Urceopolis (City)

Urceopolis Civitas Urceopolitania
Southern Kingswood from northern Kingswood; New City is also visible to the right
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  The Archcathedral City The Holy City Urbs Aeterna (Latin) The Eternal City
Country	Urcea
Seat	The Praetorium
Government
• Type	Executive polis
• Body	Archcathedral Council
• Lord Prefect	Justano Helitra
Area
• City	632.63 km2 (244.26 sq mi)
• Metro	13,093.22 km2 (5,055.32 sq mi)
Population  (2025)
• City	9,874,201
• Density	16,000/km2 (40,000/sq mi)
• Metro	40,591,402
• Metro density	3,100/km2 (8,000/sq mi)
Area code(s)	212, 516, 518, 646, 718
Website	urceopolis.city.gov

Urceopolis is the archcathedral city of Urcea. It is also the cathedral city of the Archduchy of Urceopolis and the largest city in Urcea when factoring metropolitan area, both in terms of population and area. It sits at an intersection of the Urce River and Esquiline River.

The earliest record of the settlement of Urceopolis comes from accounts during the Latin Heroic Age, but many modern historians believe it probable that small, transient settlements of Gaelic people lived in and around the area prior to the arrival of the Latins. As one of the oldest cities in Levantia, the urban landscape of Urceopolis is greatly varied as the city gradually incorporated surrounding settlements and open areas. For much of its history, control of the city was largely divided along the Esquiline River, which bisects the city. The Apostolic King of Urcea enjoyed direct control over the ancient city itself north of the Esquiline, whereas the Pope had control of the city south of the River. Today, the Papal State resides within the city as an independent state with formal borders established by the River Concordat of 1815.

Etymology

Although the etymology of Urceopolis is clear - an Istroyan origin term for "city of the Urce River", historians - both contemporary and since antiquity - have debated the precise source of an Istroyan term to describe a city established by Latinic people. The ancient Levantine myth of the Journey of the Fifty - which reached its final, canonical form in around 150 BC - ascribes the source of the name to the city being founded by demigods originating in ancient Istroya. Although this story is entirely mythical, many contemporary historians believe that it served two functions, with the first being to explain the Istroyan etymology for the city, and with the second passing on actual, distorted oral tradition about the discovery of the city by Istroyan-speaking explorers in the service of the Adonerii league. The Istroyan explorer theory was heavily contested by scholars during the 20th century, but has come to be largely accepted by consensus in the 21st century. In Latin, the city came to be known as Colonia Urceopolitania before and during the early period of Great Levantia, with Urceopolitania becoming the more common term during the high and late periods of Great Levantia. This term came to its current form in Julian Ænglish through Lebhan. The official Latin name for the city remains Civitas Urceopolitania.

Geography

Topography

Urceopolis is bisected by the Esquiline River which flows east-to-west, making the city have northern and southern halves. For much of its history, "Urceopolis" referred exclusively to the land north of the Esquiline

The terrain in and around the city is largely flat with exceptions along its peripheries. Along the Esquiline, the Old City and New City both rest upon hills: the Urban and Caeline hills, respectively. Early in its history, both of these hills would have had dominating views over the valley between it as well as the whole Esquiline region, but gradual flattening of the hills and accretion of land has decreased the prominence of both hills. Toward the northern boundary of the city sits the Borough of Elmont, which was named for its extremely hilly topography during the ancient period.

Climate

Urceopolis has a humid subtropical climate, with mild winters, hot humid summers, and significant rainfall all year long. Summer is the wettest season; almost half of the annual rainfall occurs from June to September in the form of thundershowers. Fall remains relatively warm through the middle of November. Winter is short and mild, and is characterized by occasional rain. Measurable snow has a median occurrence of only once per decade, and freezing rain is a much more common occruence.

