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Lastelle Island: Difference between revisions
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{{Par'tha Geography}} | {{Par'tha Geography}} | ||
Lastelle Island is a small island located in [[Oscion|Oscion's]] southern hemisphere. It is entirely covered in the urban sprawl of Lastelle | Lastelle Island is a small island located in [[Oscion|Oscion's]] southern hemisphere. It is entirely covered in the urban sprawl of Lastelle - the ancient seat of Kaen Tan's empire, and the present site of the sector capital. For the movers and shakers of Par'tha sector, Lastelle Island is the political, financial, and social epicenter of the [[Par'tha Expanse]]. | ||
The city is super-exclusive, and the real estate is some of the most expensive in the sector. Only the most powerful people in the sector can afford to live here. Even mere money is not enough to land an apartment or villa in the city; one must have political connections as well as millions and millions of credits. | The city is super-exclusive, and the real estate is some of the most expensive in the sector. Only the most powerful people in the sector can afford to live here. Even mere money is not enough to land an apartment or villa in the city; one must have political connections as well as millions and millions of credits. | ||
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= Architecture = | = Architecture = | ||
Lastelle Island is a beautiful city built in the ancient [[ | Lastelle Island is a beautiful city built in the ancient [[Caraadian]] style of domed towers and temples. Many of the structures in Lastelle are thousands of years old. Though antiques, these buildings are structurally sound and well cared for. There are no slums to speak of on the island. | ||
Older buildings are almost exclusively composed of stone | Older buildings are almost exclusively composed of stone - usually finely carved blocks. In general, structures tend to consist of many layers, almost as if they were built up on one another (this is often the case). There are many sub-buildings, add-ons, and tiers with rooks. Domes are a prominent feature in [[Caraadian]] architecture, and it is not uncommon for buildings to have several of different sizes. Other structures are more modern (being a mere few centuries old), and reflect more recent developments in galactic architecture styles. | ||
{{Par'tha Society}} | {{Par'tha Society}} | ||
= Transportation = | = Transportation = | ||
You wouldn't expect traffic to be a big problem on such a small island, since vehicles can only get into or out of the city via cargo transport or ship. However, many of the rich and famous residents of Lastelle Island consider it a mark of high status to fly an aircar or hover vehicle into the city to tool around in. Consequently, the streets are often jammed with limos, luxury speeders, and sports hover-vehicles | You wouldn't expect traffic to be a big problem on such a small island, since vehicles can only get into or out of the city via cargo transport or ship. However, many of the rich and famous residents of Lastelle Island consider it a mark of high status to fly an aircar or hover vehicle into the city to tool around in. Consequently, the streets are often jammed with limos, luxury speeders, and sports hover-vehicles - and no drivers are as impatient or intolerant of delays as nobles. The commoners, of course, do not actually live on the island, and rely on its public transportation system. | ||
There are two mass transit monorail lines which run through the city on elevated platforms. The monorail line running along the coast of the island is the Coast Line, while the line cutting across the island is the Crosstown Line. Major highways run underneath the monorail lines. | There are two mass transit monorail lines which run through the city on elevated platforms. The monorail line running along the coast of the island is the Coast Line, while the line cutting across the island is the Crosstown Line. Major highways run underneath the monorail lines. | ||
The island is networked with canals. Millennia ago, they were constructed to drain the swamps in the island's interior, but as Lastelle City grew, they evolved into what they are today | The island is networked with canals. Millennia ago, they were constructed to drain the swamps in the island's interior, but as Lastelle City grew, they evolved into what they are today - an elegant and occasionally efficient method of getting around the city. When traffic is particularly bad on the streets of Lastelle, the canals actually provide commuters a faster means of getting around. | ||
