Ulster, Capital of Curtil
Ulster, commonly referred to as the Jewel of the West, is the capital city of the Kingdom of Curtil. The city is located on a peninsula at the confluence of the Lotus River, which forms its eastern border with the crownlands, and Pheasant Run, which flows from Khawood City. This majestic city was named for Warwick Ulster, a famed founder of Curtil and legendary warrior in Curtil's war for independence with Fluvia. Today the city is famed for its wealth, which comes from its strict control and regulation of the trading and growing of the magical grain, rell, and facilitating trade between the old world and the dwarves of Korsythe.
History
Before Ulster
Ulster has not always been the capital of Curtil. When men first discovered the continent of Korsythe, the powerful old-world kingdom of Fluvia settled a colony on the island of Orim. Two years later, the entire settlement was wiped out by a dominant race of orcs discovered to be living on the island. Fluvia then settled on the mainland of Korsythe in what would later come to be called the kingdom of Curtil, which is where our timeline begins some 325 years ago. Several independent colonies established themselves, with the coastal city of Saldstown serving as the de facto capital. The Fluvian colonies quickly grew, and with the discovery of rell and an entirely new form of arcane arts, the colonies swiftly established a reputation for magic and trade.Independence
As the Fluvian colonies existed so far from their mother country, they began to establish their own identities. One noble Fluvian house ruled each independent colony, and these noble lords squabbled often with each other, but not nearly as often as they resisted their overseas rulers. In the ninety-eighth year After Settlement, Jeronimus Adamar, along with his brothers Armandus and Lambertus, united the squabbling houses and pushed back their oppressive overseers. An inevitable short war followed, which the new kingdom of Curtil quickly began losing. It was the legendary hero Warwick Ulster who proposed moving the capital upriver, from Saldstown to a new city named Ulster, where war plans could be made and armies formed without being attacked from sea. This proved successful; the far-away Fluvia could not compete with the new and unfamiliar type of elemental magic used on this continent, and Warwick Ulster and the Adamar brothers ended the war for independence in just under a year, at the end of 98 AS (After Settlement).Geography
Nestled amidst rolling hills and surrounded by ancient forests and two broad rivers, Curtil is a testament to the grandeur and splendor of a bygone era. The temperate plains surrounding Ulster, commonly referred to as the crownlands, were not always so well suited to the growth of rell. Thanks to the mages of the Royal Weather Trust, the climate around Ulster and the crownlands is always kept at optimal conditions for growing rell, no matter the season. Fields extend out from Ulster in every direction as far as the eye can see. The Lotus River and Pheasant Run produce ample fish in the breeding seasons, and the forests around Ulster do not contain a significant amount of beasts.Demographics
Ulster is the most populous city in the kingdom of Curtil, with surveyors estimating around three quarters of a million inhabitants at last count. Humans make up the core of its population, with dwarves from the Free Dwarven Republic making up an estimated 10%. Dwarves are highly respected in Ulster, and it is one of the few cities in Curtil that dwarves will choose to settle in (due to the high value of dwarven craftsman and wealthy parents wanting to apprentice their children out to them).Government
Ulster is still ruled today by the house of Adamar, of the same lineage as the legendary Adamar brothers who won Curtil's war for independence more than 200 years ago. King Azelinus Adamar, the current king of Curtil, is assisted by many advisors and lords and ladies in the noble court. From Ulster, King Azelinus issues decrees that affect the entire kingdom. These decrees have recently been getting more and more difficult to enforce due to Curtil's ever-growing size.Culture
The art and architecture of Ulster have been influenced by humans and dwarves since its inception centuries ago. The city's towering stone walls are guarded by imposing gatehouses of dwarven make. The Royal Citadel, an architectural marvel of spires, stone, and stained glass that reaches towards the heavens, has served as the residence of the ruling house of Adamar since Jeronimus's son commissioned it in 115 AS. Elegant stone manors in the Noble's district stand above wood-framed houses in the Maker's district. Quaint taverns and inns stand ready to welcome weary travelers, while smithies ring with the sound of stone striking steel. The city unfolds into a tapestry of narrow stone streets, busy market squares, and squat bridges that span the two wide rivers and numerous canals flowing through the heart of Ulster. Merchants, craftsmen, and common folk bustle about their lives, intermingling the sounds of lively conversations and street performers. At night, taverns and alehouses come alive with the sound of music and laughter, while some of the city's more unsavory inhabitants emerge to hawk their wares.
Comments