Aldveris (aald-veh-riss)
The capital city of Mirage, Aldveris acts as a seat for the Economic Republic of Ovensu, and is one of the major trade hubs of the world, equalled only by Varendialla. Ruled in conjunction between the Miradic royal family and the Merchant Lords themselves in parliament. This city has repeatedly been deemed to be the largest and highest-populated city in the world. Business opportunities of all levels exist here, around every single corner. Shady, back-alley deals are just as common as above-board deals between merchants. The vast, under-city sewer and water networks practically act as breeding grounds for thieves and smugglers of all types. Rumour has it, in fact, that the markets for the Underbelly guild here are just as large as the above-ground markets for the rest of the city. With a population of around 18,647,900, and a total size of around 23,500 square miles, the residential areas of this city, a total of around 9,000 square miles house about 1900 people per square mile, not including travellers.
Demographics
Healthy mix of all races, including dwarves and dragonkin.
| Half-Races | 27% |
| Humans | 17% |
| Elves | 16% |
| Gnomes | 15% |
| Dragonkin | 8% |
| Dwarves | 2% |
| Other | 15% |
Government
Parliament system between the Miradic Royal Family, the ERO, and some influential members of Aldveris. Additional seats for international representatives are available during certain meetings and discussions.
Defences
The city of Aldveris has the largest Navy in Greater Ovensu. The city itself is bolstered by a large, net-like system of walls that break the city apart into smaller, individual areas.
Industry & Trade
Aldveris prides itself on its massive gold export and trade industry. The ERO enforces global trade taxes which is more than enough to keep the city afloat. Aldveris is also the world's foremost minter of currency.
Infrastructure
Large and elaborate underground sewage and water drainage system, now especially used for illicit activities. Hundreds of large windmills dot the city's skyline, used for power or processing of goods. Aldveris has a smattering of different types of technology, from new to old. Many parts of the city have been designed to work very well with eachother, such as the sewers being connected to the city's elaborate water drainage system, with waterwheels mixed in for power, and certain run-off areas for drinking water sources. Different magics allow for enhanced mechanisms in many areas, far beyond what might normally be possible.
Districts
There are officially 30 districts of Aldveris. Four districts in Western Aldveris are currently in development and have not yet been named by the Aldveran Government.
Central:
- The Life Spring. The Oasis at the heart of the city, renowned for its healing properties and clarity.
- Upper and Lower Ivory Shelves. Noble housing, high-end businesses, and 'austerely magnanimous' (As Described in 'A Visitor's Guide to Goldcrest') architecture.
- Northern Gold Tongue. Despite there being no Southern Gold Tongue, this district sits as a beautiful decorative area. Large gardens, open areas, and botanical areas. Built on a stretch of the Crescord Highlands, that the city rests upon, in the shape of a snake's tongue.
- The Karthmere Spire. Palace of the Sai'Mulau Royal Family, with some auxiliary chambers used for housing members of the ERO and additional members of parliament.
- Sugar District. Large swathes of farmland used for sugarcane farming. Also a low-end housing area.
- Northern Gale. Large harbour area for transportation of cargo and trade goods. Mainly for exporting goods.
- The Hives. A section of the ascent along the Crescord Highlands filled with different neighborhoods carved into the mountainside. Named after how the homes look like a bee or wasp nest, nestled by eachother in slight patterns.
- Hamvir's Rest. One of the more developed sections of Aldveris, nestled between The Hives and the Northern Gale. A healthy mix of large residential areas, markets, and warehouses.
- Saviour's Moor. A farming area with warehouses dotting the area. Highly industrialized.
- The Crescord Concord. A densely populated portion of the Crescord Highlands that is in the midst of development and construction.
- The Northern Bulwark. The North wall of Aldveris, standing adamantly for around 1,800 years.
- Southern Gale: Large port area. Nestled closely to the central Eastern wall, this port acts as a primary docking location for many high-end vessels.
- Algeçoier, King’s Port. Primary docking location for passenger vessels in and out of the city. Made up of eight different leveled platforms that ships can off-load at and work around. Coated with a plentiful display of different small shops and businesses of most all types, including small metalworks and spots for traveling merchants. Overseen by Port Master Adrian González and Harbor Master Alfred ‘Alf’ Ivory-Tusk.
- The Pack. Colloquially referred to as 'The Labyrinth,' this area acts as one of the primary housing sectors for the city. An attempt at compact housing by the Aldveran government. Housing conditions here are cramped, and sometimes unsafe, but very affordable. Many people stay here just for the experience. Shops around every corner, new people always coming in and out, and a healthy plethora of different sounds always catching the ear.
- Caldir's Pot. Otherwise known as the 'Hot-Pot,' this is a heavily developed commercial district where many immigrants and visitors first stay at. Plenty of buildings stand, filled with dozens of families living in a variety of conditions, from squalor to hints of nobility.
