Amenthere

"Amenthere, city of kings! Our stronghold and our home!

From bones of elder days we wrought

The vaulted crown of a higher age"

History:

Built in the heart of western Goran upon a rolling turf of grass and farmland, Amenthere was first raised in the year 2 A.A. (After Amenthis). Originally a meager fort built by the descendants of Goran's earliest human inhabitants, Amenthere has since grown to encompass nearly 4,000 hectares and is home to over sixty-thousand people. Only a few hours southwest from the Western Crossroads and less than a day's travel from Heart Lake, an inlet of the mighty Ramida River, Amenthere as a city is well situated to spread its influence far and wide across the land.

Divided into three major civilian districts and boasting an extensive commerce center, as well as the famed Academy, there is little that a person cannot accomplish in Amenthere. The only city more highly lauded for its arts and culture in all of western Goran is opulent Vaelona to the north. With multiple entrances and exits to Amenthere, the major roads see a near constant free-flow of human traffic beneath its walls each day. That is, until the Factionist rebellion sparked in the south...

Architecture:

Besides laying claim to the famed Castle Armathain - the ancestral home of the heirs of First King Amenthis since the dawn of Goran - Amenthere is also the location of Goran's premier sporting stadium, The Lair. Ringed by enormous stone statues of individually crafted dragons upon its upper rim, The Lair hosts all royally sponsored public events in the city, including high profile tournaments and theater performances. The Lair is accessible by Castle Armathain via its famous Skybridge, a soaring causeway which connects the uppermost exit of the arena to the fifth level of the castle. This unique addition allows noble guests and dignitaries to move back and forth between the events at The Lair and the accompanying party in Castle Armathain without ever having to enter the city streets. However, the Skybridge is additionally impressive in that it can be closed each night, withdrawn at the center by a mechanized lever carefully guarded by the Knights of Amenthis.Equally noteworthy as Amenthere's architecture are its inhabitants. The descendants of Goran's first monarch, the kings and queens of the Amentherian dynasty have ruled the nation from the lofty heights of Castle Armathain for nearly a thousand years. Ever since their founder's struggles to settle the land and claim it for humanity, the scions of the Amenthis bloodline have had the luxury of peace with which to build up their world. Each generation has contributed something to Goran, whether it be irrigated agricultural practices, heightened patronage to the arts, or most recently Queen Iselde Amenthis's funding of public plumbing in cities. However, the long years of peace have instilled a degree of complacency (some might even say entitlement) in the Amentherian dynasty. Beyond the vicinity of the capital, other infrastructure has withered and fallen into disrepair, including the northern highways into The Night Forest and The Old Mountain Road across The Teeth. Nevertheless, no one can dispute the extensive influence that the heirs of Amenthis have exerted over their realm over the past nine centuries.

People:

The Amentherian dynasty shares Amenthere with many noble families of considerable wealth and repute. Some, including the Volkain, Brinmorn, and Greslor clans can claim nearly as much history to their names as Amenthis. The nobility of cities such as Blue Stone, Syrion, and Vaelona can accumulate as much fame and fortune as they please; there is a certain prestige that accompanies occupying the same space as the heirs of kings which these lesser cities will never replicate. Unsurprisingly, the fondest ambition of many a parent in Vaelona is to marry their blooming sons and daughters into one of the capital families. Lord Penlor Shakian, for example, began negotiations in an attempt to arrange a betrothal between his famously beautiful daughter, Hadriel and Prince Hithon Amenthis the very day the young prince was born. He was far from the only father in western Goran to do so.

The residents of Amenthere are quite widely varied in appearance, although the warm blood of Syrion and the cooler blood of Blue Stone and Vaelona can be seen in equal measures. The heirs of Amenthis certainly tend closer toward the warmth of the coast, especially with the marriage of Syrinese nobleman Gabrien Romyar into the royal bloodline three generations ago.

Clothing is colorful in nature, although not quite as flamboyant as the bright oranges and greens employed by wealthy southerners. Amentherians both rich and poor enjoy access to good fabrics imported from across Goran, up to and including the wool of Argali sheep from The Teeth and the spun hair of northern Khyaru deer. Both come at a steep value, but a thriving refinery industry built on a farming and mining foundation allows for general economic ease throughout the city. A visitor to Amenthere will find its residents charming and friendly, if a bit 'uppish' by virtue of their affluent position in the sphere of Goran. Not entirely incorrectly, Ametherians consider themselves to be the 'true descendants' of First King Amenthis's people, and correspondingly feel that much of the world's comings and goings are a bit less important than their own concerns. Their many redeeming virtues include a generous table, an eagerness to share their extensive history with others (perhaps unfortunately for those in a hurry!), and more than enough national holidays and celebrations to keep any guest entertained year round. Occasionally one may meet an Amentherian or two whose ambitions have become less admirable and more ugly, but thankfully they are not the majority.

Law and order reigns supreme in Amenthere, and the king/queen's word is final in all matters. The Royal Courts are alive and well, but a verdict from the crown outweighs even the highest judge. To most western Gorians, their country's laws are firm yet fair, and so obedience is no hardship. However, these laws are firmly tailored to the cultures and beliefs of Amenthere. There are many beyond the city walls for whom obedience comes less easily, and unless the current ruler, King Mahir Amenthis, can come to an understanding with all of his subjects—not just those residing in or around the capital—Amenthere will find its long-held perception of itself as the center of the world sorely challenged in the days ahead...