Augusta (The Imperial City)

The Capital City of the Evanderian Empire, Augusta stands as a beacon of Imperial strength and unity, being the historical capital of the empire since the year 48ab, boarding the Inner Sea and the strait of Augusta. Originally founded & built in 48ab with its construction overseen by Emperor Augustus himself, the city hosts the largest population of Imperial Heart landers in Olios with a impressive population of 1.5 million citizens.

Augusta hosts the Augustine Palace, the home of the House of Ballester-Ambrosia; the Imperial family. Several events such as the annual Social Season, tournaments, and balls take place here.

## **Geography**

Augusta was built on the site of the old capital of the ancient Kingdom of Obelia, which was badly damaged during the hundred years war. It sprawled southward towards the shore and eventually merged with a small forest village known as Spruceland and a large port city known as Smithland. The entire city was built along the river Augusta, named after the city which stood upon it.

Augusta has a temperate climate, which means that it gets cold, wet winters and warm, sunny summers.

## **Governance**

Augusta is ruled over by the Imperial City Counsel. The Imperial City Counsel is made up of representatives from the city that are elected from local city distracts and are lead by the Lord Mayor of Augusta. It dealt with civil problems in the city ranging from city taxes, laws and public works.

The Imperial Watch was the local police force of the city whose duty was to capture criminals, settle petty disputes, give directions, summon medical and priestly aid, generally performing duties that promoted peace and the idea that Augusta was a city open to all who knew how to behave themselves.

Rulings on the city's laws were issued by the Magisters, more commonly referred to as the White Robes. They had the duty of running the courts and issuing sentences to those they found guilty. The White Robes were each protected by at least six members of the Imperial Guard while traveling the streets of Augusta.

## **Economy**

Augusta was a incredibly wealthy city that acted as the center of trade in the Empire. Places like the mineral-rich lands to the north, the merchant kingdoms of Zimmali and the woodlands of Cliffburn to the south, the inner sea to the east and its sea colonies to the west all had its trade move through Augusta.

## Culture

Given its size and influence, Augusta was a cosmopolitan city with a diverse population of citizens. While humans comprised the majority of its populace, it was home to a large number of elves, dwarves, halflings, half-elves, tieflings and gnomes. Native Augustinians tended to be a quite social and outspoken people who welcomed most outsiders to there city. While they were proud of their realm's history, they typically dissmised cultures that were diffrent to there own. Native Augustinians were typically patriotic people who openly supported the Emperor and the Empire.

One of the favourite past times of Augustinians from all aspects of life was the gladiator games, with its figthers being made up of foreign slaves and criminals condemed for there crimes. These events were not just important culturally but religiously as well, for they represent the city's history and tendency for warfare and violence.

## Religion

Augusta due to its large size had a huge variety of faiths with its largest temple and religion being dedicated to the city's founder and the first human Emperor, Emperor Augustus, who is treated like a god by the city's people. Among these mighty temples much smaller shrines and other holy houses could be found in Augusta honoring the most minor of deities.

As was found in many metropolises in the Realms, Augusta housed a great many secret places of worship where devotees of dark powers could exercise their secretive faiths. These secret fates weren't illegal but could not be practiced in public and could not have an official place of worship, this led to small hidden temples to be built in the city as places of worship for these dark faiths.

## Festivals and Holidays

In addition to the standard festivals of the Calendar of Augustus, there were several festivals and holy days held in Augusta:

#### Empire day

A holiday celebrated on the 23rd of Domita to celibate the founding of the Obelian Empire. It is celebrated with one day and night of celebrating, one day of military parading around the city capital and one day and night of praying at the Temple of Augustus.

#### The Emperor's Birthday

Currently held on the 18th of Juli, this holiday is celebrated to honor the birthday of the reigning Emperor. All shops are closed one the day and the Emperor usually holds a grand speech at the Imperial Palace, to commemorate the day.

## Defenses

Augusta maintains two separate armed forces, the Imperial Guard and the Imperial watch. The Imperial Guard also known as the Imperia State Army acted as Augustas armed forces with its members staffing garrisons, road patrols, watchposts, and sometimes served as bodyguards and or gate guards for the city. The Imperial Watch also known as the Imperial constables was the local police force, acting as a constabulary within the city. More delicate missions in the city which involved things like espionage and covert operations were handled by the Black Watch, more commonly called the Black Hand or the Secret police. The Black Watch were an elite force of skilled fighters and assassins that answered to and were loyal to the Emperor.

Augustas has two sets of strong walls built around the city, its far older city walls being built near the center of the city and its much new fortified walls are built surrounding the much newer city urban districts.

## **Locations**

#### **The Augustine Palace**

Built next to the river Augusta, near the center of the city, sits The Imperial State Palace, also known as the Augustin Palace. The palace is a modern marvel of Baroque architecture, with its vast gardens making up most of the property. The palace was a place of luxury and not defense, only surrounded by a simple golden fence and gate the palace was not a fortress nor a castle but did have a permanently posted Imperial Royal Guard which was made up of highly skilled soldiers picked from the Imperial State Army. Surprisingly enough the palace gardens are actually open to the public, although guarded by Imperial Royal Guard to ensure a peaceful experience for any visitors.

#### **The Imperial Square**

The Imperial Square is a small public park built in front the Augustine Palace and houses the Imperial spire, a colossal monument built to commemorate 50 years of new Imperial rule in the Empire. Standing at an impressive 169 meters the monument is truly one of the many wonders of Augusta. The park also houses a small outdoor café, lovely river side view, a fountain and gold statue built in dedication of Emperor Matthew the Unifier and finally the Imperial crypt, which houses the tomb of King Matthew I and the future tomb of Emperor Matthew the Unifier.