The city of Aurice is the imperial capital of the Noble Republic of Aurice. It’s directly inspired by Venice and there’s no coincidence that the two names end in -ice, in English, at least. The map of Aurice is an ongoing project and is less than a quarter complete. To add to the mix, I have chosen to redo much of the original work to add a jagged, and thus more realistic edge to the islets. The ‘jags’ represent the various borders of one ‘palazzo’ or edifice from another. The city of Aurice by medieval standards has a rather high population, 630,000 souls which is deemed seventh most populous in the known world.
The green swaths on the map are areas that I haven’t yet filled with palazzi, tenement houses, markets, and one of a dozen other possible constructions.
I intentionally made Aurice larger than historic Venice as Aurice becomes in the world of Asdar something that Venice never really accomplished on Earth. Aurice is the Constantinople that never fell, ruling the continental hinterland and governing colonies abroad (namely Skaligdæ and Bijälenland). She has all the pretenses and sophisticated power of an empire. The development of the Roman Republic provides loose inspiration for the development of Aurice’s aristocratic republican government.
The city of Aurice is an exciting and busy emporium at the heart of the Aurician Empire. Foreigners and locals are largely safe from pick-pocketing in the better neighborhoods thanks to the vigilant gendarmes, but risk getting swindled by cut-throat Aurician merchants. That being acknowledged, you can buy just about anything in Aurice from the services of hard-up Sungotinians to illegal euphorium. In Aurice, you can meet imperial governors and their retinue, colonial representatives, foreign merchants in all their ethnic variety, ambassadorial representatives from Pytharnian states, Corundy, visiting magistrates from Johaulia, dwarven expatriates in the Thrynnish district with all manner of dwarven manufactures, uhlak “foster” princes held in residence in the capital city, students from throughout the Aurician Empire attending one of several prestigious and not-so prestigious institutes of higher learning, and local Auricians of all sorts busily at work. You’ll hear the local Auricese dialect of the Goscundian variety of the Throvian Language. In the mix, you’ll find speakers of Tassan, Jaithan, Ferruvicarese, Ersercese, and a dozen more from even further afield. Higher-ranking diplomats can be found speaking the Medibgóëse Language. You can entertain yourself with street puppeteers and other market follies. A visit to the Wizards’ Pavillion at the Magitechnic Institute of Aurice may find a dramatic magitechnical demonstration on late summer evenings. If you are a guest or a local, you’ll finish your late summer evening with the custom of the broge. If you’re brave enough to deal with the insanely thronging crowds on New Year’s Day (Summer Equinox), you can catch a glimpse of the Games of High Summer where hardy athletes ride on the backs of eight-legged water-walking giant reptiles called gibgibsews in an odd ball game that requires no understanding to enjoy thoroughly in the watching. Avoid the working class districts afterwards as riots between rival fans often break-out and the innocent bystander can fast become a victim of a few blows to the head and theft. If you’re more culturally inclined, you can visit the spectacular Temple of the Golden Phœnice, the center of the Aurician State Cult of the Golden Phœnice, introduced by Grand Duke Stalcast Bijäl. The holy sword, Wanewake, is on display. A trip to the Galdimesan Archguild Museum of Aurice will garner you a gander at their rich collection of antiquities, especially from the period of the rule of the Dark Prince, including the Teltagurn Fresco. You may find a visit to Thornopal Theatre the highlight of your visit where you could enjoy a night of drama or opera. Dark Aurician opera is world-famous. If you have the right connections, you can be admitted to the gallery of the Great Curial Hall where you can view Aurician Noble Senators in their finery sitting atop high thrones conducting the governance of their empire. A favorite with titancraft spectators is the Skyport Illuminite Airfield where you can see the latest innovations in titancraft vessels of the air and the vessels of the considerable Aurician skyforce. In the Holy District, you can view ancient temples of the Old Religion, including the houses of the gods Heliops, Magdaia, Parkia, Midretta, Zando, and others. A bit of history and contemplation can be found in a visit to the Basilica of Saint Gidhoniel, named after the hero who slew the Dark Prince in the Fifth Isbajath. In the early spring, you can see the gala of boats and ships on the high rivens of Aurice as part of the pomp and gaiety of the Aurician Festival of the River Gods. It could be raining, so bring an umbrella and a good cloak.
If you eventually tire of Aurice and her continual crowds, you can pay for an excursion to Goscundy on the mainland or return to your homeland by speedy windship or titancraft vessel for the well-heeled. You may be happy to have visited the imperial capital and perhaps even happier to return to the quiet of your home country.
