— Begin quote from ____
A++ global cities are leading international financial centers, home of several multinational corporations, centers for media and communications, carry incredible decision-making power on a global scale, and renowned universities and research centers.
Currently, London and New York City are the two A++ cities.
— End quote
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[spoiler]http://i.imgur.com/cPfoPBG.jpg
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Going by the above quote from BGP … I am thinking that Weyrcliff is at least a Beta+ bordering on Alpha … Dragonia is not yet really into the bigger international/global community as of yet but is going strong in getting there …
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Dragonia is a Neutral Nation, it’s borders open to all who wish to get away and enjoy the scenic environmental paradise of this country. People come to enjoy the beaches, walk or ride the various nature trails, enjoy the casino resorts and attractions, or even just to enjoy the comforts of the Companions if people so choose. Dragonia has perfected the art of balancing the need for modern technology and the preservation of their stunningly beautiful environment.
Tourism has been one of Dragonia’s biggest resource for this nation, but that is slowly changing as this nation moves into the international arena.
The Grand Duchy of Dragonia has a rich history which is shrouded in mystery or myth if one is inclined to believe in such. These tall and graceful people are said to be the true descendents of a lost continent that sank beneath the waves in a cataclysmic war that reshaped the Urth as we now know it.
Weyrcliff: Capital City
Dagmar: Located on Dragon Isle, this is a military controlled zone, no unauthorized persons allowed, highly protected and patrolled area. There is a long two-lane bridge spanning across the salt-water marsh from the mainland to the isle, you need a military pass, just to cross over to the isle.
[spoiler]http://s2.zetaboards.com/The_East_Pacific/topic/5173685/1/#new[/spoiler]
Saltmarsh: Located on the southern edge of the salt-water marsh, hence it’s name, this town has a very checkered past, in it’s heyday, this town was a haven for pirates and outlaws who gravitated here for one reason or another. The coastline is dotted with coves and sea-caves where the inhabitants hid their ill-gotten-gains. Now days, Saltmarsh is still considered a “rough” town, and at first look its like one of those run-down fishing towns you have seen elsewhere. Most of its visitors today are from the military base of Dagmar who come here to blow of steam and have some R&R fun, without their superior officers looking over there shoulders. Various business support this endeavor one of the main reasons this town has not gone under.
Weyrcliff, Dagmar, and Saltmarsh are all part of and under the purview of the Lairdship of Drachen, who just so happens to be the current sitting Grand Duke himself.
Moondeep: This ancient city was founded long before Weyrcliff was conceived, in the caldera of a ancient extinct volcano. This is the center of the national religious faith of Druidicism. Here the faithful come to learn. Here the faithful come on pilgrimages. Here the faithful come to find inner peace in this unspoiled wilderness. Even though this city is considered “modern”, you would not know it to look at. All the exteriors of the buildings are very old but well maintained. The interiors are “updated” to modern standards without destroying its historical value. The Moonstone Mountains gets it’s name from the granite that has been mined here. The granite is white with a pale-blue hue to it, like the moonstone gem. Even though the area is part of the Lairdship of Moondeep, the current High Druidess Lady Lunarra, rarely if ever enters into the politics of the Lairds Council.
Daryen: The old capital of the former Daryen Kingdom. With it’s natural deep harbors, this city is Dragonia’s largest shipping port, all manner of cargo comes and goes from this busy port daily. Before Daryen became part of Dragonia, this city was the center of a tyrannical city-state that called itself a “kingdom”. It was at war with the then city-state of Ambryen for control of the island. The Daryen Shipping Co. is solely owned by Lord Ronald Daryen, the hereditary leader of the Lairdship of Daryen.
Ambryen: Ancient city-state of traders and ship-builders, situated above a delta plain, with vast forest lands surrounding this city, renowned in the past for its shipwrights as well as forward thinking leaders on civil rights of all its peoples. Today, Ambryen is a modern city that still builds top-of-the-line ships for Dragonia, the Ambryen Shipwrights Guild makes some of the best yachts and other sea-crafts for those who can afford them in the region. There is also a very large yacht marina here as well. All manner of tourists come here year round to enjoy the miles of white sandy beaches of this city. Both the Shipwright Guild and the marina is solely owned by Lord Harrison Ambryen, the hereditary leader of the Lairdship of Ambryen.
