Relholdt City.

You can see the face of the cliff divided by the waterfall, gently tumbling over the cliff’s tiers and disappearing beyond the trees. Just aside it, clear as day, lay the rises of Rellholdt City. Stone houses and structures jut from the side of the cliff, and standing amid them is the unmistakable tops of Suffrenia Castle, the earth carved around it. A stone marker along the trail points in its direction, the path turning from earth and soil to cobblestone as it draws near the city.
Rellholdt is one of the oldest cities on Ithica with a storied history. The half-elf Rell Suffrenia was an outcast among the human civilizations, and was discarded and ignored by the elvish ones. Such a life would lead a man to hate those that scorned him, but Rell persevered, finding acceptance among those of different races in an adventuring party. He acquired a fortune working with these comrades and, when he had had his fill of creeping through caves and plundering tombs, he spent it in erecting a city he could truly call home.
Rell choose a beautiful spot of earth, touched by trees, stone, water, and sky, for his city to grow to life. The process began nearly 400 years ago, and took decades to complete, though Rell never lived to see it finished. He passed away when what would become Suffrenia Castle was merely a hole in the cliff, piles of timber, stone, and scaffolding. His son Metaryn took over his father’s duties, naming the city after Rell, and titled its hallmark castle for his family.

Government

Rellholdt has held a monarchy along the Suffrenia family line since the city’s inception. Since Metaryn’s days, young heirs were married off quickly and prompted to reproduce. Kings and queens of Rellholt have always been half-elves, and the city has seen its share of both good and bad rulers. Currently, the city is ruled by King Leto Suffrenia, married to Queen Sarnya, father of Prince Menaras and the younger Princess Taen. The children are too young to take to court or learn politics, but the king and queen actively instruct their vassals about how to enforce law, conduct events in the city, and hold audiences with their supplicants.

Defences

Rellholdt City’s structure within the cliff makes it seemingly vulnerable to a pincer attack on different fronts, but the city has never endured such an attack in the four centuries of its existence. Nonetheless, the Suffrenias have a standing force of just over 1,600 men which patrols the city. This force watches the city’s borders and generally keeps the peace. The Suffrenias also have ties to mercenary forces and allies spread far and wide; should the city find itself under siege, it wouldn’t be long before aid would arrive at the half-elves’ beck and call.

Industry & Trade

A little bit of everything goes on within the city limits. Residents make their lives as laborers or tradesmen, and plenty of goods are sent to and from the city on a daily basis. Rellhodlt doesn’t have a reputation for specific goods, but it is a popular destination for those intrigued by its beauty. That is enough to keep interested minds and fresh coins returning year after year.

Type

City

Population

7,950