Helmira

Helmira, formerly known as Kythira and Helmsdeep, is the oldest walled city as well as the largest city in both the Kythiran Empire and Minecraftia by both population and surface area. Colloquially it is known as the City of Lights, the City of Palaces, the Imperial City and the City of Blocks. The megacity is located on the coast of the Narrow Sea, in the Kythiran Crown Province of the Heartlands.

The city was founded by H.I.H. Emperor Viromaro in the Third Era, although much of the city has existed as early as the late First Era in the form of the capital cities of the Kingdom of Kythira and the Kingdom of Helmsdeep. Historically and culturally the unification of those two cities have been seen as the birth of the Kythiran Empire Kythira's entry into modern history as a great power.

As Kythira's center of both trade and culture it receives numerous tourists and traders from across Minecraftia. It is the seat of the White-Gold Tower, the government of the Kythiran Empire, and home of the imperial family.

Culture

Helmira is a splendid city that was founded as a symbol of unity of nations and eras into a prosperous whole. It boasts of stunning architecture and numerous bridges over the River Helma. Its imperial history can be seen in the lavish palaces and museums that adorn the city. The most famous of these is the Helmitage Museum, located around the Bay of Splendour. It contains a vast collection of art and artefacts from around the world.

Helmira has always been a center of culture and creativity, attracting many renowned musicians, writers and artists. Some of the most celebrated names in Minecraftian history include arists hailing from or having lived in Helmira. Helmira’s musical scene is dominated by the Imperial Roterstein Theatre where visitors can enjoy ballet, opera and orchestra performances. The theatre is named after Crown-Prince Whazajottom Von Roterstein, a famous patron of the musical arts in the Empire.

One of the most distinctive features of Helmira is its Golden Nights, a period of time of time in summer when the sun barely sets and the city is bathed in a soft light. During this time, Helmira hosts a variety of festivals and events, such as concerts, dances, fireworks, sailing regattas, jazz shows and street parties. White Nights are a symbol of Helmira’s vitality and joyfulness, as well as its resilience and cohe older parts of the city have survived numerous wars and tragedies, including the War of Two Kings and the Great Grief.

In recent years, Helmira has become a popular tourist destination, offering a rich blend of history, culture and modernity. The city has many luxury hotels and fine restaurants, as well as a vibrant nightlife and shopping scene. However, Helmira has also faced some challenges and controversies, especially regarding its treatment of minority groups and human rights activists. Some foreign cities have cut ties with Helmira over its anti-gay laws and crackdowns on dissent3. Despite these issues, Helmira remains a proud and beautiful city that welcomes visitors from all over the world.

Originally the city of Helmira consisted of two capital cities of different kingdoms, Kythira and Helmsdeep, founded in the Second Era, separated by the Valley Lands. After the creation of the Kythiran Empire a larger capital city was required. This resulted in the unification of the previous two capitals into one larger city with the name 'Helmira'. 'Helm' standing for Helmsdeep, and 'Ira' for Kythira. A symbol of how the old world was united into one.