Yuram

Yuram
Special Capital Region
From top, left to right: Yuram Skyline, Naram University, State Building, Rastan I Statue, Vishnegradskiy Causeway, Ranaman Palace, Yuram Temple Nightview
Flag
Nickname(s):  Big Y, Lady of the Bay, J-Town
Country	Jashnagar
Settled	5th century CE
Government
• Type	Special Capital Region
• Governor	Placeholder
Population  (2018)
• Total	4,567,285

Yuram, officially the Special Capital Region of Yuram, is the capital and largest city of Jashnagar. Situated on the northern coast of Samratan, it is the center of urban development, economics, and culture for all of Northern Jashnagar. Hosting a population of 4,567,285, Yuram's growth, economic opportunities, and higher standard of living have attracted migrants from across the Jashnagari Archipelago, making it a melting pot of Jashnagari culture.

Established in the 5th century, as Rana Temple by Maist monks, the settlement grew up as a port around the temple. In the 7th century, the Palipar Maharan moved its capital from neighboring Jasharan to Yuram, transforming it from a small port town into a thriving city. After the fall of the Palipar Maharan, a new polity if the form of the Yuram Maharan sprung from the city. In the 10th century, Rajan Yaragupta funded the building of a new temple upon the foundation of Rana temple as patronage to the monks. During the War of Flames the Bas'kan of Yuram temple played a crucial leadership role for Maist forces, marking the end of the dominance of Kauloon Temple over the faith. The following centuries saw the city act as a de-facto capital for Maism, with it wielding considerable influence across the archipelago. In 1728 after the unification of Jashnagar, King Ilo'gnara established the city as his capital due to its historical influence. The city underwent large modernization projects following the Olympic War, primarily initiated by the government of Ferdinand Juteau. As a result, Yuram became known as "J-Town" following the war, and Juteau's junta became known as the "Yuram Five".

As the capital of Jashnagar and possessing the most important temple in the Maist faith, Yuram is an internationally important city. It is continuing to grow at a rapid pace as many Jashnagari flock from other regions of the country. Naram University makes it an attractive location for scholarship, and the city's status as an international port makes it the headquarter location of many businesses, both international and local. Yuram services shipping from across the world, and is the docking location of cruise and tourist vessels sailing the Muroan and Magnostrian Oceans. Sevar International Airport (SIA) receives flights from XX cities across the globe.

Yuram's primary challenges include congestion, gridlock traffic, ecological breakdown, and rapid urban growth. Climate change posses a threat to the city, as rising sea-levels threaten flooding and eventual cover-up.

Etymology

Originally just Rana Temple and then known as Rana, the term Yuram did not come into use until the settlement became the capital of the Palipar Maharan. Ultimately meaning "Golden elephant", the name stems from a local fable that recounts how the monks of Rana temple encountered a golden skinned elephant playing in the Param river, which they moved and hid in the temple as a relic of good fortune. Produes explorer Miguel João de Leitão records the city as "placeholder".

Yuram's nickname the "Big Y" is to contrast it to O'Kahle island's "Big O", and is used primarily by those outside of the city when referring to it. "Lady of the Bay" is an older nickname referencing the geographic position. "J-town" used primarily by natives to the city, has its root in the Yuram Five, particularly that of Ferdinand Juteau who was at the forefront of modernizing the city. During his government, the urban landscape of the city had begun to change so rapidly that it became known as "Juteau's Town".

History

Early History

The northern coast of Samratan, including Yuram, was home to the pre-historic Sava culture, distant relatives to the [[Makheen] peoples. Nearby Jasharan is the mythical landing point during the Jash migration, and historical evidence does suggest that northern Samratan, likely west of Yuram was the initial settlement location of the Jash peoples.

Rana Temple was constructed in the 5th century CE by Maist monks, who were branching off of Fam Temple. The temple encouraged replacement of temporary fishing villages with more permanent settlement. The sprouting town, initially known simply as Rana, was located at the mouth of Param river, making it ideal spot for trade flowing both down the river and into the bay. As a result of this geographic advantage, the village around the temple grew quickly. This growth encouraged the Palipar Maharan to move their capital from Jasharan to Rana in the 7th century, renaming the city Yuram. The city remained the seat of the Palipar dynasty until the capital was moved again in the late 9th century. Under the Palipar, large construction efforts were initiated, particularly in creating stable and permanent docking for trade shipping. This made Yuram an important trade nexus, and an influx of goods from across the Jashnagari archipelago and SE Nori began to flow in, increasing the wealth of the city.

The Palipar Maharan broke apart in the early 10th century, not long after the switch of capitals. In the ensuing in-fighting, a new polity under the Yuram Maharan emerged, bearing the name of the city. The second Rajan of the Yuram Maharan, Yaragupta gave considerable patronage to the Rana temple monks due to their martial contribution to his father's campaign. The central reward granted to them was the construction of a new temple on the grounds of the previous one. Maism was officially adopted as the religion of the Maharan, and Yuram became a competing center for it.

Medieval Period

The city continued to flourish under the Yuram Rajans. Subsequent rulers after Yaragupta added onto Yuram temple as boons to the monks. The Maharan swelled in power and expanded beyond the original borders of the Palipar dynasty. By the 12th century it had expanded to include most of Northern Samratan. In the 12th century the War of Flames erupted between Maists and the dwindling followers of other faiths on the Jashnagari archipelago. The Bas'kan of Yuram temple played a crucial role in the command of Maist forces, and as a result the influence of Yuram surpassed that of Kauloon Temple marking a stark shift in the political landscape of the faith.

The shift towards Yuram in regards to religious authority further increased the importance of the city, and it had become the largest and wealthiest city on the entire archipelago. The power that the Yuram temple wielded allowed the Bas'kan to call upon other temples, and as a result the start of the Maist crusades began in SE Nori. In 1559, Produes explorers and merchants began to frequent Yuram port, followed by other Liran powers. Here they traded primarily in spices and tea, and brought extravagant wealth to the city. Despite this, the power of the Yuram Rajans began to wane considerably. Centuries of failed crusades weakened the power of the Rajan, but not of the Bas'kan. By the time the Lirans arrived, the Yuram Maharan had been reduced down to mostly the city and it's immediate outskirts. A power rift began between the Rajan and the Bas'kan, with a clear and near immediate victory going to the temple. Past this point, the Bas'kan would be the ultimate ruler of Yuram, with the Rajans holding near non-existent power.

During the Produes Invasion, Yuram became the de-facto capital of an archipelago-wide coalition against the invaders, with the Bas'kan becoming the coalition leader and directing the war effort. Likewise, Rastan I's crusade was also centered out of Yuram, with nearly every Maist temple reporting under it's direction.