Climate data for Urceopolis, Urceopolis, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	82 (28)	83 (28)	94 (34)	94 (34)	100 (38)	104 (40)	103 (39)	103 (39)	100 (38)	95 (35)	87 (31)	81 (27)	104 (40)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	72 (22)	75 (24)	80 (27)	84 (29)	90 (32)	93 (34)	95 (35)	94 (34)	91 (33)	85 (29)	79 (26)	74 (23)	97 (36)
Average high °F (°C)	58.0 (14.4)	60.3 (15.7)	65.6 (18.7)	72.3 (22.4)	79.0 (26.1)	84.3 (29.1)	87.5 (30.8)	86.4 (30.2)	82.6 (28.1)	75.6 (24.2)	67.1 (19.5)	60.9 (16.1)	73.3 (22.9)
Daily mean °F (°C)	50.8 (10.4)	53.2 (11.8)	58.8 (14.9)	66.0 (18.9)	73.5 (23.1)	79.2 (26.2)	82.3 (27.9)	81.4 (27.4)	77.6 (25.3)	69.4 (20.8)	60.1 (15.6)	53.8 (12.1)	67.2 (19.6)
Average low °F (°C)	43.6 (6.4)	46.1 (7.8)	52.0 (11.1)	59.7 (15.4)	68.0 (20.0)	74.2 (23.4)	77.1 (25.1)	76.5 (24.7)	72.5 (22.5)	63.2 (17.3)	53.1 (11.7)	46.8 (8.2)	61.1 (16.2)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	29 (−2)	32 (0)	37 (3)	46 (8)	56 (13)	67 (19)	72 (22)	71 (22)	63 (17)	49 (9)	39 (4)	33 (1)	27 (−3)
Record low °F (°C)	10 (−12)	7 (−14)	22 (−6)	36 (2)	45 (7)	52 (11)	61 (16)	59 (15)	50 (10)	37 (3)	17 (−8)	12 (−11)	7 (−14)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	2.56 (65)	2.56 (65)	3.03 (77)	2.96 (75)	2.58 (66)	4.85 (123)	5.08 (129)	6.11 (155)	5.25 (133)	4.07 (103)	2.30 (58)	2.91 (74)	44.26 (1,124)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	8.4	8.0	7.9	7.0	6.8	10.5	11.6	11.7	8.6	6.8	6.1	8.5	101.9
Source: AAOO

Government and politics

The City of Urceopolis employs a model of governance in Urcea known as the executive polis, which employs a chief executive who works in tandem with a local legislative body. Urceopolis was the only local government in Urcea to employ this system until the Administrative Reorganization Act of 1892, and it is sometimes informally called "Urceopolitan style" governance. Within the city, the Lord Prefect is the chief executive officer who is responsible for all of Urceopolis's government agencies while having oversight of the police department, fire department, medical corps, while having significant input into the administration of the city's transit system. The Lord Prefect is comparable in most respects to mayors of cities in other Occidental countries. The executive branch of Urceopolis's government includes an extensive set of agencies with broad reach over city policy and administration, such as public works, health conditions, sanitation, and other related municipal areas. The laws of the city are established by the Archcathedral Council, a proportionally-representative body many up of 121 Councilors. The Lord Prefect is elected at large in the city and the Council is elected from proportionally drawn districts every five years, mirroring the electoral calendar of the Conshilía Daoni. Uniquely, the Lord Prefect is limited to two terms, while the Council has no term limits. In order to be eligible for either office, an individual must be a baptized Catholic of at least thirty five years of age.

Traditionally, the City of Urceopolis was under the control of the left-liberal faction of the Commonwealth Union for most of the 20th century. The National Pact, which began its history as a Urceopolitan political club, often represented a large minority party. The Urcean left in various forms was often politically successful in poorer areas like Campori, but was usually more successful in the Conshilía Daoni elections than municipal elections. Since the 2015 realignment, however, the National Pact has been ascendant within the city, with the local party especially emphasizing its Crown Liberal positions. The left wing Social Labor Party is the second most successful party since 2015, having the second largest number of seats on the Archcathedral Council as of 2026, although sitting in an extreme minority. The Solidarity Party has struggled to compete in Urceopolis as it has in other cities since the decline of its predecessor, the Commonwealth Union, finishing in third in most elections since 2015. The politics of the city trend towards liberal centrism, favoring a form of cosmopolitanism with some limited traditional influences.

Since 1940, the City has been part of the Archcathedral Metropolitan Area Authority, a special governing unit created by the Urcean government for administering the greater Urceopolis area. Accordingly, some public functions are exercised by that body rather than the City of Urceopolis government.

Boroughs

Urceopolis is divided into twenty four boroughs as well as the Papal State, a sovereign nation existing within its city limits but outside the city's jurisdiction. Old City, New City, the Flats and Aricia, and Crescent are commonly referred to collectively as "the Pale", describing the extent of the city for most of its history. Outside of Urcea, the existence of the Pale as a distinct borough is a common misconception.

Old City

Old City refers to the original sight of Latinic settlement in the area, forming the establishment of the historic Colonia Urceopolitania during the Latin Heroic Age. Accordingly, the Old City is home to many ancient sites and structures, including the Levantine Forum, which was the original commercial and political center of the city. Old City is characterized by many medieval buildings and close-in streets. The narrow streets and plazas within the Old City are the home of many of the oldest plaza cluster-style restaurants in Urcea.

