Helea

Helea is one of the six cities establishing the Union of the Six Cities of Noria. It is located in the center of the desert continent of Noria.

Location and design

Helea lays in the center of the vast desert of Noria on the intersection of four of the continent's main trade routes. It is the only city in Noria that does not border the sea. It more or less is located where the ancient Sarthanian city of Tirat used to be before the great disaster.
Helea is surrounded by large walls made of sandstone and blue shimmering glass with entrance gates where the four main trading routes enter the city. These trading routes also form the four main streets of the city. At their intersection lays the great plaza. In the middle of the plaza there is the great Helean Tower in which most of the city's official affairs take place and in which the Helean Khali resides. Next to the plaza there is a small pond that used to be a large oasis before it was reduced in size to fit the construction of the rest of the city.
Between the four main streets, there are many smaller streets. Contrary to the other Norian cities, these streets are not made in a checkerboardpattern. This hints at the Helea's natural growth as opposed to the other cities that where deliberately founded and designed in a more efficient matter.
Most of the buildings in the city are medium sized houses of tree to four flours made of sandstone. The most noticable building is the Helean Tower in the center of the city's great plaza, which is several times higher than any other building not only in Helea but in the entire continent of Noria. The tower, the main plaza and the four main streets are made of and paved in white and cream coloured marble.

History

Helea was originally nothing more than a small settlement at an oasis which lay next to the intersection of the original Norian trade routes. With the increasing trade between the other Norian cities, this settlement grew in size and importance. It was a good spot for trading goods destined for another city and its rather large natural oasis formed a welcome respite for many trader travelling the Norian desert.
This settlement was officially 'founded' as the ctiy called Healea in the year 484 AD and recieved cityrights in the year 701 AD.