skin, bone, and arrogance
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To establish a new capital city on Halm to house the First Order's government and society.
- Image Credit: Governor's Mansion - Herbertrocha, Deviantart. City Overview [above] - 88grzes, Deviantart. Hanging Gardens - Batkya, Deviantart. All others, "Amonkhet" from Magic the Gathering.
- Canon: N/A
- Links: N/A
- City Name: New Heliopolis
- Classification: Urban Center
- Location: Halm
- Affiliation: The First Order
- Demographics: 15% Gran, 75% Human, 10% Miscellaneous. New Heliopolis was built to house the burgeoning First Order government and Society that came to the planet in the wake of its entry into the First Order fold. As such, a large influx of humans have drastically outnumbered the immigrated Gran. This is a side effect of the influx of First Order officials, their families, and settlers -- all of whom are predominantly human. The city is also populated by traders and mining magnates, who are digging rare crystals out of the surrounding desert. A small number of residents are fascinated by ancient Halm civilizations and come for educational and archaeological purposes. At first, racial tensions resulted from the influx of humans to the planet. However, strict regulation on First Order settlement demonstrated respect for the local people and culture, as well as a healthy dose of white-armored law and order, have smoothed over any racial tensions.
- Wealth: Generally high - like all cities it is stratified; there are haves and have-nots. However, the city is the First Order center of power, culture, and finance on Halm and is rapidly becoming a regional capital in the First Order, drawing in investors and wealth.
- Stability: High. It is common knowledge that the First Order government -- while respecting the traditions and cultures of the natives -- will not tolerate disorder and civil disobedience in its capital. Combined with generousness of social programs, public-private partnerships, etc., the regular presence of First Order troops in and around the city serves well to discourage instability. The city is considered quite safe and attracts wealthy visitors, students, and others who would not typically be associated with the 'rough and tumble' types. The spirit among the ruling class and the First Order stablishment is that as long as residents keep their noses clean and pay their taxes, they are happy to go along to get along.
- Description: A breathtaking vision based on fantastic sketches of ancient cultures -- largely derived from art rather than historical records, which are scarce due to the Plague years -- the city is laid out in an orderly way, showcasing the best of First Order design, engineering, and city planning. The city takes advantage of Halm's Equitorial River, using the mighty river as its primary source of power by way of a hydroelectric plant. The river also populates a vast public water system, trickling through fountains, water features, and reflecting pools, as well as irrigating the extensive green spaces across the city.
POINTS OF INTEREST
GOVERNOR'S MANSION
Built from a description of the God-King's palace in Heliopolis, the Governor's Mansion is the unofficial capital of the First Order's planetary government, as well as the city's government and the associated bureaucracies of both. It features an extensive underground office space, a landing pad and garage, as well as state reception rooms for diplomatic functions, departmental offices, and the residence for the Governor and their family. The Mansion sits on grounds with exquisite gardens and stunning views of the river to the west and the city to the east and south (not pictured).
RIVER DISTRICT
The district closest to the Governor's Mansion and the river was claimed almost immediately by the financiers and members of First Order society that made construction of the city in its opulent style possible. This area houses the most luxurious homes in the city, the best-kept gardens, and commanding views of the Museum District (across the river) and the very exclusive Hanging Gardens (on the island in the middle of the river). The River District is also home to many of the most posh restaurants, shops, and hotels in the city. Most homes in the River District that are lucky enough to front the river have small docks and boats, allowing luxurious, if slow, travel up, down, and across the river.
MUSEUM DISTRICT
In an effort to demonstrate the respect the First Order has for the locals and their culture, as well as to provide tourist attractions to the city, the city contains the Museum District which, like its name implies, contains a myriad of museums to peruse. Picture above, left (columns/entry only visible) is the Museum of Fine Art. Pictured above, center (with waterfall) is the Museum of Natural History. Pictured above, right is the Museum of Halm Mythology, which focuses on the myths, legends, art, and archaeology relating to Halm's mysterious ancient civilization. Also included (though not pictured above) are museums dedicated to science, transportation, and modern art.
HANGING GARDENS
Rising from a once-barren rock in the middle of the Equitorial River, the Hanging Gardens are an extravagent statement by the First Order that through good old-fashioned imperial ingenuity and discipline, they could make a verdant botanical garden there, and they have been true to their goal. The Hanging Gardens is open to the public and hosts all manner of flowers, plants, and trees, both native and foreign.
FINANCE DISTRICT
The emerging business comumunity on Halm has centered itself in New Heliopolis, in a portion of the city that has since been labeled the Finance District, a geographical section of the city that straddles the river at its narrowest place. Strict regulations on building height prevent huge skyscrapers, resulting in large, squat obelisk-type structures housing offices and corporate suites.
COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
The Commercial District contains the largest concentration of restaurants, hotels, and shops in the city, ranging from the most expensive and exclusive establishments on the western side of the district (adjacent to the Riverside District's wealthy clientele), to the least expensive on the eastern side (closest to the outskirts of the city, where the more middle- and working-class areas of the city.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Halm's entry into the First Order came as a result of the second annual First Order Economics & Finance Summit, which took place on Halm, on a luxury river cruise on the Equitorial River. So impressed was Grand Moff Natasi Fortan by the planet, its culture and its people, that she approached the planetary leadership to discuss their entry into the First Order. The right package of investments, tax incentives, and promises to respect native cultures soon got the paperwork signed, sealed and delivered.
Fortan herself spearheaded the design and construction of New Heliopolis -- so named for the fabled lost city of Heliopolis from ancient Halm mythology -- and insisted that the city take advantage of the river, much like her childhood home of Herevan Hold and her beloved capital city of Avalonia. She was present for its dedication and the swearing in of the First Order governor of the planet at the opening of the city. It serves as a cultural, social, and financial center in the region, and a slightly exotic 'outpost of empire' for the First Order capital-S society types looking for something a little more rugged than Avalonia, but not so exotic as to threaten their safety.