New City

A major entrance to the Julian Palace. The confines of the Palace are an ever-present feature of New City and the Palace and ancillary government structures comprise a majority of the land area of the borough.

New City refers to land which was once an elevated hill known as the Caeline Hill or Collis Caelius which had a commanding view of the Urce River, the Flats, and Old City of Urceopolis. It became a natural expansion of the early city and was the site of several fortifications and large homes during the early peak of the city under Great Levantia. As the city declined, the Caelian Hill/New City area became the site of the fortified mansion of the Julian dynasty known as the Domus Julii. Gradually, the home of the Julians spread out across the hill and today encompasses much of New City as the Julian Palace. The Palace and New City are home to the Government of Urcea, and accordingly the borough is mostly comprised of either the Palace, various chapels and churches (including the Caeline Basilica), or ancillary government office buildings.

New City is the only portion of Urceopolis in which automobiles are not permitted besides some government vehicles, for reasons of security, historic preservation, and pedestrian appeal. Several park and rides are available into New City from beyond the Via Corona, with Archcathedral Rapid Transit lines running into the Flats near entrances of New City.

the Flats and Aricina

The Flats and Aricina, although now a single borough, consists of two areas of the city which existed during antiquity. Aricina was the port district of the Old City which largely had its own political apparatus during the era of Great Levantia. The adjacent area known as the Flats was originally the city's harbor on the Esquiline, sheltered from the Urce River to the west by New City, which was originally a peninsula. The existence of the Flats as a sheltered, usable harbor, is most likely the original reason for the city being established where it is. Changing climate led to the Flats transitioning from useful harbor land to marshy swamplands around 350 BC, after which much of Aricina's usefulness as a port came to an end as most port operations moved to the areas adjoining the river, especially with the construction of the city of Ardotalia in around 150 AD. Aricina, which had its own system of walls within the city, became an isolated and poor area during most of the Great Levantine and medieval periods, occasionally being repurposed as a quarantine ward for disease outbreaks. The Flats were drained during the initial reign of House de Weluta ca. 1450 and became one of the most fashionable parts of the city, with land being available to build large and lavish structures, including theaters and opera houses as well as urban mansions. Aricina experienced significant growth following the Flats being drained, with the walls separating the two areas eventually coming down to be used as building materials. The two areas subsequently became closely associated since the 17th century, although Aricina's position as a prominent hill relative to the Flats made it a well sought after location. During the 19th century, much of the Flats were demolished in order to erect the Royal Green, which now bisects the borough. It is a common misconception that the area of the borough to the north of the Green is "the Flats" while the area to its south is "Aricina", though this information is commonly taught abroad. Today, the borough is not only home to the Green, the city's major park, but also many museums and government buildings.

Crescent

A sunrise over west Crescent.

The Crescent is so named due to the course of its original confines, the Pictorian Walls, which ran from the Urce River in the west on an arc to the confluence of the creek and the Esquiline River just east of the Old City; its southern confine was the extent of the coasts of the Flats. These walls were constructed by Gaius Stephanus Pictor to protect what had become the urban core of Urceopolis since the rise of Great Levantia, the urban sprawl beyond the walls of the Old and New Cities. This region became densely populated almost as soon as the New City was constructed, as the ancient road running east to west between the settlements became the city's primary thoroughfare, around which urban sprawl began to develop By about 275 BC, a majority of people living in Urceopolis lived in this region, but it was not protected by walls until Pictor's construction, making it vulnerable to attack. Consequently, economic stratification would occur, where the poor of the Old and New City would depart for the Crescent whereas wealthy "new money" merchants from the Crescent would replace them in the Old and New Cities. Defense of the Crescent became a populist political issue in Great Levantia until Pictor finally provided for their construction.

The Caroline Arch, Crescent's most famous landmark, viewed from the intersection of Caroline Boulevard and the Via Corona.

Unlike many outlying portions of the city, the Crescent never entered decline, and as the New City gave way to the Julian Palace and other structures, the Crescent continued to grow and develop as the urban core of Urceopolis. Many important and historic structures were built in the Crescent during the Renaissance period, and it is the home to hundreds of Baroque churches. The Crescent was the site of significant industrialization during the early 19th century, but gave way to middle class housing and businesses later in that century and today remains the urban core of the city based around a large contingent of middle and upper middle class families and businesses. The construction of the Via Corona in the Crescent in the 1800s made much of the Crescent an extremely walkable and enjoyable area for residents and tourists alike, and the Crescent has consistently been ranked among the best neighborhoods in Urcea by several journalistic and lifestyle outlets. Much of the Crescent is heavily urbanized, with the western parts of the borough covered in skyscrapers. Though its business district pales in comparison to Kingswood's, significant commercial and corporate activity takes place within west Crescent.

