Nurrelia
Nurrelia is a large port city on the shore of The Placid Sea. Built at the mouth of the Paletar River, it is the second largest city remaining in the Aurean Empire. The city is notable for being under the de facto control of the church of Deyallor, who run the city's government under the distant watch of a weak but pious lord.
The city's economy is dominated by trade, both up the Paletar to the imperial capital Aureapolis and along and across the Placid Sea to ports like Starspire and Rephiar. The shore in front of the city is dominated by its massive docks, extending hundreds of feet out into the sea. Trading ships dock closer to the river, while the city's many small fishing boats dock further away. Most of what remains of the now relatively small imperial navy is based here as well, in a walled off area near the cities keep.
Districts
Nurrelia can be roughly divided into three areas, the western, eastern, and inner districts, which are each fairly large and include a diverse array of smaller neighborhoods. The western district is the smallest, consisting of the shore furthest from the river where the fishing boats dock and the areas directly inland. It is made of primarily of small tighly packed houses and narrow, crooked streets. Aside from fishermen, the district is populated by a significant number of poor dock workers and other laborers employed in the western district. The distict also has the highest amount of organized crime, having the best combination of poverty and distance from church authority, though it is still lower than areas in many cities The eastern district stretches along the coast closer to the mouth of the river, cut off from the eastern district by the city's large keep and military docks. In addition to the docks themselves, it includes many wealthy and middle income neighborhoods near the keep and docks. The church's hold is weakest here, in part by design to avoid offending visitors and wealthy residents. The church still governs the area though, and their guard patrols and gives out justice like in the other districts. The inner district makes up a majority of the city, including most areas away from the shore. It holds the cities great temple of Deyallor, from where the church governs, and is where its grip is tightest. The eastern portion of the district, near the river, is home to many of the cities skilled craftspeople and many shopkeepers who run tightly regulated stalls in the large market squares common in the area. The western areas are mostly populated by poor laborers, and some sections have been largely abandoned thanks to the city's reduced population. A decent number of vagrants have taken up residence here, attracted by the free food offered by the church. Promising ones are recruited by the church, often becoming incredibly loyal forming a large portion of the guard, civil service, and the priesthood itself.Goverment
Though officially ruled by a lord, the city is effectively run by the church of Deyallor. This is due to the lord's dull and unfocused nature, and his fondness for the church. The surrounding province, also called Nurrelia, is technically ruled by this lord as well, and local nobles run more distant settlements with little regard for their alleged liege. The church enforces strict moral laws they see as in line with the teachings of their god. There is heavy regulations on most public activities, from commercial enterprises, to construction, to public performances and even excessive loitering in public streets. Consumption of alcohol is restricted to liscensed establishments, and gambling, prostitution, and drunken behavior are strictly prohibited—though this does take place in a number of illicit establishments. Punishments for all crimes are harsh and public, taking place where the public can easily view. The church also provides a significant amount of charity, which has made them especially popular among some of the city's poorest residents. Many also speak highly of the city's relatively low crime rates and general quiet, especially for a port city. The church purposefully keeps a looser hand on enforcement near the docks, so as not to discourage potential visitors or reduce spending from docked sailors.History
The city was founded in 165 AY after the Aurean Empire conquered the area from its rival Zarthax. Due to its prominant location on the only water route to the capital it would quickly grow into a major city. After the empire's collapse in the years around 4835 AY, the city would decline somewhat as the empire and its capital shrank.
Founding Date
165 AY
Type
City
Population
170,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Nurrelian
Owning Organization
