Aeda

Aeda lies on the banks of the lazy River Thala, in the northwesternmost region of the former Dulama Empire. The river valley around it is one of the world's greatest grain producing regions, and as such it has long been the second largest city of the empire. But such a scant summary does not do justice to this city.
When the Dulama were still an infant nation, busy uniting their highland homes, and Tiagho still was home to an independent kingdom, Aeda was an imperial center. No, more than that, it was the imperial center. Before even that, when the Trilui was the most dominant power in the known world and the Farou were busy defeating the imperial ventures of the revived Hu'ut Empire, Aeda was the center of an empire at least as big, if not larger.
Myth tells us of an ancient Uriall Empire, the precursor to most civilization in the west, though its historicity has been disputed by scholars. This Empire, too, was centered here, and the old symbol of the winged lion is prominent on some of the oldest ruins of the city.
Subject to less debate is the Amure Empire, the first great realm to encompass most of the western cradle, leaving only the cities of the River Abrea and the Dulama highlands independent. The old imperial palace complex lies beneath yet another palace complex, providing labyrinthine layers of rooms with ancient and dusty murals, providing classy accommodation for the numerous prisoners. At this time the city began to grow to its present size, acquiring much of the unplanned, chaotic nature that it bears to this day.
By the time of the foundation of the Tollanaugh Empire, the city was one of the richest and grandest ever seen, processing trade goods from the far north and far south alike. The Tollanaugh themselves rose still further to the west, eventually crushing the Amure forces in a battle at a little town called Inier, and sacking Aeda.
The destruction was quickly repaired by the city's inhabitants, as the Tollanaugh made the city their imperial capital, building another palace atop the previous one, and plowing great avenues through the hodgepodge collection of houses and shops. In a great feat of engineering, they built a massive stone bridge with room for four chariots abreast across the River Thala.
In time, the Tollanaugh themselves were defeated as well, this time by the Dulama, and finally Aeda was no longer the center of its realm. However, it still was the obvious regional capital of the west, handling most of the internal trade and administration of the area for the Dulama, and remaining a great city to the present day.
Category:Cities