Atenkhet - City
Summary
The grandest of nebusian settlements in all of Sa-kemet began as a saltery village near the coast of the Shimmering Ocean. Situated in a rocky hovel, roughly every five years, the village would weather passing typhoons. Hence, free of most neighboring competition, they lived in enviable seclusion. In archaic times, a nebusian tribal leader took a liking to the village's remoteness and desirable geological fixtures. Conquering and installing herself as ruler of many villages, the first proto-typical pharaoh emerged, and so Atenkhet, the 'land of fire/warmth/sun/heat' was born. A phrase, generally, meaning one of safety and home in the dangerous times of Sa-kemet's past. Over the centuries, Atenkhet grew with its ever rising population. The seclusion it once harbored in proved constraining, but with able workforces, it was of little issue. The exact idea of what was city and what wasn't is an ever uncertain point in history. Depending on a given time period, a pharaoh may only consider one part of the total land as 'Atenkhet', and the rest were outside settlements. The legal and political justifications of this resulted in very awkward building codes and directions. In archaeology, one can figure out who ruled where because of housing remains, for every pharaoh had an idea of how things should be. Then their successor came along and changed everything again. The inanity of this eventually led to Atenkhet burning to the ground several times, then being rebuilt again. In these times of strife, many left in exodus, founding other great cities across Sa-kemet. It wouldn't be until the formation project for the Black Pyramid that the Atenkhet that would survive to the current day would form. Clean drinking water is often more valuable than gold or crysium in Sa-kemet, and securing a steady supply had long been a madwoman's dream. Only those carefully filtering sea water or lucky enough to earn Poleva's favor drank on the regular, supposedly. Thus, construction on the Black Pyramid began. Atenkhet's pharaoh of the time, and their successors, rose to the challenge of such an impossible dream. New ways of building, new legal laws to dictate them, new rules of inheritance, and so many more came into life. If one had to ask which came first, 'the pyramid or Atenkhet?', there wouldn't be a satisfying answer. One demanded the other, and so they arose in unison. Upon the pyramid's completion and four mighty rivers surged out of it, Atenkhet became the richest city in all of Sa-kemet. All sorts flocked to the promise of clean, safe, and reliable water. With them came prestige and influence, the grandiosity of power, and the worship of the goddesses. Uatkara took proper form then, encompassing the disparate faiths into one organized pantheon. The absolute power of the pharaoh cemented itself, and the need for successful legacy became evident. Thus, the First Dynasty was born, Atenkhet in proper a grand civilization. These dynasties defined different ages of Atenkhet in every sense of the idea. Architecture, politica, pious worship, governmental strength, foreign projection, and so on, were vastly different from one dynasty to another. In some Atenkhet behaved as a belligerent raider, in others a standoffish power few willingly dared to threaten. It often rode the line between the two, its own desires laid first in any diplomatic scenario. Over time, few of its enemies would remain, chief among them the Sa-kemet Tribes and individual city-states like those of the mertakan. Finally, around the 9th Dynasty, Atenkhet underwent an immense change. Being built upon itself again and again, its architecture was as grand as it was squalid. The first pharaoh of the 9th Dynasty issued a decree: all of Atenkhet will be grand, or it will stand no more. Atenkhet would not be a place for thousands, tens of thousands, or even hundreds. She demanded a city fit for millions, so all in Sa-kemet may live in their glory. For the people who built the Black Pyramid, such an insane engineering project didn't daunt them at all. So began the slow, grinding, and laborious work. Section by section Atenkhet was demolished and rebuilt, fit to the designs of the greatest architects and engineers. Form married function, sturdy fortress-like homes and glimmering buildings as beautiful as they were resilient against dangerous weather. Immense waterways and careful protections ferried water for hundreds of miles; sewers beneath them carried waste away to reclaimation zones. Vast ports sprung up along the coast, safe habor for growing trade and fishing fleets. Unbelievable hanging gardens and green parks sprung up, dotting their city with vivid life not seen elsewhere. There were those who came to call Atenkhet a paradiso on Veltrona the first time they visited. As is ever the case, however, one cannot speak of Atenkhet without understanding the impact it has left in Sa-kemet at large. Thanks to the constant improvements to the Black Pyramid, its water production ability is truly staggering. A good portion of this water ends up as runoff, blasting out into Sa-kemet's deserts. These artifical rivers became hotbeds for development and war as so many fought to secure the precious resource. Of the four, two ended up flowing into many other cities and micro-states, their literal lifeblood in otherwise barren areas. The last two, however, are quite curious. Atenkhet's dynasties paid special attention to building them special river channels deep into the deserts. It is these rivers that the Sa-kemet Tribes often drink from, an unspoken for gift among two otherwise old enemies. In this way, the loss of the Black Pyramid is a death sentence for a great many people. The anxiety of such over reliance has led to many other, smaller pyramids themselves being created. Although nowhere near as equals, these water producing structures form vital points in their own right.Demographics
Infrastructure
Atenkhet became defined by its zoning laws. Meticulous planning went into ensuring safe habitation, prevention of overcrowding, and equitable living standards. Unfortunately the scope of the 9th Dynasty exceeded even their wild dreams, and practical reality forced some concessions. Atenkhet became less of a single city than it was many smaller cities chained together by their infrastructure. In this respect, it replicated itself into each of these cities, where the heights of their governments acted like fingers for the Solar Administration that served the pharaoh.
