Aurelia

Known as the city of gold, Aurelia serves as a paradigm of free trade and commerce within the League of Southern Marches. Its population is primarily human, although dwarves from the nearby Burnt Mountains have found a home within its famous dwarven district. Merchants, artisans, and craftsman of all types thrive within the city walls, with access to copious amounts of raw materials, and accommodating policy that allows guilds to flourish.

Demographics

Primarily human, with some dwarves and gnomes.

• 84% Humans
• 14% Dwarves
• 1% Gnome
• 1% Dragonborn

Government

Unlike the authoritarian rule within the other cities of the league, Aurelia is ruled by a council of guildmasters. Each guild within the city has proportionate representation on the council, meaning that the most powerful guilds have the most influence. This has led to the Halcyon Trading Company operating as the de facto ruling guild of the city. Halcyon can issue edicts and set trade policy, to their benefit and to the detriment of their rivals. The second-most influential mercantile organization within the city is the Crimson Syndicate, although their Dorwinian customs have hindered their rise in power.

Districts

The city is separated into five distinct districts, headlined by the distinct dwarven district which features style, architecture and culture from the nearby dwarves of the Burnt Mountains. However, this does not mean the other areas of Aurelia are lacking in uniqueness.

• Dragonsthrone
• Dwarven District
• Halcyon District
• Harbour Ward
• Journeyman Village

Because of the focus on the trades, the city primarily focuses on the logical stages of a good being conceived, produced and ultimately sold. This can be perceived through the Journeyman District where many goods are created and raw materials finely worked. Many of the city's craftsman guilds are located here. Once the goods are produced, they are sold primarily through the Halcyon Trading Company which not only runs the city in all but name, but also domiciles their headquarters in its own self named district. Halcyon has built and grown this district into the wealthiest part of the city, and many of its higher ranking members reside here.

Guilds and Factions

In addition to the influential mercantile organizations such as the Halycon Trading Company and the Crimson Syndicate, Aurelia features a myriad of the finest craftsmen guilds in the region. This includes organizations dedicated to miners, smiths, jewelers, shipwrights, cartographers, potters, masons, and most importantly goldsmiths. The goldsmiths source their gold directly from Kazad Bryn, and craft the precious metal for both practical and ornamental purposes. Although the mercantile guilds dominate the guild landscape, the goldsmiths are undoubtedly the most influential craftsmen guild within the city.

History

Founded in 931 AR, Aurelia is one of the youngest settlements in Tusnya. Built on the eastern edge of the region, the city has faced many hardships due to its proximity to Uruger and the Burnt Mountains. Upon its founding, the humans who settled the land were fortunate enough that the dwarves of Kazad Bryn emerged to defend their territory from raiding orcs, gnolls, and other creatures of the mountain and the badlands beyond.
A few years into their existence, the settlers decided to launch an expedition into the mountain range that shields them from the beasts of Uruger, and although the dwarves had established a network of cities underneath, the landscape above ground was ripe with opportunity. In 946 AR, these explorers decided to push into the northern part of the mountains, to its highest peaks. Unfortunately for them, they learned why many have not settled this area or took advantage of its wealth of resources from the temperate mountains. Ashardalon the ancient red dragon who calls the mountains his home, lashed out at the explorers, devouring many and burning others to a crisp. Thus began an intense rivalry between the city and the red dragon, who on a number of occasions, would come down from his mountain lair and raid merchants traveling between Kazad Bryn and Aurelia. This dynamic created a need for the city of gold to create particularly nuanced weaponry focused on slaying dragons, with ballistae mounted on the walls, tilted towards the sky.
In 1020 AR, the now most famous former resident of Aurelia found his way to the city. Arjhan Prexijandilin of Uruger made the ultimate sacrifice, leaving his family and friends behind and made the pilgrimage. His travel was brief, but intense, as Ashardalon once again made his presence known, and attacked the dragonborn and his clan. Arjhan made it safely, and after a few years it was clear the dragonborn would be key to their military prowess, training and leading the neophyte guard to a more acceptable level. He even commanded the elite golden spears for a time before his departure for Riven.

Geography

Located at the foot of the Burnt Mountains, Aurelia has access to the mountains, the hills, and the ocean. Safely nestled within the Golden Hills, the city is naturally protected on nearly all sides. To its north is the nearly untraversable terrain of the mountains, while the south and east of the city is the Aenean Ocean.

Founding Date

931 AR

Type

City

Population

~17800

Inhabitant Demonym

Aurelian

Location under

Tusnya

Owner/Ruler

Virsten Crestleaf

Owning Organization

League of Southern Marches