Salkamar
From Illapedia
Contents |
[edit] 1 The Salkamaerians
[edit] 2 Religious directions
[edit] 3 The names
[edit] 4 Cities
[edit] 4.1 Salkamar
[edit] 4.1.1 The city
Salkamar, the capital of the Salkamaerian Empire, is more than 4000 years old and is also called “Town of the Sun” or “The Yellow Town”. Most probably a fishermen village in the beginning, still today there are quarrels between albarian and salkamaerian savants, which one of both capitals is older. It is said that the oldest town of the world, called Nabranoo by the savants, originally was the place of the gods' throne, and Albar as well as Salkamar both claim having been founded where this town once used to be.
As most of the buildings in Salkamar are built from yellow stones, which are mined in the northern Middle Mountains, and most of the streets are also paved with yellow stone. Salkamar is an expanding, but since many centuries very well organised town. Blocks of large houses and mansions of rich and noble families alternate with rather square, simple flat roof houses of the simple population.
Salkamar's academy is world-famous, every significant philosopher, artist or poet spent at least some years at Salkamar. The town of Salkamar is by far the biggest one of the known world, both regarding population as well as area. All residential districts are broadly arranged, as the builders put emphasis on gardens and parks, and for more than 3000 years every structural change in Salkamar requires a bureaucratic permission. The centre of Salkamar is the “Old Town”, whose partly ancient buildings have been reconstructed from scratch several times. As the town kept expanding since foundation, there are – in addition to the outer town walls – old, inner town walls, which in the meantime have been carried off and nowadays serve as vegetated promenades.
The townscape is dominated by ten small palaces, the palace complex of the Emperor, the temple area, the academy and the garrison. The Emperor's palace in Salkamar has been built in a quite functional way, putting more emphasis on simplicity rather than grandiosity. Many administration offices and public institutions are accommodated in the adjoining buildings of the palace complex. Right beside the palace complex you can find one of the oldest and largest temples of the known world, which is called “The Wheel of Salkamar” or “Temple of the Wheel”. This temple has been build in shape of a wheel with ten spokes and can be entered through tunnels in the fundament, which end in a huge spiral staircase in the centre of the wheel. At the end of the respective spokes there are ten identically built temple halls, devoted to each one of the ten gods, which are worshipped by the Salkamaerians. Salkamar has three considerable large market places with a harbour only a half day's travel away. The town gives a neat and clean impression.
[edit] 4.1.2 Land and people
Many diplomats and savants of different races and nations can be found in Salkamar, only orcs are to be found rarely. The family trees of the ten oldest noble families of Salkamar derive from each one of the gods themselves. The present Emperor of Salkamar, Jieron Regis Arimetholos, originates from a family of the house of Arimetholos.
[edit] 4.1.3 Characteristics
There are some ancient ruins and fundaments in Salkamar, which have been completely explored and now mainly serve as warehouses. An ancient theatre has been excavated and restored.
All children reaching the age of four learn to read and write, calculating, philosophy, poetry and historical knowledge at schools three times a week. As from the age of twelve all children have the duty to follow lessons in using swords and shields. At the age of 14 all children are rated according to their abilities and talents, then taught on public expense for two years in a subject of their choice as they qualify therein. The best qualified of the age-groups are then educated at the academy of Salkamar, this is why many teenagers of the entire empire can be found there. Also the garrison of Salkamar instructs every year many recruits. Children from poorer families – which is quite rare in Salkamar, as the state finances many basics for living for poor inhabitants – often start a military education in the legion.
[edit] 4.2 Falmarha
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[edit] 4.3 Laris
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[edit] 4.4 Nubris
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[edit] 4.5 Mitsobar
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[edit] 4.6 Koldamar
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