Norcastle Settlement in Greyacre | World Anvil
BUILD YOUR OWN WORLD Like what you see? Become the Master of your own Universe!

Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild

Norcastle

Norcastle is the capital city of Greyacre and has 4 mile wide river flowing straight through the middle. The middle of the river has a small island with the main castle, where The Council of Dragons holds its sessions and meetings. The city was home to upwards of 15,000 folk in the surrounding homes, farms and establishments at its peak before the war. The numbers never recovered this strongly post-war with most of the eastern side of the river still vacant in fear of living too close to The Lonely Forest.

Demographics

Old Town

Old Town is the centre of Norcastle, and facilitates much of the trade and opportunities in the city, as well as the home for the wealthy and aristocratic. Many of the buildings have the original, old builds from before the war, with a spin of new builds where damages were sustained. Architecture lovers travel from far lands to see the beauty within the city walls.  

Fishridge

Outside of the castle walls are largely poorer farmlands and river-side dockworkers, specifically Fishridge. The whole ward was built up by river-based trade, with many boats travelling up from Cliffbeach to sell within the city. Don't hang out here after night, unless you know your way around a blade.  

West Road

West Road is largely occupied by travellers staying at inns and simple folk that work in and out of the city.

Government

Prince Ulrich and Lady Angleen used to be the rulers of Norcastle before The Dark War. Since then, the city and Greyacre has been run by The Council of Dragons.

Defences

Norcastle is a walled city with a checkpoint at each major entrance. Upon arrival, visitors are asked to   The Legion of Ash are a Norcastle-based guard faction, that serve The Council of Dragons. They have an extremely presence at the riverside, and at the external walls. Their barracks is also near the river and the dock, for easy access to the island when required. They're led by their fearless captain, Strauss Fronke, and are always on the lookout for brave new locals to join their ranks. Their official crest (on their armour and weapons) is a dragon rising from ashes. It's also not uncommon to see the guards riding Wyverns in emergencies.

Industry & Trade

Fishing is a major trade and pastime in Norcastle, with many mooring fishing boats along the river's edge.

Infrastructure

Norcastle is one of the most economically advanced locations in Greyacre, and especially post-war there was a large drive to get it back up and running. Unfortunately, the easy side of the city was left ruined and wanting, while the western side booms with trade and visitors.

Banks

The large families of Norcastle felt nervous at the lack of security in the decades following the war, and thus invested in a banking system. The main vault can be found in the north of Old Town, but requires a substantial sum of money to even gain an account. There are also many unofficial banks throughout the city (i.e. loan sharks).  

Magewrights

Many common folk started studying the arcane ways after the war, and strangely it took on. Many normal folk always seemed to have some invisible glass ceiling in their abilities (and focus), however the last few decades saw a boom in folk becoming proficient in the arcane ways. A few years ago The Council of Dragons passed a motion to ban magic above a certain ability level in the city and the surrounding areas. Lockmage followed suit, as did Cliffbeach. Following the uproar, some magic was legalised, but only under a certain licence, opening a path for a wealth of spellcasters to offer their services for a price.  

Taverns

Norcastle is known to be cosy and welcoming for locals, but less so for outsiders. The whole war thing left a chip on their shoulder. Here are some notable ones:
Foreman's Tavern
Two story stone walled building with a heather thatched roof. Run by an elf called Alotel. Their known for their variety of boiled eggs, stout and perry.  
The Bloody Respite
In a civic quarter. The street outside is a covered walkway with many twinkling lights. Owned by a halfling, Wiggan Honeypot. The tavern is a timber framed single storey building, with a gray shingled roof and nicely trimmed hedges. It contains large persian rugs on the floor and a fire pit cooking food in the middle of the tavern. They roast their own coffee and make stout.  

The Night's Sygil

A jewellery shop with a dragon head above the entrance, owned by a female dwarf named Brwanvil Bophubb. She has a son called Ogdin with her wife, Audreyn, who works at the Orange Pony at Castle Ardinham.

Geography

Norcastle has a 4-mile-wide river flowing straight through the middle from the mountains
Ursaria (13th Age)

Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild

Comments

Please Login in order to comment!