Sybal Heim

    Sybal Heim is a moderately sized city located at the center of a large, meadow-like forest clearing, with a population of roughly 40,000 people.  The centermost point of the city sits atop a small hill creating a very gentle slope downward out to the rest of the city. Sybal Heim is circular in shape with a very low stone wall marking the outermost edge.  Outside of the wall are large agricultural fields of varying crops, dotted with several small lakes.  These fields provide the bulk of the food source for the city and seem to provide a reliable, plentiful harvest every season.

      

    Beyond the fields lies the Aionios Woods, or as the citizens sometimes call it, “The Traveler’s Forest.”   The forest completely encircles the borders of Sybal Heim and in its thick trees one can hardly see beyond a few yards in most places.  Though the plant life there is lush and hardy, it is a very quiet forest with no animals to speak of beyond some insect life.  Though, at night Feral Sybals have been known to retreat to the woods to keep out of the way of other, more docile citizens. 

     The Aionios provides most of the building materials and fuel for the city, as oddly no matter how many trees are cut down, it seems to show no sign of having been damaged the following day. 

     All newcomers arrive in Sybal Heim via the Aionios Woods, but you cannot leave the way you came in.  Walking too deep into the forest somehow always seems to spin you around and deposit you back at the city. However, you will not simply come out where you entered to tree line; you will likely come out in some random place along the treeline.  Perhaps only a few feet from where you started, or perhaps on the complete opposite side of the city.  You never know exactly where the woods will choose to deposit you.

     The woods are accessible to all citizens at any time, but many citizens seem to clear of the forest as it can be dangerous at night, and  its quiet, maze-like depths can be a bit disorienting.  Though you’ll never need to worry about getting lost. Walk long enough and the forest will always lead you back to the city.

    Citizens cannot reside in the woods, simply for the fact that any structure you may build or place will be randomly, and constantly moved around by the forest.  So if you drop an object or even manage to build a small structure, chances are you may never see it again. The objects are not lost forever though, and if you take a walk in the woods you may stumble across a number of peculiar sights left by various citizens.  But enjoy them while you can as the likelihood of seeing them again is slim.

 

  

    Cutting through the city is the Uferlos River.  It is a gentle river, flowing from North to South and wide enough to provide room for small boat traffic.  In fact, since the Uferlos passes through all major portions of the city it is actually the main method of quick transport. There are city-managed water taxis that run throughout the day that you can use to quickly travel from one district to another. The river is deeper than it seems, and its waters are often dark in color, but it is clean and the water is fresh.

     Boats other than the city taxis are allowed on the river, and street and farmer’s markets often set up on the river’s edge. However, citizens are only allowed small personal boats and must have a permit to use them.  Also, citizens are expected to keep the Uferlos clean and free of trash or debris.

     Like the forest, if you continue far enough on the Uferlos you will find yourself somehow transported to the far, opposite end of the river as it nears the forest’s edge. Essentially, you could sail on an infinite loop in the river if you wished.

     

    

    As for the city itself, Sybal Heim is divided into five main districts that reflect the origins of the people that inhabit them.  Over the years, people of a similar regional origin have often banded together and built areas that feel most comfortable and familiar to them.  Because of this, Sybal Heim’s architecture and layout can be described as a patchwork quilt of style and influence.  Over time, these cultural areas became varied and large enough to merit being labeled as actual districts within the city.  And each district is assigned a Minister by Basileus, whose job it is to oversee the needs, workings, and peace of their assigned district. (Minister’s grounds are denoted by the white circle in each district.)

     

    The districts are as follows: (Click the names for more info on each district and some key locations contained within them!)

     1. Ambrotos: The Immortal District- The Ambrotos District houses European countries and cultures.  It also contains western portions Of Middle Eastern culture.

     2. Heilig: The Holy District-  The Heilig District contains the whole of Asiatic culture and influence.  It also contains the more eastern regions of Middle Eastern culture.

     3. Doxa: The Glory District- The Doxa district contains the whole of North American culture as well as the larger portion of Central America. (Predominately Mexico.)

     4. Heiros: The Sacred District- The Heiros district spans South American culture and influence, as well as containing the lower portions of Central America.

     5. Seele: The Spirit District- The Seele district contains the bulk of African influence, as well as Australian culture.

     

    The districts are not segregated. There are no walls dividing them, but there are main roads branching out from the center of the city that typically act as rough dividers. Mainly this is used to determine where one Minister’s influence ends and another begins.  As such, there is often a cultural bleed on the edges of districts that has led to some unusual combinations of culture and architecture.  Also, people are not required to live in the district that most matches their land of origin. A person may live in any district they desire, so it is not uncommon to find small pockets of other cultures contained within a different district.  (Think of them as small “China Town” type areas located within different districts.)

      The districts typically work together as they are all part of Sybal Heim, and Basileus does not condone fighting between them.  However, there has always been a competitive streak between districts as to which is best.  Even the Ministers often seek to prove their district is superior.  Because of this, there is often friendly competition between districts. And it has become tradition for Ministers to host citywide events and contests that pit each district against the others.  Not for any particular prize, but mainly for bragging rights.

     

    

    There is a sixth section of the city that is separate from the others, though it is not considered a district.  This area is known as Kardia and it resides at the very center of the city, at the top of the small hill.  Kardia is the name given to Basileus’s private estates.  Though it applies to not only his home, but also to the general area surrounding his manor.  Most citizens consider all areas within the circle created by the main roads as part of Kardia.  Basileus’s manor at Kardia is strictly off limits to all citizens unless they have received a personal invitation to enter.  Even the Ministers are not allowed to enter Kardia without permission, and the site is strictly guarded, both day and night. 

     However, Kardia Manor is surrounded by Basileus’s large, personal gardens, which are typically open for visiting during set daytime hours.  Beyond these personal grounds though, Kardia contains many other buildings that are always open for public use.  These mainly consist of the city’s largest educational and cultural centers.  Smaller centers can be found in every district, but the bulk of knowledge, learning, and art takes place in Kardia.  It acts mainly as a cultural hub for people to gather and share in one another’s customs and wisdom.

     Appropriate to its name, Kardia is the heart of Sybal Heim.  It connects every district together and contains the “main gateways” and roads by which each district can be entered.  All ministration and management of the city, its laws, and its economy is dictated first by Kardia and then by each district’s subsequent minister.  However, due to The Organizer’s private nature, the innermost workings of Kardia are a mystery to average citizens.


   

City Dimensions
 For a quick guide to the city sizing, you can look here- City Size Notes
From one edge of the forest to the other, Sybal Heim is approximately 12 miles in diameter.
The outer fields are roughly 2 miles wide at any given point.
As such, the city itself (as contained without the outer wall) is roughly 8 miles in diameter.
Inside of that, the Kardia Ring is approximately 2 miles in diameter.
To cross the city (not including the fields) it will take you approximately 4 hours, accounting for the winding roads and potential river crossings.


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