
page_0: "GUIDE TO STARDAWN

Over the last centuries Stardawn City has turned into a vast metropole. Especially since the beginning of the Industrial Age in the 8th century after the Grand Seer the population has grown rapidly. In addition, the Seer Triumvirate no longer possesses such great influence on the people under the new democratic government which ended an era of isolationism and Stardawn has become an open harbor through which thousands of people pass every day. Thus increased birth rates and immigration led to the state the 'Haven' is in today. 
In this brochure we want to give short information and some historical background of the eight large city quarters."

page_1: "ALTVILLE
The 'Olde Village' as it used to be called is the most ancient part of the city. Here the first settlers, who accompanied the Grand Seer on his exodus from the disaster and war-ridden Old World, erected their homes. Up to the 3rd and 4th centuries this used to be the only big city on Stardawn Reef. Even nowadays this part of the city has mostly old medieval buildings as it is forbidden to tear down the historical houses in the entire district."

page_2: "ROATH
Situated to the east of Altville, Roath was not more than an agricultural estate including several farm houses up until the end of the 4th century. Stardawn grew tremendously in the 5th century and here is where many settled to form countless small hamlets on the various islands and banks. With the Industrialisation Roath grew a lot in importance because of its location. Being that close to the sea made it easily accessible by ships and boats and therefore many factories were built here. Countless small canals connect the sea with the inner parts of the city."

page_3: "GRANGETOWN
Like Roath, Grangetown originally was an agricultural settlement. It can be considered the city's farmhouse in the first four centuries. Farmers harvested grain and brought it to nearby mills. Unlike Roath, however, Grangetown became a town in itself as early as AV 376 when the Triumvirate ordered the construction of a city wall around this district. During the Industrialisation many large buildings were built here although it always remained a mostly residential area. This was probably also the main contributor to its current state: unemployment, poverty and crime are commonplace here."

page_4: "DRAKESTONE
Founded in the legendary spot where the great dragon and his snake army attacked the city. Historians are very uncertain what really happened here but there definitely were volcanic eruptions and earthquakes in the second half of the 3rd century. Covered with lava streams and geysers this area was left barren until the 7th century when many powerplants and factories were built here. During the time of the Inquistion and the Seers Tribunal (AV 424-487) there were several prisons and places for executions on this land."

page_5: "BLACKPORT
Founded in the ending 4th century Blackport was a splendid harbor. Many ships left loaded with coal and copper from the nearby mines and arrived here with exotic goods and precious spices from the Old World. During the 5th and 6th centuries the Inquisition had a strong hold on Blackport restricting sea travel and trade. During the Industrialisation Blackport gained new significance because of its coal mines. Nowadays Blackport is the Haven's only big harbor yet despite its role it suffers from crime - it is a paradise for smugglers and bootleggers."

page_6: "WONG TAK
Founded in the northern bay by the 'Easteners' - the Orientals - in the late 3rd century Wong Tak remained seperate from the rest of Stardawn for about a hundred years. More and more Oriental settlers arrived here which led to the development of an entire city on boats since the limited land was not enough to hold all these people. Since the ordination of Jing Zhou Wan as first Oriental Seer in AV 409 Haven and Wong Tak began to merge although the people's skepticism and intolerance towards the 'Easteners' would remain for hundreds of years. Nowadays the Wong Tak Night Market is the famous bazaar where one can buy nearly anything - legal or not - somewhere in the narrow street gorges or on small boats in the bay."

page_7: "CARDINAL HILL
Located in the hills to the west of Roath the palaces of the Seer Triumvirate dominated this area until the 7th century. With the beginning of the Industrial Age many wealthy people, old nobility and new rich merchants alike, built their mansions here to escape the smog and dirt of Roath and Blackport. Even nowadays Cardinal Hill is by far the richest part of Stardawn City."

page_8: "GLIMMER ISLE
As opposed to what many believe the name of this rocky island to the west of the Spire is not derived from the streaks of gold, silver and gemstones it contains - rather the glimmering implies the light of hope that many desperate immigrants had in their eyes when they arrived here in the 6th and 7th centuries. In the middle ages there were several deep mines here, later it was an asylum where new immigrants had to stay until the final decision on their residence permit was made."

page_9: "THE SPIRE
The official name Mount Griffonspire has long been abandoned by most people. Not even the few residents of the ancient sanctuary refer to it with its old title - the name 'Spire' is commonly used. It was forbidden for any citizen to go here for centuries. Since the new republic the lower parts of the Spire are open to 'Mundane visitors'. One can see the Kraken Grottos that lead below the sea level and the castle where the Avidian Guard resided. Access to the Inner Sanctum where the Star of Truth (which illuminates the city every night) is located, is still restricted to the Triumvirate alone."

page_10: "THE STARDAWN UNDERGROUND
For the last 30 years Stardawn City has had an underground railway. With the invention of the motorized vehicle it was only a matter of time when the first motorized means of public transport would open. In the 730s attempts were made to construct a steam-powered subway - with little success. The new subway railroad uses electrified rails driven by a large power plant in Drakestone. The system includes the Circle Line which connects all eight districts of Stardawn, the City Line which runs between Altville, Roath and Grangetown, and a few rails of the old steam-powered subway which were closed down recently. Negotiations are made about a new Cross Line which is supposed to run between the city and the Spire."

page_11: "THE NIGHT GATES
Since the days of the Seers Tribunal there have been the Night Gates throughout the city. There are very vocal opponents of these traditional checkpoint who see them as the last remains of oppression by the Tribunal. These gates divide the city in various small sectors, their purpose is to restrict access to the city streets at night, between 10pm and 8am. Regardless of their past, the Night Gates have proven to be very beneficial for the city even under democratic rule. They pose a clear protection from crime and the majority of the population is in favor of them which is why the City Council keep the gates.
However, with the subway operating at late hours it is now possible to travel between various civic centers of Stardawn City without having to pass the gates."