This administration became split between the Lower and Upper halves, respectively. The Lower Solar Administration handled matters of veltrony-nature and importance, like maintenance, housing, food, and the such. The Upper Solar Administration handled social issues, religious worship, governmental law and regulation, and other matters of civilization. Of the two, the Lower Solar Administration is by far the largest, comical in their proportions to handle Atenkhet's clerical needs.
Generally, there are about six distinct types of city zones, informally referred to as districts or mintaqa.
Manzil Qalea
The Manzil Qalea is the actual living space for majority of Atenkhet's populace. These zones are often defined by either spacious living or high capacity. In areas where a lot of temporary workers live, for example, high capacity will be near work-related zones as to minimize commute times. Spacious living quarters will feature more natural flora, recreational parks, and miniature shrines for worship. Regardless of who, Atenkhet architects work quite hard to ensure a lot of flowing water, plants, and natural fixtures are afforded to these zones. It is not simply to be a place safe to live, but somewhere to nurture the soul.Noble Quarter
The Noble Quarter is also well-known as Omari's Cabinet(s), being the home space for nobility. These zones are among the most personalized, as noble families dictate how they want things to be developed. Thus, each Noble Quarter can be quite different from another and a telltale sign of which family owns it. They typically function as small points of gathering for governmental clerks and priestesses. Nobles are charged with many duties related to governing people in the Pharaoh's stead, hence their home territories tend to be 'public domain' in a sense.Madrasa Vault
Madrasa Vault(s) are areas of religious worship and teaching, though the two aren't always intertwined. Temples for worship and schools for learning are often built together or in close quarters, given special isolation from otherwise noisy surroundings. Hence, being regarded as vaults, for the richness of knowledge is invaluable to pass on. They can sometimes contain housing for on-site students to live in. Overall, alongside the Manzil Qalea zones, Madrasa Vaults are imminently important and given a lot of attention for living and working quality.Basket
Light craftswomanship and small-scale industry is done in Basket(s), although usually just called workshop zones. Traditional crafts, both tools and materials, are usually carried in baskets, hence the association. These zones intersect small business and small-scale industry at once, taking care of the tasks at those levels. Normally found along transportation routes, for the average akhetian whatever they need can be found in these places. Many artisans, musicians, and other recreational professions have their official businesses and the like located in a Basket somewhere.Khetar Dayira
As much as 'fun' can be designated somewhere to happen, it can be found in Khetar Dayira. Food, entertainment, recreation, music, and so much more is made to happen in these zones. Often squished between Manzil Qalea and Baskets, this is where the liveliness happens before or after work hours. Sometimes during, too. As such they often have fantastical architecture and vibrant venues, dedicated toward whatever atmosphere a business wants to cultivate. Celebrations are typically held within them, but sufficiently grand ones can obviously spill out all over the place.Ahdar Kheta
Finally, Ahdar Kheta zones are sites of heavy industry, chemical processing, and other sufficiently dangerous professions or needs. Because of the risks involved they are often isolated zones, with great natural or artificial barriers around them. Typically located near major logistical hubs, most can be found alongside the ocean's coast. They are by far the ugliest zone by Atenkhet's standards, are they are often filled with solemn airs and burdens. Most forms of magical research are also done inside them, as the zoning type offers them a very necessary layer of security. It can be felt that, understanding these zones, Atenkhet can be sliced up like a pie. Nothing can be farther from the truth, for many of these zones are built in cooperation with each other. A simple walk can see one walk across several different zones, depending where they are. Ultimately, everything is built to do as best can be for daily living needs and qualities. It doesn't help needing to go to a restaurant and taking an hour long walk to do so, after all. Some special or unique buildings are exempted, based on their nature. Prisons, grand temples, governmental branch buildings, and the like are placed where they can achieve maximum effect. An effort is made to not disrupt local livelihoods, of course, but adjustments can always be expected.
Type
Capital
Population
3,200,000+
Inhabitant Demonym
Akhetian, or Atenite
Location under
Owner/Ruler
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