City of Dunland
The walled City of Dunland sits at the confluence of the Frostrill and Rivenscar rivers. Dunland is the capital of the kingdom of Rivnar. Dunland is the largest city within the kingdom and is a hub for artisans, traders, and scholars. Dunland is also the home of the Hall of Lords the central location of governance of Rivnar.
The City has been a Centralized Trading hub and gathering site for Lords and ladies of the kingdom of Rivnar for centuries.
Since before the Kingdom of Rivnar was formed men have gathered at a location the city was formed around called High Hill for the last two centuries now has a grand fortified Keep atop it known as High Hall. The hill and hall are a place of great historical significance to the citizenry and subjects of the kingdom of Rivnar as it is said that it is a site of powerful magics where a man can only speak the truth when sitting at the great stone table atop High Hill within High Hall.
The Grounds below the High Hill were first settled by tribal clans over 450 years ago and several clans called these grounds their home and even blood has been spilled in those early years over which clan called the land its home. These sometimes Feuding clans would always gather to end feuds and settle disputes on High Hill.
Demographics
85% Human, 5% Gnome, 4% Halfling, 3% Dwarf, and 3% Other Races.
Government
Dunland is Home to the Council Hall of Lords known as the "High Hall" Lords and leaders from all around the kingdom of Rivnar Travel to this hall at the end of each of the four seasons to hold court and to handle affairs of the kingdom and seek an audience with the King of Rivnar
Defences
Much of the City is surrounded by 20' high walls and several key towers. High Hall is a walled keep independent of the city itself and at the highest point overlooking the whole city and both rivers. The Knights March Bridge has a Drawbridge gate and Barbican that houses nearly 100 soldiers and each district has its own garrison tower that holds between 20-40 soldiers or militia. A lower river wall and stone docks occupy the Eastbank while older stone docks and narrow defensible stairs serve West landing district.
Industry & Trade
The City of Dunland Thrives on Its Trade along the Frostrill and Rivenscar Rivers. Commonfolk rely on fishing and farming mostly along with Dairy and Meat produce with the Well to do tending to artisan work such as larch scale bakeries, Brewing, and winemaking or metalworking and jewel craft. Dunland is known for making some of the best Port Wines in the kingdom and some of the metalsmiths here are considered to rival even elven and dwarven works.
Infrastructure
Knights March Bridge, Several Fountains & Wells, Wine Distillaries, Breweries, Barge and Boatyards, Water Storage Cisterns, and Cobblestone streets within the city walls. Sewers for Districts within the city walls, quarry, sawmill, outriders & courier services, Daily Travel Coaches, Grainery mills, River Barge and Ferry services, and Fisheries.
Districts
- High Hall (The Keep and Housing for the Lords)
- The Climbs (Rich district of Merchants and the Gentrified)
- Eastbank (Dock and Trading district on the Eastern side along the Rivenscar Banks)
- West Landing (Boat and Barge landings)
- The Burroughs (Hillside honeycomb of ancestral cave homes at the Rivers Confluence)
- The Grove (Some of the Oldest shops and Homes at the North foot of High Hill)
- Traders Rise (A stretch of homes and Artisan shops on a ridge above West Landing along The Frostrill River)
- Knight's March (Cottages, Inns, and, Shops on the Southwest bank of the Frostrill Across Knights March Bridge)
Assets
It is said that Dunland being at the confluence of two great rivers could never run out of water and it is said that water is pumped from these rivers into 3 Underground Cisterns that could supply the city for at least 3 years under siege. Abundant trade from its centralized location sources says that the city has nearly enough food to last its citizens for as many as two years from the grain stores alone. However, many well-to-do citizens have stores of their own, not to mention the ease of access to fishing. Since nearly two-thirds of Rivnar's Wealthy and Nobility live in the city of Dunland the city is considered to be much wealthier than and Town and district coffers are rife with coin from nearly 70 years of peace.
Guilds and Factions
Several Guilds and Organizations have chapters or headquarters in Dunland some are listed as follows:
- Council of Lords
- Mercenaries Guild
- Templars of Aella
- Guild of Merchants
- Blacksmiths Guild
- Winemakers Guild
- Rivermen & Longshoremen Guild
- Outriders Guild
- College of Bards
- Guild of Elemental Magics
Points of interest
Knights March Bridge greets you if you approach on the Western side a massive granite bridge spanning the Frostrill River several hundred feet long and towering 50 feet above the river. All sorts of Traders and Hawkers walk the Bridge looking to make coins by selling you all manners of goodies or wares.
