Cordonia
The capital of Lore since the days of King Emlyn, and an important stronghold even before that. The heart of the kingdom, and a vital center of trade.
The name is a Lycoran transliteration of the original Elvish, meaning 'place of apples.' Legend holds that the island was once covered in apple trees, and the Talethar had mastered a form of magic that kept them in both flower and fruit year-round.
Defences
Simple, lightweight bridges between the various islets of the canal district and the shores; these can be pulled back and folded to allow for the passage of boats or to deny potential invaders access. The castle is a motte-and-bailey type that serves as both a lookout point and a point of retreat.
Districts
Canal District - An outer ring of small man-made islets surrounding the main fluvial island; the islets are used for produce, staging areas for incoming merchants, and occasionally as living space for those who can't or don't wish to pay a rent in the city proper.
Market District - The center of the island is taken up by the markets, the docks to east and west, and inns, taverns, etc. that specifically cater to travelers and merchants.
Castle District - The castle of Caer Cordonia and its immediate surroundings on the northern hill; this area includes the nobles' residences, the city's garrison, and other establishments meant to cater to the wealthy elite, such as luxurious bathhouses, upscale tailors and cobblers, and so on.
History
Originally a sacred site to the Elves, claimed by the Lycorans during their northward expansion; they built the original fortress, a motte-and-bailey built with imported stone.
After the Drowning, it became the seat of the petty kingdom of Cordonia, and hotly fought for by other petty kings. The last of these was Luddoc the Giant, father of Yvaine of the Golden Hair; after Yvaine married Emlyn Artorigios he became Lord of Cordonia, and used it as a base from which to plan the campaigns that made him High King of Lore. Once he became High King, he made Cordonia the capital of his new kingdom.
Points of interest
The castle itself, Caer Cordonia, sits stop the hill at the north end of the island; it's a square-shaped keep with four towers and connecting galleries surrounding an inner courtyard. Clad in imported limestone and roofed with imported copper, it can be seen for miles off even during the night, and stands as a reminder of the reach and wealth of the monarchs who commissioned those improvements.
Tourism
The yearly apple festival draws in nobles and wealthy merchants from all corners of Lore; it's a chance to see and be seen by the monarch, the local nobility, and to get a rare glimpse of the reclusive Green Folk.
Artisans, farmers, and other working folk typically hold their own festivals in the Canal District; this typically includes the ritualized planting of a seed or sapling, and the selection of an 'Apple Queen' who 'reigns' over the remainder of the festivities.
Geography
The city sits on a fluvial island in a man-made lake, carved out of the shores of the Argenos River thousands of years ago with magic. The island has a gentle slope to it, with the castle sitting at the highest point, commanding views for miles out into the surrounding countryside. It has access to fresh water thanks to both the lake it sits in and the river that feeds it. The main isle is ringed by smaller, man-made islets known as the "canal district" which are used to grow produce for the city on top of what's brought in by boat from the farms on the far shores.
Natural Resources
The Cordonian Ruby, an apple varietal found only in central Lore; fish and freshwater shellfish from the lake and river; grain from the fields along the lake shores, sheep from the fallows, lumber from further upriver
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