Lhûmar

The Imperial Capital of Lhûmar (Aurlûnoren for Celestial City) also known as the Dragon Capital, or the City of the Dragons, is the capital and largest city of the Aurlûnor Velande. The city is located on the northern point of the Gulf of Heaven of the Lothranis Sea, and serves as one of the most important commercial hubs, as well as a trading hub for the Imperial Province. Technically located in the Imperial Province, Lhûmar is an independent city from the region. The city has its own administration, which is overseen directly by the Imperial Court, and the Imperial Chancellor.

Etymology
The name Lhûmar which means "Celestial City" (from the Aurlûnoren words, Lhû, which means Celestial, and -mar, which means Home) was chosen by Sareariel Lelya-Earcala upon her descent in 0CA. Prior to this, the area was known as Lingrinwë (from the Middle Almadoric words Lingrin meaning fishing and wë meaning village).

History
Prior to it's foundation, the area was known as Lingrinwë, which was a small fishing village. Though multiple forts existed nearby, the area would not see much relevance, as it was outshined by the old Linyese city of Linyemar, to the far west of the settlement. Often, the small village would trade with other Lhûren settlements such as Yi and Sachómar. The village was described to have been "humble, peaceful and often quiet. Undisturbed from the troubles of the outside world.". The village's strategic importance was often overlooked, as there has been evidence of forts located in areas thought to have been more strategically sound than within Lingrinwë itself.

By 118BCA, Sareariel Lelya-Earcala would base herself and her new state in Lingrinwë, in which she would build Fort Lingrinwë and launch countless numbers of assault towards her neighbors. The village would grow into a small town by the time she would establish her own state, and would grow in relevance. Utilizing the unseen strategic value in the settlement, Sareariel would start building walls around the area, and cultivating the region's fertile grasslands, as well as waterways.

When Sareariel established the Aurlûnor Velande, she would declare Lingrinwë as it's capital, renaming it to Lhûmar. From there, the town would eventually grow massively, as it became the important seat of power for the entire Empire. Population would dramatically increase, as the capital grew more and more, eventually surpassing the old capital of Sachómar, and even Qamiya, the old capital of the Dominion of Ashura. By the end of 900ACA, Lhûmar's population would number in the millions.

Geography
Lhûmar is located on the northern banks of the Gulf of Heaven, where it dominates the entire area in terms of size. The boundaries of the city contains the southern Liang River, and the terminus of the Soiran river, straddling the very edge of the West Dragon Lake. It's geography is mostly hilly, with many of the buildings being located on hills, though much of the hills over the years had been flattened or leveled to accommodate larger structures.

Much of the natural geography around the city dramatically transformed to help accommodate the increasingly urban environment of the region. The southern beaches of Lhûmar's south are considered one of the few beaches that has not been touched by urbanization, and is considered a recreational hotspot. Floating islands such as the Lhûmar University are upheld by magical forces, and is elven and manmade. Many natural hills throughout the city were either completely destroyed or reshaped. Efforts have been made to restore some of these hills from the excessive digging, though some had been more unsuccessful than others.

Districts
Lhûmar consists of five distinctive districts: The Imperial District, the Harmony District, Dragon Square, Civic Center and Lingrinwë. Often, Pangnin is classified as a district, as the village is located in vicinity of Lhûmar, even though it is apart of the Imperial Province. Each of these districts have different neighborhoods within them, the more famous of them being the Kumiho Quarter in the Lingrinwë district, which houses the Latice family's most famous stores, the grocer and the inn. It also houses the Jade Nalas, which is one of Lhûmar's most world renown teahouse, seeing thousands of patrons every day visiting it.

Imperial District
The Imperial District is one of the largest districts, though the least populated district within the city. It is home to the Imperial Palace, which houses the Velereth and the Imperial Family. The Imperial District is often said to be a massive extension of the Imperial Palace itself, due to the more closed off nature of the in general district, namely due to how many of the top officials and generals live in the district.

The Imperial District is situated in the northwestern part of the city, where it continues until reaching the source of the Liang River known as the Vuelleng Mountains, until reaching the source of the Temple Creek, which leads out to the Serpent Stream that leads into the Tacuan Jungle.

Harmony District
The Harmony District stretches in the city's southwest, up until the border of the western wall, in which the Temple Creek exits into the southern river which is known as the Almador River. It is where a large majority of the middle class, namely citizen races, and merchants live in. The Harmony District is well known for it's diversity that the empire is well known for, mostly where the main population consists of. The district's neighborhoods are often either mixed together, or have particular distinctive areas of the particular races that live there. The Harmony District is home to the longest natural beach in the city limits known as Endanor Beach, or Heartland Beach, serving as a recreational center. The district is also home to a few local municipal government buildings such as the Ministry of Demographics's office.

Dragon Square
Dragon Square is located in the center of the city, and serves as the heart of the city. In the middle is known as the Descending Pillar, or Sareariel's Pillar, where it is said that Sareariel Lelya-Earcala first descended as the Celestial Matron of Celeia. The square itself hosts multiple market stalls, and is often used as an area where performers host music festivals and where many of the holidays are celebrated, Dragon Day in particular.

Civic Center
Civic Center is located to the northeast of the city, in which the Sorian River cuts through the region underground. Previously a majority farming area, the Civic Center has been changed to host most of the city's industries and the many ministry offices and other government buildings such as the Supreme Court and the Hall of the State Councilor, otherwise known as City Hall. The Civic Center Docks also serves as an important part of the greater docks, serving as a drydock and shipbuilding section, in which it builds trade and military vessels. Crown Beach served as the place where the Crown of Yimmu-Audal was discovered, although it has since been transformed by the more extended docks since that time.

Lingrinwë
Lingrinwë, or Old Town is the smallest of the districts, but is the most densely populated part of the city. Much of the shops and lower class people live within this district, and is home to the Imperial Museum of Lhûmar, as well as the new location of the Rathnir Paleontological Society. The district is also home to Syltör's oldest and still functioning bathhouse, known as the Lhûmar Public Bathhouse. The district is also home to the Jade Nalas, which became world-famous upon Lhûmar's slow opening to the outside world, and is regarded as one of the most popular teahouses in the region.

Art
Lhûmar is home to multiple collections of art and portraits, mostly being self or landscape. The city is often referred to as the "mosaic city" due to the art culture surrounding paintings of art on city-blocks depicting famous historical figures, the Velereth, the divines of the Twin Dragon faith, and multiple others. This liberal approach to art, has encouraged young artists from all around the Empire, including foreigners, to come and paint a piece to beautify the walls of a few public buildings that allow it. In addition to this, there is even a special small art bullion, in which people may freely paint their own creations, provided it is inline with Imperial Law (such as no expressing other faiths, or depicting the government and Velereth in a negative light).

Architecture
Before the establishment of Lhûmar as the capital city, the area would have a village style reminiscent of the traditional Linye style of villages, with plain huts, and slanted straw roofing. When Sareariel Lelya-Earcala took over the area, the housing would upgrade to incorporate sequoia-style designed housing that is seen in the modern day area which is known by the same name. Overtime, as the native Dawou population started to integrate with the new policies laid in place by the Velande's Imperial Law, architectural styles inspired by them had started to dominate the skyline. A blend of both traditional Almadoric building and traditional Dawou style created a fusion that would make the city well-renown throughout the region.