Hawong
Hawong ( HA-wong), also known as the The Seven Hills, is the capital city of the Theocracy of Nampyeon. Located in the shore of the Gods' Mirror lake, it serves as the seat of the Council of Gods, both politically and religiously, and is above all a symbol of Pyeonic culture.
During the first years after the Revelation, the city quickly expanded to have a palace for the Avatars, which also served as the first temples of the Seven Faiths. This required a lot of infrastructures, so from a small fishing town rose a sprawling city with imposing walls and a bustling market.
At that time, road bandits were a frequent occurrence, but Hawong provided safe roads with constant patrols. So people started taking the roads that took them through Hawong even if they weren't the most direct route. And so the city grew even further to accommodate these travelers, many of which ended up living there permanently.
Thanks to its location, far from all borders, Hawong has never been assaulted by an outside force. However, it has seen a number of popular uprisings, most of which were repressed with no issues. The most famous one is the Darkening, where the elite unit known as the Faithful Knights betrayed the Avatars. The battle that followed had effects on all of Nampyeon, but especially on its capital city.
It was after this event when the Avatars decided to build the Inner City. The purpose of this citadel is to both establish their power in a more visible way and to ensure the safety of the Avatars.
The City Guard is the biggest of the two and enforces the law in most parts of the city. They patrol all streets regularly in groups of at least two guards, or more in the conflictive parts of the city. They have permission to kill but rarely do so, as they are trained to arrest criminals with non-lethal methods.
The Divine Guard, on the other side, defends the Inner City and the Seven Avatars on the rare occasions they leave their residences. Unless they are guarding the Avatars outside of it, they only have authority within the Inner City and its immediate surroundings. They are far stricter than the City Guard and won't hesitate to kill anyone who dares to defy their authority. After all, they are trained to protect the gods.
It's also from the Shining Spires that the High Priests direct the government of both the country and the city. There you can find most political buildings, as well as garrisons for both the city guard and the army.
Even though foreigners are allowed in the wider city, this district works as a sort of contention zone for foreigners. It has all the services someone would need (inns, restaurants, translation services, embassies...), and it's next to the busiest street of Hawong.
It's crossed by the river and the breath-taking River Promenade, and its location next to the Amphitheater means that it's easy to see artists of all kinds displaying their performances in the street. It's also next to the Open District, which makes it a great attraction for tourists and travelers.
With the amphitheater itself at its heart, the district now has all sorts of cultural institutions, from museums to libraries. It's also the education district, with its schools and universities. And, of course, it's also where many artists live.
History
According to the official historical records, Hawong was founded on the year that marked the beginning of the Era of the Gods (EG). However, it's likely that there was at least a small town in place before that —after all, it's a fertile area next to a lake.During the first years after the Revelation, the city quickly expanded to have a palace for the Avatars, which also served as the first temples of the Seven Faiths. This required a lot of infrastructures, so from a small fishing town rose a sprawling city with imposing walls and a bustling market.
At that time, road bandits were a frequent occurrence, but Hawong provided safe roads with constant patrols. So people started taking the roads that took them through Hawong even if they weren't the most direct route. And so the city grew even further to accommodate these travelers, many of which ended up living there permanently.
Thanks to its location, far from all borders, Hawong has never been assaulted by an outside force. However, it has seen a number of popular uprisings, most of which were repressed with no issues. The most famous one is the Darkening, where the elite unit known as the Faithful Knights betrayed the Avatars. The battle that followed had effects on all of Nampyeon, but especially on its capital city.
It was after this event when the Avatars decided to build the Inner City. The purpose of this citadel is to both establish their power in a more visible way and to ensure the safety of the Avatars.
