Ophiria (Oh-fear-ee-uh)
Ophiria is a bustling port city located on the sourthwestern coast of the Atraelian Empire, overlooking the Sea of Stars. Ophiria is famous for its beautiful beaches, colorful markets, and thriving fishing industry. Asthetically, the city takes its influences from both middle eastern and asian cultural architecture.
The city is built around a central harbor, which is constantly filled with fishing boats, cargo ships, and pleasure yachts. The harbor is surrounded by a maze of narrow streets, alleys, and canals, which are lined with colorful houses, shops, and restaurants. The harbor itself is also dotted with several beaches where many people enjoy swimming or watching the various vessels go about their journeys.
The northern area of Ophiria is the Grand Bazaar, a sprawling market district filled with vendors selling everything from fresh seafood and exotic spices to handmade jewelry and fine silks. The bazaar is always busy, and it is a favorite destination for both locals and tourists.
Another popular attraction in Ophiria is the Temple of the Sea, a grand temple dedicated to Desna, the goddess of the moon and the sea. The temple is known for its stunning architecture, with soaring columns, ornate frescoes, and a massive dome that glows with a soft blue light at night. Massive archways run from the heart of the temple, far above the city, and eventually into the sea. Two more of these arches sit at the sea entrance of the port city, and light up at night, warding ships away from the rocky cliffs that line the opening.
Demographics
Though primarily human, Ophiria is home to nearly every intelligent race in Atraeleon. It is not unusual to see representatives of all of them on a walk through the city streets. Many "foreigners" have set up permanent shop in the Grand Bazaar, using their contacts from a life of seafaring before to facilitate their return to landlocked life now.
Government
The regent or lord of the Ophirian Province is Tiberius Arvandor. His family has controlled Ophiria for 3 generations.
The people tend to look to their nearby cultural leaders to speak for them to the regent. These include High Priests of the various Divinitas, merchants who fancy a bit of politics and power beyond gold, or even high ranking guards. Some residential districts have unofficial "elders" who guide their communities as best they can, and speak for them when possible. But everyone in Ophiria knows that the word of Tiberius Arvandor is second only to the Emperor of Atraeleon.
Defences
There are two sets of walls surrounding Ophiria. The first and largest wall surrounds the primary port district where naval ships and critical supplies dock, and the Opal Palace district. This is the penultimate fallback point in the event of a siege, despite no one having sieged the city in 370 years.
Another, more distant wall surrounds the vast majority of the city's major districts. It is smaller but no less sturdy than the inner walls, despite well over a century of relative neglect as the wars long since moved far away from here. Beyond this wall, many shacks and houses of various quality are built in the valleys that surround the city.
Industry & Trade
Ophiria is a major trade hub for the 5 landlocked provinces that connect to it either directly or indirectly. Everything from food and spices to weapons and furniture might pass through the port on any given day.
Infrastructure
A network of canals criss-cross the city to facilitate easy transportation of goods to and from the port itself. They also serve as fresh water for the residents of the city. The canals are fed by the various snow melt rivers that run from the northwest in Traylam Province.
A robust network of roads also winds through the city, keeping plenty of space for gardens and greenery where possible.
Ophiria is one of few cities in the empire that has several public schools. They range from religious institutions to various differnet guilds,
Type
Large city
Population
420,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Ophirian
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
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