Astevane

Astevane is the capital of Aerion, and has been the capital of Aerion since the time of the Council of Tribes. It was built in the early Greco-Roman architectural style of Aerion, with the original city design being in this style, which is still preserved in the Royal District. Now it has mostly modern urban elements outside of the central historical area in the Royal District, and is divided into districts. The city itself is massive, with hundreds of skyscrapers. It covers 100 miles of urban area, densely built up in multiple layers, with roadways built on criss-crossing bridges up to 50 stories high. The highest skyscraper in the city is the Royal Financial Tower, 400 floors high, towering over the Financial District into the clouds. The city is surrounded by miles and miles of rolling plains uninterrupted except for the highways, preserved by Royal Edict.

History of Astevane

Astevane is the first city ever constructed in Aerion. It was founded on the Great Planes of central Aerion on the north side of the river Aste when the Council of Tribes decided that an permanent city was needed as the peoples of Aerion had been nomadic. Out of the 20 major tribes of Aerion, an separate tribe would occupy the city every few months then move on. Only members of the Council of Tribes and their retainers would stay in the city permanently. After the civil war which resulted in the first unified government styled after the Roman Republic, the city began to expand rapidly. It was determined that it would be built in Greeko-Roman architecture in an Roman layout, and so the center of the city featured the Forum with the various major government buildings surrounding the Forum. Some elements of Arabic, and Baroque styles were also mixed in. The interiors of many buildings were determined to be Baroque. The first Senate of Aerion, composed of past tribal and clan leaders, would be housed within the Curia which the later Central Palace which serves as the Royal Palace today was built around. Over time, the city expanded, the miles of plains allowing it growth, and became the massive megaopolis it is today. However, the historical Astevane, now contained within the Royal District was well preserved though extensively modified over time with buildings being added onto, merged together, or totally rebuilt.

Main Districts

Royal District
Financial District
River District
North Entertainment District
South Entertainment District
Industrial District

The city is divided into 40 boroughs, each with its own municipal government under the authority of the Greater Astevane City Government. 16 of these boroughs are contained within Inner Astevane, with 7 on them immediately north of the river and the other 9 south of the river. The others are considered part of Greater Astevane.

Royal District

Called the "heart" of Aerion, the Royal District has been the center of government for Aerion since the nomadic tribes of Aerion were united into a national identity. It maintains the historic Arabesque Greeko-Roman and Baroque architecture of Astevane, despite the sprawling megacity around it. It is like a walled oasis of luxury. Over 40 parks and public gardens are available throughout the Royal District. Almost every luxury imaginable is available here.

Here is the Royal Palace, the Royal Park, various gardens, parks, government buildings, hotels, high culture centers, and the exclusive expensive residences of Royal Government officials and the cremda le creme of Aerion's upper class. This comes at a price, a ridiculous base price of A£6000 or more per square FT making it the most expensive real estate in the Grand Kingdom.

The Royal District is considered its own city, the personal demesne of the Crown. When King Wasterin X restored the power of the Throne, he declared personal ownership of all land within the walls of the Royal District. He then sold it as real estate to various individuals and institutions who over time resold it etc. Some of it is still leased directly by the Crown. It is, however, still considered the personal demesne of the Crown and the entire district is policed by the Royal Guard.

By Royal Edict, unless by special permission, all buildings within the Royal District must abide by the original architecture. Where possible, the older buildings of the Royal District are preserved.

The Royal District contains the official government headquarters for every Ministry of the Royal Government.

The Royal District is guarded at all entrances, and though it has a population of over 50,000 the Royal Guard checks every person that comes through at checkpoints. To get into the Royal District you must be on the Royal District Access List <RDAL>, of course residents and employees are on it permanently for the duration of their residency or employment.

The Royal District is approximately 15 miles all around.

Sites of Interest

The Royal Palace

Perhaps the grandest traditional architectural structure in the Grand Kingdom, the massive Royal Palace has been home to every government since the beginning. It is over 2 miles in length and width, with over 1000 rooms. It is built around the traditional Curia that was built to house the first government of Aerion, the Council of Tribes and then the Senate. Perhaps tellingly today the spot where the Curia originally was is now the Royal Throne Room. It has variously been known through governments and over time as the Curia, State House, Defence Headquarters, Imperial Palace, and the Central Palace. In addition to being the Royal Residence also contains the individual offices of every Great Officer of State, Royal Advisors, and of course Great Officers of the Royal Household.

The Royal Park

A beautiful park expanding over 3 miles, the Royal Park borders the Royal Palace and Royal Palace Gardens. It is like a small forest, and parts of it are used as hunting grounds by members of the Royal Family. It has a small lake, and gracious pavilions.

