"openly displaying riches and titles with pride brings about one's downfall." - Laozi
Description
Zelus is located in the center of the country of Kratos, surrounded by nothing but beautiful grasslands and meadows. It is also at a slightly raised elevation, giving the impression of superiority. There is a plateau on the northeastern side of the city, which is where the temple for Helius (the sun god) is located. Along the nearby northern edge of the town is where the mansions are located; the homes of the Emperor and the Senators. All throughout the city are various sorts of libraries and museums for people to go to for learning. There are two types of Forum held each month; the first is with the Emperor directly, where people come from all over the country, asking him for help for one reason or another. The second is a public speaking debate, almost like a tournament/challenge, where the winners are rewarded directly by the Emperor.
The people who live in Zelus tend to be, what would be considered, the upper, and sometimes the middle classes. The current Emperor of Kratos lives in the largest mansion in the city of Zelus, and the other large mansions that surround this central house are where the Senators reside. Zelus is the city with which many intellectuals live, whether it be scholars, writers, philosophers, public speakers, etc. There is a single High Priest, two priestesses, and multiple temple servants for the temple of Helius.
The people who live in Zelus tend to be, what would be considered, the upper, and sometimes the middle classes. The current Emperor of Kratos lives in the largest mansion in the city of Zelus, and the other large mansions that surround this central house are where the Senators reside. Zelus is the city with which many intellectuals live, whether it be scholars, writers, philosophers, public speakers, etc. There is a single High Priest, two priestesses, and multiple temple servants for the temple of Helius.
History
Emperor Krotan arrived on the coastline of Styx many years before the capital city of Zelus had been built in the center of the country. The location was selected not only because it was the central point of the country itself, but also for the geographic advantage. There was no supreme highs (mountains/cliffs) or lows (swamps/valleys) in this central area, although the elevation is slightly uphill from the surrounding locations, showing its superiority. It was simply calm grasslands. Emperor Krotan had taken an exploratory group out across the country to pick the location for his future capital, and when they came across this part of land, he is said to have exclaimed "This is it! This is the place. This is my home." Building commenced immediately, and within five years the overall city was complete. Smaller rounds of construction continued for ten more years, but the Emperor moved in immediately, and the election of the first batch of senators began.