The government of Urceopolis is located in Crescent at the Praetorium. The Caroline Arch is located nearby the Praetorium within Crescent, as is the Corps Column.

Via Corona

A section of the Via Corona. The Aedanhouse's front portico is visible on the right.

The Via Corona is a major thoroughfare which runs through the exterior of the Crescent and was the former site of the city's medieval walls, which replaced the ancient walls in the early 14th century. The Via Corona itself was constructed in the 1860s as the walls were demolished and was intended to provide cross-city linkage while creating open streets which would be difficult for insurgent revolutionaries to barricade. The road was largely modeled after the major triumphal avenue (Caroline Boulevard) constructed leading to and from the Caroline Arch, with which it intersects. The road, named Crown Street in Latin due to its somewhat circular shape, presently includes an inner "express" roadway and side roadways for local traffic with bike lanes and sidewalks in between. As with the Crescent, the Via Corona essentially surrounds the ancient portion of Urceopolis to the north. The Via Corona today serves as the major inner-city roadway, intersecting with several routes of the National Interprovincial Highway Service which run near and around the city. Many park and ride structures sit on the west side of the Via Corona, typically about a block or two behind the street itself in order to preserve the architectural continuity of its buildings. These park and rides allow for access to New City, where cars are not permitted, as well as other areas in New City, Crescent, and the Flats where parking may be difficult to find by way of Archducal Rapid Transit stations which sit all along the Via Corona. Accordingly, many of the back streets off Via Corona experience severe gridlock in rush hour periods during scheduled train stops.

Besides being a major roadway, the Via Corona is thought by many to be its own insular neighborhood area. Many major structures were built in the 19th century as the road was constructed, and the area is today a popular tourist destination. One of these, the Aedanhouse, is Urcea's most prestigious opera house. It was built by and named for Aedanicus VIII.

Ardot

The Leochán Palace in Ardot is the home of the Ministry of State and represents Ardot's position as the city's diplomatic quarter.

Ardot was established as Ardotalia and was one of the first planned cities in Great Levantia, built in around 150 AD.. Sitting to the northwest of the Crescent, Ardotalia served as a port city on the Urce River and its planning allowed for the city to function well, with goods flowing in and out of Urceopolis to the port at high levels of efficiency. The city's construction largely led to the depreciation of the port of Aricina on the Esquiline and general decline of mercantile activity on that river. During the early medieval period, the city continued to be a thriving port and was incorporated into Urceopolis itself by the end of the 12th century. The port's infrastructure was not maintained, however, and significant silting issues in the Urce River led to the area being mostly unsuitable for a port by 1300, and the area was functionally abandoned by 1400 as the main port had moved to Kingswood. The easy availability of land meant that the area became a popular location for large country estates, and nobility began to buy up parts of what was now referred to as Ardot beginning in the 16th century. The large and luxurious homes here were gradually purchased by foreign governments for use as embassies as more fashionable options in the Ionian Plateau became available with the advent of the railroad.

Today, Ardot is considered the diplomatic quarter of Urceopolis, and a plurality of people and economic activity within the borough are either directly related to the embassies contained therein or are service-sector activities that serve the embassies and their personnel. Accordingly, the Ministry of State is based out of the Leochán Palace based within the borough. Abroad, "Ardot" is used as a metonym used to refer to the Ministry of State, whereas domestically it refers to diplomatic affairs generally.

Ardriville

Ardriville was established as a fortified bridge crossing and village sometime in the early 12th century.

It is the home of The Dispossessed and, accordingly, has become known as "Noble City". It has the highest amount of current or former nobility per capita of any location in the world. Their presence - which includes a large number of lavish mansions and estates - has become a tourist attraction.

Arelate

Arelate was initially the site of a fortified manor house in the period between the fall of Great Levantia and the rise of the Holy Levantine Empire, and accordingly was one of the few sites of economic activity to the east of Urceopolis. At the time, the area was largely rural and sparsely populated, with a few small settlements and agricultural communities scattered throughout the region. The first mention of Arelate in historical records is in the 10th century, when it is mentioned as the site of a fortified manor house, although as mentioned most historians believe this area was a fortified residence for several centuries by that time.