Parts of the Royal Park are open to the public through the year, and at one corner of the Royal Park is the Royal Botanical Gardens.

The Royal Park notably features the Royal Menagerie, a collection of hundreds of exotic animal species on display to the public.

Plaza La'Sharan

This gorgeous outdoor landscaped plaza is on the main street for shopping in the Royal District, and is home to the most prestigious shops in the Grand Kingdom of Aerion. All the highest end retailers are here, many holding the status of Royal Purveyor to the Royal Family. Here you will find couture and ready-to-wear designer clothes, exquisite jewelry, the finest leather accessories, gourmet food, chocalates, and other luxury goods that are the envy of all. Called "the most exclusive shopping in Aerion".

The Great Baths

Public Bathing is still common among the high society of Aerion. The Great Baths is a grand structure, more a complex of grand buildings like a palace. It is a combination baths, swimming pool, and spa. It has beautiful landscaped gardens interspersed. It is separated into the The Flower Baths for females, and The Sun Baths for males. There are over 60 public, and private baths as well as even individual baths for small parties. An even more exclusive palace called "The Golden Baths" is available to the wealthiest and most powerful patrons. The Great Baths is like a private club, and annual membership is known to be over A£5000 annually. Some have called The Great Baths like an "decadent paradise of earthly delights."

Neighborhoods of the Royal District

Embassy Avenue

Embassy Avenue located on the eastern side of the Royal District is the traditional place for the main foreign embassies to the Royal Aerionian Court in the Grand Kingdom of Aerion. The avenue and surrounding streets have the many embassies of the various nations that interact with the Grand Kingdom. One can often see the diplomatic vehicles passing by, and the guarded gates of these extranational properties.

This is one of the few areas of the Royal District where you will see variations in the traditional architecture. Here some nations choose to build embassies in their own architectural style. Also some of the Ambassadorial Residences are on the streets near Embassy Avenue.

Briarwood

The wealthiest, and most expensive residential neighborhood in the Grand Kingdom. The gated estates at Briarwood cost over 100 million dollars. This much space in the Royal District for a residency is considered a outrageous luxury. The homes are off the road and may be seen only from a distance usually, but are often considered small palaces in themselves. Only the crem da le creme live here. There are only around twenty estates, and these represent the wealthiest names in the Grand Kingdom of Aerion. Three of the estates are owned by Royal Family members.

West Palace Street

West Palace Street happens to be the second wealthiest residential area in the Grand Kingdom, though are on a street. The homes here cost around 60 million Aerionian Gold Leaves. This is the closest residential neighborhood to the Royal Palace there is, bordering a section of the western wall. Ardeous background checks are conducted of those who live here. Some of the homes are official Ambassadorial Residences.

Financial District

It has been said the billions of dollars that move through the Financial District a day are unimaginable to the common man. The Financial District is home to the Royal Financial Plaza, the tallest building in Astevane. The Royal Financial Plaza is home to the Royal Central Bank, and the Aerionian National Stock Exchange as well as various offices. Hundreds of skyscrapers dot the skyline fo the Financial District.

The Financial District is home to the Astevane Convention & Exhibition Center. It is an convention center capable of accomodating over 300,000 attendees at once or numerous conventions of several thousand at one time.

Every megacorporation in the Grand Kingdom has offices in the Financial District of Astevane, usually their Regional or Provincial Headquarters for the area which are massive constructions. Many megacorporations have their subsidiarys' headquarters', and various divisional headquarters in the Financial District which are huge themselves, often 150 floor skyscrapers or even multiple skyscrapers for the subsidiary corporation as well as even megacorporate divisions.

There are numerous business oriented hotels in the Financial District, most owned by Aerionian Hotels & Resorts. There is also a 5 star luxury hotel connected to the Royal Financial Plaza, as well as a few boutique hotels scattered throughout the district.

The Financial District has some residential spaces, mostly condominium and apartment towers. These range from luxurious to simple business affairs. Penthouses in the Financial District go for as much as 30 million depending on location, and are often owned by megacorporations to provide temporary housing to their top executives while in the Financial District.

River District

The River District is district running along each side of the river, though is centered to the west of the Royal District, primarily along the northern and southern banks.

The River District is a district with a variety of purposes, and is much like a typical city of its own with different neighborhoods and areas. The massive skyscrapers and blocs that dominate other parts of Astevane are not allowed in the River District. No building may be built higher than 30 floors by Royal Edict. There are businesses, residences, stores, and all scaterred across the River District. The River District on the northern bank is wealthier. It has more wealthy neighborhoods, condominiums, specialized offices, hotels, and luxury areas. Along the banks of the river on both sides are mid-range to luxury hotels, residences, and offices. Further south of the southern bank the River District is poorer, with winding streets, and even some shanty towns along the edges of the Industrial District.