Heorot
A city partially shrouded in eternal night, and reshaped to the whims of a persian-drow elitist couple, Heorot is unique in how life functions within it. With half the city denied the sun, and the explosive growth that came with the addition of the Arcane Academy, the districts have doubled accordingly.
Humans 40%
Drow 30%
Dwarves 20%
Other 10%
The smallest of the districts and one that is not divided as if it completely encompassed by the shadow of the endless night. This includes the inns, feast hall, and libraries all specifically catering to the needs and education of mages. The academy itself is also rested within this walled off district.
Demographics
Heorot was the seat of power of the dane's before the empire was founded, and it has remained due to its advantageous position and existing trade routes. Though it's population was decimated in the drow attack, it has recovered and swelled to many times the original size as the empire grew. Across the empire, Heorot is the most diverse in citizenship due to equal parts the Arcane Academy and the curse of night across half the city. Humans and drow make up the majority, in their respective zones of the city, with spattering of other races across both sides. There is also a higher concentration of teifling residents then is typical of such a rare race.City Districts
Noble Districts
The center of power within Heorot, home to the nobles, courtiers and other city officials. Typically those who live within only socialize with one another, sending servants and slaves to the market for anything they require. Gaining access to the noble districts is tricky without familial connections, but not impossible, and dealing with those in power can be as much a curse as a blessing. The castle is located within the dark portion of these district.Market District & Ports
The life blood of Heorot is trade, and the Market district and port are the heart that keeps it flowing. Be it within the dark or day portions of the city, the streets are eternally bustling with activity. The Eclipse Road and Market are the center of this activity, being evenly split down the middle by the darkness, allowing for all city residents to shop in relative comfort concerning the light. This district also houses the entertainment buildings such as the the theatre and arena, and during festivals many games are placed along the eclipsed road. Smaller marketplaces can be found scattered through the city on both sides, but the Eclipse marketsquare remains the center for most goods. As many resident merchants and artisans sell from a shop extension to their homes, this district serves as residental district to the middle class people of Heorot.Temple District
The center of religion within Heorot, there are various temples and shrines to the Aesir, giants, and genies within the temple district. While not all as extravagent as the temple of Hela, each of the main gods has a sizable temple and clergy to maintain it. Prayers are offered within, as well as donations to the temples to see their upkeep held. As a result, the amount of followers within the city makes a difference in how nice the temple to a particular deity looks. Of course, there is no temple to Loki within Heorot, and any shrine dedicated to him is swiftly destroyed and offenders punished.Academy District
Full Article: HereThe smallest of the districts and one that is not divided as if it completely encompassed by the shadow of the endless night. This includes the inns, feast hall, and libraries all specifically catering to the needs and education of mages. The academy itself is also rested within this walled off district.
Outskirts
The homes and shops beyond the city walls are not as well kept and managed, but are still kept in a livable state. Streets are less guarded, so caution is advised, particularly in the dark region of the outskirts where someone may find a knife in their back for a minor slight. While the main roads are kept well managed, side roads are less so, uneven and overgrown in places. While the farthest reaches of the outskirts are not particularly safe, it offers opportunities otherwise stifled within the city proper. Laws are not as strictly enforced, and shady deals are more easily arranged.Holidays & Festivals
Fest of the Empire
Originally the anniversary of the day the empire was founded, it has shifted slightly in both time of year and meaning, to encompass a couple events. The festival takes place just before the cold of autumn and winter sets in, allowing for raiders to take part before they sail out for the season. It is still considered the anniversary of the empire's birth, and also is the last celebration that the royal consort takes part in before he leaves to spend the winter in Persia. His absense tends to make the Queen Matriarch more short tempered, so officials try to get as many political duties done before the festival's end as possible. During the festival, games of all skills are present: from archery to magic, to swordfighting and flyting. Coin is often the reward for these games, as well as any winnings in the bets and gambling that tends to spring from such contests. The largest events, however, are the arena duels, which pit powerful contestants against beasts or undead collected before the festival's beginning, and the scavenger hunt within Hela's Garden. Both events have high risks, but high reward in either coin or boon from the queen herself. While festivities are going, the law against carrying weapons within the city walls is lifted so that the citizens can play the games that require them. Food and drink are also freely given, paid for by the crown's treasury. This is a day for all to enjoy and none to go hungry.Government
Heorot is one of two cities that is under the direct control of the Queen Matriarch, her Consort and the Advisor. Several nobles within the city deal with everyday matters of state, or some larger events while none of the three are in residence; but all major decisions are held for judgement upon their return.
Law Enforecement
Heorot possesses a standing force of trained guards, all with either natural or magical darkvision to deal with the nature of the city's curse. They are not called away from the city for any reason, so to assure it is always adaquetly defended. Their duty is primarily to prevent civil unrest and capture criminals, though smaller tasks can include giving directions to newcomers or patrolling the streets. They are among the few allowed to openly wear weaponry within the city walls without raising suspicion.Defences
A moat was dug around the initial city perimeter, twelve feet wide and equally as deep, just beyond the eight feet thick stone walls. These were dug soon after the drow invasion, to ward off attacks similar to what the queen herself used in her initial takeover. There are three gatehouses with drawbridges to allow crossing, manned by archers and long range mages.
Industry & Trade
Heorot's trade is quite diverse thanks to the many trade networks and agreements forged over the years, in addition to those that existed before the empire. It imports and exports all materials and goods that cycle through the empire and has an sizable income from Perisa and the Underdark. Primary trade, however, are the magical items that are crafted within the Arcane Academy, making such items abundant so long as needed materials flow into the city at equal rates.
There is also the occassional novelty from distant lands beyond the empire's reach that make its way into the markets, brought in by the seasonal raids or the conquering of new territories.
Infrastructure
Buildings, residental homes and gatehouses are made from solid stone and average ten feet tall, though segnificant structures such as the temples, castle and academy can reach three times that height from foundation to roof.
Wide, firmly packed dirt roads lead into the city, but once beyond the drawbridge, the roads are paved in solid stone. Roads are laid out in a circular pattern, with various streets between tightly clustered building to provide swift routes to any part of the city even beyond the main roads. The roads of the Market District are up to three times wider then average, leading up to the open market square, to allow for plentiful space for foot traffic and temporary market stands.
The moat connects to verious underground tunnels that provide water for various bathhouses and irrigation for feilds in and around the city, once put through purification spells. It is also periodically channeled into the cesspools of the city's sewer system to wash away the filth.
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