commissioned the building of the Minaka Temple and rebuilt several parts of the Castle as well.
In the four centuries since, Minaka has gone from strength to strength, building up its relationships with other trading partners around the Drifting Sea, including Rinamu City. It survived the Blue Fire of 2201, which engulfed most of the Blue District and some of the Red District as well, and took five days to put out. It survived a mysterious illness known only as Liars Tongue, which ran rampant through the Outer Walls and Warehouse District, wiping out many of the poor from 2289 - 2292. All under the watchful leadership of the Minaka Royal Family.
Culture
While Minaka is a port city and as such is culturally influenced by several outside forces, the basis for a lot of the behaviours and traditions of its citizens stem from the Baa Yalu religion.
As such, sheep are a sacred creature and are allowed to roam free through the city, wherever they choose. Cleanliness is important, and small piles of twigs are kept by people's doors. As this is city living and some of the artifacts of the religion, like gnarled twigs, are more difficult to find, there are several businesses throughout the residential areas who specialise in providing these things.
Governance
At the heart of Minakans' cultural identity sits the Minaka Royal Family. The city is not known as The Royal City for nothing, and Minakans take great pride in knowing how close they live to the Castle.
The citizens of Minaka are very fond of their current ruler, Queen Ra the Unquestioned, and flags for the Royals can be seen hanging from the windows of homes and businesses.
Alternative Name(s)
The Royal City
Type
City
Population
~10,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Minakans
Location under
Owning Organization
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