Arandon

"Ah, Arandon. Both the best and worst experiences of my life took place in Arandon. I met the boy of my dreams there, on Arandon Bridge, ducking to get out of the torrential rain. Like every romantic drama you've ever seen. And that's also where someone stole my prize piggie. Right off the leash! Who does that? Arandons, that's who."
Madam Lisa Listra, Interview for Mintino Times

Defences

The original city has a thick stone wall that still exists in many parts, but it has grown so far beyond this space that only a fraction of the city is inside the walls. The rest sprawls out into the country behind it.

Industry & Trade

The business in Arandon these days is money. They say all the money in the world moves through Arandon twice a week. People buy and sell stocks and shares and currency itself.
The rich work in these industries. The poor work in all the industries that support them. The technology shops that fix their broken computers. The cafes that feed them lunch.

Infrastructure

Arandon sits on the coast, and has some history as a shipbuilding port, but now much of the populace works in business or service industries, and the skyscraper offices are an iconic part of the skyline.

History

Arandon is not, and has never been a capital city, despite its enormous size. It is currently the largest city in the world, and has been for the last three hundred years.
The original city is millennia old, with remains of primitive settlements found dating back to 13,000 BSE. However what we would call the city dates back to 500 BSE, with the first "king" of the area having taken over several clans and wanting to find somewhere defensible.
Eventually this royal line died out, and its successor found the North of the country far more appealing despite the colder temperatures. However, due to Arandon's sturdy defences and stubbornly protective people, in times of strife the government and the royal family had back up locations to retreat to. As an economy had to be kept to keep the safety net city safe, the government made sure to have money pushed into the city - and thus a city of commerce was born.
Arandon began trading money to other countries and cities, lending it and getting it back with interest. It is also the city in the country that has a Transport Gate to the Symposium, which drew in international trade.
The thrifty nature of the citizens is well known, and an international joke. The rich will empty your bank accounts, it is said, and the poor will empty your pockets.

Geography

The cliffs on the city's West side are very difficult to scale, and the side which faces inwards towards the land overlooks a low, flat plain that gives no room for a sneak attack from potential invaders.

Alternative Name(s)

The Drain, Empty Pockets

Type

Large city

Population

37,000,00

Inhabitant Demonym

Arandons