Lys - The Unintended Capital
From ancient hill fort to royal capital city of Rosalind, Lys has been an inhabited town since the Second Age, possibly even before the Cataclysm.
Demographics
While a majority of residents are Human, there is a large mix of other heritages living in Lys.
Government
Lys is ruled by a Lord Mayor, in cooperation with a council of noble residents, guild masters, and clergy. However, the majority of the city's guards are in the pay of House Poldern, who also hold the hereditary office of Lord Defender of Lys. As a result, Duke Poldern has significant influence over the affairs of the city.
Defences
The city of Lys is surrounded by a high stone wall, with towers at regular intervals. This wall is guarded by soldiers that nominally swear fealty to the crown, but are commanded by House Poldern, who has the city in their charge.
Districts
Lys is divided into a number of districts -
- Old City District - the original Third Age settlement, which grew from a village to a town to the city. Old City contains residential neighborhoods, both rich and poor. Old City is also where the city's main administrative offices are located, and most of the crafting guilds headquarters. The Granted Commons, a swathe of land that by royal decree has been left as open land, is the site of festivals, fairs, and public executions.
- New City District - the new part of the city, extending from the original settlement. New City is a wealthier district that many others, having been started by petty nobles and rich merchants looking to build lavish estates for their families. Over time, the remainder of the district was settled, with many upscale shops, taverns, coffeehouses, and even theaters.
- University District - once part of the new city district. After the university was founded, the schools began to take over the surrounding area, finally becoming recognized as its own separate city district. The district houses the University of Lys and is where most (if not all) of the faculty, staff, and students reside. There are also cheap taverns and alehouses where students will often dine, and a few gaming parlors. It is rumored that somewhere in the district is a secret portal to Mautsmiths Academy of the Arcane, which floats high above the city. Finally, the guildhouse for the Thieves Guild is located in the University District.
- Sunrise Quarter - the closest Lys has to a slum, the Sunrise Quarter is filled with cheap housing and some of the smellier trades, like tanners and night soil collectors.
- Sun Row District - Outside the southern gate, the Sun Row is that headquarters of the Knights of the Blazing Sun. Along with barracks, there are smithies, armor makers, stables, and several fine houses for the officers of the Order. Finally, there is a church to Raya that is used almost exclusively by the Knights.
- Golden Rose District
- Redleaf Way
- Wheats End - Outside the northern gate, Wheats End is a collection of farms, mills to grind wheat into flour, and numerous bakeries that make the common loaves of bread that is a staple of the Lys citizen's diet. Other flour is carted into the cities to specialty bakeries that will create other, more intricate and elegant baked goods. The residents of Wheats End tend to work in the flour trade or cater to it; several taverns in the district keep irregular hours to support bakers and carters.
- Villa Poldern - The local manse of the noble House of Poldern and the usual residence of the reigning duke or duchess.
- The Palace - The Palace was the summer residence of the King of Rosalind before the fall of Brentonopolis. Whle suitably regal, it lacks the extraordinary grandeur of the old royal palace. The Palace is the residence of the royal House of Pollux, the king and his entire family. It also houses offices for ministers who work for and advise the king, and is guarded by the Knights of the Rose, House Pollux's personal bodyguards.
Guilds and Factions
Lys has a large number of trade guilds, covering the majority of services and trades. Every guild pushes for influence in the governing of Lys. Through a complicated web of political alliances, the combined guilds select several guildmasters to serve on the city's ruling council.
History
Lys was likely first settled during the Second Age, but records are scarce on when it was originally founded. As the Third Age began, Lys was an established settlement that became part of the kingdom of Rosalind. Unlike several neighboring cities, Lys willingly joined the coalition of Brenton the Black and his nascent kingdom. As a result, Lys prospered under the rule of King Brenton and his heirs. The city was given to the Dukes and Duchesses of House Poldern to rule, who made it their capital city.
Over time, Lys became one of the established retreats for the royal household, especially during the oppressive heat of summer. When the kings and queens of old spoke longingly of "going to the country" they referred to traveling to and staying in Lys. Compared to the cosmopolitan Brentonopolis, Lys was a quieter and less sophisticated locale.
Everything changed for Lys in the Year 338. On the 13th of Culdinwhet, Brentonopolis fell to dark forces under the command of the Wraith King. Prince Brandt, youngest son of King Brendil, was in Lys when word reached the city that the king and all of his court had been slaughter, and that undead forces had taken the old royal capitol. Brandt was crowned in a hasty ceremony and rallied his nation to war. After several battles, the fight against the undead reached a stalemate and a one-sided peace. King Brandt declared Lys, the place he had been crowned, the new capital city of Rosalind, which it has remained to this day. House Poldern, in deference to the crown, decamped and declared the capital of their duchy of Canfidelia to be Cannae, a large town to the north of the city. However, they still maintain the defense of the city through armed levies and a standing company of soldiers who man the walls and towers of Lys.
The new status of the city, coupled with refugees from the Lost Duchies (now known as Osseus) settling there, caused Lys to experience a building and housing boom. New districts were formed. Over time, Lys settled into a new routine, but lost its quieter, sleepier character.
Maps
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City of Lys
Founding Date
The Second Age
Type
Capital
Population
approximately 34,000 people
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Related Traditions
Characters in Location
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