Contents
Overview
Aureus was originally built upon the western lip of the extinct volcano known as Aureus Mount, next to a large lake that formed in the cone. Over time, it has expanded around all sides of the lake, as well as down the volcano's northern, western and eastern slopes. It consists of six boroughs, and has eight million residents.
Boroughs
Cinneidh
A posh borough for both old money and those who have gotten rich off of offworlder ventures, it sits on the edge of a cliff to its north. It features tree-lined streets, expensive specialty shops, and Seannainn College, a liberal arts school.
Eidhin
The borough centered around Aureus docks, it is one of the poorer areas, and has a high rate of crime.
Falaritown
Formerly Yirton, this borough houses a majority of Pyracan's Falari and a large percentage of its manufacturing workers. Entrances to buildings here are often two or three stories up, forcing non-fliers to walk rickety catwalks to get around. Ethnic foods and goods from Falari abound here.
Hysinton
Once a thriving industrial district, anti-mass-production prejudice amongst Pyracani has turned it from the bustling heart of Aureus to a near-slum as poor Nuall, Hekayti and Falari moved here in droves in the 2500's to take cheap manufacturing jobs.
Ibinton
Once a popular crafting district and later retirement borough, it suffered extreme gentrification during the late 2500's to early 2600's, and became a bit of a ghost town. A revitalization movement in the 2620's turned Ibinton into an up-and-coming arts district, and is now infused with young people and ideas.
Old Aureus
One mile square, this gray stone borough was the original Aureus Keep, built in 1622 CE. It is packed tight with stone government offices, Dourragh Place, home of the Grand Council and Alpha, and the University of Ghirr, Pyracan's largest university.
Siorcton
Once a borough of ancient fernwood houses and a massive bazaar for the trading of all sorts of goods, it burned to the ground in 2572 CE, and was replaced with a more modern business district. Now, many multi-planetary businesses and other power players keep offices here.
History
- 1622 CE - Aureus Keep founded by Vhik Murrnainn.
- 1867-1874 CE - War of the Two Reighainns fought in and around Aureus, ending in the deaths of the entire Murrnainn royal family.
- 1885 CE - Cathedral of Martyr Yuta Airt built on northern face of Aureus Mount.
- 1906 CE - Brof Dourragh takes control of Aureus, making it his capital in his attempt to conquer the world.
- 1938 CE - Wurr Dourragh, son of Brof, conquers the last of the twelve nations, and makes Aureus the world's capital on Bonding Day.
- 2344 CE - Aureus Landing Pad built.
- 2346 CE - Hiver bomb explodes on Aureus landing pad, destroying it and much of the spaceport.
- 2347 CE - Aureus Landing Pad rebuilt, Pyracani declare war on Hivers.
- 2437 CE - Major recession hits as Pyracan austery measures aren't enough to balance out a budget crisis.
- 2441 CE - Hysinton borough built in the hope that manufacturing would be the key to ending Pyracan recession.
- 2572 CE - Siorcton burns to the ground under mysterious circumstances, killing over 5,000. The ancient fernwood buildings are replaced by skyscrapers of glass, steel and plastic.
- 2604 CE - The small borough of Yirton is renamed Falaritown, as it houses a majority of the Falari workers who now work in Hysinton, and the Falari are given money for infrastructure to make the borough more suitable for their race.