Alcaster

Alcaster (formerly known as Räsgard) is the capital of the Kingdom of Hildonia, and formerly the capital of the Empire of Räsgard until the construction of the Reisenstag. It is located at the intersection of the Aiberrun and Padia rivers, and just north of the great Tasrand Forest. Alcaster is home to Hvitsholm Keep, the historic seat of power of House Reisenwulf.

Description

Alcaster is divided into four quarters, each with its own specific focus. The Sapphire and Ruby quarters are situated on the east side of the Aiberrun river, and the Diamond and Emerald quarters are located on the western banks, themselves separated by the Padia River.

Diamond Quarter

Located in the southwest of the city, the Diamond Quarter is home to the majority of the governmental and legislative buildings, as well as the home of the royal family.

• Council District: The Council District is the governmental center of the city. It is home to both the Imperial Forum and the Grand Court, as well as a number of noble households. Through the center of the district runs King's Way, a wide boulevard along which are constructed statues of past Räsgardian emperors and empresses.
• Eliosan Plaza: At the center of the Diamond Quarter is the Eliosan Plaza. Perpetually blossoming cherry trees line the pathways through an exquisitely maintained park, its enchantments maintained by sages from the Eloqui Order specifically trained in nature magics. In the center of the park is the Great Arcaneum, the largest library within the Empire.
• Count's Common: A small park built off of King's Way, dedicated to the household heads of House Reisenwulf that predate the establishment of the Empire. In the center is a large statue of Wulf riding upon a great auroch, and at each corner of the park are statues of Gaigan, Elbric, Johannes the Lesser, and Ursus Reisenwulf.
• Royal Plaza: Due south of the Council District one will find the Royal Plaza. Separated from the rest of the district by the Fringian Walls, the plaza contains the Royal Guard Barracks and the Grand Basilica of Ekhart, the only temple dedicated to the god Ader within the kingdom. Flanked by great oak trees, a paved pathway of smooth white stone leads to a central fountain, from which spouts warm water from a hot spring beneath the Ourranian Hill. This pathway continues on up the hill to the main gate of Hvitsholm Castle, the historic seat of House Reisenwulf. The iconic spires of the keep stretch high above this ancient castle, proving an imposing sight to all around.

Emerald Quarter

The northwest section of Alcaster is known as the Emerald Quarter, and is the economic hub of the city. Most businesses operate from here, due to its proximity to the largest dockyards in the city.

Sapphire Quarter

Located in the northeast section of the city, the Sapphire Quarter is a largely residential area.

• Velvet Ward: The Velvet Ward is populated mostly by upper-class residents who nonetheless are not members of the nobility or ruling class.
• Linen Ward: Middle-class artisans and traders populate the Linen Ward. While not as opulent as the larger domiciles that make up the Velvet Ward, most houses here are either single-family homes or townhouses split between two families.
• Leather Ward: Made up mostly of apartment buildings, the Leather Ward is where the majority of workers who have been able to save up enough to move out of the Cotton Ward live.
• Cotton Ward: The Cotton Ward is the name given to the area within which lives the poorest of Alcaster's citizens. City guards patrol the streets here in an effort to keep crime at a minimum, and while it can hardly be considered a slum it is still a district that most respectable citizens avoid.

Ruby Quarter

In the southeast of the city is the Ruby Quarter, wherein lies the Military Academy and Royal Barracks. Within this area the professional standing retinue of the crown trains, as well as the City Guard. By law, no soldier may enter the Council District except as a private citizen. Additionally in this quarter is Castle Wessenheim, the original city keep that was converted to military use after the construction of Hvitsholm Castle.

History

The town of Räsgard was founded in 1312 by Wulf as the seat of the newly-established House Reisenwulf. Due to its strategic location at the intersection of the Padia and Aiberrun rivers, over time it grew to dominate trade in the region. During Augustin's Rebellion the city became a rallying point for rebel forces, and after the war it was named the capital of the fledgling Empire of Räsgard.
The city grew larger and stronger over time, eventually sprawling across the banks of the rivers. In 1509, Emperor Gustaf the Builder ordered the construction of a second set of walls around what was once considered the city's outskirts. At the same time, construction began on a new keep within the city's walls; this would become the iconic Hvitsolm Castle.
The city remained the capital of the Empire for nearly 250 years, until Emperor Gustaf III moved the capital to the city of Ömstad; subsequently the city came to be known by its current name of Alcaster. This move is often cited as one of the major catalysts for Gustaf's assassination by his brother Albrecht and the subsequent civil war that led to the loss of the Kingdom of Vätteroth. After the war, Gustaf III's victorious son Oras elected to keep the capital in Ömstad, where it remained until the dissolution of the empire in 1831.
Despite no longer being the capital, Alcaster remained the largest and one of the most important cities within the empire. After its dissolution, it was named the capital of the Kingdom of Hildonia, a status it retains to this day.

Notable Locations

The Great Arcaneum

Full article: Great Arcaneum of Alcaster
The largest library in the Empire, the Great Arcaneum is located in the center of the Eliosan Plaza and divided into four floors. A central atrium stretches up to the ceiling, although large iron bars line the opening to the atrium on the fourth floor.

Fountainpool Inn

Located in the Council District halfway down King's Way, the Fountainpool Inn is a respectable tavern that hosts councilmen and traders alike. It is owned and maintained by Dwight Lintman.

King's Way

A large boulevard running from the Padian Bridge to the Eliosan Plaza, it is lined in the center with statues of each Emperor of Räsgard. Halfway down the boulevard there is a break in the statues after that of Emperor Frederick, where a large fountain is built. After the fountain the statues resume again with Gustaf II and ending with Aelin. In recent weeks a new statue has begun construction, which has become a subject of great controversy both domestically and abroad.

Blackcat and Butterbean's Fine Goods and Rare Trinkets

Located in the seedy dockyard markets of the Emerald Quarter. Known to sell rare goods that the proprietors claim to have collected on their travels.

Notable Individuals

• Queen Harriet- Queen of the Kingdom of Hildonia and pretender to the Imperial Throne of Räsgard
• Jorah Hellbourne, King-Consort of Hildonia
• Distran Hellbourne, Grand Prince of Hildonia
• Viniza Valenti, Captain of the City Guard
• Columbus Oakbottom, Royal Armorer
• Dwight Lintman, owner and proprietor of the Fountainpool Inn

Full Name:
Alcaster
Also Known As:
Räsgard (formerly)
Leader:
Hereditary monarch
Current Leader:
Harriet Reisenwulf
Population:
35,000
Affiliation:
Kingdom of Hildonia
Continent:
Eigentica
Region:
Aiberland
Districts:

• Diamond Quarter
• Council District
• Emerald Quarter
• Sapphire Quarter
• Velvet Ward
• Linen Ward
• Cotton Ward
• Leather Ward
• The Woolies
• Ruby Quarter

Points of Interest:

• Castle Hvistholm
• Eliosan Plaza
• Great Arcaneum
• Count's Common