- The Emboss Promenade. A hot spot from travelers to take rest when traveling in between Central and Eastern Mirage and Aldveris. Covered in pop-up markets and smaller housing areas that constantly move and shift as travelers stay and leave.
- The Eastern Bulwark. The Eastern wall, stalwartly defending Aldveris for around 1,900 years.
- Charred Steppes. Colloquially referred to as Aldveris' 'downtown' area, this large district on the descending western side of the Crescord Highlands is used for all manner of business. It is the busiest district, with every street filled with merchants and vendors of all types.
- The Mare. A large, manmade canyon formed from centuries of mining. Vaguely in the shape of a horse, when viewed from above. Now a large, developing housing hub buttressed up against The Stacks.
- The Stacks. Aldveris' primary industrial area, found within the inner parts of The Mare. Smoke constantly pours from most of the several thousand smoke stacks in this area. One of the highest employing areas in Aldveris.
- Baion's Rest. Named after the massive, ancient dragon skeleton found here in years long past, this area is a beautiful display of Aldveran art. A large residential district where graffiti is fully allowed in all non-destructive forms. Smaller markets dot the streets, generally selling art pieces and unique goods from across the world.
- Western Emboss. A section of the Emboss Valley used for a mix of industrial, commercial, and residential buildings. Makeshift aerial trams are used commonly for transport between the north and south parts of the valley, while the central road that runs through the valley is used for transport between central and eastern Mirage.
- The Collapse. The Western border of Aldveris, dotted with walls, but primarily defended by the upwards of 200 metre drops between the lower Crescord Highlands and the Arctic Deprave Canyon.
- Southern Emboss. Gateway between Central and Eastern Mirage, through the Emboss Valley. Developing alongside the Western Emboss.
- The Spud. A massive farming area for inter-city food production. Southern section is now a swathe of largely destitute and abandoned housing, no longer in use.
- The Silken Steep. A long pathway up one portion of the Crescord Highlands. Decorated with several thousand rugs on the road.
- Chillal Avenue. A section just south of Central Aldveris filled with shrines and churches to almost any god imaginable. Overlooks the Emboss Valley.
- The Ashen Overlook. A massive residential area built along the Southern Emboss ridge descent, overlooking the Southern Maine Ocean, off into the far, far distance.
- The Southern Bulwark. Built after southern reaches of the city fell into ruin during the Age of Avilris.
- The Sewerworks. The massive underground sewer system that runs through the entire city and beyond in some areas.
- The Plague Pits. The deepest reaches of the sewer system. Unguarded, overrun with monsters and beasts of plenty varieties. Largely unexplored. Filled with several Millennia worth of waste.
Assets
National Flower: Rainbow Shale Lily. Poisonous but beautiful lily that grows in a large manner of locations across Aldveris.
Guilds and Factions
The Underbelly is "rumoured" (It is basically regarded as fact) to have its central Hub located here, under the streets themselves.
An up-and-coming group known as the Sand Striders has recently begun operation into exploration into the Miradic desert, which is largely unclaimed and unexplored.
Tourism
The Baion's Rest District, Silken Steep, Chillal Avenues, and Central Aldveris make up a majority of the city's tourism with colourful displays from millions of people over the years, shrines to almost every God out there, beautiful architecture, hanging gardens, and much more. Thousands of shop dot the city, offering to almost any niche imaginable, if one searches for long enough.
Architecture
A massive deluge of different architectural styles from nearly 3000 years of different civilizations which have inhabited Aldveris blanket the city. Massive towers from previous Magocracies and massive bulwarks and walls from the Arcane Winter. Old crests and banners from ruling parties and guilds now long dissolved and removed from power dot nooks and crannies throughout the city and its surroundings.
Geography
The city of Aldveris stretches across hundreds of miles of land, from north of the Life Spring oasis to the ruins south of the city. Built along the Crescord Highlands mountain range, this massive city spans the horizon, encompassing the entire Emboss Valley and surrounding areas.
Climate
Semi-controlled by Arcane users in the area, though the sheer size of the city leads to a muffled effect at best. Hot days, cold nights, occassional sandstorms caused by harsh winds off of the Ruby Sea and from the Arctic Deprave Canyon. Storms weather the sandstand and limestone that much of the city is built on, constantly blown in from the North and West.
Natural Resources
Limestone mines beneath portions of the desert and ocean generate steady income and fuel the city's glass production. Gold mines found throughout the surrounding area makes up for a large chunk of exports in the country.
Founding Date
~2800-2900 years ago, during the Age of Discovery
Alternative Name(s)
Catul'a'Lyras, The Column of Life, Goldcrest, City of Sands, The Ruby
Type
Capital
Population
18,647,900
Inhabitant Demonym
Aldverans, Alverians, Miradic, Miraanians
Location under
Included Locations
Owning Organization
Characters in Location