Balleron

Capitol of the Republic (and the center of the universe as far as its citizens are concerned), Balleron straddles the mouth of the might Aniene River and faces the sea to the east. Centuries of prosperity and centralization have drawn people and resources from humans on two continents to this hub, making it the largest and most industrious city in the world, beating even the mighty dwarven citadels for sheer output. Though awash in poorer neighborhoods and possessing a seedy underbelly the likes of which no other city can support, Balleron still sets an impressive standard for its more fortunate citizens.

Demographics

Humans compose 98% of the population, with dwarves and a small handful of man'di and elves making up the last 2%.
Of the humans, 8% come from well-to-do families who contribute to the Senate and own land. Roughly 55% of the humans make up the common population, and the remainder are slaves, either from military conquests, selling themselves to pay off debts, or born into the position.

Government

The Senate passes laws and makes declarations (such as war), and consists of roughly 400 people drawn from wealthier families. The Emperor, formally known as Primary Consul, leads the military and executes Senate policy. A small Tribune is collected from the commoners to ensure that laws don't unjustly affect the non-elite. It should be noted that the Empire does not have a state prosecution; though there are listed crimes, it falls on the victim (or family of the victim) to prosecute the matter and bring it to court. Courts have become the battleground of the elite with time and money to spare, though most common folk have a harder time bringing matters to (official) justice.
Smaller courts are available in any large neighborhood, and hear cases from wealthy and common folk alike. The judges undergo rigorous study for their position, and arbiters of law hold an esteemed position in Republic society. This comes with high expectations of their character however.

Defences

The low wall served as a deterrent against earlier foes of the city, but now stands more as a monument. The Praetorian Legion numbers close to six thousand soldiers, a whopping five hundred of whom pilot warmachines. For this reason alone most armies balk at the thought of besieging the city, and by both law and custom no military unit other than the Praetorians is allowed to come within ten miles of the city, lest the Praetorians take them down. Balleron boasts an impressive enough skyfleet as well as a more traditional navy, and maintains siege weapon platforms at strategic high points throughout the city. Ballistae and trebuchets are common, as are magically powered cannons capable of laying down withering fire on any skyships approaching.

Industry & Trade

Nearly everyone in the city either manufactures goods from the materials pouring in, or provides service to those who do. Tanners, smiths, tinkers, shipwrights and any other conceivable craftspeople may be found here, along with a bustling entertainment sector including actors in theaters of all kinds, restaurants, brothels, and even less savory services. Balleron is famous for its warmachine production facilities, all three of which are capable of producing one machine a month when funded and supplied. (Usually, two facilities are dedicated to making replacement parts for warmachines in service at any given time.) Balleron only has one skyship production yard, known for turning out serviceable if unremarkable vessels.
The quality of Balleron's goods varies wildly, with the usual range of human craftsmanship available. The few dwarves who live in the city are entirely merchants, with no dwarven craftsperson willing to betray their kind; the Republic's neutral position toward dwarves isn't trusted, and most expect that it's only a matter of time before the Republic brings its legions to bear on dwarven lands.

Infrastructure

Balleron sits on the sides of four hills with the river running right through the city. Clever engineering brings fresh water down from higher elevations to even the patrician homes near the summits, and waste is swiftly disposed of by these same aqueducts, making for a surprisingly clean city. Public baths are a common feature, with the most popular lying in the northwest portion of the city where natural hot springs have been tapped. Others still serve as important social sites, as citizens not only clean themselves but discuss events among themselves and socialize. A bath also serves as a nexus for street vendors and restaurants.
The city's defenses might appear modest, with low walls running the length of the city at its lowest points, but the hillsides opposite the city center have been sculpted and shaped to present impassable terrain to any militaries on foot, and the Praetorian Legion boasts the greatest number of warmachines among the legions in the Republic, ensuring that their deceptively small numbers can handle considerable challenges.

Assets

Only Hisarlik rivals Bellaron for sheer volume of trade, and Bellaron trumps all other cities when it comes to importing raw materials from its far flung provinces. The Republic is an extremely wealthy nation with the ability to manufacture all that it needs or wants from incoming goods.

Guilds and Factions

Ballerons are a factional lot indeed. Nearly everyone in the city avidly follows the chariot races that dominate public life, with citizens devoting themselves to one of six teams (typically by neighborhood). This fervent fandom has caused riots and even violent skirmishes in the streets over sports outcomes; in one famous example, a devoted fan grew so distraught over the death of his favorite charioteer that he threw himself upon the charioteer's funeral pyre. With mascots and outlooks and popular literature supporting them, these six teams have gained a significance in the lives of Balleron citizens that borders on religion.
Though only a few hundred elves live within the city, the Garden of Night Blooming Flowers has a profound effect on city politics. The all-elven assassin's guild takes commissions exclusively on humans, and wields enough power and secrecy that despite the feverish efforts of some senators in the past, naught can be done to dislodge them. Given their long lifespans, elves may spend decades mastering especially deadly weapons, giving them an edge in their assignments; most will present themselves to their quarry and give the latter an opportunity to defend themselves (though more ironclad contracts can be arranged). Rumors abound of elves taking commissions from commoners or doing 'pro bono' work, but none have brought a convincing case in court against them.
Kytheria's Heart appears to be a massive thieves' guild, though their purpose is actually to disrupt the careful geomancy present in much of the city. Believing that the world's energy needs to flow freely lest it build up and create violent storms (which have been documented in settled regions throughout history), this band of ecoterrorists includes pickpockets and cutpurses to fund the organization and also to keep it less threatening in the eyes of the authorities (while petty crime is annoying, the level of vandalism needed to achieve their goals rises above that), while sages and magi inform higher operations meant to liberate the flow of Kytheria's life energies.

History

Balleron as a city has stood for over a thousand years. Recent centuries have seen an explosion of growth as the center of the Republic reaped the incredible rewards this position granted, but it also means that the poorer districts of the city have become noticeably more shabby.

Alternative Name(s)

The Capitol

Type

Metropolis

Population

Just over one million

Inhabitant Demonym

Ballerons