Azure Citadel
Demographics
The citadel's primary residents are the Azure Dragonlord and the members of his or her council.
Residents are primarily human as well as a few siathi and wolflings.
Government
While the Azure Dragonlord is the head of the provincial government, he doesn't oversee the day-to-day affairs of the citadel. It is his job, in conjunction with the Azure Council, to deal with the larger affairs.
The council reviews reports sent from all over the province. One day of the week is set aside to hear petitions from the people. In times of war, this tradition is suspended.
The council is also tasked with allocating tax revenue. Much of it goes into maintaining the army, conducting repairs, and trade with other provinces.
A wolfling by the name of Whiterun is in charge of the day-to-day affairs and ensuring that the citadel continues to function.
Defences
There regiment of soldiers is generally viewed as unnecessary, as the city of Hash-Beneir (including the citadel) is protected by a magic shield. The spell controlling it was put in place shortly after construction was completed. Knowing that cities grow over time, the spell was designed to grow with the city. This was accomplished by placing spelled stones on pillars set into the city walls. Whenever the city outgrew its boundaries, these stone were moved to a new pillar.
The city's architect didn't anticipate the First Darkrider Incursion or that magic would fall out of favour soon after. It is something of a miracle, then, that the city's shield stayed viable until the early days of the Fourth Darkrider Incursion.
Industry & Trade
Trade is essential for the continued running and maintanance of the citadel and its residents.
There are several blacksmiths, armorers, and leatherworkers responsible for creating the armor, saddles, and weapons used by the Azure Coterie. This is where crafters learn to make dragon saddles and armour. A few are sent to work in garrisons around the province. They also teach young riders how to maintain their equipment.
Guilds and Factions
The most notable of these is the Azure Coterie.
The Union of servants, headed up by the Steward, oversees the hiring, training, and pay of the citadel's servants.
Pages are tasked with carrying messages, delivering meals, and assorted other small tasks. These are most often the children of provincial nobles and wealthy families. On occasion, the members of the Coterie have children or spouses who work in the citadel.
The Armorer's Faction is an offshoot of the smith's guild. All armorer's start off in the smith's guild top learn the basics of working metal.
Leatherworker's Guild
Smith's Guild
History
The Azure Citadel was still under construction when the city of Hash-Beneir was declared finished. It wasn't completed until 2 years later. There was a delay in getting enough tiles for the roof. They weren't painted blue until the third Azure Dragonlord took up residence. They've remained so since then and all replacement tiles are painted to match.
The first Azure Dragonlord, a woman named Tiamalynn, made it her home as well as her center of government. Many of the original furnishings and tapestries from her time remain, although some are so delicate that they are kept away from the general public.
While plans began to build the city in the year 664, it took many years to find a suitable location that was agreeable to the remaining nobility. The initial site chosen was on the banks of the North Kenalowa River, not far from where Petrasya is in modern times. Shortly before construction was due to start, two things happened to change its site.
An avalanche in the Vileshte Mountains uncovered a significant deposit of construction-grade stone. Once they heard about it, the coalition of nobles decided it would be best to relocate the site to one closer to the river, which would put the city closer to building materials, cutting the costs significantly.
The second was an attempt by the marauding Darkriders to invade the fledgling provinces. If the city were to move closer to the river, it would give them an earlier warning.
In the year 717, construction finally began on the city of Hash-Beneir. It was completed in 725. In 727, the citadel was complete and ready for its inhabitants to move in.
Architecture
Despite it's name, the citadel is made of ordinary materials. The outer walls are made from grey stone mined from the Vileshte Mountains. The roof tiles were made in Petrasya from clay and painted blue. Any time a tile needs replacing, more are ordered from the family who made them in the first place.
Geography
The land is mostly flat. It isn't well-suited to farming, but some types of grain and berries thrive well in the tough soil.
Prior to the construction of Hash-Beneir, the area had been densely wooded. Those trees were cut down to make room for the city and to be used in its construction.
Climate
The weather is mild relative to the rest of the province. As a whole, Ta’lakivor Province is north of the equator and outside of the extreme heat experienced by those in Gira’loyis Province and northern Me’chu’sholan Province. Hash-Beneir itself has a lower average temperature due to its proximity to the River of Sorrows.
Snow is a rare phenomenon, but it has been known to happen.
It does, however, suffer from repeated infestations of small, biting insects every few years. While these insects are present during late spring through early summer, they're largely tolerable. In hotter years, more of their eggs are viable, leading to swarms that irritate its citizens both bipedal and dragon alike.
Natural Resources
Hash-Beneir is situated near the banks of the River of Sorrows. Fish is a common food as it is both cheap and easy to acquire.
The area to the east of the city is mostly grasslands ideal for the raising of cattle and sheep. There are several poultry farms to the north that supple the city and citadel with eggs and meat.
Calpis, a type of berry, thrives in the clay-heavy soil. Wild plants are sometimes harvested to grow in private gardens.
Flocks of quail make their homes in the tall grasses and are often hunted for food.
Founding Date
727
Founders
Type
Citadel
Population
Approx. 300
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Additional Rulers/Owners
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
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