High above you will see High Hall a stout granite and Blue shale roofed keep on a rocky mound overlooking the whole city. Past the walls of the keep, you will see homes of the city's nobility known as the Climbs District probably some of the better-patrolled areas by the city's guard and constabulary.
In the Grove District's Square, you will find 5 Prominent Great Oak trees shading the whole square their branches are illuminated by Oil lanterns by the city lamplighters at sunset and maintained all night this square is home to many of the oldest Merchant Establishments and Artisans in the city.
Traders Rise boasts the home of the Winemakers Guild Hall a large arched whitstone building with Clay tile roof. The Guild Hall Proudly maintains a Garden and Festival yard that is the site of many tasting festivals and events of a social nature.
Eastbank is known for the Docks and River Barges along with the Seasonal Caravan Markets. During the Spring The Mercenary Guild Hall holds Combat Tourneys.
In the Climbs the Temple of Aella Promnantly has the best view of the Great Rivers Confluence other than that within the Walls of High Hall. It is a known place of Hospitality and healing with services to treat the Sick and diseased and also a sizable Guest hostel. In addition, it is known for its hall of the Templars.
At the Nothern, most end of the West Landing district is a Granite Tower spire that has a roof that shimmers and changes color by some sort of magic. This tower is home to the Guild of Elemental Mages it is said the Towers Roof changes color depending on the primary form of elemental magic its current guild leader has or what sorts of magics are being learned at the guild that day only Elemental mages could actually tell you the true reason but most will not reveal the true reason behind this magical display.
The Burroughs are some of the first ancestral homes and forms of settlement before the city was even a city. Homes were built using the natural caves within the Granite stone of the area at the southern bank where the Frostrill River and the Rivenscar meet. Although not within the actual city walls the Burroughs is considered part of the city and many of the homes here have Timber and stone fronts covering natural caves that honeycomb the Granite Hillside facing the Walled Section of Dunland Proper and the Infamous High Hall.
Tourism
Visitors to the City of Dunland come to not only look at the splendor of the city but to partake in one of the many festivals or seasonal trades. They come looking for that which can't be found in smaller cities skilled artisans and craftsmen, perhaps to hire some well-trained mercenaries or personal guards.
Wine and Good food are abundant in Dunland there is certainly almost any sort of meal to please even the more subjective tourist or traveler.
When the council of Nobles Gathers at High Hall this is a time when Inns and Taverns are probably at their fullest as many of the nobility don't travel alone but with sizable retinues depending on their standing. While many of these nobles will be in the High Hall itself or within seasonal homes or homes of relatives in the climbs The rest of the city's better Inns and Establishments might refuse boarding to common visitors without considerably much more coin or some sort of proof they serves as part of a royal retinue.
Some of the more popular Inns for Travelers are:
- The Red Robin Inn (Traders Rise)
- The Ardant Mole (The Burroughs)
- The Hostels at the Temple of Scyleah (The Climb)
- Bonard & Bonard Inn (Knights March)
- Milles Bed and Brew (Knights March)
- Undershade Inn (The Grove)
- Riverfront boarding house (Eastbank)
- Archway Inn (West Landing Under the center arch of the Knights March Bridge barge fare 2 Copper Coins)
Architecture
Much of the city's residents live in Timber and Stone structures many of a Tudor style construction with more wealthy residents having homes of whitestone or granite construction with blue slate roofing.
Geography
Dunland most Iconic features are the rising riverbank hills with a prominent Great Rock hill Known as a High Hill that overlooks the Great Frostrill and Rivenscar rivers that come together at the southeast end of the city.
Climate
The confluence of two mountain rivers provides a slightly cooler climate for most of the year with mostly mild winters lasting no more than 2-3 months. The Climate is ideal for an abundance of crops to be grown in spring, summer, and fall. Summer heats rarely get over 100 degrees Farneheight and most of the year there is some sort of wind. The Rivers during the deepest winters can become partially frozen but still navigable with greater dangers being during the spring melts and rainfall as very large chunks of ice flow downriver from higher grounds.
Natural Resources
Granite, Fir, Oak, and Redwood Timber, Fish, Shellfish, and Eel, Berries and Grapes with grain from the countryside.
Type
Large city
Population
11,500 inhabitants
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