Hellianoptis
The City of Hellianoptis
Location and Description
The city of Hellianoptis is located on the southwestern coast of the island of Ilkara. The city is a major sea port and has a harbor capable of handling several dozen trade ships. Hellianoptis is often called the "city of bronze" because of a pigment mixed with plaster used to cover nearly all of the houses and buildings in the city gives them a bronze color. The city has a thriving trade and industrial base and visitors of all lands are welcome. Taverns and Inns are located between the harbor and the local bazaar.
Political System
Social Structure
Religion
Military
Trade
The city of Hellianoptis have a trade monopoly on 'Jingu', which is a locally made fish sauce that is very savory and tasty. The city also has a monopoly on a locally made purple dye, and it is imported as a dye and as bolts of dyed cloth. Other locally made products (common throughout the Island) include locally grown crops and spices. Honey is a commodity that abounds in Alkara and so is sugar made from sugar beets. Wine, vinegar, olive oil, pickled beets, roasted almonds, lavender oils and soaps, cloves, saffron and Indara (lemonade) are some of the more valued local commodities. In addition to local goods, trade items from all reaches of the world can be found if one searches hard enough.
The market is open every day from mid-morning until mid-afternoon.
Architecture
The majority of building are made of stone and mortar construction and covered with plaster inside and out. House types differ by social status and wealth. Poor residents of the city have a one room dwelling with access to a covered roof and a cellar for storage. The roof is used as the main activity and sleeping area except when the weather is to cool or raining. Wealthier citizens such as craftsmen and artisans usually have a two story house with a work shop or store on the bottom level and living quarters on the second floor along with a covered rooftop. The wealthiest citizens and nobles of the city live in multi-story houses that have a courtyard with greenery and a pool that collects water that is stored in a cistern. Generally these houses are two stories but some of the larger homes can be 3 or even 4 stories high.
Clothing
Hair Styles
Education
Legal System
Sports and Leisure
