Astera is built primarily out of wood, some taken from the very ships that brought the Research Commission to the New World. It sits below a waterfall between the Ancient Forest and Wildspire Waste.
Astera is more of a base than a village, built to support the Hunters and researchers as they explore the New World and its ecology. It is built in three primary tiers. Winding stairs and a waterwheel-powered series of chain pulleys serve to move people and supplies from one tier to the other quickly.
The Tradeyard is the ground floor, containing docks, supply caches, research "offices" (really more of a massive pile of books), a meeting area, and an Ancient Tree. Some of the former ships also serve as bunks for hunters new to the area.
The second tier contains the Workshop, where weapons and equipment are developed, and the Canteen, which serves food. Lodging for veteran New World hunters can also be found here, as can a training area.
All inhabitants of Astera are members of the Research Commission.
Hub Lass
Arena Lass
Armory Merchant
Provisions Stockpile Merchant
Elder Melder
Endemic Life Researcher
Chief Engineer