Nova Lumia

Often called the Crown of the Empire or the City of Holy Light, Nova Lumia sits nestled on the coast - a shining beacon for all. It is said that one cannot find a single shadow within the gates - a bit of gossip aided by the fact that the buildings are all pristine and predominantly white in color. When the sun rises, the city almost seems to be made of silver.

To the west lay the port, a bustling hive of activity at most hours of the day and night. Ships of both large and small size can be found either docked or gliding over the water. These ships bring in goods from all of the empire, and export many goods that can only be found within the city.

To the east you can find the market, where stalls are placed in seeming haphazard chaos. Hundreds flock to the cobblestone covered streets every morning - drawn by the smells of fresh baked goods, the need for odds and ends, and the occasional bauble or trinket for that special lady. The sounds of merchants crying their goods, each voice overlapping the next to create a cacophony of sound.

To the south is where most of the common folk live, the everyday citizen. The houses lining the streets, while not in disrepair, are not as elaborate as any other part of the city. Yet, even here, the beautiful marble shines true and the streets are kept free of debris and waste. There is no such thing as slums here, for the Magnus Basileus values all citizens of the Empire - and this city is the symbol of Illian.

To the north, the Palace District shines in all of its glory. It is here that the Imperial Palace lay, a sprawling mass of shining towers and airy sky bridges, all made from the same pristine alabaster marble as the rest of the city - with the sole exception that this marble contains lines of gold flowing through it.

These four districts meet in the middle, forming a large circle with the Grand Temple seated in the exact center, the crown jewel of this fair city. Rising high above everything around it, are four bell towers that sit on the cardinal points. The perfume of frankincense and myrrh permeate the air, a subtle reminder of the holiness of this place. There is only one entrance, a massive doorway that is never sealed, welcoming the faithful inside it’s lofty walls.