Ziphyr

Ziphyr is the capital of the planet Vastire as recognized by the Planetary Alliance (P.A.) Located on the east coast of the Western Continent, in the \_ region, it is the most populous city on Vastire. It falls into the jurisdiction of Lord Searon and his family.

About half of the events of Embargo on Hope occur in Ziphyr.

## History

The construction of Ziphyr started in the year 1 ARI. The Iveleen decided they needed a new city to live in, a place for civilized Vastirians to live, away from the still savage nomads.

Rax-Kon, the builder of the Iveleen, built some of the most important buildings in Ziphyr, including the Grand Cathedral.

The Erodians did not reach Ziphyr in either the First Erodian Conflict or the Second Erodian Conflict. However, they did manage to land on the shores during the Third Erodian Conflict. But the Vastirians won a decisive battle on that shore when Gallant Mark and Graze Aseus took control a key Erodian weapon. That battle essentially won the war.

## Districts

### Downtown

Downtown Ziphyr is a collection of glittering skyscrapers where Vastirian business is conducted.

### Hargonla

Hargonla refers to the northern slums of Ziphyr, the only place in the region where Olan-Har are allowed to live. Darynn Mark makes his home here, as well as Fyra and Pavlar Solia and their family.

The slums are run-down and stuck several centuries behind the rest of the city. Electricity and running water are scarce. Food and jobs are hard to come by. The main source of water is a stream that runs through the district.

Hargonla is primarily run by three gangs: the Diterians (west slums), the Maltans (east slums), and the Nama-Da (north end.) The central area is mostly neutral, while no one lives on the north side except for the Nama-Da. See the Gangs of Ziphyr Hargonla for more information.

#### Hargonla Chapel

The Hargonla Chapel is the center of life for the Olan-Har, run by Father Ckoost.

#### Dark Plaza

The Dark Plaza can be found in the eastern part of Hargonla. It was supposed to be an expansion of the Docks district into Hargonla, but the peculiar design of the buildings led to a lack of light reaching the ground. Some of the worst types in Hargonla moved in there, making the district basically uninhabitable.

#### Courtyard of the Broken Statue

The Courtyard of the Broken Statue can be found in western Hargonla, in the Diterian sector. Previously, this was the headquarters of the Barma family that ran the western part of Hargonla, but the Diterians massacred the Barmas in 484 ARI and took control.

Now all that remains are withering bushes and a broken monument to Gond Barma, hero of the Barma family.

#### Hargonla Park

In the northwest section of Hargonla, there is a relative slice of paradise compared to the rest of Hargonla. A creek runs through it, with surprisingly fresh and clean water. Prior to the embargo, the park was central to life in Hargonla, as people would gather to play games nad let the children run around.

#### Diterian Compound

The Diterian Compound is the center for operations for the Diterians in Hargonla. See the Gangs of Hargonla for more information.

#### The Factories

The factories separate Hargonla from the rest of Ziphyr. The factories were built there to take advantage of cheap Olan-Har labor. Further, the work was frequently dangerous and even slightly higher castes would sometimes refuse the work. Some of the factories were abandoned prior to the embargo, but the embargo closed the rest of the factories.

### Virin-leen District

Every one of the northern Virin-leen families has at least a vacation home in the Virin-leen district, which is located in the southeast, overlooking the ocean. Lord Searon makes his permanent residence here, as well as the current King of Vastire in the Avingian Palace. Access to the district is strictly limited to Virin-leen family members and guests.

### The Docks

Most of the eastern part of the city, north of the Virin-leen district, consists of docks jetting out into the ocean. All sea-bound commerce goes through this part of town, including the P.A. shipments during the embargo.

### Local District

The Local District is one of the oldest areas of Ziphyr, and was the equivalent of downtown prior to the advent of building skyscrapers in what is now considered Downtown Ziphyr. The Grand Cathedral can be found here.

## Important Locations

### Shard Headquarters

Shard Headquarters can be found southwest of downtown in Ziphyr. The building looks like the broken word of the Shard, with each piece representing a sector of the public they're responsible for protecting: the clergy, the Virin-leen, and the people.

The office of the Commander of the Shard can be found at the tip of the sword. The Admirals' offices are one floor below. The majority of the Shard agents also work out of this building.

### Avingian Palace

The King of Vastire lives in the Avingian Palace, in the Virin-leen district.

### Searon Mansion

Lord Searon, lord of Ziphyr, makes his home in the Searon Mansion, which is in the Virin-leen district of Ziphyr. His mansion overlooks the Esowaith Ocean to the east.

### Grand Cathedral

The Grand Cathedral of the Iveleen, built by Rax-Kon himself, is located in the Local District of Ziphyr. The Grand Cardinal's offices can be found in the Cathedral. The Iveleen Artifact, the Crystal Ball of Windoon, can be found in the Cathedral.

### Spaceport

The spaceport is southwest of downtown. All space traffic to Ziphyr goes through here, except for private Virin-leen spaceships. The spaceport is the largest on the planet Vastire.