Mendago, The City of Defiance
If there ever stood a symbol for Ravennian stubbornness, a monument to humanity's unwillingness to give up, it is this city.
~ Obras Torgella ~
The World's Stage
Mendago was not always known by this name. Prior to the Ravennian Civil War in 1222 AC, the capital was known as Lamonia for the previous ruling family. And even before that, dating back several centuries to after the War of Gohn in 686 AC, it was a military border base called Vile Keep.
Back then, the neighboring nation Gohn was dominated by an absolute democracy; the whole nation run off the war-mongering backs of orcs. The Vile Keep was a very well fortified base, one end on each side of the Uum River; Ravenna was completely prepared the day Gohn and its slave militants went to war.
Over the course of the war, The Vile Keep became famous in three ways: its iconic defense lead by Martokus Vile against the initial mass invasion, the consistent number of blacksmiths which provided fresh blades and armor there, and the Tooth-Fang Treaty, signed within its walls to end the war in 688 AC.
The war ended, the large tract of land crossing the horizon passed the Vile Keep was claimed by Ravenna. In response, settlers began expanding across the land which brought many travelers through this very place. Its military advantage having run its course, it was slowly renovated to accompany much more habitable and refined life styles. Hearing news of such an iconic place becoming its own city, many flocked here, which only influenced its transformation.
Four years laters, in 692 AC, Ravenna's king Mason Lamonia officially declared it to be the nation's first capital, Lamonia. Time passed and the city grew greatly.
Ravenna continued expanding as it entered into peace and slowly built a good relationship with Gohn, and the capital was no different. The once military structures, walls, bridge, and all, remained, instead renovated to fit the aesthetic of a civilized metropolis.
However, many events occurred in this time which changed the capital. The establishment of the Brother's Church in 800 AC left many temples in Lamonia to be deconstructed as religious culture changed drastically. The construction of the Royal Spires in 943 AC left many nobles to become very separated from middle and lower class life; this eventually caused the Narrows to grow decades later.
But it all came to a climax when the Ravennian Civil War began in 1222 AC, a result of Joseph Lamonia III's weak action against religious heretics. Ravenna as a nation was so consumed by the laws banning worship of anything not Eadro and Pelor that it rose up against the current king.
War ravaged the kingdom, including the capital which suffered major damage; the death of Joseph Lamonia III and his whole royal family was one of the effects. Not only was the new royal family, under Marcus Mendago established, but major governmental reforms were made. The capital's name change to Mendago was but a small result of many.
Through the major reforms, religious life in Mendago as well as the whole nation became much more discreet if it wasn't affiliated with the Brother's Church. In regards to this religious stigma, an official known as the Prime was always to be elected out of the Brother's Church. This Prime would serve as a personal advisor to the new royal family and the head over the Department of Church.
Years passed and Mendago quickly rebuilt itself, returning to its once pristine image under a new culture. But many citizens began to doubt the actual significance of their nation after several key military tragedies, namely the Sinking of Iron in 1491 AC, the War of Turmoil in 1531 AC, and the battle against the Narrow Clan in 1541 AC.
Today, the former queen, Julietzi Renae Mendago has been succeeded by her son, Jamesyn Mendago. His advisor, the Prime, is a priest of the Brother's Church named Raysha Prime. As a result of Jamesyn's youth and inexperience to lead, Raysha Prime slowly guided him with patience, her authority a foundation to Jameseyn.
The capital and most of its people are as wealthy as one could hope to be, and many trade goods keep everything readily available. On the surface, it is the city with everything. But go much deeper, especially for those who devote their faith to other figures not Eadro and Pelor, and those who suffer from the financial greed of many, you find a city sitting on a stressed line.
Prosperity lies at our fingertips, but only on the backs of those before us. As king, I shall help my kingdom remember that for all time.
~ Jamesyn Mendago ~
Type
Capital
The Royal Spires
Though the city possesses many districts, it is most commonly defined between two areas, the Common Stone and the Royal Spires. Divided by walls that wrap around to form an inner, elevated circle in the capital sits within the Royal Spires, the collection of noble houses and the royal palace itself.
Everything outside the walls is referred to as the Common Stone which itself has many districts such as the Gull Feather Heights. But the Royal Spires, despite its political activity, is seen as no more than a neighborhood for the wealthy.
The Church of Brotherhood, Authority Court, and royal palace all sit inside these inner walls, which permit only specific people: those who live directly in the Royal Spires, and those who have authorized business with something here.
This has caused a massive cultural divide among the two areas, leaving the rich to become richer, and poor to become poorer. This is ultimately what lead to the attack on the Royal Spires by the Narrow Clan in 1541 AC.
Though many citizens still remain in the middle-class, it is pondered if their king Jamesyn Mendago, who too resides in the Royal Spires, also seeks to forsake the well-being of the people for a better profit.
In the face of adversity, show them your guile, for you are Ravennian.~ Jamesyn Mendago
The Cockatrice Wings
Similar to the Crimson Guard, The Cockatrice Wings serve as the elite guard for the Royal Spires in the capital. Unlike the Crimson Guard, this is the second-most striven-for occupation in the Ravennian military, second only to Cockatrice Knights.
Better trained than any other general footsoldier, and equipped in more effective -- and more intimidating-- armor, the masses believe that if this force were to be defeated, then nothing would save Ravenna from utter defeat. A Cockatrice Wing always carries two swords; one for them-self, and the other for whatever noble or royalty is near them upon an attack.
Though no Cockatrice Wing is assigned to a specific noble, most gravitate towards it, especially after forming a friendship or likeness of one.
Savannah, the Sentinel of Guile leads the Cockatrice Wings along with its inner group known as the Sentinels.
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