Radiant City of Sol
Few sights are as overwhelming as seeing the city of Sol for the first time, and that city is only growing.
Overview
The Radiant City of Sol is the capital of the Kingdom of Helia. It is the largest and most ornate city on the Quassus Continent. It's design is intended to be a reflection of the sun, and it its rulers intend on it being the center of power of the new World Order- a worthy successor to The Ancient Order. What better than a Kingdom that embodies the brilliance of the sun itself? The Kingdom's mandate is to increase the glory of Sol and so the people and resources of every conquered land is brought back to the city to add to its glory.Rings of Sol
A royal decree exists to mandating that the city maintains an overall round design to better a reflect the sun above. If one were to view the city from above they would see that the city consists of ten circles surrounding the The Radiant Palace, called rings oddly enough, each separated by a wall. These circles are the main districts of the city. They also represent the successful assimilation of Helia's conquered enemies. Each ring possesses a look and feel inspired from the cultures conquered by the kingdom with the exception of the innermost ring of the city where the original people of Helia live. The newly conquered are mandated to occupy the outermost ring under the watchful eye of the Sol Guard. As such, there is a rising progression of wealth as status as one travels from the outskirts of the city to its center. Of course, there are sub-districts but you may find those in another article.It is no secret that the Helian's lie on what is likely a great treasure trove of ancient knowledge and items. Two questions to consider: What have they found down there? And why have they yet to use these discoveries besides their horrid fire?
Ancient Foundation
The city is said to be built upon the remains of the largest Ancient city on the continent. This city largely having been buried during the The Great Collapse. Undoubtedly this is the site where the first King of Helia learned to create Helian Fire. No doubt more secrets can be found within these ruins of a city. The ancient city itself was buried by the Great Collapse, and it is this sediment that the Radiant City of Sol rests upon. Whatever secrets were found within these ruins since the founding of Helia are undoubtedly protected. If these secrets are items, perhaps they lie within the lower levels of The Radiant Palace.Most know us only of our ability to make war. They do not know how many other passions we have, including road-work!
The Sun Road
A great road that bisects the city from east to west. During the longest day of the year, the shadow of the city's central spire casts a shadow that aligns perfectly with this road at dawn or dusk. During that same day, the city erupts into a day-long celebration of the Sun's longest journey across the sky for the year. There is a more somber festival during the shortest day of the year, a night where encouragement for the sun's return is observed.Defences
As of 1277AGC, there are twelve walls that separate the city's growth rings from one another. Each wall features guard towers and two gates to accommodate the Sun Road that bisects the entire city. A new, thirteenth wall is under construction, and it is set to be the largest the city will see yet due to the fact that the city's new growth ring will represent the combined wealth of the defeated Rossa Alliance.
Each ring of the city also features a castle, which acts as the administrative and military center for that portion of the city. Such castles are located near the primary gate of their respective rings and are only as imposing as the conquered lands they are made from.
Industry & Trade
I'll give Sol credit for one thing, you can do almost anything you want to there. Whatever you decide make your profession, make sure that it has nothing to do with magic or high alchemy. - Archivist NemoThe city features large farms that cover the plains outside the city proper. Many citizens make a living working in those fields to ensure that the city is fed. Fishermen will also travel away from the city to the southern sea to fish and then return twice a year to offload their bounty; during the Sol Festival in the middle of summer, and then during the winter months. Additionally, the city is home to nearly all kinds of tradesmen, from fashion designers to blacksmiths. The arts are a particularly valued profession at least near the city's center. Several prominent artists make their homes in Sol. Some professions are banned to the common citizenry however. The pursuit or the arcane and higher alchemy is officially reserved for the noble classes of Helia. If a common citizen is caught practicing magic or making high-level potions they are subject to arrest, imprisonment, and even death depending on the nature of the crime. Officially, Helia regards the arcane arts as being highly dangerous and therefore a skill only a few can be entrusted with.
Infrastructure
Sol includes a network of roads to facilitate ease of travel throughout the city. It is based in part on the works of the Ancients, whom were known to have engaged in the construction of massive road networks. The city is fed fresh water from the mountains through a system of aqueducts. There are three such structures that supply the city, and two more are under construction. The city is also home to a variety of structures from mills to courtyards, blast furnaces, and bridges that connect the upper floors of buildings to each other. Sol is also home to the largest towers constructed on the continent since the works of the ancients. While there's nothing that quite approaches the grandeur of an Ancient "sky-scraper" (a term found in remnant documents), the city's inhabitants have demonstrated a desire to build their own in the future.
Architecture
When a day has a particularly bright sun, walking through the streets of Sol can feel like you really are walking on the face of the sun.- Francis Meadowwind, 1261AGC.The city features a remarkably uniform architecture as new construction projects need to meet the city's unusually strict building code. Most structures are made of stone, some are monolithic in nature. The buildings are usually built to be tall accommodate the city's ever growing population and activity. In many ways, the walls and roofs of the city are designed as much as possible to give the impression that one walks on the very face of the sun, with various adornments shaped like flames and yellow, orange, and red pigments being used to color most things. Bridges are a common sight between buildings to allow the wealthier members of Sol society to bypass the more crowded ground-level streets. As one moves to the center of the city, gold adornments will become more common.
Geography
The city lies in The Golden Plains located on the Continental Island of Lluvia. These wide plains have been turned into massive farms in order to feed the ever growing city. Despite the great size of these farms, Sol is requiring more imports from the Kingdom's farming outpost.
A great river bisects the city from north to south and is a source of trade. The river has an outlet in the Shizukana Sea to the south which has allowed Helia to maintain trade with the Azumanami Thalassocracy. This trade is not expected to last as the Kingdom will eventually seek to annex their southern neighbor, and the Azumanami are quietly preparing for the eventuality. The river does not connect to the Occulus Sea. This has been an impediment to the city when it come to trade with the Free City-State of Centrum. King Vimak seeks to rectify this situation with Vimak's Canal, one of the King's many ambitious construction projects.
All artwork is by starfarertheta unless otherwise stated.
Alternative Name(s)
The Second Sun
Type
Capital
Population
507000
Inhabitant Demonym
Solarians
Location under
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Demographics
- Human - 20%
- Minotaur - 15%
- Elf - 12%
- Drow - 10%
- Dwarf - 10%
- Goliath - 10%
- Half-Elf - 10%
- Hin - 5%
- Other - 8%
City Assets
The following list is not exhaustive:- Alchemy Shops
- Libraries
- Drinking fountains
- Trinket Stores
- Blacksmiths
- Armorers
- Woodworking Shops
- Florist Shops
- Stone Mason Shops
- Tailor Shops
- Carpenter Shops
- Goldsmith Shops
- Artistry Shops
- Bakeries
- Public gardens
- Taverns
- Inns
- Public Bathhouses
Main Districts
- The Radiant Palace
- Vetus Cycl
- Nova Cycl
- Victa
- Doctrina
- Crystallini
- Artem
- Hortus
- Parco
- Arbaro
- Caseus
Travel Note(s) from the Archivists
Sol is a place where it is very easy to get lost. Take that from someone with personal experience. - Archivist Theta How did you get out? - Archivist Enna When I realized that all I had to do was move away from the bright, golden spire. You could see that thing from anywhere. - Archivist Theta How long did it take you to realize that all you had to do was to find the Sun Road? - Archivist Taenya Naïlo Longer than I will admit in writing. - Archivist ThetaRemove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
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