Over time, Arelate grew and developed into a small town. One of the key factors in this growth was the development of a number of grain mills along the creeks that ran to the northeast of Urceopolis. These water-powered mills provided a source of economic activity and employment for the people of Arelate. The town also grew as a result of its proximity to Urceopolis. In the 19th century, Arelate underwent a significant transformation with the construction of rail lines running northeast of Urceopolis. These lines passed through Arelate and neighboring Flucirk, and brought a new level of connectivity and economic activity to the area. A rail junction was established in Arelate in 1862, which further increased the town's importance as a transportation hub. This led to a rapid growth in population and economic activity, as new manufacturing plants were built in the area to take advantage of the running water in the area.

Today, Arelate is a middle-class, bustling and vibrant part of the city. It has a mix of residential and commercial areas with significant mixed used buildings and relatively high density neighborhoods. The town's historical industrial roots are still evident, with a number of factories and manufacturing plants operating in the area, and during the 21st centuries efforts have been made by the Government of Urcea to transition many of these factories to chip fabs and other related industries. The rail lines and junction that were established in the 19th century are still in use, providing important transportation links for both people and goods.

Flucirk

Flucirk was founded sometime during the medieval period, as a small mill village that grew up around a country Catholic parish. Its name, which comes from the Lebhan word for "river church", reflects its origins as a place where people gathered to worship and engage in economic activities related to the local water resources. Over time, Flucirk grew and developed into a small town. The 19th century was a period of significant growth and change for Flucirk, as it was for many other areas in the Urceopolis region. This growth was fueled in part by the construction of rail lines running northeast of Urceopolis, which passed through Flucirk and neighboring Arelate. The rail lines brought a new level of connectivity and economic activity to the area, and led to a rapid increase in population and development. Flucirk became a relatively major city in its own right.

One of the key developments in Flucirk during this period was the rise of tenement buildings, as the city's population grew rapidly and the demand for housing increased. These buildings provided affordable housing options for many residents, and helped to accommodate the influx of people into the city. Accordingly, Flucirk became home to many people leaving agricultural life behind to adapt to industrial labor needs in Urceopolis. In addition, the construction of rapid transit lines in the latter half of the 19th century also played a role in Flucirk's growth, as it made it easier for people to travel to and from the city, further encouraging the development of housing in the area. During this period, the affordability of these houses made Flucirk well known as a home for fledgling artists, and many of Urcea's great Skeptical masters began their careers living in the area. Due to its association, Tte Skeptical Arts Museum of Urcea is today located in a former tenement building in Flucirk; in addition to its permanent and rotating displays of art, it also includes preserved versions of the apartments lived in by the artists John Melianair and Stefania Haire, who lived in the building at different points in the 1880s and 1890s.

Eventually, in 1892, Flucirk was annexed into the city of Urceopolis as part of the Administrative Reorganization Act of 1892. Due to the large number of old tenements and brownstones, Flucirk has emerged as a trendy area to live for both students and young middle class professionals. It sits on an IRT line direct to the Monastic Quarter, allowing for quick access for students who attend the main campus Collegium Scientificum. the expensive residences, ancient structures, and combination of Church and public property around the Collegium make it largely prohibitive for students to live off-campus there, and accordingly Flucirk is the popular off-campus area of student living. Parts of Flucirk have become known as the "student ghetto", with a relatively lively student culture with bars and restaurants catering to them present throughout the borough. The CS's small Northeast Priory Campus is also just across Urceopolis's northeastern boundary, making Flucirk also convenient for students of that institution.

Elmont

Elmont is likely named for the Latin term "Eletan Mons", meaning hilly area. Largely unsuitable for urban construction, what would become the borough of Elmont was long a popular spot for animal grazing and became the sight of some well known horse riding grounds during the medieval period. Sitting between Narbo Martius and Flucirk, the area was annexed as part of the Administrative Reorganization Act of 1892. King Patrick III continued the equine tradition by building the Hippodrome in Elmont. Although urban sprawl has long eliminated the grazing and riding grounds from Elmont, the equine industry still plays a major role here due to the presence of the Hippodrome as well as the many backstretch jobs associated with its presence. In 1920, the Equine Science University - part of the Collegium Scientificum - was established in Elmont.

Today, much of Elmont is single family or multi family homes of primarily working class families.

Campori

Tower blocks are still in use in Campori, a rarity in Urcea.

