Founded in the early years of the Romulan Diaspora, the Ecurai (“Hope”) colony was a quick favorite among those who set foot on the verdant world. Indeed, few knew the world had once hosted an ill-fated Federation colony, though most residents were aware of the ‘old quarry’, a stony chasm left by the aggressive Borg action decades prior.
The Ecurai settlement began in a lush river valley amid a number of ancient plateaus near the world's equator. Early settlements clustered around the plateaus, with numerous buildings carved into the sheer stone of the cliffs, or along the river at the center of the valley. Departing from the typical centric nature of Romulan civic planning the city instead grew organically, it's neighborhoods dotted with open air markets and public plazas.
By the dawn of the 25th century the valley settlements had come together into a singular contiguous Metropol, home to some seventy thousand residents. A number of reunificationist groups thrived in the open minded society, but by and large its chosen governance was seen as a return to the core principles of the Romulan people - recognition in merit, prosperity in effort.
On stardate 86224.1 a joint Tal Shiar and Elachi strike force ravaged the Romulan colonies established on Jouret IV. Of an estimated world population of nearly one hundred fifty thousand, it is believed that only ten thousand colonists survived.
Points Of Interest:
Ihhuein Cordaihkhev’re Shipyard
[destroyed - 86224.1]
A terrestrial drydock noted for its opportune location in the Neutral Zone, the shipyard was a source of some contention for early colonists. Though downriver from the colony, the shipyard drew coolant water from the very river from which it took it's name (Atlai Ihhuein Cordaihkhev’re: “River of Ihhuein’s Faithful”, lit. “River of the Faithful of The Element of Water”). However, it's economic impact on the fledgeling colony cannot be understated. Attracting everything from freighter captains to remnant Maquis, Ecurai served as a valuable port on the edge of the tumult of Romulan space.
Surahk Bilire’na
[destroyed - 86224.1]
Meaning ‘Surak’s Peace’, the small commune lay 240 kilometers northeast of the colony proper, set into a range of mountains. Modeled after traditional Vulcan farmsteads the residents devoted themselves to a particularly ascetic interpretation of the teachings of Vulcan philosopher Surak. Believing their Romulan heritage made them inherently more volatile the sects adherents led their lives in austerity in the hopes that this would better prepare them for the rite of kohlinar. Prior to its destruction at the hands of the Tal Shiar the site was known for its use of Vulcan revival architecture, and it's temple was known among some reunificationist as ‘Little P’Jem’.
Second City
[destroyed - 86224.1]
Built in a bay on the east coast of the main colony, Ecurai’s Second City was built much more in keeping with the traditions of Romulan city building. It's walled citadel occupied the entirety of the bay's sole island, and civic engineers expanded its shores to create a perfect circle to house the settlements civic facilities. It's residences largely occupied the coastline of the bay, interspersed with the expected market districts. Trade ports were relegated inland, set some distance from the city proper. Throughout its history it maintained a population roughly half that of the main colony, peaking at roughly fourty thousand residents.
Eirehhedra Eihssliorae
[destroyed - 86224.1]
A rocky waystation between Ecurai’s capital and it's coastal Second City, ‘Sunlight Passage’ began as a frontier settlement and remained that way until it's destruction. The town drew its name from the mountain pass it occupied, the rocks gouged in such a way that the pass would receive direct sunlight throughout the daylight hours. Only ever housing ten or so thousand residents at a time it was regarded by most as more of a waystation than a place to make a home, though those who craved a more rugged lifestyle often trekked the mountains in the summers.
Spoiler: To Do:Show
Formatting, expansion, maybe pictures if I find myself feeling SUPER motivated.