Key to map:
CGV = Council of the Guildmasters of Valdrea
IDS = Headquarters of the Inquisition into Demon Summoning
Situated at the mouth of the River Alma, Hapral is the second City of the Valdrean Empire and the largest port in the World. It is the former seat of the Dukes of Hapral and the capital of Hapral Province.
At the heart of the City is the High Temple of SARAN in Hapral. The Sacred City, restricted to the Nobility, extends for a one mile radius around the High Temple. Around this on the North bank lies the Old City (not restricted by Social Class), which was built following the Foundation of the First Empire in the Year 500. South of the river, the Old Wall encloses an area now wholly occupied by the Imperial Naval Base and (on the site of the former Ducal Palace) the Governor's Palace. The Lord Admiral of Valdrea has a Fort just inside the Base on the East, which when he is not in residence is occupied by the Commodore of the Hapral Fleet.
The New Wall was built following the Foundation of the Second Empire in the Year 1000, to enclose the old Faubourg, which is now the New City. But the Faubourg has continued to expand as the population has grown, and now extends over a sizeable area of the North bank beyond the New Wall. The New City, and the Faubourg in particular, are poorer areas, with the more prosperous merchants living in the Old City. The South City is the area of the New City South of the River, and mostly services the Naval Base.
The commercial docks line the North bank and the banks of the South City outside the Naval Base. The riverside within the Naval Base is reserved for the docks of the Imperial Navy. The waterfront area adjoining the commercial docks is notorious as an area of drunken sailors, prostitution, thieves and periodic Chaotic rebellions. Its maze of warehouses, taverns, brothels and narrow alleyways has always been a difficult area for the City Guard to maintain order. The main commercial markets are just to the North of the waterfront area, mostly along Market Street to the East of the Sacred City. On the hill just North of these lies the main Circus, where Duels were fought for the Championship of Hapral from 1250 to 1430.
There are two large parks in the City. Hector's Park, on the hilltop surrounding the High Temple of KOROS, is a woodland area planted by Hector, High Priest of KOROS, in the Year 514 and preserved by the Temple ever since. The Governor's Park is a more open area around the Governor's Palace.
The Imperial Summer Palace is on the hill just outside the City to the South East. Traditionally the Imperial Family has relocated here during the Summer months to escape the heat of Valdran.
The Pharos of SARAN, on a sandbank in the estuary, is a 100 foot high Statue of SARAN guarding the entrance to the main harbour, with Her right hand extended to warn off enemies. The light is built into the Sun of SARAN which crowns Her head. Two smaller lighthouses (also with Sun of SARAN designs) mark the ends of the breakwaters to the North and South, and the whole harbour entrance can be closed off by the two lengths of the Outer Chain. An Inner Chain guards the upriver harbour entrance.
Hapral is the centre of trade between the Valdrean Empire and the ports of the rest of the Overworld. There is also much river traffic upstream on the River Alma between Hapral and Valdran, and on into Lake Zarak or up the tributaries of the Alma. Ocean-going ships cannot sail as far upriver as Valdran, so goods have to be trans-shipped into river-going barges. The Empire also has good (and safe) roads, three of which (the Alma Road, New Hapral Road and Old North Road) converge on Hapral. Horse-drawn caravans carry trade goods to and from the other towns of the Empire and beyond. It is this trade that has fuelled Hapral's wealth and expansion, making it the second City of the Empire. Indeed, Hapral natives are fond of pointing out that if it was not for the fact that Valdran is so well connected by river to Hapral, their town would have outgrown the capital.
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