Aitheris

Demographics

Every adult picks a profession that best suits them and their interests and continues to work in this field for the rest of their live. Since magic is the driving force that facilitates the working process, old age isn´t usually a reason to quit working, on the contrary, the older and more experienced an Ascendi gets, the more powerful and finely tuned their magic becomes generally. Birth rates are low, in part because the population needs to be kept below a certain amount, for Hardora can only provide a limited amount of resources. About 800 children live in Aitheris. The distribution of the age groups is very even until the age of about 250, which is considered to be the time where the mind and body begin to decline until they can´t be fixed anymore. After reaching maturity, a five-year educational program allows Ascendi to explore every working field available and choose one that suits them best at the end. About fifty percent of the working population is occupied with the various farming activities, primarily taking place outside the city. Another major aspect of Aitheris economy is the procession from raw material into goods. Since the abundancy of magic, it is possible for most production to take place in the same locations and not rely on the use of equipment. About a third of the population works in these so called “halls of creation”. Logistics, distribution and maintenance occupy the bulk of the remaining citizens, about ten percent of the adult population.

Government

Every adult picks a profession that best suits them and their interests and continues to work in this field for the rest of their live. Since magic is the driving force that facilitates the working process, old age isn´t usually a reason to quit working, on the contrary, the older and more experienced an Ascendi gets, the more powerful and finely tuned their magic becomes generally. Birth rates are low, in part because the population needs to be kept below a certain amount, for Hardora can only provide a limited amount of resources. About 800 children live in Aitheris. The distribution of the age groups is very even until the age of about 250, which is considered to be the time where the mind and body begin to decline until they can´t be fixed anymore. After reaching maturity, a five-year educational program allows Ascendi to explore every working field available and choose one that suits them best at the end. About fifty percent of the working population is occupied with the various farming activities, primarily taking place outside the city. Another major aspect of Aitheris economy is the procession from raw material into goods. Since the abundancy of magic, it is possible for most production to take place in the same locations and not rely on the use of equipment. About a third of the population works in these so called “halls of creation”. Logistics, distribution and maintenance occupy the bulk of the remaining citizens, about ten percent of the adult population.

Defences

After Hardora left the surface, a wall was built around Aitheris as well as watchtowers along the perimeter. Since no outside thread was to be expected after there was no sign of other survivors, the buildings have been demolished and the resources repurposed. The Ascendi believe, that they can conquer any threat the future may hold with their mastery over magic and themselves.

Industry & Trade

There are no stores or other places of commerce. Besides the necessary equipment, clothing and other tools that are produced in the halls of creation, excess resources are stored by the servants and given out to the public in an equal ratio. The Ascendi can use their own magic to create whatever they like with the raw materials they are given while a healthy supply remains in store for times of need. Aitheris has no currency and due to the lack of partners no external trade. Aitheris has no currency and due to the lack of partners no external trade. Within Aitheris, exchange of self-made products is very uncommon, because those are a mean of self-expression apart from valuable from a material standpoint. Most often, they are passed on as gifts to those dearest to an Ascendi.

Infrastructure

Within Aitheris, paved roads are organized in serpentines, allowing easy access to the higher levels of the city. Between different plateaus exist lifts as shortcuts. Within the city perimeter, the Ascendi confine themselves to walking. However, outside of Aitheris, Ascendi are allowed to use any mode of transportation as long as it doesn´t interferes with work, disrupts the island (e.g. burrowing) or risks the wellbeing of others. Aqueducts regulate the distribution of water both within and outside the city and are a dominant feature of Aitheris’ architecture. Giant pipes made out of glass run next to them, transporting a glowing, blue liquid throughout the city. Manaducts mainly connect the inner chambers of Aitheris (where the mana-cycling occurs) with the halls of creation, where magic is used for production. Any waste the city produces, be it organic or inorganic, is collected in an underground sewer system that also leads to the inner chambers to be recycled. There have once been docks at the edges to allow scout vessels to search for other survivors, but those projects have long since been terminated. Only one dock remains, just in case, but nobody wastes their time there anymore.

Assets

The most important assets of Aitheris lies in its resources, especially mana. Mana is produced by living beings, which is why it is essential for Hardora not to exceed a certain population due to the limit of natural resources on the one hand, but have a minimum population to guarantee the necessary amount of mana on the other. In this regard, the Ascendi themselves are a resource for their survival. Programs to further their reproduction are in effect from the beginning. The personality of Ascendi is monitored and they are grouped with potential partners whenever possible. There are different public institutions that offer cultural experiences or simple amusement. Museums contain artifacts from the past, before the surface was destroyed. Art galleries showcase what beauty the Ascendi can create with and without their powers and are divided accordingly. Solving riddles and playing challenging games has a long history within Aitheris and there are several clubs for those purposes. A temple lies outside the main city on one of the hills. It is a place to think and remember, not to worship any deity or concept. Fresco paintings adorn the inside of the tall building while statues stand on the roof. Marble columns form a small barrier against the wind, but only the inner sanctum has actual walls. The gate that leads there has been locked for a very long time.

Architecture

Most houses in the city were made of stone, since Aitheris was carved out of the mountain itself. The buildings are tower-like, having a small base but reaching up to thirty meters in height. They are made of the same marble most of the mountain consists of that reflects the sun in dazzling brightness during the day and even shimmers a bit in starlight. The windows are narrow, the roofs mostly cone shaped, but some are flat to allow the inhabitants to lie upon them. Any stone building looks like it was made of one piece, without any rough edges or imperfections. Aitheris is built across four plateaus, getting smaller from bottom to top. The halls of creation stick out of the cityscape with their massive, cuboid shape and open ceilings to allow easier transportation. The entrance to the islands core is located at the top level of Aitheris and visible from afar. It has a rectangular shape, the short side facing the city with massive columns supporting the brick-covered roof. Wide stairs lead up the pedestal from three sides while the rear is hidden within the mountain.

Type

City

Population

about 8,500

Inhabitant Demonym

-

Location under

Hardora