Niuus (NEE'oos)

Overview

The capital of Eoion, built around the Gandenye. While the City itself is the hub of government, the surrounding area is at the center of several major trade routes and thus the outer city has become a prominent merchant and art center. To be close to the seat of power, many rich merchants live there and artists, writers, and actors strive to have these people, along with the aristocracy and possibly the royal family, as patrons. Niuus’s theater scene is of particular merit and troupes from across the empire have their main theater spaces there.
The city lies near the origial border between Eoion, Faren, and Metray, using the Yendwa River as a trade route between the three and into Yzel. This crossroads allowed for goods to come into the capital through three nations. After the empire was solidified, the river remained a major trade route and many roads were constructed leading to the capital.

Tseler Nira

The largest indoor market in the empire. Spanning 1.5sq km and six stories, the market houses businesses of aristocrats, merchants, and lower classes. Every good from all over the empire can be found there. Social rank dictates what floor a shop can be located on, with higher social status allowing for upper floors.

Kuden Taliri Shigochi (Grand Theater Palace)

The name is literally translated as Grand Theater's Palace. Five stories tall with golden chandeliers, master paintings on the walls and ceiling, and velvet seating for 2,000 people, this is the home of the theater troupe honored with the patronage of the royal family. Built by Lyrasa Shiroko 300 years ago, the theater has been expanded several times since her death. Each season, a new play is performed with a rotating cast from the troupe. Every three years, troupes from all over the empire compete for a place there. The night of the final two plays is the only time the ruler will always appear. They may come to see others and grant losing troupes smaller rewards. The current occupants, the Sunbai-Kir Company, have been under royal patronage for ten years.

• Within the empire, getting to see them is considered the highest form of entertainment. Even foreign dignitaries, when visiting, can have extreme trouble securing tickets. Theater is extremely important to Eoin culture and to be recognized as the greatest troupe in the empire is the greatest honor a theater company can receive.
• The troupe is divided into four smaller teams (called Kircos), each of which puts on a different show during each season. When a Kirco is not performing, they mentor lesser troupes. Each member of the overall troupe has fan groups that they hold events with regularly when their Kirco is not actively performing.

Juuko Holon

The main combat arena on the western end of the city. Smaller competitions are held there throughout the year, but the largest is held just after the turn of the new year. These games are attended by everyone possible in the city and feature the champions from all smaller arenas around the empire. In the month leading up to the games, local champions compete and the top 16 competitors fight on the day itself. Slaves and free people compete. Not all contests are death matches, in fact, many are until submission or incapacitation. Skilled fighters take many years of training and wasting them in a deathmatch would be pointless. People often bet on the outcome of the games and nobles in particular find it a fun pass time. Horse races are also held here and the largest race (the Avahan Crown), held in the summer, is run in the Juuko

Koviyoka (aka Kovi Boats)

Large boats owned solely by the emperor and used for pleasure. For further information see Kovyioka

Gandenye

The main palace of the empire and residence of the Shiroko Dynasty. For more information see Gandenye

Statue Forest

Located at the northern end of the Niuus, the Statue Forest is not filled with trees. Instead, it is a statue garden. Depictions of Eoion’s heroes were the first ones erected in the public park space 150 years ago. Since then, other important citizens, not necessarily only warriors, have been honored with a place there. Abstract artists have also been allowed to display their work. Certain sections of the forest are permanent, but others will rotate and feature new artists every year. This is a great honor for up and coming sculptors. Most ‘new’ artists are ones who have earned the honor of showing their art in the forest. However, there are two places set for actual amateurs and a contest is held each year to decide who will be displayed. There is also a smaller statue forest on the grounds of the Gandenye

Defences

As the most prominent feature is the river, the defenses are mostly focused in this area. Drawbridges line several access points and act more as defense against ships attempting to come down the river than to deter armies on foot. Several Ilyannoi patrol the outer regions of the city as both scouts and muscle. In the event of a sea attack, the bridges drop and both Ilyannoi and human troops are positioned on them, along with on the shore near the city gates. A high wall surrounds the city as well and archers and ballistas fire from the top.

Industry & Trade

Almost every good in the empire can be found in the markets of Niuus. At its founding, the trade brought by the rivers made those who lived there experts in discerning the value of various good. This led to many merchants and banks being established there. In the modern era, most of the industry is textile and jewel based. High end goods are prized by the nobility and wealthy who live in the city. Many work either in trade or in government in some capacity. The lower classes tend to produce manufactured goods such as clothing, metalwork, etc. to sell to other residents or travelers. Diamonds and amethysts are synonymous with both Eoion and its capital.

Guilds and Factions

The most prominent merchant faction within the city is the Hovetya, a large trading alliance composed of the wealthiest merchants in the city. The group is headed by Andrea Rusa, whose family has been leading the Hovetya for several generations. 
Many theater groups perform in the city and vie for the sponsorship of the royal family. At present, the Sunbai-Kir company holds the distinction. Over the last ten years, they have become the final word in theater production for the city and many smaller groups attempt to have their members work with those in the Sunbai-Kir company. The group regularly runs training classes and smaller performances to assist the other troupes.

Architecture

The architecture tends to be wider than tall, with important buildings sometimes spanning several blocks. Most are only two or three stories tall but very wide. Roofs are sloped, with tiered tiles, and then curving slightly upward at the bottom. Wood and stone are the most prominent construction materials and are easily seen on the homes of the middle and lower class. As a citizen's wealth increases, gold and silver become embedded into the main structure. Jewels are rarely used on the outside of buildings, but important places or homes of the very wealthy will often have diamonds and amethysts decorating the interior walls. Pale and pastel colors are common as they are associated with wealth. Common motifs on buildings and statues are turtles, dogs, lilies, and roses. The qilin is seen only on structures closely associated with the Shiroko Dynasty

Geography

To the east of the city sits the Yendwa river, which winds down from there to Yzel.

Founding Date

50

Type

Capital

Population

4.6 million

Inhabitant Demonym

Niuan

Included Locations

• Gandenye
• Tiberi Courthouse

Owning Organization

Eoion Overview

Related Professions

• Slaves
• Tueor