Kavala (Altian: Καβάλα) is the regional capital of western Altis in the Republic of Altis and Stratis.
Overview[]
Formerly the capital city of the nation[1][2], Kavala is one of the largest settlements in the Republic. It is broken up into five main districts: central, eastern, western, northern and southern.
Cosmopolitan and famous for its (turbulent) history[1][3][4], the city is also well-known for being a hotbed of guerilla activity in recent years, which saw nothing less than two armed uprisings in over the span of just a decade.[5][6]
Although Kavala has since been succeeded by Pyrgos as the designated capital[7], it has continued to stay on one of the most densely populated and heavily built-up cities on the island. The country's seat of power may reside in Pyrgos but many government centres, such as the Ministry of Defense, remain located in Kavala.[6]
Notable inhabitants[]
- Kyros Kalogeros (formerly)
History[]
The city's origins date all the way back to the era of Ancient Phoenicia. The Phoenicians constructed a much smaller-sized settlement on what is now referred to as Old Kavala. The Phoenicians were subsequently conquered, and control of Kavala fell into the hands of Carthage[8] and later, the burgeoning Roman Empire.[9]
By 533 CE, the sacking of Rome and Altis' takeover by the Byzantine Empire, prompted another transformation of the city.[10] The Byzantine-Greek settlers greatly influenced the city's early architecture and layout, though it would eventually become abandoned for unknown reasons following an invasion attempt by the Saracens.[1][11]
Modern Kavala was then founded by Venetian merchants in the late 15th century, when the first batch of traders landed on the shores of what used to be Old Kavala in 1493 CE.[3] Under the Venetians, Kavala experienced a sweeping revitalisation; many new structures would be constructed over the ruins of the old city while others like the Kastro Fortress, were repaired and upgraded.[1]
Thanks to a steady flow of trade coming in from across the Mediterranean, the city flourished and helped to further expand its growth to beyond its then-current boundaries. For a total of five centuries, Kavala would continue on as the designated capital city of Altis.
Coup leaders announce the formation of the new junta (2026)
However, at the turn of the 21st century, political tensions grew, and the economy went into a freefall - sparked by an economic depression throughout the European Union. Deeply unpopular austerity measures put into place by the Altian government, helped to fuel a rising discontent within the city.[12]
Tensions eventually reached boiling point and resulted in a coup d'etat by rogue leaders within the armed forces in 2026. The rogue leaders, led by one man named Georgious Akhanteros, stormed their way into the central government offices and rounded up all civilian officials. Under the pretence of "restoring order" and disposing of "corrupt leaders", the majority were summarily executed by the coup leaders and control of capital fell into the hands of the new junta.[4][5]
The incident, infamously referred to as the "2026 Kavala Coup", would spark the outbreak of a civil war between government loyalists seeking to restore civilian rule against pro-Akhanteros forces. Kavala became the site of numerous skirmishes between the two factions as they viciously attempted to maintain control of the capital.[5] Four more years of bloody civil war ultimately resulted in a victory for the junta[4][13][14], and Kavala's status in the aftermath of the war was revoked; the new seat of power would now lie in Pyrgos in the country's south instead.[7]
The civil war's conclusion did not spell an end to the city's bloodshed, however. Barely months after the dissolution of the Loyalists, a new group calling itself the "Freedom and Independence Army" (FIA) had formed out of the remnants with the popular support of Altis' population.[13][14][15][16]
Nonetheless, the FIA had not proven itself as much of a threat to the junta as of yet, and Kavala remained at relative peace with the exception of the occasional roadside bombing or guerilla raid against regime forces.[17] It would not be until mid-2034 when, encouraged by a charismatic new leader, the guerillas would become designated as a significant threat to the junta's stability.[16]
Under orders from the new regime, hardline AAF troopers suppress protestors during the May 17th massacres.
