====== The Argent Ring ======

The Argent Ring is a massive ring structure that orbits the entire circumference of the planet [[locations:hyborea]]. It relies on a number of spirit-powered artifices to create gravity and atmosphere for its inhabitants.

Its large size, and proximity to the Hyboreans' homeworld, has made it the primary port of call for the majority of vessels within the Hybora system.

| {{  small image }} ||
| **Overview** ||
| Location | [[locations:hybora|The Hybora System]], in orbit around [[locations:hybora:hyborea]] |
| **General Characteristics** ||
| Population | 2.3 Billion |
| Key Details  | Planetary ring-turned-port \\ [[shards:hfs|Hybora Free States]] capital" |

===== History =====

<blockquote>//Above the world of Hyborea sat a ring of shining silver. It wrapped all the way around her waist, but not too snugly. It had the comfortable fit of something that was well-worn and carefully chosen.\\
\\

The Argent Ring, as it was called, had once been a ring of rocks and ice around the blue world. It had captivated the planet's inhabitants for generation upon generation, until at last they found a way to reach out and touch it. The first voyages had not gone well. The ships made it well enough, but the brave passengers had not fared well in the cold, airless reaches of space.\\
\\
For Hyboreans, science never really took hold. There was little reason for it to go beyond the basics. When asked why a thing happened, "magic" is a convenient answer that was often enough true. That left them with a poor understanding of the more necessary fundamentals when it came to getting space travel right the first time. \\
\\
The scientific method - or the "magic method", as they were wont to call it - did, fortunately, exist. When the first ships did not return, subsequent ones were sent with a more .. careful approach. Less bravado, more careful study. The notion that the atmosphere simply stopped at some point came as quite the shock. The lack of gravity was received in much the same manner.\\
\\
As creatures who were familiar with going above and below the sea, the lack of these two things was not seen as particularly large challenges to overcome. Ways to capture and recycle air around ships had been discovered long ago and gravity was solved easily enough.\\
\\
And so, armed with little more than magically enhanced sailing ships, the first Hyboreans reached the ring around their world.\\
\\
Many, many generations later, it had been converted into a sprawling port that circled the entirety of Hyborea.//</blockquote>

===== Description =====

A massive white ring that contains buildings on both sides of its structure. It has the sprawling feeling of a city that grew with the needs of its citizens instead of by design, and buildings often seem piled on top of each other or jutting out from the sides of its superstructure.

As most people travel not by car but by 'boats' of varying sizes, it has a feeling akin to Venice or other old port cities. Ships can be seen coming and going at all hours of the day.

A surprisingly large portion of its over two billion residents are transient. At any given time, some half a billion of its population might be traveling to other locations within the system. Inns, bars, and other sources of amusement for those who are home for short periods of time with too much currency in their pockets are common sites along the entire length of the ring.

Even the Argent Ring itself, de facto capital of the Hybora Free States, is not truly organized under the rule of any one group. Different sections have their own cultures and leaders who do not always agree. Should the need arise, enough of these leaders can come together to form a Captain's Council and make decisions that affect the entirety of the Free States - at least, for as long as they all get along.

===== Plot Hooks and Rumors =====

As perhaps one of the largest port cities ever created, nearly anything can be found on the Argent Ring.

  * Any plot involving trading or transporting goods - legally or otherwise - can start from the Argent Ring
  * Master craftsmen are in high demand. Anyone with skilled hands and a keen mind can easily find themselves employment at one of the thousands of crafts guilds along the Ring's length.
  * The various leaders on the Ring are more than happy to cause problems for the others. Smuggling, sabotage, and more are all highly encouraged so long as they do no collateral damage to their own territories.
  * The Ring itself is so heavily enchanted and spirit bound that it is nigh-indestructible. Ships crash into it periodically, destroying businesses and neighborhoods but leaving the Ring itself unharmed.

===== Places of Interest =====

<nspages locations:hybora -r -h1 -textPages="" -actualTitle -naturalOrder -nbCol=2 -exclude -hideNoPages>
===== OOC =====

  * **Player** [[user:whisper]] created this on 2021/07/16 22:54.

==== Usage ====
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