Abura
From Mizahar Lore
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This article is about a location with its own forum to roleplay in. You can find it here. |
| Region | Akvatar | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notability | Arts center | ||||
| Population | 6,000 | ||||
| Races |
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| Languages | Common | ||||
| Imports | Textiles, dyes | ||||
| Exports | Art, music, literature |
Abura is the only settlement on the island of Akvatar. It is the home city of the Akvatari, an enormous and bewildering complex of towers, ledges, and underwater caves.
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Geography and Climate
Abura lies on the eastern coast of Akvatar, and is subject to the same harsh climate as the rest of the island. Summer temperatures can rise in excess of 120 degrees F, while winter nights often drop into the 20s. Rain is infrequent. The city contains the only freshwater spring in Akvatar, which flows year-round.
History
Abura did not exist prior to the Valterrian; indeed, although the Codex of Xalz, a document of doubtful authenticity, seems to claim otherwise, the historical consensus is that there were no permanent settlements at all on Akvatar prior to the cataclysm. In the years following the Akvatari's mysterious appearance, they began to construct a home for themselves. The process was painfully slow, but eventually a vast maze of structures began to rise from the barren rock.
Demographics and Politics
Abura has approximately 6,000 residents. The Akvatari are welcoming to other races, but Abura is extremely difficult to get around without wings; as such, nearly all the residents are Akvatari.
Akvatar Today
True to the artistic nature of the Akvatari, Abura was built almost in defiance of any principles of practicality or city planning; instead, it was designed to be original and aesthetically adventurous. Each segment of the city was designed by a different architect, and no pains have been taken to make sure that the disparate elements harmonize.
Massive spires, arches, and towers dominate the skyline, structures far larger than the population would dictate. Many of them are laced with openings, some covered and some not. There are isolated platforms dozens of feet in the air, single rooms carved into the structural supports, and arches with corridors wound like rope around the outside. Stairs and ladders are almost nonexistent; visitors who cannot fly are largely restricted to the area surrounding the docks unless they choose to hire an Akvatari chair-flight.
There is also a winding series of rooms and tunnels carved into the rock below the sea level. The Akvatari cannot breathe underwater, but they can hold their breath for periods exceeding six hours, and so are able to make extensive use of this feature.
Abura has far more space than the residents require, and so any Akvatari is free to claim any unoccupied spot. Many otherwise unused areas have been converted to art galleries, concert halls, and sculpture gardens.