Dartha
Dartha is the largest city in Rihan with a population of nearly 3 million. It is the first and oldest settlement, the center of politics, trade, and activity that involves the outside world. The city lies at the mouth of the Sherdek River and the Apnex Sea. The Forum of Cailax is the beating heart of the capital where the Hall of State, the Central Septum, the Praetor's Palace, and the Arc of D'deridex can be found. In front of the Hall of State is a statue of L'Deus, author of the D'Vatta. The Markets of Relevek are just off the Forum. The Forum is abuzz with trade activity and the rostrum at the middle is always active with Senators speaking the gathered crowds, and even sometimes, the Praetor. The Republic's bureaucracy operates from the Irnilt, a building complex located between the Forum and Victory Square.
A few blocks down towards the Sea is Victory Square where there are regular military parades and ceremonies. The Library of Alavhet is on the Via Karzan. The Via Colius is a major thoroughfare that runs east to west through the capital, running past the largest park, the Cor'Lavet. The Via Chula leads out of the capital to the east and towards the Valley of Chula, its namesake. Numerous academic institutions are located in Dartha. On the shores of the Apnex Sea is the Harbor of Be'Qai. The High Tribunal, administered under the auspices of the Praetor, is near the forum. The Orventis Arena and the Laneshra Momument are located in the heart of the Old City.
Many wealthy aristocrats live in large villas on the outskirts of Dartha, distancing themselves from the cramped, smaller dwellings that make up the majority of housing in the capital. The old walls, the Honn, still encircles the core of the city when it was first founded by Tellus. Amongst the tight shared housing of the lower classes, there are some larger townhouses on the Via Renak owned by the higher classes, offering better proximity to the Senate and the Forum. The residents living in and around the Via Renak have exclusive tailors, theatres, and bathhouses (including the most notable one, the Baths of Reldek the Great) are frequented by the political and wealthy peoples of the Republic. The Market of Rachan in this neighborhood hosts a great collection of luxury goods available from around the world.
The notable architect, Kundarak, is responsible for designing and building several of Dartha's most elaborate edifices, public buildings, and forums.
Under Republic law, all armed military personnel, except for Dartha's City Guard (Morairi ih'Sivas) and the Praetorian Guard (Morairi ih'Fvillha) must remain outside the capital. This was instituted to reduce the risk of a military coup during the early days of the Republic. It remains on the books to this day.
The city is subdivided into numerous districts:
- Cailax
- Ira'sihaer (The Old City)
- Be'Qai
- Rarathik
- N'emoth
- Cor'Lavet
- Elheu
- Erehan
- Alva't'kesh
- Venat'atrix
Dartha, being the capital, is the nexus of the Republic's transportation network. It has the nation's most important international airport, a metro system, bus, and riverboat operated by Yhfillain. Talasagam Rheilhhu Rihana, the national railway network, originates from Dartha Central Station and spreads out to the various urban centers of the Republic.