Anhae

Translating to "second home" in the elven language, Anhae was the first settlement established by migrants to Egera.
On it's peninsula isolated by mountains to the north and cliffs to the west, it was decades before the elven settlers had any contact with the natives peoples of their new land. By that time, they had established a permanent outpost, the capital of a new colonial nation.
Now, millenia later, Anhae is one of the largest cities in Egera. It is a hub of commerce and trade between two continents and the center of elven culture in the north. What was once a small settlement has grown into a thriving metropolis and an example of the glory of the elven homeland.
The lords of Anhae know well the example they set to their neighbors. And they know that for the few who make their way into elven lands, this city will be their only glimpse at true elven society. That glimpse, then, must be perfect. Legends say that Anhae's streets are paved with marble and its buildings made of gold. This is, of course, an exaggeration, but the elves take great pride in the beauty of their city, from its fluid architecture to it's carefully paved streets and manicured parks, there is no part that a casual visitor could find fault in.
But the gilded perfection of Anhae is merely a facade. Like all cities it harbors a dark underbelly and dirty secrets. Thieves, smugglers, criminals, poverty, slavery. The elves' Jewel of the North is built on the backs of the poor souls hidden from public view. After all, for the nobility of Anhae, reputation is everything.

Demographics

Anhae's population is primarily elven. But because it serves as a hub of both trade and government other races are not uncommon. Humans are the second most populous race, with dwarves and kentier the least common.

Government

Officially, Anhae still falls under the rule of the Elven Empire and its Empress.
Several of the original founding families have built up small dynasties of their own, a class of nobility that wields great influence and power over the colony's internal politics. But ultimately these nobles must bow to the will of their Empress. Or her proxies.
The greatest governing power in the colony falls to the Empress' Regent, Ambassador, and Generals. Each appointed by the empress herself, this small ruling body is tasked with enforcing Imperial law and order, as well as managing political relations both within and without the colony.

Industry & Trade

Anhae is the main hub of trade between the elven empire and the continent of Egera. Shipping and mercantile are lucrative and popular fields of work, and there are also many craftsmen that work with raw materials imported from the homeland.
Imports from the empire are largely luxury goods. Raw materials in the form of fabrics, metals, gemstones, and foodstuffs are the most abundant. Specialty items such as books, materials for magic, and jewelry are also common.
Smugglers frequently deal in rare items or contraband, such as spell materials derived from rare or protected species of plants and animals, or books of forbidden magics.

Geography

Anhae is situated on the western coast of a wide peninsula, bordered to the north by mountains and to the east and south by a wide river flowing down from those mountains.

Natural Resources

The ocean waters off the coast of the city are ripe for fishing, and the lands alongside the river fertile and level for farming. The people have been able to cultivate both grains native to Egera and rice brought north from their homeland thanks to the river's floodplains.
The mountains have provided a good source of stone for building roads and large structures, and some ore veins have been discovered within. The inlands of the peninsula and some mountain foothills are forested, but these woods are small and not suitable for large-scale logging for construction.

Type

Capital

Population

36000

Location under

Continent of Egera

The city of Anhae sits like a jewel on the coast, its wide port welcoming traders and travelers alike with open arms. The docks are always crowded here. Crowded and loud. The shouts of sailors and merchants, the calls of sea birds and the creak of ships as they sit at anchor. Everyone has a task to perform and the crowd moves with a purpose and a unity, like a massive choreographed dance to which each individual know their part to perfection.
Beyond the docks the rest of the city climbs up the rising hillsides, its wide avenues following the natural shape of the land. Far off rumors claim that the streets of Anhae are paved with marble and gold, and while this is not the case, the paving stones are smooth and polished beneath the feet of the hundreds of people that pass through here each day. And clean. There is hardly a scrap of litter or refuse to be seen, and certainly not a beggar in sight.
On first impression, Anhae is perfection, the city that all others strive to be. You can only imagine what majesty the homeland of these people is like. Perhaps those streets truly are paved with gold.