After centuries of conflict, the ancient city of Thetis was conquered by its chief rival, and subsumed by Hedonia. Thetis is known for its trading ports and shipyards, where many of the empire's biremes and triremes are built. The ancient ziggurat at its center houses the fabled Hanging Gardens, and the surrounding bazaars showcase a menagerie of exotic creatures, including baboons, green tigers, and the rare aquatic equine, the nereid.