Nestled in the heart of the Seldrin Peaks, the towering mountain range that stretches far and wide, lies the city of Aerovale, a marvel of engineering and innovation. This sprawling metropolis, built across several high-altitude ridges, seems to defy the natural order as it clings to the jagged peaks, its foundations rooted deep into the mountainside. What was once a humble settlement has grown into a sprawling city connected by a vast network of advanced airports and skybridges, creating an intricate tapestry of life suspended between the heavens and the earth.

Origins
Aerovale’s rise began nearly two centuries ago when a group of daring aviators and pioneers, seeking refuge from the turbulent political climates below, discovered the untapped potential of the Seldrin Peaks. Here, high above the world, they found a place of peace, where the air was thin but rich with the promise of aviation advancements. They built small airstrips on the ridges, using them as launching points for their growing fleet of airships and airplanes. Over time, the city expanded, evolving from a mere outpost to a thriving hub of innovation, trade, and industry.

The City and Its Airports
The main city of Aerovale is built across the highest ridge, where the airbase stands as the beating heart of the metropolis. Valebase, the city's largest and most impressive airport, is not only an aviation hub but also a manufacturing complex. It's a sprawling city within a city, with towering hangars, vast assembly lines, and repair bays that hum day and night with the roar of engines and the grind of steel. Aerovale is renowned across the globe for producing some of the most advanced airplanes, from sleek passenger jets to military aircraft designed for the highest altitudes.

From Valebase, a series of smaller, specialized airports and airstrips stretch across the mountain ridges, each serving a different purpose. Some are dedicated to research and testing, while others facilitate the transport of rare mountain resources, luxury goods, and the famous Seldrin Silver, a unique metal mined from the peaks. These ridges are connected by skybridges that weave between the mountains, creating a network of walkways and railways, offering breathtaking views of the valley below.

In addition to the airstrips and skybridges, the entire region is equipped with a series of advanced vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) pads. These allow the citizens to travel between ridges without the need for traditional runways, giving Aerovale an almost otherworldly ability to navigate its impossible geography.

The AeroTactical Aeronautics Corporation

At the forefront of the city’s technological advancements is the AeroTactical Aeronautics Corporation (AAC), a conglomerate that manufactures both civilian and military aircraft. The corporation is the lifeblood of the city, driving its economy and shaping its identity. The AAC's headquarters, located on the central ridge above Valebase, is a massive fortress-like structure, surrounded by research labs, aircraft assembly lines, and testing grounds. The airbase is a showcase of their work, with countless aircraft, both in development and retired, scattered across the tarmac. The AAC is also responsible for the ongoing development of Nimbus Engines, an advanced propulsion system that enables planes to travel with unmatched speed and efficiency, making Aerovale the center of aviation excellence in the world.

The People of Aerovale
The citizens of Aerovale, known as Aerovians, have a unique lifestyle shaped by their mountainous surroundings and reliance on aviation. Most Aerovians are highly skilled engineers, pilots, or mechanics, and a significant portion of the population works in the aviation industry, from air traffic control to aircraft design. Many are born into the profession, learning to fly and repair planes from an early age, while others come from distant lands, drawn to Aerovale’s promise of opportunity and innovation.

Aerovians live across the ridges, with homes perched on cliffs and ridgelines, accessible only by air or through a series of complex paths. Transportation is dominated by small personal aircraft, with families owning their own VTOL crafts or airships. The city's architectural style is a fusion of sleek, modern designs and robust, fortress-like structures designed to withstand the harsh winds and low oxygen levels at these high altitudes. Despite the extreme conditions, Aerovians have adapted to life in the mountains, developing a hardy, resilient, and resourceful culture.

Aerovale's Role in the World
Aerovale serves as the central node for air travel, not only providing transportation to the remote corners of the world but also as a base for trade and commerce between nations. The region’s vast network of airports makes it a strategic military asset as well, with the ability to deploy forces rapidly through the air. Many world powers have their own embassies in Aerovale, and its skies are often filled with foreign dignitaries and military aircraft alike.

Due to its isolation in the mountains, Aerovale maintains a unique position in global politics, remaining neutral in international conflicts while continuing to foster trade relationships through the unparalleled mobility it offers. The city also serves as a key player in humanitarian missions, with its fleet of planes capable of reaching even the most remote or disaster-stricken areas of the world, offering assistance and supplies where others cannot reach.