Rytaia
The capital of the Nasir Dominion, seat of her king, and one of the oldest human cities since the Fall.
Demographics
As the capital of Nasir and a major trading hub with direct access to the Cerulean Expanse, Rytaia is home to countless human ethnic groups, as well as a large population of chimeras (mostly felimera). Residents are geographically divided through the city by two factors: wealth and education. Often, both directly determine one's economic standing, but even the poorest citizen can land a respected position with the Library of Sena and be afforded a fine estate near the various lyceums. Their wealth (and worth) is measured by academic success and direct contributions to the Dominion and Library. Whereas, those that stake their status on the size of their coin purse can be found residing around the royal palace at the city's heart, or on vast acres of fertile land directly west of the city's walls.
The poorer human citizens reside in various districts throughout the city. The nation's palace economy ensures all have access to organized market centers to trade goods and commodites, public plazas for recreation, clean bath houses, charcoal dispenseries, clinics, and other state-funded projects that provide a remarkable level of comfort for working households.
Chimeras, however, are mostly relegated to ghettos, with conditions no better than slums. They make do with their own markets, but all of the ghettos are far from the ports, so they have limited access to imports without a robust trade network. Most chimeras in Rytaia (as well as all of Nasir for that matter) survive through indentured seritude to wealthy human households, or by joining the Crimson Legions.
Government
While Nasir's monarch oversees the entire nation, Rytaia itself is governed principly by a chancellor. This position is held by a noble appointed by the king and, like all royal appointments, the office is retained by that individual until their death or the king's (rare) revocation. The chancellor is by and large accountable for a myriad of key concerns related to the city itself. Such matters include trade, taxes, resource supply and allocation, garrison upkeep, security, and more. Each of these issues is overseen more directly by an official that the chancellor appoints themselves.
Together, the chancellor and his appointed officials makeup the Rytaia Athrina (Rytaia [City] Council).
Infrastructure
The city was originally a chimeric settlement, rather than human. But immediately after the Fall, its rulers were overthrown and the city was nearly left to crumble into ruins during the the Void Years. Rytaia would have been just another shell across a map of former chimeric nations. However, the humans that remained, after most scattered, organized and claimed it for themselves, building a new settlement atop the rubble.
Impressive to the Tellans, Rytaia boasts several outstanding accomplishments for an early human civilization. While the engineering was most likely chimeric in origin, the city has a full network of above-ground aquaducts and below-ground sewage tunnels. These technological feats alone greatly support Rytaia's population density and it was the humans that built them up (or at least repaired them after the Void Years).
The city is also well-fortified with 50 ft. high walls surrounding the original settlement. Newer walls are constructed overtime to defend the outlying districts as the population grows, but progress has been slowed somewhat due to a strained supply of accessible limestone close to the city.
Main roads through the newer districts are fully laid with flagstone and organically wind around the city blocks. The older interior has large slabs of limestone and straight, wide roads that can support parades and grand festivals attracting large crowds.
The port in the South is probably Rytaia's pride and joy. It was built entirely by human hands and is of human design. It was never there when the chimeras ruled--likely because the chimeras never needed ships to cross water. The port attracts mercantile vessels from all over, even accepting imperial merchants meaning to trade in good faith. Of course, the port is also one of the Dominion's greatest military assets, able to build, repair, and resupply a navy. It has seen the construction of over one hundred fully-manned war vessels.
Guilds and Factions
Rytaia Athrina
The city council. Most of the time, they're bogged down by bureaucracy, but a well-appointed chancellor (aided by savvy lieutenants) can turn the Athrina into a powerful political force; one that has on several occassions shut down trade completely to bring uncoorperative merchant guilds under control.The Ruby Alliance
A network of allied merchant guilds and trade organizations headquartered near the city's famous port. It was the Alliance that funded the port's construction, and Rytaia's moniker as "the Ruby City" speaks to their success in helping the city become the world's most active and successful trading hub. There isn't a single shop owner in Rytaia that isn't a member of one of the Alliance's guilds. More info here. (article needed)The 2nd Crimson Legion
In 2 AA, the 2nd is on reserve and garrisoned within the capital. While on reserve status, a legion's role is that of a military police force. Unfortunately, with Rytaia's population expanding, the 2nd legion alone is largely ineffectual at crime prevention.The Lyceums
Colleges of various academic focuses. All of the lyceums fall under the organization of the Library of Sena. The Library is more than just a building and archive, it's an entire structure of various institutes. The lyceums often compete against each other in vein disputes over whose academic focus is more worthy of pursuit. Some call it politics, others prefer frivolity.Architecture
Nasirian architecture, art, and aesthetics can be compared to Tellus’ ancient Mesopotamian culture. Essentially, Nasir is the analogous Babylon of Adarus. Citizens place an emphasis on literacy and art that is prevelant throughout their cities. Homes, state buildings, public facilities, and fortifications are built mostly out of carved limestone and decorated with sculptures of eagle-like birds, astrals, kings, and soldiers.
Buildings are solid, sturdy constructs of limestone and clay brick. Larger estates, especially the royal palace and the Library of Sena, are massive terraced pyramids. Each receding step bears a recreational garden, a pool, or fountains. Both the exteriors and interiors of such structures show off bas reliefs that tell stories through monumental sculpture. The walls of wealthy estates are often decorated with glaze and the floors may be tiled with lapis lazuli or red granite.
Red banners and flags line the main streets of Rytaia, are hung from the embattlements of the city's walls, the balustrades of every noble’s balcony, and flown at the highest points of city. Crimson is the best color to express Nasirian pride, representative of the blood shed over a millennium of becoming one of Adarus' greatest human powers.
Founding Date
Between 1500 and 1475 BA
Alternative Name(s)
The Ruby City
Type
Capital
Population
Approx. 1 million
Inhabitant Demonym
Rytaians
Owning Organization
Related Reports (Primary)