Desora: This city is a modern and thriving fishing port, what is caught here ends up being distributed to the rest of the islands as well as the Urth. Lord Nathanial Desora, the hereditary leader of the Lairdship of Desora, owns one of the largest fishing fleets in the region. The Maritime Research Institute calls Desora home, this renowned institute has recently begun research into creating viable ways to build and live in homes underneath the seas. Historically, Desora was the first landing site of the originally displaced people of the cataclysmic event that reshaped the Urth in the ancient past. Even though historical records where lost through the Eons of time that has past since then, all the oral history of the various peoples of these islands agree, Desora was the first landing site.
Aven: The University of Aven calls this city home. This internationally acclaimed institute of higher learning has one of the highest GPA’s in the region. Lady Hermione Aven, the hereditary leader of the Lairdship of Aven, owns Bibliography, the largest chain of bookstores in Dragonia, they claim and have backed up this claim many times that: “if there is a book on Urth you can’t find, we can”.
Talbuk: This large picturesque city is located between two lakes. The surrounding plains is the domain of Lady Roslyn Talbuk, the hereditary Lairdship of Talbuk, owner of Talbuk Meats, the largest and only cattle, sheep, and goat ranch on Dragonia. It’s meats are distributed to the rest of the islands and some even make it to the surrounding area of the region. The Dragonia Institute of Animal Husbandry and Conservation is located in this city as well.
Tarren: This city is the center of a large farming industry, the “bread-basket” of Dragonia, the city spreads out for miles, broken up in farms that dot this pastoral landscape. All manner of vegetables and fruits are grown in the area, distributed by Tarren Food Co. Even though all the farms are owner-operated or some farmers have pooled together and formed a collective, the farmers sell their products to Tarren Food Co., who then process it and ship to the rest of the islands. Not only does Lord Nevile Tarren, the hereditary leader of the Lairdship of Tarren, own Tarren Food Co., he also owns the largest chain of grocery stores, “Tarren Foods,” in Dragonia. The Tarren University of Agriculture, Farming and Herbology calls the city of Tarren home.
Altair: This ultra-modern city of gleaming glass, steel and concrete is built on information and entertainment, the Altair Multimedia Inc. owns the largest Newspaper and Media Stations in Dragonia, the Weyrcliff Leader is owned by Altair Multimedia Inc. Lord Seth Altair, the hereditary leader of the Lairdship of Altair, is considered one of the wealthiest people in Dragonia with a net worth of about 3 billion. Owning 65% of the company, this CEO is a rising star in Dragonia’s business and financial world. Lord Altair has begun to reach out internationally with his media businesses especially it’s fledgling filming industry.
Azlanta: This large resort city, is a true tourist mecca, beings from all over the Urth come here to enjoy this resort. They come for the casinos, the attractions, the companions, they come just to relax and get away from the stress of life. Lady Gwendolyn Barrior, the hereditary leader of the Lairdship of Barrior, enjoys seeing other people happy, enjoys helping people relax, enjoys the money tourists bring into her Islands. The Barrior Islands is tourist central of Dragonia, everything here is tailored to make money off of tourists. Everything is above board and fair, and so the islands see allot of repeat happy customers.
Serenity: Situated in a beautiful cove and climbs up a hill that overlooking the harbor, this quite town, rarely receives visitors, unless invited by the inhabitants, and they like it that way. For this is the home and training compound for Dragonia’s Companions. A Companion is a high-society courtesan licensed by the Duchy. In Dragonian culture, Companions are just another part of the society, often accompanying the wealthy and powerful. There is considerable ritual and ceremony surrounding their services, which appear to extend beyond sex, to nurturing the psychological and emotional well-being of their clients. Companions choose their own customers, and can have ungracious customers banned from any Companionship. Companions are both male and female.
[spoiler]OOC: If you want a fuller description of Companions go to this link and read under the Description section, just ignore the reference to anything about space and such. http://firefly.wikia.com/wiki/Companion’s_Guild[/spoiler]
[edit_reason]Added Map[/edit_reason]