Bluespire
It is an unfortunate fact that the single most defining feature of Bluespire as both a city and kingdom are the position of playing second fiddle to Silverspire. The city is populous, beautiful, and prosperous. A center of trade and culture for the region, which is also scenic and fruitful. Sitting along the shores of Long Lake, the city has grown far beyond its initial bounds, sprouting small towns all along the lake’s shores to profit from the water’s bounties. It is a grand and idyllic kingdom, just not quite as much so as its bigger, older sister.
By total acreage the two kingdoms are approximately the same size and both fairly dense in the populations, but Silverspire has more people. The Azurite Temple sits right at the water’s edge; its picturesque arches, statues, and stained glass are all masterworks, but they do not quite live up to the Argentine. The armies of Bluespire are well trained, outfitted, and numerous, actually slightly more so than Silverspire’s forces proper, but are vastly outstripped when the Imperial Guard is added to the capital’s number. And perhaps worst of all, the citizens, nobles, and especially the ruling House Stillwater are painfully aware of this fact. The ruling House Stillwater style themselves Princes and Princesses, knowing that titling themselves as kings and queens would likely offend their dragon lord but still wanting to elevate themselves above the Dukes of Silverspire. It is to them almost as if every accomplishment is made in vain attempt to surpass their rivals to the west. One can almost feel the envy in the air. Everyone is just a touch too cheery, too boisterous, and especially too quick to anger when things go awry. It could probably be overlooked by a foreigner unaware of the situation, but to those in the know it is omnipresent.
However, in the name of fairness and impartiality, the following is also very much true of the Kingdom of Bluespire. The capital of the same name sits along the shore of Long Lake, a section of the Blue River where it widens significantly and the current slows to a crawl. The lake and river are bountiful with fish, one of the staples of the kingdom. Further upstream on the kingdom’s border is the town of Gold Post. This trade town exchanges foodstuffs, leathers, and other open country products for dwarven stone and metal, but especially their finely crafted goods. Bluespire markets are flush with high quality dwarven wares, and knights and nobles who can afford it contract custom weapons and suits of armor to be crafted for them. The kingdom extends all the way northward to the Sea of Norinia, spanning fertile farmlands called the Blue Fields, with towns like Middlingham and the Waise Inn.
Though most of the kingdom’s military might is centered in the city of Bluespire, it does also contain several smaller outposts. Guarding the main east-west road across the kingdom is a fort known as High Rise Tower for its position atop a hill. The rise is nothing significant, but is tall enough to give the battlements a commanding view of the surrounding countryside. At the far north of the kingdom along the coast is the small town of Highwater Lookout. The town itself sits along the beach, while a fort and watchtown rest atop the cliffs above. While the primary sea trade town of the kingdom, its primary purpose is to guard against raiders from across the sea and to give Bluespire at least a small naval presence, should it find itself in conflict with a rival kingdom.
The ruler of the kingdom and head of House Stillwater is Princess Emma. Born a wealthy merchant’s daughter, Emma was elevated to the position of Princess when she married her late husband. She has ruled as a widow ever since he died in a griffin riding accident. Her son, Prince Tyrek, has slowly been taking on increasingly more governing duties from his mother now that he is of age. It is well understood that she will retire and let an “actual” Stillwater rule outright soon enough, but would like to see her son first find a bride. The Prince is seen as brash and confident, but also quite capable. He is often credited with being the best griffin rider alive, perhaps a dubious title once one learns how badly his family wanted him to be a dragon rider. There is a degree of concern that he will find the daily work of rulership too dull which, in conjunction with his quick temper, might hinder his decision making upon the throne. Perhaps pairing him with a cool headed wife might serve the kingdom well.
Bluespire is a wealthy and powerful kingdom in its own right, if only it could overcome comparisons with the capital. It is rich both in coin and culture and worthy of praise and the pride of its people. Far and away the second most powerful kingdom in the Empire, if only it did not wish so strongly to be number one its citizens and leaders would likely lead happier, more fulfilled lives.
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