The only commercial traffic allowed in the canals are public transportation-oriented craft | The only commercial traffic allowed in the canals are public transportation-oriented craft - water taxis, tour boats, ship launches (from the harbor), and so on (a few floating restaurants prove the exception to the rule). Most of the other craft on the water are either city police or maintenance craft, or private commuter boats. The canals are open to the sea, allowing small watercraft and launches to sail from the ocean into the city and vice versa. Though fairly wide, the canals are relatively shallow - few other ocean-going vessels can enter them. Most yachts dock in harbor marinas. | ||
Throughout most of the city, the sides of the canals are moss-covered [[ferrocrete]]. In the Historical District, however, the sides are sheathed in beautiful frescoes. These frescoes are washed every night by city workers and kept in perfect repair. | Throughout most of the city, the sides of the canals are moss-covered [[ferrocrete]]. In the Historical District, however, the sides are sheathed in beautiful frescoes. These frescoes are washed every night by city workers and kept in perfect repair. | ||
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Access to this area of the island is open to all during the workday. However, only commoners with access permits and the nobility may enter after hours. Due to zoning laws, buildings cannot be more than five stories high in this district. This law was passed to prevent new buildings from blocking the profile of the ancient domes and buildings here. | Access to this area of the island is open to all during the workday. However, only commoners with access permits and the nobility may enter after hours. Due to zoning laws, buildings cannot be more than five stories high in this district. This law was passed to prevent new buildings from blocking the profile of the ancient domes and buildings here. | ||
*'''The Palace.''' Kaen | *'''The Palace.''' Kaen Tan's glittering palace was for millennia the center of regional power. Today it is a museum which presents a white-washed history of the sector to visiting tourists. | ||
*'''Kaen Tan University.''' Kaen Tan University is literally as old as the Par'tha Empire, the first emperor dedicated it the year he brought his new government to [[Oscion]]. The small and ancient campus once housed the entire Tan University, but the school grew too large for Lastelle Island and its outrageously expensive real estate long ago; the rest of the campus is now located on Satado Island, 400 kilometers away. This original campus contains only the legal graduate school, the university's upper administrative offices, and a museum. | *'''Kaen Tan University.''' Kaen Tan University is literally as old as the Par'tha Empire, the first emperor dedicated it the year he brought his new government to [[Oscion]]. The small and ancient campus once housed the entire Tan University, but the school grew too large for Lastelle Island and its outrageously expensive real estate long ago; the rest of the campus is now located on Satado Island, 400 kilometers away. This original campus contains only the legal graduate school, the university's upper administrative offices, and a museum. | ||
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*'''Golhano IV Museum.''' Named after another emperor, the Golhano is Par'tha's most prestigious art museum. It regularly sponsors exhibitions of established and upcoming artists. The museum's art collection is extremely valuable; it has an excellent security system in place to foil would-be thieves. | *'''Golhano IV Museum.''' Named after another emperor, the Golhano is Par'tha's most prestigious art museum. It regularly sponsors exhibitions of established and upcoming artists. The museum's art collection is extremely valuable; it has an excellent security system in place to foil would-be thieves. | ||
*'''Tanith Library.''' The library stacks contain tens of thousands of books, scrolls, manuscripts, as well as computer databanks. The collective history of the [[Par'tha Expanse]] going back almost seven millennia is stored here, with surprisingly few gaps | *'''Tanith Library.''' The library stacks contain tens of thousands of books, scrolls, manuscripts, as well as computer databanks. The collective history of the [[Par'tha Expanse]] going back almost seven millennia is stored here, with surprisingly few gaps - the staff over the centuries have been zealous in protecting the historical record from politically-motivated revisionists anxious to portray their ideological enemies in a bad light by rewriting history. Their greatest failure is also the most recent; the names and bloodlines of known [[House Kerraron|Kerraron]] dissidents have disappeared from the records. No one knows whether this was done by the [[Valcarian Imperial Republic|Empire]], one of [[House Kerraron|Kerraron's]] domestic enemies, or by a [[House Kerraron|Kerraron]] agent seeking to protect house members who have escaped initial persecution. | ||
