Roazhon (+)
A city on the Ile and Villaine Rivers, belonging to the Dukes of Duchy of Breizh and the historic site of Ducal coronations.
Demographics
The city is largely built on the hills of the river valley, the elevation climbing as one heads Northwards. The "Golden Hills" of the North is considered the wealthy section of town, with the poorer section in the South.
As with many parts of Breizh, the gender ratio skews female and a small, but noteworthy subset of the population are Boermerzh or Milliget. Formorii, Korrigan and Tuatha de Danaan all have enclaves within the region.
Government
Considered one of the three "Ducal Cities" along with Naoned and Gwened, the city has a long history of Ducal power, serving as the administrative and garrison center of Breizh. The Breujou Breizh, a yearly gathering of nobility and wealthy merchants with the purpose of advising Ducal policy and bringing issues to their attention, takes place in Roazhon. Although executive authority ultimately resides with the Ducal power, the Estates of Breizh serves as an advisory parliament. It is made up of 1000 nobles, representatives of the Southern Church and representatives of 42 cities and towns of the Duchy, often rich merchants and guild-leaders. However, the Estates have become more known for their intense nightlife, lavish banquets and revelry. It has a reputation for rubberstamping whatever the Duke wishes, although this is not always the case. As a result, the town becomes flush with the noble and wealthy once a year, often leading to more debauched celebration than legislation.
The Breujou Briezh also operates as a Court of Justice, capable of dispensing Low and Average Justice, usually appeals by the nobility and wealthy merchants in personal disputes, covering a small range of topics including jurisdictional conflicts, the regulation of fairs and markets and disputes arising from the special privileges of certain towns, among other things.
Defences
Walled City
Industry & Trade
Noted for horsemanship.
Assets
Street of Thirst
Market of lists - on Tournament grounds
History
The Il-ha-Gwilen confluence was settled shortly before the arrival of the Remusan Empire, As the conquering armies marched northwards, the tribes of Roazhon, followers of the horse goddess Epona, united, marching against the invaders for a desperate last stand. Although defeated, their bravery and ferocity earned the city a fearsome reputation among the Remusan troops.
The city flourished under the Empire, its strategic position on the confluence allowing it to become a crucial point of trade and defense. The city became the "Gateway to Armorica", becoming a hub for the road network and the start of the primary Western route to Ker-Ahes. It joined the forces of Magnus Maximus, Emperor of the West during the final days of the Empire in the Western Realms, maintaining itself as a stronghold of Imperial power long after the actual Empire had collapsed.
The Southern Church established itself in the city shortly afterwards, from which it controlled the neighboring regions in Breizh, Anjev and Akitainia, using its central location and the Remusan Road network to ensure the Faith was kept. This influential position allowed the Bishop of Roazhon to exert a powerful influence over the nobility of Breizh, granting themselves sole authority to crown the new Dukes and Duchesses, although at times this has been striken from them. The First Bishop was borne into the town by 4 allied chieftains , which has given rise to a tradition that they enter the city for coronations the same way, carried by nobles of the Ducal Court.
During the early days after the collapse of the Empire, Gallia created the Marches of Neustria to include Roazhon, along with Gwened and Naoned, to confine the Bretoned to Lower Briezh. Within 300 years, all three cities had been absorbed into Breizh.
Architecture
The Golden Hills of the North are marked by large, tree-lined avenues of stone and the great townhouses of well-off merchants and nobility, drawn to the city by the Parlement of Breizh. These ornate stone buildings stand alone in walled gardens, granting a secluded opulence to the upper class.
The slopes of the hills consist of tightly packed half-timbered houses of all colours and sizes, winding along the cobble paths towards the Rivers.
Geography
The Coronation City is built in the hills at the confluence of the Il and Gwilen Rivers in Upper (Eastern) Breizh.
Located inland, Roazhon receives less rain than cities in Lower Breizh.
Alternative Name(s)
The Golden Crown
Type
Large city
Population
13,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Roazhaned
Included Locations
Characters in Location
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