On May 17th, 2034[4], the guerilla leaders agreed to a sit-down to negotiate a potential ceasefire with the junta.[18] All the while, the FIA quietly funnelled fighters into the city in preparation for an armed uprising. Less than an hour after the FIA's representatives arrived, Kavala became the site of yet more bloody fighting between the guerillas and junta forces.[6][19]
Hundreds of innocents were caught up in the uprising, and many were either maimed or killed in the crossfire from both sides.[20] The uprising failed to upstage the regime[6][19] and surviving guerillas were then rounded up and executed by firing squad.[21]
Almost a year later on July 9th, 2035[4], Kavala became the target of a joint CSAT/Altian counterinsurgency campaign against the FIA. The city was raided by allied forces[2], with numerous weapons caches and fighter cells destroyed in the aftermath of the operation.[22] On August 8th, Kavala was again the site of even more conflict as U.S.-led NATO forces landed on the shores of the city, easily overrunning the entrenched but understrength Altian defenders.[23][24][25]
Landmarks[]
Kastro Fortress[]
Originally constructed by the Phoenicians, the Kastro Fortress once served as an early warning outpost for sighting pirates and marauders.
It has now become a popular tourist attraction for travellers and locals alike.[26] The fortress overlooks the entire Kavala Bay and provides an excellent view of the south-western coastline all the way from Aggelochori in the north to Neri in the south.
Facilities[]
Hospital[]
Front entrance view.
The largest civilian hospital on the island resides in the eastern district of Kavala.
It contains a helipad large enough for EH302 helicopters to land on and consists of multiple floors along with a ground floor reception area/atrium and parking garage.
Kavala Pier[]
View of the pier at night.
Running across the length of the city's pristine beaches, the Kavala Pier is the only saltwater pier in the region large enough to support international cargo vessels.
Its surrounding beaches are extremely popular with beachgoers and surfers. Over the past decade, dramatic shifts in global weather patterns[27] have resulted in a boom to the local surfing-oriented tourism industry.
At night, the pier's countless food and souvenir stalls light up the entire pier and offers a stunning view of the bay and surrounding coast.
Ministry of Defense[]
Located at the base of the old Kastro Fortress[28][29], the Ministry of Defense resides in the western district and continues to serve its purpose even after the city's status was revoked.[30]
Petrol stations[]
The Altis-based Fuel company operates two service stations in the city.
One is located in the south-east along the road that leads towards Neri (at grid 040-125), whilst the second resides in the northern district in the direction of Aggelochori (at grid 037-134).
Stadium[]
Overview of the entire Stadium.
Though technically not considered a part of the city itself, this sports stadium has an athletics track and grandstand. It is located on the outskirts of Kavala next to the main highway. Due to its advanced age, much of the structure has visibly decayed over the years but most of its facilities remain usable.
On occasion, the stadium has been repurposed for hosting events other than sports, namely art exhibitions.[31]
Trivia[]
- Kavala is directly based on its real-world counterpart (the city of Myrina) on the island of Lemnos, Greece.
Gallery[]
References[]
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See also[]
| Settlements on Altis | |
|---|---|
| East | Delfinaki • Ghost Hotel • Ioannina • Kalochori • Molos • Paros • Sofia |
| South-East | Agios Petros • Chalkeia • Charkia • Dorida • Ekali • Faronaki • Feres • Nifi • Panagia • Pyrgos • Rodopoli • Selakano |
| Central | Agia Triada • Anthrakia • Athira • Frini • Gravia • Kalithea • Telos |
| West | Abdera • Aggelochori • Agios Dionysios • Agios Konstantinos • Alikampos • Athanos • Bomos • Edessa • Fotia • Galati • Gori • Ifestiona • Katalaki • Kavala • Kavirida • Kore • Koroni • Krya Nera • Lakka • Oreokastro • Negades • Neochori • Neri • Orino • Panochori • Poliakko • Stavros • Syrta • Therisa • Topolia • Zaros |
| South-West | Drimea • Eginio • Sfaka • Vikos |
| Islands | Stratis* |
| Military installations | Altis Aero Club Airfield • Altis International Airport • FOB Typhon • FOB Whiskey |
| * denotes settlements that are technically considered to be standalone terrains. | |