*'''Imperial Embassy.''' Though the [[Par'tha Expanse]] is officially a part of the [[Valcarian Imperial Republic|Valcarian Empire]], the Empire maintains an embassy on [[Oscion]], as it does in other client states within its sphere of influence. The embassy is very modern and represents the hard edges of Imperial architecture as seen on [[Valcaria]]. State functions hosted by the Grand Governor are often held at the embassy. | *'''Imperial Embassy.''' Though the [[Par'tha Expanse]] is officially a part of the [[Valcarian Imperial Republic|Valcarian Empire]], the Empire maintains an embassy on [[Oscion]], as it does in other client states within its sphere of influence. The embassy is very modern and represents the hard edges of Imperial architecture as seen on [[Valcaria]]. State functions hosted by the Grand Governor are often held at the embassy. | ||
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*'''Lanaxa Embassy.''' [[House Lanaxa|Lanaxa's]] embassy is an ostentatious building. It has, by far, the largest ballroom of all the embassies. House members make good use of it. | *'''Lanaxa Embassy.''' [[House Lanaxa|Lanaxa's]] embassy is an ostentatious building. It has, by far, the largest ballroom of all the embassies. House members make good use of it. | ||
*'''Rettaan Embassy.''' The [[House Rettaan|Rettaan]] embassy is a large modern building constructed in the modern [[ | *'''Rettaan Embassy.''' The [[House Rettaan|Rettaan]] embassy is a large modern building constructed in the modern [[Valcarian]] style - a symbol of the house's progressive, forward-looking attitude. An unusual feature is the all-Valcarian security staff. | ||
*'''Barahn Embassy.''' [[House Barahn|Barahn]] has a large embassy belittling its status as a greater house, but it doesn't host many social functions, since house leaders prefer to entertain on its private islands. | *'''Barahn Embassy.''' [[House Barahn|Barahn]] has a large embassy belittling its status as a greater house, but it doesn't host many social functions, since house leaders prefer to entertain on its private islands. | ||
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*'''Larokon Embassy.''' [[House Larokon|Larokon's]] embassy is, surprisingly, one of the smallest house embassies on [[Oscion]]. Paranoid that any new building would be infested with bugs planted by spies from other houses, Larokon prefers to remain in its centuries old (but secure) mansion rather than move to less cramped quarters. As the head of the ruling coalition, however, it has commandeered nearby offices to supplement its embassy staff. | *'''Larokon Embassy.''' [[House Larokon|Larokon's]] embassy is, surprisingly, one of the smallest house embassies on [[Oscion]]. Paranoid that any new building would be infested with bugs planted by spies from other houses, Larokon prefers to remain in its centuries old (but secure) mansion rather than move to less cramped quarters. As the head of the ruling coalition, however, it has commandeered nearby offices to supplement its embassy staff. | ||
*'''Tadere Embassy.''' [[House Tadere|Tadere's]] embassy is large, ornate | *'''Tadere Embassy.''' [[House Tadere|Tadere's]] embassy is large, ornate - and green. No one remembers exactly why the building was originally painted green, but it has been for so long that tradition dictates that it stays that way. The embassy is rumored to have an ancient torture chamber in its basement. Most of these rumors kindly suggest that it is no longer in use. | ||
*'''Kerraron Embassy.''' Against all odds, [[House Kerraron|Kerraron]] has managed to keep possession of its large embassy through the years of purges. Its embassy has the largest gardens associated with any of the house embassies. | *'''Kerraron Embassy.''' Against all odds, [[House Kerraron|Kerraron]] has managed to keep possession of its large embassy through the years of purges. Its embassy has the largest gardens associated with any of the house embassies. | ||
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Many of the buildings in the Commercial District are skyscrapers, to fit as much office space on a single parcel of land as possible. | Many of the buildings in the Commercial District are skyscrapers, to fit as much office space on a single parcel of land as possible. | ||