Government
Though legally the Council of Gods rules the city, the Avatars rarely rule the city directly. Instead, the high priest of each of the seven Houses of Light are usually the de facto rulers of the city (and the country in general). All seven Houses contribute to the city's well-being, but Civilization is the most visible one to any common citizen, as it controls the law enforcement.Law enforcement
Hawong has two separate law enforcement units, both controlled by the House of Civilization: the City Guard and the Divine Guard.The City Guard is the biggest of the two and enforces the law in most parts of the city. They patrol all streets regularly in groups of at least two guards, or more in the conflictive parts of the city. They have permission to kill but rarely do so, as they are trained to arrest criminals with non-lethal methods.
The Divine Guard, on the other side, defends the Inner City and the Seven Avatars on the rare occasions they leave their residences. Unless they are guarding the Avatars outside of it, they only have authority within the Inner City and its immediate surroundings. They are far stricter than the City Guard and won't hesitate to kill anyone who dares to defy their authority. After all, they are trained to protect the gods.
Districts
Hawong is divided into seven districts, all within the city's outer walls.Inner City
Located in the south-western corner of Hawong, this is a city within a city: it has its own walls, its own guard, and its own private infrastructure. Only a few select individuals have access to the full structure, and the rest are limited to the Hall of Petitions and occasionally the Outer Throne Room. The reason for such levels of security is that it's where the Seven Avatars live, and the place from which they rule the country and dictate their gods' wills.This is one of the most luxurious places I have been on this planet. Getting in there without the Avatars noticing was tricky, and I failed more times than I'm willing to admit. But the Private Library was definitely worth the trouble.
Shining Spires
Originally just a seven-sided square, this has now turned into a full district, taking up all the space between the Inner City and the Lake District. The original square is still there, and it's one of the prime religious locations of the city as it has the Grand Temples of the Houses of Light.It's also from the Shining Spires that the High Priests direct the government of both the country and the city. There you can find most political buildings, as well as garrisons for both the city guard and the army.
Lake District
This is the lower residential part of the city, and also the biggest district of the seven. It takes about a quarter of the city area and covers most of the lakeshore within the city walls. Most people in this district are lower class, living off their crafts, the fields, fishing, or small shops. Homeless beggars are also frequent, especially in the southern edge, the closest one to the High Hills.High Hills
This district takes up two hills and, unlike what the name would have you assume, it's not the highest point in the city —not literally, at least. Most wealthy people who are not part of the political class live here in large mansions with lush gardens. They are mostly merchants, company owners, and the rare free mage.Open District
Located near the main entrance to Hawong, this is where travelers from all over the country and the world can find a place to stay —both permanently and temporarily. The district has both inns and apartments for immigrants, although people who want to live permanently generally move out of the district after some years.Even though foreigners are allowed in the wider city, this district works as a sort of contention zone for foreigners. It has all the services someone would need (inns, restaurants, translation services, embassies...), and it's next to the busiest street of Hawong.
The Open District is pure chaos and energy. Walking down a street you'll hear dozens of languages, meet people from all species, and see all kinds of strange traditions.
Golden Valley
This is one of the two central districts, and it's a sprawling market with all kinds of products —including illegal ones if you know the right people. Streets are packed with people all day until the stores close, even though many people don't come there to buy. The Golden Valley is, after all in a prime location.It's crossed by the river and the breath-taking River Promenade, and its location next to the Amphitheater means that it's easy to see artists of all kinds displaying their performances in the street. It's also next to the Open District, which makes it a great attraction for tourists and travelers.
Amphiteater
Nampyeon is known for its culture and its artists, and the Amphitheater is the heart of this cultural tradition. It was originally a large amphitheater, but it grew over time until it became its own district. Walking the streets of the Amphitheater one can often see artistic performances, although they are less flashy and more delicate than those in the Golden Valley.With the amphitheater itself at its heart, the district now has all sorts of cultural institutions, from museums to libraries. It's also the education district, with its schools and universities. And, of course, it's also where many artists live.
Founding Date
0 EG
Alternative Name(s)
City of the Seven Hills
Type
Capital
Owning Organization
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