Wallsend

he city of Wallsend is an old military fortress tucked into the base of Mount Arundel, part of the lowest ranges of the south-eastern Rhakhis Peaks. The city lies at the eastern end of the Conqueror's Boundary - a crumbling stone wall that formed the border between the kingdom of Avalon and the kingdom of Eá-galwen, before the fall of both kingdoms following Avlar's conquest.
Arundel Keep, the fortress in the highest tier of the city, has never been conquered by an armed force, and serves as a bastion of defence for the The Dawning Empire just as it did for the Kingdom of Eá-galwen. It is the primary stop along the king's road from the capital city of Hope to the city of Trinity, connecting the Empire's Heartlands to the ancient forests of Avlar's Folly to the north.
The city is set into Mount Arundel, its seven tiers of white-grey stone walls keeping its many citizens safe from harm. While the higher tiers are occupied by the homes of the nobility and the Dawn Guard headquarters, the lower tiers find themselves heavily influenced by various guilds who operate out of the city. There are three main organizations that have significant power in the lower tiers and are constantly embroiled in disputes. These factions are the Miners, the Magi and the Courtesans.

Under Galweni rule, the city was administrated by a council of nobles who presided in the upper tiers of the city. This remained the case following The Breach, with the fortress being one of the few bastions of the old world where the nobility were not overthrown by organizations of the people leading the way. The city was one of the first to join the Dawning Empire, with the nobility seeing much to be gained by allying themselves with the first Davistan Emperor.
The political climate of the city changed somewhat around one hundred years ago, with the infiltration of the Sons of Avlar within the city. Young noblemen, enticed by promises of a lost bloodline and a legacy of power, began to subvert the Empire's rule, spreading anti-Avanís doctrine amongst the populace. The cult was destroyed, with the help of the Prelates of Trinity and a band of adventurers. Since this event, the Emperor gave stewardship of Wallsend to The Dawn Guard, allowing the noble families to remain so long as they swore their fealty to their new protectors. Sir Lenhardt is the current Lord Commander of the city, and ensures equilibrium amongst the nobles and factions of the city's many tiers.
Following the demise of Avalon and the opening of The Maw, the security of Wallsend's fortifications ensured that it was one of the first cities to recover economically from the disaster. Bands of adventurers would gather in this safe haven, and were the first explorers to venture back into the ruins of Avalon and plunder the ancient city for powerful magical artifacts. Trade from Wallsend, making it the hub that it still is today.
Times have not been so good for the city since its darker period of history. While the Sons of Avlar were thwarted a century ago, there are still many underground and shady dealings that happen in the city, with the guilds acting as much like gangs as they do formal institutions. The Dawn Guard do well to ensure that criminal activity does not threaten the city's inhabitants during the day, but it is said that it is unsafe to wander the lower tiers of the city at night, lest you be taken and thrown in the fighting pits located somewhere beneath the city.
Despite this, the guilds of Wallsend ensure that money is always flowing here, with the Miners guild in particular fueling a very healthy export chain of ore, minerals and jewels.