Al'kor - The Ancient Capital

Amazing speed commission work done by ~Lyno3ghe! Part of my 'Worlds' commission project that I have going on with several artists to illustrate my world for artistic and referential purposes.

In the above illustration stands the proudest city of all the kingdoms of Man, the City of Al'kor (in the tongue of ancient men, meaning Ancient Citadel or Ancient City). Settled in the verdant, fertile lands of the Lowford Valley in Central El’ane, Al'kor was founded on the merging arms of the Great River of the Eluaine. The Central El'ane (named after it's expedition founder, as well as its location at the heart of the continent of Keros) serves as the central trading center of any and all trade passing through Keros. Ruling the skies over the lands, controlling the mouth of the Great River, as well as being one of the primary locomotive/train junctions of all the kingdoms of Man, the Imperial Central Authority's rule is both strong and profitable.

The city is surrounded by three Great Walls: The Outer Wall, the Inner Wall, and the Imperial Wall. There are two main gates leading into the city, which are the South Gate (as seen above) and the North Gate (located in the direct North of the city). Upon entering either gates, one is treated to a vast empty 'pit' surrounded by concrete pavement. These normally serve as the docking ports for the Ara and Airen Airstations - mammoth aerial fortresses that fly above the city, armed with a bristling amount of broadside cannons and also serving as the primary airship customs point for the city (all trade and aerial traffic is filtered through the stations and sent down to the city's market district via 'government-sanctioned' air tranports). In the event of a city siege, the fortresses are lowered into the pits and act as mighty bastions to defend the gate area, and should enemy troops try to push beyond them to the bridge crossing the river located at the rear of the concrete fields, they would be gunned down without any sort of cover by the fortresses weapons.

After passing the fortresses and crossing the inner city bridge (which is located near the Inner Wall for defense), would-be attackers would then enter the Market District of the city (comprising of the entire western part of the city. The eastern portion is the city's residential area). The gate to the the Inner Wall is located in the direct compass west, thus making for a series of nasty urban warfare fighting as well as being exposed to attacks from the Inner Wall for would-be siegers. The Inner Wall section is divided into two halves: the eastern portion is the Nobles Residence, while the Western portion is cut in half... one part is the heavy industrial factory and manufacturing center, while the other portion is the military barracks, base, and armory for the city. The Outer Wall sections are considered expendable in the event of a dire siege in the initial construction of the city, with defenders being tasked to hold the inner most circles.

Located in the direct center of the city is the Imperial Wall and the Imperial Palace. A massive, towering structure shadowing over the rest of the city, it is almost a miniature city in itself and is virtually unassailable except for the single exposed ramp leading up to the Palace Gate. The Imperial Wall gate is located in the direct east, leaving the city a massive back-and-forth fight across its entire length to drag out all fighting and drain enemy forces, as well as expose their lines to the defensive fire from the walls.

Other important features of the city are the Grand Southern Railway and the Northern Expanse Railway. The Grand Southern Railway leads to many other nations and cities, including the Great Fortress (pictured forthcoming) while the Northern Expanse Railway leads to the mineral rich regions of the Triumvirate of Men (Men of the West) and the Free Frontier Territories.

Also, the Men of Al'kor (and pretty much all of the ICA) come from a strong lineage of merchants and have a long history of a strong, professional army. Formerly known as the High Men of the Old Kingdom, they consider themselves the greatest and most noble of all the nations of Man, and is reflected in their proud display of their national heraldry (as evidenced by the flying banner and pendants along the walls and even on their train, which is loaded with passengers, industrial goods, and armored military cars for more lawless regions).

The Grand Southern Railway rides along an elevated rail leading directly into the Outer Wall near the heart of the Market District. The reason for this design decision was to ensure the train's entryway would not become a vulnerability in the city and could be properly sealed up, while also acting as a drop-off point for goods to be transported via the under-slung monorail that goes throughout the Outer Wall section (and also highly vulnerable and visible to the Inner Wall defenders should enemy troops attempt to capture it to ferry their own troops around).

Lastly, the northern rail runs through a heavily bunkered, underground tunnel and leads directly into the Inner Wall's Industrial District. With it being underground for most of the way to Al'kor, it allows the city defenders to flush supplies and fresh troops directly into the heart of the city even if the outer portion of the city falls.