Semyon is the gate of Azum. Semyon is the continent's symbol. Semyon is what usually comes to foreigner's minds first when they hear or see 'Azum'. And: when we speak of Semyon, we autimatically speak of the Port of Semyon, since this is the place where most foreigners - tourists, scientists, journalists, merchants and so on - land, the biggest trading center and thus the most important place of transshipment.
A popular description of this town and its port is, "Semyon is not Azum" - which seems to contradict what was said before. But this statement absolutely fits, as a matter of fact. Staying in Semyon only for a few hours makes you forget The Rain ever existed: you see a town and the docks, Azum's architecture and traditional fashion, both mixed with modern and foreign elements here and there; people celebrate under the sun, seamen exchange unbelievable stories of their latest adventure, children make the huge 'bazar', Azum's second biggest market, their playground, trying to snatch fruits or wonderous tools from other continents while their mothers' hearts sink when they hear their sons and daughters managed to escape their superivision...
Even the fact that most buildings lie close together, especially in the bazar area of the town, often connected by a corridor, collonade or a simple canopy going from one wall to that of the next building, seems to be part of Semyons character - lively, buzzing, colourful, filled with the voices of shouting merchants and haggling customers, squeaking children, crying doves, grunting camels and hectic music - and not an expression of the old fear of a second Rain. Nevertheless, even Semyon has a subterranean area (broken line): it has got only one floor which nowadays mainly holds companies for the production of food and fabric, as well as many stores and manufacturies from where products are sold/shipped throughout Azum and abroad. But also being an extension of Semyon's bazar, the subterranean area, with a sense of humor called 'underworld', is known for black market activities - and even the local Clan department is often willing to turn a blind eye to the harmless ones among those illegal trades.
Semyon itself is surrounded by a 30ft high wall, that is broken by five gates which are closed at ten in the evening: you then have to get registered by the gate's guard. Between the wall and the bazar area lies the calmer, more tranquil part of Semyon where it's less crowded and agriculture is the focus of living.
Basically, all parts of Semyon have access to electricity, coming from a power station around a mile away from the city. Many people however refrain from using it - or don't have the money to afford it.
1. bazar area
2. less crowded area/agriculture + wall
3. trading port
4. fishing and private port
5. industrial port + manufacturies
6. fishing villages along the coast
7. pasture, plantages + rice fields
