Avinhon (+)

The headquarters and Ecclesiastical center of the Southern Church.

Demographics

As the stronghold and temporal center of the The Southern Church, Avinhon is almost entirely human, save for prisoners and the occasional delegate or visitor. While some Boermerzh are tolerated, Milliget are considered heretical and strictly forbidden from entering the Rock of Winds, restricted to a ghetto outside of the city walls, used as whores and muscle by criminal gangs. Despite its proximity to Tolosa, the gender ratio within Avinhon itself leans towards male, greatly aided by the patriarchal Church.
Sidhe and Re Vihan are strictly forbidden from entering the city, with Nathair in particular killed on sight.

Government

The High Priest of the Faith is the spiritual and temporal leader of Avinhon from his palace atop the Rock of Winds, aided by a conclave of Cardinals, Bishops, Priests and lay servants. Day to day operations are carried out by Camerlengo Bishop Marinzelli of Albi.

Defences

Avinhon's walls and moats were partially destroyed by Gallia, but remain partially intact. The Rock of Winds is protected by 3 rings of fortified curtain walls and towers, each separated by a fortified gate along to twisting path upwards.
The Swords of Mithras, the personal army of the High Priests, patrol the City and Rock of Winds, one of the most well-trained forces of Bedoaur. A veritable army of Gallian and Tolosan soldiers makes up the city watch, a force in its own right to protect the City and, to a lesser extent, Pickpocket Square.
The Church maintains alchemical and magical protections as well, including sqaudrons of Ironbloods and Alchemist-Mages.

Infrastructure

The city can be divided into three sections: The Rock of Winds, the Inner Walls and Pickpocket Square.
The Rock of Winds is the true heart of the Faith, a massive ecclesiastical structure housing the great Temple of Elouan, the Palace of the High Priests and hundreds of other religious and administrative buildings, built along the winding road to the Great Chapterhouse and the Lantern of Elouan. 6 windmills sit atop the stained glass gothic structure of the Great Chapterhouse, powering the alchemical magic within the complex. The Rock is a paradise of lavish palaces and private gardens, extraordinary churches and libraries and well-lit streets, patrolled by the high priest's personal army, the Swords of Mithras.
The Inner walls are marked by large, wide streets, a prosperous city of pink sandstone, with colourful alchemical lights strung over the passages. Forges, churches and a sewer system are found within the walls.
Pickpocket's square is located between the fortified bridge of Pont d'Avingon, a lively ghetto of disrepute, run by those who flock to the wealth of the Church, but are not permitted or interested in entering the city proper. Pickpocket Square is a cluster of ramshackle buildings built along an elevated promenade on the banks of the Rhone.

Assets

By human standards, the wealth of the Southern Church is limitless and immeasurable, a constant flow of gold into its coffers and immediately out again on massive building projects and lavish lifestyles for the upper-clergy of the Rock of Winds, who dress finely, entertaining themselves with debauched celebrations of excess and nightly feasts. The Alchemists of the Rock of Winds are matched only by the Cabal at Menez-Mikael, filling it with alchemical marvels. Skyships from all over Bedouar land regularly at the docks at the Great Chapterhouse bringing the nobility of the Realms to its heights.

History

Although settled before the Empire conquered the area, the city remained a small outpost until its collapsed, the Church forming a small monastery on the windswept rocks, a center of learning and alchemical study taking advantage of the violent, magically infused winds rushing through the bleeds of Arle and Tolosa. This became a target of the chieftains of early Gallia and Saracen raiders from Slaver's Coast, completely destroyed in a counterattack by Gallian forces. For a time, it was held by Arle, serving as one of its largest cities until it was gifted back to the Church by Louis Blindeye , King of Arle. The bridge at Avinhon was the only crossing of the river, ensuring its economic growth. Later, the surrounding nobles of Tolosa marched on the city, taking it into their territory.
Given some autonomy as a result of a dispute between the Counts of Provence and Tolosa, the city thrived as a center of Church power. It was a key stronghold in the Albigensian Crusade hosting the council that excommunicated Raymond VI of Tolosa. The city attempted to declare independence several times, but was crushed, first by Gallia, then by its Anjevin allies. Its ramparts were torn down and its moat was filled. The city shifted between Tolosa and Arle for some time until the reign of King Philippe Le Bel of Gallia. Phillipe, eager to fill his coffers with the wealthy city, signed a treaty with Arle allowing him to claim Gallia's sovereignty to the "Eastern Bank of the Rhone", which the lucrative city lay beyond. Arle agreed and Phillipe damded the river below Avinhon, causing the overflowing river to flood the city, making it his domain. Louis Blindeye, furious, marched against Phillipe, but was greviously wounded in the battle and forced to retreat, leaving the city within Gallian control.
Avinhon became a key part of the Black Crown Affair, as Phillipe orchestrated a series of coups against his debtors and political enemies, including the Church. A political schism erupted between Gallia and the Church authorities at Remus as Phillipe levied a tax on Ecclesiastic properties of 1/2 of their revenue. For some time, Phillipe had been manipulating the clergy to place his allies in key positions in the Church hierarchy within Gallia. The High Priest of prepared to excommunicate the King and place his Kingdom under a devastating interdict, essentially forbidding the practice of the Southern Faith in Gallia, including burials. Before this could be executed, allies of Phillipe sprang their trap, attacking the High Priest in his own villa and beating the man to death.
The High Priest's successor, an ally of Phillipe and in no mood to attempt a repeat of his predecessor's fate, agreed to move the conclave from Remus to Avinhon, nominally independent between Arle and Gallian Tolosa, but truly under the direct, unmistakable control of the Gallian Royals.

Geography

The city is built on a limestone plateau on the banks of the Rhone River, swept by constant, strong winds. The Rock of Winds looms above the rest of the city.

Alternative Name(s)

The Gilded Cage, the Windswept Lantern

Type

Large town

Owning Organization

The Southern Church