Campori, whose name originated as Campus Orientalis, was an occasional military marshaling ground during the time of Great Levantia and was sparsely populated for most of Urcea's history. Even after being incorporated into the city as part of the Administrative Reorganization Act of 1892, Campori remained largely rural until after the Second Great War. The area was developed by the Government of Urcea with large public housing projects intended for veterans of the war and their families. The projects were intended to be models for the rest of the country, but ran into significant problems during construction including cost overruns, and many of the houses were not complete until the early 1950s. The area was considered up and coming during the 1950s and 60s, but generally began to decline as the population of Second Great War veterans began to move away in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The population of veterans was gradually replaced by other groups of Urceans on waiting lists for housing, namely vagrants from across the country, recently released convicts, and other generally impoverished people. The introduction of these groups led to a dramatic relocation of the veteran communities by the mid 1970s, leading the area to significant economic decline. The situation partly stabilized with the introduction of Cronan immigrants during the 20th century, but due to the prevalence of tower blocks the area remains a major source of housing stock for those with very low incomes in Urcea.

Campori is one of the few locations in Urcea where tower blocks are still in widespread use in the 21st centuries. Much of the economy of the area is characterized by body shops - both legitimate and those operating for criminal purposes, the occasional budget supermarket, dollar stores, fast food restaurants, and tobacco shops. Food deserts are a serious issue for most residents of Campori. Crime is higher than most other parts of the city, and it is a major source of controlled substances flowing into other parts of the city, including narcotics and pornography. Efforts by national and city leadership to remediate the area - including potential urban development projects which would destroy the public housing projects - have generally been unsuccessful. It is considered to be the poorest part of the city according to most available economic and crime metrics.

the Royal Burgh (the Strip)

Shops in the Strip along Joyzh Boulevard.

The Royal Burgh, most commonly known as the Strip, is an area which sits between the Papal State to the west and Churchcreek to the east, giving it its popular name. The area was historically associated with the Papal State, but was formally ceded to Urcea and recognized as part of the city as part of the River Concordat. It acquired the name "Royal Burgh" as a generic governing term while becoming popularly referred to as the Strip. The borough is notable for its well preserved urban architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries, having been the site of urban expansion under the Papal State just before being ceded to Urcea. Due to its history, it was primarily occupied by people from outside of Urceopolis prior to its cession, giving the area a unique cultural character that has been amplified by the older architecture. Accordingly, the Strip is a common tourist destination in the city and also a popular center of cuisine and nightlife.

Popeswood

Popeswood is an area directly south of the Papal State that was largely considered part of the Papal State until the 1815 River Concordat. It was mostly undeveloped at the time of cession to Urcea, serving as a private hunting ground for the Popes and other Curia officials. Retaining much of its wooded character well into the mid-twentieth century, the Popeswood borough was developed in the latter half of the twentieth century as a convenient commuting location for large homes of financiers and other Urcean entrepreneurs whose businesses and corporate headquarters were located in Kingswood. The neighborhood has become one of the most fashionable in the city due to the high concentration of wealth, with most Urcean business officials of any significance maintaining a residency in Popeswood. The Archcathedral Rapid Transit system does not serve the borough of Popeswood, having no stations within the borough, and many critics have alleged this is by design.

The Papal State

Main article: Papal State

Although an independent state not within the city jurisdiction of Urceopolis, the Papal State, home of the Pope and center of the Catholic Church, sits approximately within the center of Urceopolis along the south bank of the Esquiline Ruver. Sometimes referred to as "Vatican City", the Papal State contains many of the oldest extant structures within city. Originally part of the core of the city during the Great Levantia period, the area became associated with the Church by means of St. Peter's burial in the area following his crucifixion. A popular Christian site, St. Peter's Archbasilica was erected over the burial site upon the Christianisaton of Great Levantia, which became the official seat of the Bishop of Urceopolis and, accordingly, one of the holiest sites in Catholicism. Largely depopulated after the fall of Great Levantia, Vatican City began to grow once again in the 800s. Historically, the position of the Pope separated from the Julian Palace by the Esquiline River gave him a great degree of independence and influence south of the Urce, which eventually became formalized as the Duchy of Transurciana. The current borders of the Papal State, following centuries of uncertainty, were established by the River Concordat of 1815 during the Recess of the Julii.

Many former noble houses became part of the Papal State complex in administrative capacity, and the State is densely packed with churches and chapels. The Papal State is also full of gardens, observatories, and other scientific and religious structures including the Apostolic Palace and St. Peter's Archbasilica.

Kingswood

A view of northern Kingswood from the air.

Kingswood is the central business district of Urceopolis and serves as the economic heart of the Valley. It is one of the most densely populated places in Urcea and the world. The Levantine stock exchange, alongside many major corporations, are based in Kingswood, and Urceopolis's status as one of the world's financial centers is primarily due to the impact of Kingswood. The Royal Bank of Urcea is also located within Kingswood.

