The Heartlands

The only neutral continent of Aethyr. The Heartlands is also known as the only land that is not ruled by a royal bloodline, but instead, the Elder Keeper Council and the Heartlands Senate, the first being comprised of the wisest and strongest dragons of each element, and the latter comprised of Senators specialized in each Trade.

It iss where the Elder Keeper Council oversees the affairs of the World and help where necessary from.

Geography

The heartlands is considered a small continent surrounded by smaller islands, formerly belonging to dragon-kind only, but as time passed, other races chose to be a part of it either due to a wish to connect with dragons in a neutral territory, or to establish trading hubs that would connect the Heartlands with their own lands overseas.

To this effect, there are several ports, packed to the brim with activity back and forth, and which has proven to be the safest and most viable trading method via the seas, as the surrounding oceans are often rather turbulent and unpredictable, yet near landmasses it is safest.

In the very center, is the City of Aethyria, capital of the Heartlands, built at the foot of a promiennt mountain rich in mineral resources.

The are four other relevant mountains in the Heartlands, all of which are sources of precious metals and minerals.

There are six relevant forests, home to both wildlive, dragons, and other races.

It is also worth noting the swamp lands on the south, as well as the barren expanse between two forests, both of which are inhabited by Nether dragons.

The Capital - Aethyria

In the very center, at the foot of Haven's Summit, stands tall and proud the vast Aethyria, named after the world itself.

It is a grand, majestic monument to a very important concept: cooperation, partnership, and community, between not just dragons, but all other races too, as well as all of those which have now lands to call home in the Heartlands contributed to its construction and development.

With the threat of Corruption looming over, every race is on edge. And even generations-old bonds are now put to the test.

The Rings

With 4 walls that separate it into Rings, which in turn are separated into districts, the City of Aethyria is a busy hub that counts with many races that pass through it, or live within it, with dragons as the most common, while every other races is a minority, Hyenas being the rarest to see within

Ring Ymir

Where Estates for each Senate and Guardian House can be found, as well as the Army Fort and Guard Keep

The Aethyrian Chantry Stands grand in the middle, surrounded by 4 sister Academies

It is protected by the Military Police, currently under High Commander Florianne

This is where, ironically, most of the entrances to the Underground can be found, which was initially built as a city underneath a city in case of emergency in the surface, having served as shelter and another location where to aid the wounded during the First War. Now poorer and more prone to criminal activity than any other zone in the City of Aethyria.

This is also where the Amphitheatre and Colisseum may be found.

Ring Arlene

Dedicated to all commerce and trading, this is the second most rich ring. The richest and most influential Houses and Families live here. High-tier businesses are also settled here.

It also counts with the City Hall, where citizens may contact higher authorities and leaderships with their concerns and other important matters. The Justice Hall is also set here

Ring Elwyn

Where the middle class lives, and where workshops that supply the Ring Arlene may be found, as well as markets for both necessities and luxuries. Crime isn't uncommon here, but it is mostly petty thievery

Ring Demeter

Where the low class lives, with poorer districts, and also the largest of all rings. There are shops and other establishments here but of decreasing quality. Crime is more organized and problematic, with families and businesses paying crime lords for protection, rather than rely on the guard, which has little control over it due to the size of the Ring

Ecology

The Heartlands is home to a wide variety of fauna and flora, some of which were even imported from other lands overseas, and found a new home to thrive in within these fertile lands.

The primary species of fauna are:

TBD

The primary species of flora are:

TBD

History

TBD

Historical Figures

TBD

Common Myths and Legends

TBD

Politics

TBD

Government

TBD

Laws

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Allies

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Enemies

TBD

Notable Houses

Example - Description

TBD

Culture & Society

TBD

Naming traditions

TBD

Beliefs

TBD

Life in the Capital

TBD

Crime in the Capital

The capital is known to be a rather peaceful place, with most crime being limited to the outermost ring and the underground city below the city itself.

The Overseer quickly took over any and all businesses (legal or illegal) related to gambling houses, breweries and other establishments that sell alcoholic beverages, fighting rings (which are only located in the "underworld", as for any legal fighting it's the Domus in the "overworld"), other fancy establishments that he considered a profitable opportunity, etc... It is he who controls the Capital, more than the Senate itself, as he is the one capable of swaying the public as well as influencing the streets.

Despite his control over the Capital, over the Heartlands as a whole, even, it is by no means something that goes smoothly. Competitors, rivals, and enemies who have an agenda and would want to see him fall, often prove to be a nuisance to handle. However he has crafted his network tightly, and the loyalty of his employees makes it extremely hard to get through to even attempt to dethrone him.

He offers the Domus for "Afterhours" business (illegal) fights whenever Houses or someone of high importance needs to dish it out, because even if there's casualties, he can just cover it up to accidents, which albeit corrupt, it does allow the Guard to focus on doing their job properly throughout the city.

The Heartlands' Guard, and specially the Military Police, take their job very seriously and are hard to wrap up into corrupt business because they're taught strictly at the Guard Academy, and the current House also upholds moral values greatly.

Meanwhile, the Underworld is unruly, shady, full of crime and problematic sorts, but even they know better than to go against the Overseer's laws that he has imposed there in exchange for freedom to do as they please without Guard interference: not to kill the innocent, and to actually rely on the Guard when there needs to be a problem sorted, rather than immediately resort to killing. Anything goes as long as the blood shed is kept in the places he dictates (Domus, Rings, etc), and by this time, everyone's learnt the good and hard way not to go against that word

Beyond the Capital

While the City of Aethyria acts as the main hub for this island, the rest of it is divided in territories shared with other species for the sake of fostering relationships between them and dragonkind.

Fashion

TBD

Architecture

TBD