Hanau

Overview
Hanau (Huh-nau) is a major economic hub located on the Southernmost continent of Alathra founded and currently led by Aethelmod.

Founding
The city's founder, Aethelmod, had originally began life as a resident of Fort Roberts, located just east of Hanau's current location on the same continent. Feeling unhappy in Fort Roberts, Aethelmod looked towards the beautiful forests and hills out west, establishing a settlement there. With him was Westerian, another resident of Fort Roberts who happened to be a visionary and a builder. Together, the two worked day and night to plan and construct one of the most beautiful cities in the known world.

The Southern Union
Upon the founding of the city, Hanau joined forces with the town of Fort Roberts to establish a nation which would be known as the Southern Union. This nation was established with Fort Roberts as the capital, although Hanau quickly became recognized as the diplomatic and economic hub of the fledging nation.

Haven Incident
Days into the founding of the Southern Union, the Emperor of the Union came to Hanau with another resident of Fort Roberts, and notified Mayor Aethelmod of a new town that was founded just Northwest of Hanau. They then traveled to the city of Haven on the Emperor's orders to "force" Haven to join the Union, as it would be unsafe to the growing nation to keep an unaffiliated town too close to the nation's border. After visiting Hanau, leadership of Haven accepted the offer and soon, the cities of Hanau and Haven enjoyed a very strong friendship together.

Geography
Hanau is located on the Southernmost continent of Alathra, wedged between three different biomes but primarily located on the river that divides the Snowy Taiga and Taiga biomes. Hanau is recognized as one of the Southernmost cities in all of Alathra.

Government
The city has a rapidly growing population but no properly established government. Hanau is governed by Aethelmod, who serves as the de-facto leader and decision maker, while Westerian serves as the city's assistant and helps with administrative work when Aethelmod is unavailable. One of the highest positions one can obtain within the city is the role of Builder, also known as Architect. This role is quite literally given to those within the town who assist in construction, as regular everyday citizens are not allowed to build their own structures within the city unless they have direct approval from the city's mayor.

Flag
The flag of Hanau is a vertical double stripe, with red on the left and yellow/gold on the right. The red depicts the blood from hard work put into establishing and building up the city, while the yellow/gold represents the wealth of the city.

Customs
Residents of Hanau enjoy architecture and trade. Often times, visitors to Hanau will find a Builder working steadily to construct a house, often accompanied by the city's bard and resident alcoholic, hasur, who enjoys playing music from a chair at his front door.

Religion
Hanau has been declared as a safe haven for all religions, but follows no specific set of beliefs.

Economy
Hanau benefits heavily from trade, and trade within the city is primarily dominated by lumber, as Spruce wood is highly valued by all cities throughout Alathra for its beauty and sturdiness in building, and Hanau's home region is dominated by Spruce trees.

Southern Union's Oldest Building
Hasur's house, which also serves as a brewery, is officially recognized as the oldest building in the Southern Union as it was the first building to be constructed and lived in.

Altes Rathaus
Altes Rathaus, also known as Old Townhall, was used doubly as a home for the city's Mayor as well as a government office. Many international meetings were held here, as well as domestic meetings both within the town and within the nation of the Southern Union.