Nazka

**Nazka** is the capital and largest city of the Kingdom of Ahremia, as well as the seat of Ahremia's capital district/province. Within the city walls lie the quarters of the King of Ahremia, Colgemate VIII, and the leaders of the Pretorian jurisdiction of Ahremia. The city is home to some of the richest merchant lords in Ahremia, as well as sprawling districts which house the city's massive population.

Nazka is the second largest port in Ivlon (after Aure, Cisalia) a fact by which much of its economy survives on. Nazka receives much traffic from ships traveling from southern Ivlon and Elvekia as well as merchant vessels hailing from Zedia, Acea, and beyond. Many of these vessels' merchants store their money in one of the many Nazkan banks and/or sell their goods in the markets in Nazka. Despite its massive port, Nazka mainly sees international maritime traffic, as local and semi-local ships usually travel to Euritas or sometimes Slorend to trade.

Besides its shipping economy, the city of Nazka also serves as the banking capital of Ivlon. The wealthy and influential Andalin family established the first bank, the Royal Bank of Nazka, in the 1100s, after which other merchants established their own banks. Consequently, Nazka is also home to the primary treasury and mint of Ahremia.

Nazka's central district which is home to many of the large banks and the most desired section of the port is on a piece of land separated from the mainland by a small saltwater waterway. Long ago, most of the area around this piece of land was marsh - over time, it was filled in. Across the waterway lies the "city" of *Corum*, now a district within greater Nazka. The East Cape is located east of the city center, and is also the main market for non-luxury goods. Other notable districts include *Pyrmile Hill*, or simply "the Hill", an area of the outskirts of the city at which many of the city's international residents live.

Nazka was first settled by the Ahrem people thousands of years ago. It was on the later site of Nazka they founded a small trading settlement at which mostly local waterfowl carcasses were bought and sold. Therefore, it was named *Naiez'ka* (nai iz kah) meaning "place of feathers". The town would remain relatively insignificant the early 300s SY, when it became the unofficial capital of the kingdom founded by Byernfuld of Estergaald (fl. 490). The first Kingdom of Nazka would eventually collapse on itself, and a succession of petty rulers would rule the city until the Empire of Exelon would conquer the city under the emperor Spoacos Corpos II. Under the rule of Exelon the city would grow exponentially, especially after becoming the capital of the empire. In the 1090s SY, a rebellion organized by the later king Plavion Andalin (1045-1118 SY) would lead to the end of Elvekian rule and the establishment of the modern kingdom of Ahremia. The city would be ruled directly by the Andalin dynasty until the Ahremian Civil War in which Colgemate Hew Kranor (1170-1255 SY) seized power.

## Demographics

Since the first Ahremian census in 1480 SY, the rough population of Ahremia and its cities can be calculated. In 1520 SY, the number of people living within the walls of Nazka was found to be about 210,000. For comparison, Dilare was estimated at 69,000 and Euritas at 206,000. This would make Nazka the most populated settlement in Ahremia - behind Euritas (2nd), Eroda (3rd), Hamhall (4th), Dilare (5th) and Eisenhall (6th).

Although it cannot be calculated with certainly, the racial demographics of Nazka can be said to a certain degree of accuracy. A little over half (~54%) of Nazka's population is of Ahremian or Lohnian descent. The second largest ethnic group is Birgol, followed by Zedian.

Despite having a high population as a city, the province of Nazka (which functions as a capital district free from provincial government) which contains the city of Nazka and a section of the surrounding countryside is only the 9th most populous province out of 13. For reference, the most populous are (in order) Sectinia, Mercia, North Sectinia, and Mesralla while Nazka Province is between Euritas (province, not city) and Vardunia.

Largest Ahremian Cities (by pop.)
 Euritas
 Eroda
 Hamhall
 Dilare
 Eisenhall
 Cornoa
 Antilogne
 Ambirge
 Martlet

## Geography

The city of Nazka lies along the coast, in a low lying region of Ahremia. The city was originally