Key to map:
AMV = Academia Magicae Valdrenss
CGV = Council of the Guildmasters of Valdrea
F = ferry
IDS = Headquarters of the Inquisition into Demon Summoning
W = weir
SARAN, Goddess of Law, Demarcated the Valdrean Empire standing at the top of a hill on the shores of what is now Lake Zarak, just Anarwards (East) of the outflow of the River Alma. The point where She stood is now marked by a large diamond inset in the centre of a Sun of SARAN of gold plate. This is the legendary Sun Diamond, the most sacred point of the greatest Temple of SARAN in the World.
The City of Valdran radiates outwards from this point in the plan of a Sun of SARAN. It forms a perfect circle 15 miles in radius, intersected by the Southern end of Lake Zarak and its outflow into the River Alma. The main radial streets form the rays of the Sun, and are numbered 1st to 16th Street deasil from North (though 2nd, 6th, 10th and 14th Streets are named Lake Street East, New Hapral Street, Old Alma Street and Lake Street West respectively). The Street of False Gods (notorious for rumourmongers and prophets of False Gods) is the New City section of Old Alma Street.
An inner circle of 5 miles radius forms the Sacred City, with the smaller part of the circle West of the Alma being the grounds of the Imperial Palace, and with the Citadel at its centre, enclosing and protecting the Temple of the Sun Diamond. The Arena and IDS HQ are respectively situated on small islands close to the lake shore of the Sacred City. At 10 miles out from the centre the next wall encloses the Old City, with the Temple of Heaven on Earth Site island (now the Teleport Gateway to Valdran) just off the lake shore of the Western third. At 15 miles out from the centre the Outer Wall encloses the New City. The Circus is in the New City, on the left bank of the canalised Alma Navigation.
Access as of Right to the various areas of the City is restricted by Social Class: the Citadel to the Nobility, the Sacred City to the Nobility and Gentry, the Old City to Tradesmen and above, the New City to Peasantry and above. The Imperial Palace is the private property of the Emperor. The Noble Houses have their own eighths (confusingly known as Quarters) of the Inner Sacred City. As the Ninth House, the House of Heaven is based on the THE Site, though it also has a small Heaven Quarter in the Outer Sacred City.
The boundary of Valdran Province is marked by a ditch and a rampart 5 miles out from the City walls, forming the outer defences of the City. The area between these and the Outer Wall of the City is cleared and landscaped parkland. The land beyond is given over to agriculture for the support of the City.
Back to Valdrean Empire index