Carvay (The Illustrious City)

Carvay is the national capital and cultural, political and academic centre of the Most Serene Republic of Carvay. It is the largest city on Vastallos and has a far-reaching influence on the city-states of the continent at large. Carvay is known for its affinity for building with colourful materials and for its culture of corporatisation.

Urban Carvay
The city is in the colloquially named "armpit" of Vastallos, on the north-western most point of the Ombra Gulf where the jungled landbridge connects to continental Vastallos. Situated directly at the mouth of the Essenda River, Carvay sits on small islands which have been reinforced with stone. It contains multiple districts and is known for its canals and bridges.

Districts and Landmarks
Carvay is composed of districts which consist of either single or groups of islands with distinct architecture.

The Old City
The oldest section of Carvay is on an elevated island directly at the mouth of the Essenda. It contains most government buildings including the Doge's Palazzo and the Grand Assembly Hall. Both buildings are located on the Mercato de San Giustino. The marketplace of Carvay, named after the first Doge Giustino Mezaria, is a central feature to the city. . The district also includes various residential buildings and can only be accessed via the southern stairwell. It is ringed by a decorative wall primarily made of Ardatian terracotta much like the rest of the buildings in the district.

The Grand Assembly Hall is a public structure predominantly made of terracotta, wood, stone and quartz and is the site of many historical events. During the Carvaian golden age, the Grand Assembly Hall was used to negotiate the treaties that eventually formed the Vastallosi Alliance of Western Rathnir.

Nearby is the campus of the Amiraglio Universitat di Carvay one of Rathnir's oldest universities. The university of Carvay is located on the southside of the Old City and currently contains a library, gallery and cartographical workshop. The university is named after the leader of the historical Education Guild which fostered cultural activity in the nation.

La Islas
The suburban islands which ring Carvay are typically divided into Southern Islas and Leeward Islas, depending on their location to the Old City. Southern Islas is residential and well developed. A local landmark of this neighbourhood is the Ebrei Piazza, a local plaza with restaurants and shops. In stark contrast, the Leeward Islas are underdeveloped and prime real estate. In recent times, the government has committed to building a new entrance to the Old City once use for these islands is found.

Culture and Religion
Carvaians value individualism and creativity. They are seen as expressive, loud and fiercely independent.

Food
Carvay's food consumption varies and crosses many culinary spectrums. Influences from across the world have come together and formed a unique diet by melding into the local cuisine. The abundance of ocean and river fish are made into stews, soups, paellas and pastas, although the vast majority of Carvaians enjoy the fish best consumed from local market stalls which grill them in a light aromatic crumb. The ocean also provides delicacies such as turtle eggs and dolphin. Most dishes consist of a protein-rich ingredient accompanied by bread, although pasta and rice dishes have become popularised from various waves of immigration. The grain and rice used in these dishes are generally sourced from Port Ravenus which still contains one of the largest overworld farms of Rathnir. Port Ravenus being one of the largest providers of produce to Carvay has led to the endearing nickname Panecoppa (Eng.: Breadbasket).

History
The city had its start as a meeting place of the various tribes that resided in the jungles of Vastallos and in the Ombran Islands. Linguists believe the name Carvay comes from the ancient Vastallosi word for meeting place, Karvina. The islands off the great jungle of Vastallos had always been home to native fisherman who would trade with emeralds and gold panned from the mouth of the rivers running through the continent. Evidence suggests that the prehistoric inhabitants of the region would meet on the islands in the estuary of the Essenda river and exchange the resources extracted from the jungle and the sea.

The exact date of the founding of Carvay is lost to time but somewhere around October of 2020, the first Doge was already constructing the foundations of the city. The land Carvay stands on today was not always an island, but was a peninsula which was slowly eroded by the tides and human settlement.