Xiacheng

Xiacheng
Abbreviation	XIAC
Province	Zhongji
District	Yongwotu
Demonym	Xiachengese
Mayor
Boroughs
Major roads	Imperial Autobahn 1

Xiacheng, formerly known as Apollo City or Apollonium, is an important historical and cultural city located in the district of Yongwotu within the province of Zhongji. While no longer acting as a capital of the Great Jing Dynasty, it has been the political centre of various powerful Apollonian states. It is seen as one of the oldest city of Micras. It predates the existence of current modern nations, while also is referred to in religious texts (often seen as the origin of civilization). The Jingdaoese name of the city means 'heroic city'.

Original name

The city has been known under many names, and depending on who you ask, the answer can differ. These distinctions were highlighted by Apollontean schollars (in 1603 AN), for whom the city held an important cultural role:

It should be noted for those visiting Andreios, also known as Audentior [or Yongwotu District], that the Apollantean view of these lands, and their subsequent naming, differs from that of Shireroth. Shireroth [and the Jierdai] has traditionally held sway over the westernmost portions of Audentior, those lands that lay adjacent to the Antya River. This stems from the first Audente civil war, wherein many of the revolutionary left secured much of the western metropolitan areas, and conservative imperialists fled east into the surrounding rural landscape. This split between east and west continued for centuries and was further strengthened by additional civil disturbances. So much was the split that the west developed a distinct Shirerithian [or Kildarian / Jierdai] culture as it was encompassed by that nation, and the east retained the traditional Apollonian culture.

Even today, with covenants in place that have all but eliminated political boundaries between the two sides, there remains a distinct cultural difference between east and west. Many inhabitants of Apollo City regards it as such, and speak the lingua franca of Shireroth [Istvanistani], whereas those in the east still refer to the city as Apollonium. Another example is the city of Apolytown [Kaimingcheng] further north, which is referred to as thus by its inhabitants and those living nearby. However, outside the city and its immediate environs it is not uncommon to see the name Telikopolis used synonymously. More obviously, speakers of Apollantean do not refer to Audentior as such and know it as Andreios - although contemporarily this is being used more and more as a means to distinguish between east and west. Thanks in part to the high educational standards of both Apollantis and Shireroth, the use of both Apollantean (Greek) and Istvanistani(English) side-by-side are fairly commonplace. Although like many ancient languages, Istvanistani has become the dominant language of Micras and it is therefore in much greater use. In contrast, the Apollantean dialect has remained relatively localized.

During the early days of the Great Jing there was a focus on replacing or hiding the city's cultural original heritage. Apollontean and Shirerithian influences were replaced by Jingdaoese. The city itself was renamed to Xiacheng, which meant heroic city and refered to the heroic role of its residents in accepting the new Jingdaoese government.

History

The Zuxiang Dynasty (351 bAN - 264)

Airosamente was founded a little bit after the Great Merge between the four provinces as the new capital of Audentior. The main builder were Tapferites, since, after all, it was on their soil. You can see that the that the oldest buildings look more Tapferite than Audente. It grew quickly, and it was a feat of engineering for its time. The Egalitarian Tower was, until it collapsed together with the other buildings, the largest building in the sector.

Youya Dynasty (987 - 1451)

The early days of the city during the Youya era are shrouded in mystery. It took quite a lot of time and effort to complete Xiacheng. When it was done, it became a city wonderful enough to rival Apolyton City (Kaimingcheng), the first and largest city in the Apollo Sector. Airosamente took its name from Audentior in a way; Audentior means "More Brave" in Latin, and Airosamente means "Brave" in Spanish.

When Tapfer seceded, Airosamente seceded with Tapfer. The rest of Audentior was in ruins; with the loss of its capital, it never became as glorious as the old Tetrapole Era Audentior. Airosamente was originally a sea island; When Tapfer was merged, Airosamente and New Long Island lifted up in the air and became two more flying islands in the Flying Islands of Jasonia. Many sources refer to Apollo City as the Flying City of Airosamente, when it became part of Jasonia. For a while, the city and its surrounding farmfields had been lifted into the sky. The truth behind this tremendous effort is still well hidden, as it is considered both the city's golden period, as the darkest days of the Youya (as the Apollonians had lost their largest metropolis).

Before the collapse of Jasonia, the population reached around 4 million citizens, but after the collapse of Jasonia that number of citizens reduced quickly.

Jierdai Dynasty (1451 - 1623)

A fresco of Flavius I Myksos in the Red Catodral in a typical Apollontean fashion.

The City was lost to the Jierdai with the take-over of the region by Kaiser Gaelen II. Futile attempts to retake the city, now left in ruins, were met with failures. The rulers of Jierdai, often in a constant battle with their own vassals lacked either power or funds to launch a military campaign eastwards.

Only after consolidation of power, the ruling class of Jierdai successfully annexed the ancient metropolis and its surroundings into their Empire. Its annexation led to the emergence of a minor renaissance, which became especially noticeable in government affairs during the Late Jierdai as the dukes portrayed themselves more and more as emperors, instead of vassals of the Kaiser.

Great Jing Dynasty (1623 - present)

Like many other cities, the city, then known as Apollo City, suffered a period of anarchy after the rise of the Geming Kingdom in 1638. The Obedience Destruction, which had first been reported as a total destruction, had only damaged a few city quarters. Worse were the sudden food shortages, lack of electricity and clean water. Without a central government, the city relied on its own resources. This lead to a neglect of its older buildings, as survival was at stake.

In 1641 the Jingdaoese Empire regained control over the city and restored it as Xiacheng. It did not regain its prestige, as all important political institutions had been centralised in Daocheng. The rise of the Greater Jing School in 1679 led to more interest in the Apollonian history of the empire and consequently also renewed interest in Xiacheng. Many archaeological sites in the city are overseen by the Ministry of Truth, which makes sure the findings are correctly placed in the narrative of Jingdaoese history.

The city lies on the Imperial Autobahn 1, south of a junction with Imperial Autobahn 4.

Landmarks

Blood! Blood! BLOOD EVERYWHERE! The myths tell us that the walls of the 'Catodral of Xiacheng', formerly a temple, were painted red with the blood of Soloralists as a punishment for not obeying the new, popular Catologian religion. These days, the Catodral is a place of worship for followers of Tianchaodao.

• Tower of Airosamente
• Egalitarian Tower
• Lighthouse of Apollo
• Marmore Palace
• Red Catodral of Xiacheng
• Christophian Walls
• Great Library of Sakat
• Seanad Palace