Auphelia

Overview

Template:!World Infobox Auphelia is a semi-arid desert planet located in the system of Drakath, situated in the northern Inner region of the Paleas Arm, Florathel. The planet is considered home to 21.4 billion people. The planet's climate is hot and dry, with little rainfall situated inland, and moderate amount of precipitation in the coastal areas of the continent. Auphelia is orbited by a single moon called Taral.

Environment

Auphelia's environment is very hostile to numerous life-forms on its internal regions of the continent. The planet's high temperatures and lack of natural precipitation makes it extremely difficult and unfeasible for most anthropomorphic and various species, and crops to survive for extended periods of time. With the planet's inexorable climate, combined with its large sprawling deserts, sparse oases, most major settlements been established near the oceans of the continent. It is the only place where average rainfall and habitable temperatures can be found. Various large and smaller unincorporated settlements are also located inland, where oases provide the only source of water for miles. These oases are vital to the survival of any life living in the interior of the hostile Auphelian continent, and are heavily guarded and fortified by the settlements that reside nearby. Traveling between settlements is dangerous, and often necessitate considerably skilled personnel, special equipment, and vehicles to traverse the vast desert.

Cities

Titan Coast

The planet's capital, Titan Coast, or officially the Capital City of Titan Coast has been constructed nearby the Thetyus Ocean. The city itself spans five-hundred miles along the coast and inland for fifty more. It is a bustling eperopolis with over 8.5 billion people calling it home. Most of its residents live in dense high rise buildings along the water's edge or on floating residences that bob on top of the waves like giant lily pads. The city also boasts one of the largest ports in all of Minbar region, which allows ships to travel up and down its length with ease, taking advantage of trade routes along its shores. There are several other major cities similar to Titan Coast, dotted across the immense Auphelian continent, but none come close to matching its size or population density.

The city center is a massive collection of skyscrapers with streets made from reflective metal that dazzle in the bright sunlight. Every block is seamed with towering palm trees and other tropical plants that give the city an almost surreal utopian feeling. The city's weather is moderate year round, and the city has a huge number of things to do. There are mega museums, art galleries, concert halls and hypertheaters. The shopping center is also abundant with high-end designer boutiques across Florathel and luxury stores on every block. The city is also infamous for its vibrant nightlife scene, which is considered by Titan Coast inhabitants to be second to none compared to nightclubs across Auphelia's major cities that stay open until dawn. The citizens of Titan Coast are a cosmopolitan bunch, with residents hailing from all corners of Florathel. The city is home to diplomats, business moguls, celebrities, and other important figures. It is also a popular tourist destination, due in part to its stunning beaches and resorts.

The city of Titan Coast is governed by a system direct democracy, with each registered inhabitant (natural-born or naturalized) entitled to vote on all laws. The voting age is set at 18; younger residents may participate in a restricted capacity, the coastal city is also home to several important administrative buildings, including the Titan Coast Metropolitan Authority Building, and the Eperopolitan Forum.

Ahketun

Officially known as the Ahketun Eperopolis (AEP), or Ahketun for short, is the second major city of Auphelia, and home to 7.85 billion people, the city is one of the largest trade ports of Auphelia, and the only one with a major spaceport in the centre of its metropolitan area. The city is located on the eastern coast of Auphelian continent, the city also receives a moderate amount of rainfall annually.

The city also hosts numerous large number of regional businesses, financial institutions and major galactic corporations, as well as the Auphelian Stock Exchange. The city is also home to a large number of immigrants across the Palean Arm, who come seeking work and opportunity.

Ahketun Central Eperorpolitan Spaceport

The Ahketun Central Eperopolitan Spaceport (ACES), is located in the centre of the Ahketun metropolis, and situated next to the Central Authority District, and is considered to be one of the largest, and busiest in the Inner Palean Arm. The spaceport is measured to serve over 5.2 billion passengers monthly, and over 62.4 billion passengers annually. The terminal building itself covers 350 square kilometers, and is one of the tallest buildings in Ahketun. The spaceport is considered as a powerhouse within the Ahketun economy, and serves over hundreds of thousands of departures and arrivals daily. The spaceport also maintains a very large dock system that is capable of handling the most largest vessels ranging from small civilian vessels to colossal starliners.

The Ahketun Central Authority District
Auphelian Stock Exchange Building
The Ahketun Central Eperopolitan Spaceport

Auphelian Royal Ahkimetic University

Ahketun is also home to the Auphelian Ahkimetic University (AAU), a leading intergalactic university that possesses numerous number of scholars and undergraduates across Auphelia. The university itself consists of over 7 separate campuses located in different parts of Ahketunian eperopolitan area, each with their own unique specializations and courses. The university's main campus covers over 50 square kilometers, which houses a number of facilities, administration, and departments. The university is one of the principal sources of city revenue for Ahketun, and provides a number of employment opportunities from major companies in favor of new graduates from this university.

Ahketun Grand Library

The Ahketun Grand Library is also a notable campus in AAU, being one of the largest libraries in Auphelia with over 700 million books within its compilation. It holds many ancient texts that are not found anywhere else in the Florathel, making it an important research facility for researchers, analysts, and historians alike around the galaxy. The library itself covers over 6 square kilometers, making it the second longest building on the Central Authority District after Vincentius Palace.

Vincentius Palace

Vincentius Palace is a large aristocratic palace located in the Central Authority District, previously serving as the official residence of the Vincentius Dynasty. It covers over 15 square kilometers, making it one of the largest palaces in Auphelia. The palace contains many luxurious amenities and facilities, such as a large private garden, a swimming pool, a movie theater, and a number of restaurants. It also contains a number of art galleries that contain some of the most famous works of art in Florathel. the Vincentius Dynasty was overthrown in the Ahketun Insurrection, and is now open to the public.

Letes

Letes is the third largest major city of Auphelia, officially known as the Greater Letes Eperopolitan Area (GLEA), the city also neighbors Ahketun.

Natural Satellites

Auphelia only has one natural satellite; Taral, which orbits closest to Auphelia and thus appears larger in the night sky. Taral experiences tidal locking and has only one permanent side facing Auphelia. The day length on the light side of Taral matches that of Auphelia's (39 hours); however, the dark side experiences an eternal night which never ends. Many Auphelian natives refer to Taral as "the satellite" or simply "satellite". In some native languages, it is called by different names; in Valkari it is known as Umrao Leilé ("The Great Moon"), while in Ravaïtau it is referred to as Revuri Hulka ("The Night Planet"). The Kitrani name for Taral - Gosara Si'at- translates roughly into "mother star" or "star mother".