Asahiri

Asahiri (also known as The Copper City) was a major city in the nation of Paloro. It is most well-known for its current status as a Nether wasteland.

## Geography

Comparative to the rest of Paloro's cities, Asahiri is located just south of the capital city of Palovina, and north of another major city, Ottilate. Due to its position, it holds an important canal that connects the inland Palorot Sea and the Heart of Haven.

### Landscape

Asahiri is largely known for being part of the Nether, as a basalt delta. The entire landscape is netherrack, with little to no animals in the area, as none feed on the red grass or Nether foliage in the area. Nonetheless, the area is safe to traverse, and waters tend to hold more diverse species.

## Culture

   The initial population of Asahiri was thought to originate from the far West, and adapted much of Palorot culture, effectively assimilating, and even adopting portions of the Asharu Faith that was dominant at the time within the country. The majority of this demographic later fled to Viodoxa following political unrest.

Now, Asahiri lacks much population, and is largely overseen by industries which extract resources from the region. This is largely due to Asahiri being considered uninhabitable, with a general taboo formed over the safety of living in the former city. Nonetheless, other cities neighboring Asahiri have adapted the situation into their own local culture, with new phrases and practices being established often to make light of what is often considered irredeemable lands. In recent years, however, the uselessness of Asahiri for life has been called into question, following hopeful findings over its potential niche.

## History

   Asahiri began construction on the 4th of February under the leadership of Loic, following funding by Keechoo for a new town in the country. Soon, the city boomed with 17 people joining the town in two days. The city itself prospered as the original plan was to become a major city for trade, through the construction of a canal. Despite costs, the canal was eventually built, with minimal usage outside of Paloroti. Later on in Asahiri's history, however, the canal would see further importance.

Asahiri saw continuous growth throughout the week of its founding, being considered one of the fastest-growing cities in Rathnir for the time. Loic's leadership over the city is generally the attributed reason for this growth. The tactics in which he used to grow the city are now discouraged, however.

### The Coup of Paloro

*Main Article: The Coup Of Paloro*

After growing dissent from Loic, who sought to expand Paloro despite Keechoo's wishes, a coup was instigated. After several complicated events, Loic became the de facto leader of Paloro and began to exercise control over the country, although Palovina effectively acted independently.

Eventually, The Kingdom of Aurora would send Loic an ultimatum, requesting Keechoo's return to the throne, and the big wheel situated in Asahiri, among other demands. In response, Loic ordered the entire city to be burned down, to which it quickly turned to ruins.

#### Aftermath

After the city of Asahiri was razed, Asahiri experienced a troubled political environment. Paloro was significantly weakened population-wise, as the entire population of Asahiri had fled. As such, Paloro ceded the Aufsdale territory to Aurora, stating a population incapable of monitoring the land properly for the time being as the primary reason— and hoping to negotiate it back at a later date. Furthermore, Paloro had let Uldarash temporarily occupy the city of Asahiri, to connect the two halves of the Empire, which were disconnected by land at the time.

### Haven Company

Not long after Asahiri was razed, a squatter claim arose in Asahiri, proclaiming intents to rebuild the city. Those in Asahiri were entirely unaware of Paloro's main government situated in Palovina, and conflict soon arose between the squatters and the Palorot government, eventually prompting the Sanctuary Raid and the following Khanate War, which was moved out of Asahiri following the first raid.

### Period of Quiet

It was largely debated by the citizens that would later on live in Paloro — particularly the migrating Pothic population — whether or not to rebuild the city. While it was certainly stunning in its prime, Keechoo had advised otherwise. Nonetheless, a group of citizens took it upon themselves to illegally reconstruct the city. When those that had remade it had gone inactive, it was several months after the city was originally burned. Being contacted by Loic, the owner of Asahiri then decided to sell it back to Loic, again without informing anyone.

### The Nether

Following political clashes Loic struggled with in Viodoxa, Loic eventually turned to Asahiri, to sacrifice the city to his Gods in exchange for understanding his own identity. The sacrifice resulted in the destruction of the city's landscape, turning both it and the area around it into Nether.

After the apparent destruction of the city, the Nether that had appeared around it appeared to spread. However, with the appearance of the nearby tree of Listej, the corruption of the Paloran landscape had slowed down into a halt. Soon after the larger conflicts with the ruins were resolved, the Gaians had arrived, proposing to help fix up the city. In due time, they discovered that the city was incapable of being returned to its former overworld state.

#### Gradual Rebuilding

Years after the destruction of Asahiri, which heavily damaged the local environment and was hostile to those who approached it, the city began to undergo a steady revitalization. Ruins of old houses were removed, and the lava that filled much of the surrounding area was safely drained. With the recent investments in Asahiri, many new resources were discovered in the general area. For instance, copper is now in excess across the entire region. The *Asahiroti Brodrehto Tarati* (Asahiran Copper Industries) were soon established to properly extract much of the copper in the city.