The origin of Kingswood and its legal association with the Apostolic King of Urcea is disputed, but historians believe the simplest explanation lay in its proximity to the New City, and accordingly, the Julian Palace. The site of Kingswood was marked as a forest reserve of the Archduke of Urceopolis as early as around 820 AD. The site's ownership by the Julian dynasty is highly unusual, as it is the only location south of the Esquiline River that fell under Archducal (and later Royal), rather than Papal, authority. Regardless of its origin, Kingswood spent most of the medieval period as a Royal forest mostly kept for the Julians to hunt game. During times of famine, the Julians would often resort to overhunting the Kingswood to feed the people of Urceopolis, and by around 1150 its value as a hunting preserve had largely been exhausted. After that time, the Kings of Urcea began to use the strategic location of Kingswood for political purposes, and a fortified military camp was built in the Kingswood close to the Papal State around 1200. The camp was subsequently fortified into Castle Esquiline, which would prove to be a valuable piece of leverage against Papal authority for the next century, and the Castle was a valuable place from which raids against the Duchy of Transurciana could be launched. Castle Esquiline was captured by the Papal State during the Saint's War and razed in 1311, and following the Saint's War the struggle of political authority between the Apostolic King and Pope largely receded.

With the throne vacant (and thus Royal prohibitions not in force) and the military value of the area mostly eliminated, Urceopolitans began to build port infrastructure and other mercantile structures in Kingswood, in part due to the silting of the river weakening Ardot's value and in part due to its favorable location at the junction of the Esquiline and Urce Rivers. From the beginning of the 14th century, Kingswood began to be a center for Urcean mercantile and commercial activities, and it was incorporated into Urcea in 1487. The new Royal Bank of Urcea was built in Kingswood in the early 1500s after it was determined that the treasury could be relocated from the Julian Palace due to a lack of a military threat to the city; it was later captured by forces loyal to House de Weluta during the Great Confessional War. Following the end of that conflict and the great growth of Urcea's political and economic power in Levantia, Kingswood became a world mercantile center, remaining so through the tumultuous centuries to come and through today.

Arvan

Arvan is the site of the ancient Great Levantine river port city of Arvenium, which entered decline during the 4th city and was reduced, like the rest of Urceopolis, to a center of a few scattered fortified manor houses after the fall of Great Levantia. Many of these manor houses would gradually develop into major castles and accordingly became considered key fortified locations near the capital, coming under Royal control in the 13th century as part of a broader strategy to exact influence on the Pope and Duchy of Transurciana. From the 16th century on, Arvan was essentially controlled by the military, continually redeveloping the local fortifications while building sprawling barracks complexes. Like much of the city, it became part of Urceopolis via the Administrative Reorganization Act of 1892. With the military leaving the area after the Red Interregnum, Arvan became primarily a warehouse district during much of the 20th century, providing logistical support to business and industrial operations in neighboring Kingswood. As heavy industry gradually left the city during the 20th century, Arvan was slowly redeveloped into a mixed-use, bedroom-tendency community during the latter half of the 20th century, with many warehouses demolished in favor of single family homes, though many were also converted to stylish multi-unit apartment buildings. Since around 2005, Arvan is generally the home of middle class immigrants from Crona, particularly the Nysdra Sea region, with their less well-off relatives moving to Campori. Arvan's Cronan community is vibrant and has developed unique traditions and cultural festivals. It is sometimes referred to as the "Cronan Quarter".

Infrastructure

Transportation

Archcathedral Rapid Transit

The Archcathedral Rapid Transit system, known both officially and unofficially as "the Subway", is a rapid transit system owned by the city government of Urceopolis.

