Phaltzgraff

The city of Phaltzgraff is settled upon five hilltops on Buttress Hills, with each hill developing separately for a time until they connected to form a larger settlement. With such an arrangement, came the ability to project power upon a larger area and especially the easiest and most travelled path through the hills, which positioned the budding settlement for early domination of its surroundings. The central position of what was to become Mielschtaff Confederacy provided the city quick access to most important resources while allowing it to develop its cultural and administrative branches to better organize and control the Confederation.

During the Cataclysm of 4802 AoUP, the city of Phaltzgraff was almost completely destroyed. In the years following the destructive event, Mielian survivors gathered again to revive the ruined city. Now as an organized entity, the Mielschtaff Confederacy rebuilt the city into a jewelled crown that would truly hold the central position within the country - a planned effort to build a city worthy of being called a Capital.

The Hills of Phaltzgraff

The city of Phaltzgraff is mainly positioned over the original five hills. However, as it grew and was rebuilt, the city came to encompass more different features around the valley and the hills. Despite that, the five hills are the central focus of the main five districts of the city, and after the city was rebuilt, each was assigned a focused purpose in the way that the city functions.

Royal Hill (!!!)

The Royal hill is the main administrative centre of the city. This is where the Graff's palace is located, as well as the Throne-warden's seat. This district houses the logistical lifeblood that keeps the Mielschtaff Confederacy functioning over the many leagues that it encompasses. The hill is notable for having only a few buildings that function as houses or residences, while most buildings on the hill are offices and governmental structures. The walls that surround the district are doubly tall and thick than those of the other district's and boast self-sufficient defensive mechanisms, as well as a whole slew of guard posts of different branches.

Military Hill (!!!)

The Military hill is comprised mostly of barracks and drill yards for the Mielschtaff army. With most of the army being comprised of professionals (nearly 70%), the Military hill also serves as a housing location for most of the army's officers and ranking officials. The hill also boasts many armouries and supporting structures, such as stables, siegeworks, army forges and separate granaries. The central feature of the district is a huge park-like reserve, that serves as an in-city location for various army games and training - complete with its own small forested area.

Temple Hill (!!!)

The Temple Hill is a collection of temples and cathedrals that house the officials of the religious branch of the country. It also serves as the main centre of magic study and training, because magic practice is sanctioned by the same religious authorities that are located on this hill - and keeping a close eye on their leadership. Most of the city's libraries and schools of higher education are located here as well, along with the residences of those who work on the hill. The walls of this hill are part of the old structure that survived the Cataclysm and therefore represent one of the oldest still-standing parts of the city.

Beggar Hill (!!!)

The Beggar hill is incidentally the largest of the five hills, and it would have to be, because it houses the vast majority of the city's population. The district is crammed full of shacks built next and on top of each other, and people live in squalid conditions, making the area rife with crime and strife. The district boasts its own separate guard, known as "Clankpots" by the locals. The walls of the district have been ruined a few times after the rebuilding effort, as part of the riots that took place here, and are now a jigsaw of stone, palisade and brick.

Elite Hill (!!!)

The Elite hill serves as a complete contrast to Beggar hill. Most of the city's middle- and high- class citizens have their manors and residences here, and it is spacious enough to provide them with ample room. Many of the city's officials who don't live on one of the other hills have their houses here. Nobles of lower standing can also be found on the hill, and upper-class guild stores and workshops call Elite hill their home.

The Cobblestone Alley

The road that leads through the Buttress Hills is colloquially known as the Cobblestone Alley, despite being almost 30 feet wide in some places and boasting four lanes of traffic. The wider area that bears the same name is the commercial centre of the city, boasting several large markets, and multitudes of roadside guild stores and workshops. Forges, bookstores, smithies, general supply stores - all can be found along the cobblestone streets around the central thoroughfare. This part of the city is one of the best guarded and patrolled parts and boasts three toll gates along the main road. It also provides the most direct way through the city, and consequently through the Buttress Hills area.

Government

The City of Phaltzgraff is ruled by the Graff of the same Duchy (!!!), despite also housing the Throne-warden of Mielschtaff. The Throne-warden himself doesn't have a say in how the city is run on a day-to-day basis, but can dictate policy for the city's direction and development. Therefore, it falls to the Graff to supervise the Duchy and delegate the running of the city proper to a noble who functions as the de-facto mayor of Phaltzgraff.

Defences

The city of Phaltzgraff is surrounded by tall walls that cut into the cliffs of the hills that make up the city area. The walls feature round 6-metre-wide turrets on 15-metre segments, with crenellations and murder holes. Some of the turrets feature wooden mantlets for roofs, but those have not been built on all of the towers. The outer walls feature two main gates, with gatehouses, guard posts and toll-booths, complete with double portcullises and banded hardwood gates. There are also two smaller postern gates, that direct traffic to and from the outer hills areas, east and west of the city. The walls also feature up to eight sally gates, built into or under the main fortifications.

Each of the hills has walls of their own, which connect to the main city wall, except for the Royal Hill, whose walls are disconnected from the others for safety reasons. They are mostly built on higher ground than the outer walls and sport taller square towers with sharp tall roof and arrowslits built into multiple floors. The towers are spaced at 10-metre segments, with the main gate and two postern gates.

Founding Date

4543 AoUP

Alternative Name(s)

The Five-hill Crown

Type

Capital

Population

~ 65.000

Inhabitant Demonym

Phaltzgraffians, Phaltzers

Location under

Buttress Hills

Owning Organization

Phaltzgraff