*''' | *'''Par'tha Royal Spaceport.''' The Royal Spaceport is a compact but extremely advanced facility. It is also an exclusive one; ships need special permission to land here, and only those associated with the upper tiers of government, one of the houses, the [[Valcarian Imperial Republic|Empire]], or a favored group obtain such permission. Those lacking such clearances are directed to [[Oscion|Oscion's]] major commercial spaceport on Satado Island. | ||
*'''Gorian Airport.''' Most of the people who work on Lastelle Island actually live on less expensive islands. They fly into the city every morning on commuter transports and flock home again at night. As many as two million people a day pass through its causeways (up to five million a day during capital season). The airport also brings in a large number of cargo vehicles from spaceports elsewhere on [[Oscion]]. | *'''Gorian Airport.''' Most of the people who work on Lastelle Island actually live on less expensive islands. They fly into the city every morning on commuter transports and flock home again at night. As many as two million people a day pass through its causeways (up to five million a day during capital season). The airport also brings in a large number of cargo vehicles from spaceports elsewhere on [[Oscion]]. | ||
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*'''Lastelle Seaport.''' The island's small seaport is its major supply link with the rest of the planet. Most of the consumables and retail products sold on Lastelle Island come in through the seaport. | *'''Lastelle Seaport.''' The island's small seaport is its major supply link with the rest of the planet. Most of the consumables and retail products sold on Lastelle Island come in through the seaport. | ||
*'''Illaran Merchants' Guild Guildhouse.''' The IMG maintains a hostel on [[Oscion]], which provides relatively cheap food and board for members, even during capital season. It isn't as large as the guildhouse on [[Aelann]], but it serves the needs of traveling [[ | *'''Illaran Merchants' Guild Guildhouse.''' The IMG maintains a hostel on [[Oscion]], which provides relatively cheap food and board for members, even during capital season. It isn't as large as the guildhouse on [[Aelann]], but it serves the needs of traveling [[Illaran]]s nicely. | ||
*'''[[Mining Guild]] Sector Headquarters.''' The [[Mining Guild]] sector HQ is ensconced in a large and imposing building constructed from high-grade polished marble. Guild lobbyists and negotiators have offices here to represent member companies operating in the sector before the [[Par'tha Expanse Great Council|Great Council]]. | *'''[[Mining Guild]] Sector Headquarters.''' The [[Mining Guild]] sector HQ is ensconced in a large and imposing building constructed from high-grade polished marble. Guild lobbyists and negotiators have offices here to represent member companies operating in the sector before the [[Par'tha Expanse Great Council|Great Council]]. | ||
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*'''Pratari Club.''' The Pratari Club is one of many exclusive private clubs in Lastelle City. Pratari's is over a thousand years old, and caters to the most important families of the [[Expanse Sector|Expanse]]. Membership has little to do with house affiliation, but to avoid unpleasant rivalries creeping into the club, firebrands and house partisans tend to get blackballed. The club favors intellectuals, academics, and military careerists. | *'''Pratari Club.''' The Pratari Club is one of many exclusive private clubs in Lastelle City. Pratari's is over a thousand years old, and caters to the most important families of the [[Expanse Sector|Expanse]]. Membership has little to do with house affiliation, but to avoid unpleasant rivalries creeping into the club, firebrands and house partisans tend to get blackballed. The club favors intellectuals, academics, and military careerists. | ||
*'''Logris Casino.''' Logris is a luxury casino that caters to the Par'tha and [[ | *'''Logris Casino.''' Logris is a luxury casino that caters to the Par'tha and [[Valcarian]] elite. It is a large palatial building with numerous gardens and quadrangles - and dozens of gaming halls devoted to most major gambling pastimes. Private chambers on the upper floors are available for private parties and particularly high-stakes games. | ||
*'''Vexan Theatre.''' The Vexan is a beautiful theater with two stages. It tends to carry more contemporary plays and operas than the Dinalda Opera House. | *'''Vexan Theatre.''' The Vexan is a beautiful theater with two stages. It tends to carry more contemporary plays and operas than the Dinalda Opera House. | ||