History

Several competing rapid transit systems were constructed in Urceopolis during the 19th and early 20th century. The first elevated railway with service from Crescent to Arelate opened in 1871 in conjunction with the construction of a long distance rail hub erected in Arelate. This first elevated train saw significant use and led to a population explosion in Arelate, and the successful concept saw the construction of several elevated rail lines throughout the 1870s and 1880s. Most of these lines were constructed by a new company known as the Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) Company. Construction largely came to a half during the Red Interregnum, though during this time of hiatus the government of Gréagóir FitzRex did give approval for the IRT to experiment with underground lines, and the first line - the Crescent Circulator, a now-defunct line running mostly in a straight line from Old City to New City with a stop along the Royal Green - opened in 1897. The increase of the city's land area with the Administrative Reorganization Act of 1892 also created significant opportunities for rail developers The end of the Red Interregnum and restoration of King Patrick III saw a major uptick in construction, in part with government funding. By 1910, the city was dominated with a largely tangled network of elevated rail lines operated by IRT and its primary competitor Citylines, both of whom were shifting new line construction underground. The primary tunnels for lines for these competitors were constructed in the period 1907-1909, and most are still in operation during the 21st century. The city government created a public rapid transit company known as Royal Transit in 1914 to try and build additional underground lines in order to put the problematic elevated lines out of business, and accordingly the city constructed additional tunnels from 1914 to 1920. The loss of revenue for elevated lines gradually lead Citylines to declare bankruptcy in 1927, and the company was purchased by the city and integrated within its systems. Interboro Rapid Transit would also struggle during this period, but a halt to major acquisitions as a result of the Second Great War led to it receiving subsidies from the Government of Urcea until 1943, when the war ended. That year, the IRT was acquired by Royal Transit, which renamed itself Archcathedral Rapid Transit. Most of the elevated lines were closed during the war and their resources recycled for the war effort. Today, the three different types of lines are still recognized by their division indicators; the Interborough Rapid Transit lines in the IRT Division, the Royal Transit lines in the ROY Division, and the Citylines lines in the CLR (Citylines Railroad) division.

Culture

Cuisine

As a global city, Urceopolis has an extremely wide array of cuisines on offer, with offerings from most nations abroad as well as city variations of cultural foods. In addition to the wide variety of foods available, many Urceopolis-specific regional cuisines have developed which have left a strong influence on the overall cuisine of Urcea.

The Urcean restaurant style of plaza clusters - a type of restaurant wherein most of the seating is at tables out on the street or in a public square - originated within Urceopolis and most original examples of the type can be found within Old City. Many of these restaurants are well known for providing deceptively good food, and for much of the 20th century were considered the "hidden gem" of Urcean restaurants before becoming widely known and visited. Many of the best of these restaurants have week-long waiting lists, with tourists making reservations months in advance.

Tourism

Tourism is an extensive industry within Urceopolis, with many of Urcea's most iconic destinations being located within city limits. A 2019 analyses indicated that tourism generated $170 billion in economic impacts to the city in 2018 alone. Accordingly, tourism and the city's relationship with tourists is a major part of city culture. While tourists focusing on sports, entertainment, and cultural locations are extremely common, pilgrims are considered to be among the most common type of visitor to Urceopolis. Many locations within Urceopolis, particularly on the south side of the river closer to the Papal State, are intended for pilgrims headed for the Vatican and St. Peter's Archbasilica.

Borough identity

Urceopolitans are known for their strong sense of loyalty and belonging to the borough in which they live. Accordingly, most boroughs have relatively well-defined identities along with unique cultural traditions which are associated with that identity.

Sports

Urceopolis hosts the headquarters of the Continental Baseball Conference, the Royal Association of Football Clubs, is home to more professional sports teams than any other city in Urcea, is home to many high level collegiate athletic programs including several Collegium Scientificum schools, and is the home of the Hippodrome, one of Levantia's premier horse racing venues. Many of its professional sports teams predate the establishment of Urcea and Levantia's professional leagues, and is home to some of the world's most expensive sports venues, including the Union Avenue Grounds. The city is home to one Continental Baseball Conference team, the Urceopolis Imperials, and one Royal Association of Football Clubs team, the Urceopolis Archcats.

Professional

Baseball

Urceopolis is home to the Continental Baseball Conference's Urceopolis Imperials, one of the oldest and most successful franchises in the history of Levantine baseball. The Imperials play at the Union Avenue Grounds, a large baseball-only stadium located in the borough of Tecbaile, which is sometimes referred to as the "Imperial City" due to the presence of the team. Due to the history of the sport and success of the franchise, Urceopolis has been described by some as the "capital of Levantine baseball". The predecessor of the modern rules of baseball, the Metropolitan Rules and Regulations were first agreed to by baseball teams in the city and published in 1849.

Horse racing

Main article: Horse racing in Levantia

The Hippodrome, one of Levantia's largest horse race tracks and considered extremely prestigious due to the annual running of the Nanlucan Memorial Stakes, the second of three legs of the Triple Tiara, the best known set of horse race contests in Levantia. Accordingly, Urceopolis has a well established tradition in race circles as a center for horse racing, with the Hippodrome serving as a symbol of Urcean prowess within the sport. The Hippodrome - and adjacent racing industry centers, such as the Collegium Scientificum's Equine Sciences University in the borough of Elmont - contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the economy of Urceopolis and its surrounding municipalities.