Velanidiá
Le Ville des Bons Temps
Velanidiá (/ˌvi lɑːˈniːd jaː/; Kajon-Frankish: [vəl ˌɑ̃ ni ˈdjø]) is a city located in the Mascotic Marshes on the banks of the Pyrat River in southern Noam with an estimated current population of over 255,000. Strategically located near the mouth of a major navigable river system that reaches deep into the heart of northern Heberia, Velanidiá is an important port city. Although relatively small in size, the city is considered the economic, commercial and cultural capital of “Kajon Country.”
Nicknamed Le Ville des Bons Temps (“The City of Good Times”) and Facileville (“Easytown”), Velanidiá has long been celebrated worldwide for its distinctive music, unique Kajon cuisine, its many unusual celebrations and festivals and its easy, laissez-faire spirit. Because of the generally relaxed stance regarding rules, and a strong “look the other way” philosophy, the city has a long history as a haven for men of doubtful character and women of questionable reputation.
Isolated as it is deep in the heart of the Mascotic Marshes, the city is only accessible by water. Its main transportation route to the outside world is the broad Pyrat River. Every day dozens of steam powered riverboats and other private vessels bring hundreds of traders, fortune-seekers, gamblers, adventurers and tourists to the passenger docks along Bayou Dubonchon. Cargo ships and barges ply the river in both directions, many stopping to offload or take on cargo, discharging their rough and ready crews into the streets ready to blow off steam.
Throughout its long history, the city has survived more than its share of calamities, including countless floods and numerous plagues, as well as four major fires. Each setback has been met with resiliency and a tough determination to surmount all challenges. The most recent major natural disaster the city has faced was hurricane T-006 in 1968, which caused substantial structural damage and flooding throughout the city, and 63 deaths. As in the past, the city responded rapidly and has repaired or rebuilt virtually all of the property damaged during the event.
Although it has been claimed in succession by Lower Cyrontia, Noam, Nemed, again Lower Cyrontia and now again Noam, no national central government has been able to exert more than nominal control over the city of Velanidiá. As a result, since its inception Velanidiá has opened its doors to bootleggers, outlaws, smugglers, pirates, gamblers and prostitutes. The city is currently home to over 500 bars, saloons and gambling halls, and over 200 brothels, bordellos and houses of ill repute.
Nicknamed Le Ville des Bons Temps (“The City of Good Times”) and Facileville (“Easytown”), Velanidiá has long been celebrated worldwide for its distinctive music, unique Kajon cuisine, its many unusual celebrations and festivals and its easy, laissez-faire spirit. Because of the generally relaxed stance regarding rules, and a strong “look the other way” philosophy, the city has a long history as a haven for men of doubtful character and women of questionable reputation.
Isolated as it is deep in the heart of the Mascotic Marshes, the city is only accessible by water. Its main transportation route to the outside world is the broad Pyrat River. Every day dozens of steam powered riverboats and other private vessels bring hundreds of traders, fortune-seekers, gamblers, adventurers and tourists to the passenger docks along Bayou Dubonchon. Cargo ships and barges ply the river in both directions, many stopping to offload or take on cargo, discharging their rough and ready crews into the streets ready to blow off steam.
History
The city was founded around 733 by Kajon refugees fleeing persecution in Lower Cyrontia. The first settlers were a group of 14 families who chose a broad flat area of dry land on the western side of a sweeping bend in the Pyrat River to make their settlement. The area was called Βελανιδιά (Velanidiá) by the Cyrontians, which means “Oak Marsh,” after the ancient live oak grove that still stands along Báiou de Chêne south of the city center.Throughout its long history, the city has survived more than its share of calamities, including countless floods and numerous plagues, as well as four major fires. Each setback has been met with resiliency and a tough determination to surmount all challenges. The most recent major natural disaster the city has faced was hurricane T-006 in 1968, which caused substantial structural damage and flooding throughout the city, and 63 deaths. As in the past, the city responded rapidly and has repaired or rebuilt virtually all of the property damaged during the event.
Although it has been claimed in succession by Lower Cyrontia, Noam, Nemed, again Lower Cyrontia and now again Noam, no national central government has been able to exert more than nominal control over the city of Velanidiá. As a result, since its inception Velanidiá has opened its doors to bootleggers, outlaws, smugglers, pirates, gamblers and prostitutes. The city is currently home to over 500 bars, saloons and gambling halls, and over 200 brothels, bordellos and houses of ill repute.
Velanidiá
City
Velanidiá in 1862
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