Astraya

Astraya

Astraya is the historic capital of the Astryanian Empire, and the city from which the empire gets its namesake. Astraya has become the primary hub for the Hero System, with many new heroes getting their start in the city.

## Districts

The city has six major districts, whose populations are distributed as such.

1. Noble District: 10,000
2. Merchants Quarters: 20,000
3. Two Chapels: 40,000
4. Mud District: 110,000
5. Red District: 150,000
6. North District: 70,000

### North District

The North District, also known as the Yellow District, Farm District, or Wheaton is a district of the city which located outside of the walls of Astraya. The district is known for its heavy focus on agriculture. Many in the North District work the nearby fields, and they themselves refer to the area as Wheaton. They have a distinct identity to them, and are not the friendliest towards outsiders. Many within the North District find themselves living in poor conditions, but due to their work in the fields, they often find themselves protected from famine.

### Red District

The Red District sits opposite the River Aster from the North District. The Red District is one of the more ill-reputed districts within the city, with many there living in wretched and squalid conditions. It is home to generally poorer folk with in the city, being place where the homeless and beggars are often driven out to. Likewise, many in the city are branded theives. While ostensibly still within the city, the district is in reality controlled by a series of gangs. While wars there are rare since the advent of the Hero System, occassionally, those adventuring parties who have found themselves caught up in the gangs may feud with one another, which has led to several nasty incidents and many dead.

### Mud District

Mud District is one of the more heavily populated districts in Astraya. Many of the people who live there are those who are not active farmers and can afford to live away from the Red District, meaning many of them hold some sort of regular job. The street is often covered in mud, as citizens actively dump their refuse into the street. Although many are paid to clean it up from the streets, the district is still often muddy and dirty. However, life here is much more peaceful than that in the Red District.

### Two Chapels

The Two Chapels district is a district which houses a large portion of the cities "middle class" which largely consists of the military men of the city along with their families, and adventurers who have done better for themselves in society. The district is kept far cleaner, and there is a moderate amount of greenery. For many families in Astraya, end up in Two Chapels is the ultimate goal.

### Merchant District

The Merchant District is a district which holds many of the cities wealthier, non-noble citizens.

### The Noble District

The Noble District is a district which sits on the Northeast side of the city, and is completely surrounded by walls. All of the nobility within the city live in this district, and the district is known for its extravagant parties. The only way to get into the district is to cross the heavily guarded bridge which leads up to it, or to try and make it across the river. Those in the district without direct invitation or in the company of people generally seen as "approved" are typically thrown out of the district.

## Notable Locations

### Taverns

#### North River Inn

The North River Inn is an inn located on the North side of the River Aster. It's a favorite of the North District citizens, and is often busy. While anyone can come get food or a drink from the inn, only those outsiders who are more well liked within the community can rooms there overnight.

#### South River Inn

The South River Inn is an inn located on the South side of the River Aster, and is the rival inn of the North River Inn. Unlike the North River Inn, the South River Inn is open to practically anyone. However, due to the place it holds in the Red District, it's a far rougher environment, and one had best watch their valuables if going into the tavern for an extended period of time, and one had also better keep watch when staying in the inn.

## Criminal Groups

### Bold Men

The bold men are ostensibly a fairly poor and improverished mercenary group, but in actuality they are perhaps the most militant, and most dangerous of the six major Astrayan gangs. Led by the fearsom Roldan Castillon, they are well known for their rampant "protection" fees, and employment of many common thugs. Likewise, they are thought to have some members of the Hero System in their fold. Recently, they delt a crushing defeat to the Moon Blood, Swoop Gang, and Terzin Families, taking a great deal of territory from each of them.

### Moon Blood Gang

The Moon Blood Gang is the newest of the major gangs in Astraya. While they have been around for a while, it is only recently that they became their own major player, rising up to control a sizable portion of the Red District. They are seemingly a typical gang, though the higher ups and much of the leadership are heavily entrenched in worship of some obscure deity, of which they are highly secretive about.

### Oreshatter Clan

Oreshatter Clan is largely a remnant of what it once was, primarily holding power outside of Astraya, into the country side. The Oreshatter Clan was once the most dominant gang in the Astryanian Empire. Controlling the bulk of the city of Astraya, the Oreshatter Clan was able to deeply entrench itself with the inner politics of Astraya, and from there expand its control beyond Astraya. However, with the rise of the Hero System, the Oreshatter Clan became a major target. Many great battles were waged against the Oreshatter Clan. They lost many resources in these conflicts, which would leave them vulernable when the military mobilized to throw them out of the inner walls of Astraya. With this, and the rise and resurgance of other gangs in Astraya, the Oreshatter Clan underwent a large collapse. Now, the Oreshatter Clan barely clings on to their holdings in Astraya, largely thanks to old remaining ties with the military from their glory years.

### Plowhands

The Plowhands are an atypical gang, but one of the longest standing. The Plowhands are primarily concerned with the protection of North District/Wheaton from outsiders. They essentially act as vigilantes of sorts, doing what they can to protect their people and way of life. While they don't often get involved with the other gangs, they have been known to launch vicious attacks against rival gangs when they're crosses. They are easily one of the strongest gangs in Astraya, rivaled only by the Bold Men.

### Swoop Gang

The Swoop Gang are the city's largest organizer of pickpockets, theives, robbers, and fences. They make a great deal of money lifting items from residents, and either selling them back, or selling them on to the next person. They have several shops they employ, many of which sell these stolen items.

### Terzin Family

The Terzin Family are the primary smugglers and sellers of illegal goods in the city of Astraya. Located the furthest away from the city itself, the Terzin Family has several warehouses which it stores great deals of illegal items in.