Hartmere
Hartmere, also known as the Red City for the red stone comprising almost all buildings in the city, is the royal capital of the Kingdom of Grasynnia. One of the largest cities on the Galessian continent, it is known around the world as a hub for commerce, under close watch of the Falchions, who patrol every corner of the city, earning it the nickname "the safest city on Luquastra". It houses the Royal Palace of Grasynnia, the Grand Temple of the Red Knight, and the Headquarters of the Falchions.
History
First a fortress on a cliff on the Dragonbane Bay, now a sprawling walled city against the bay's northern shore by the mouth of the River Rothe, Hartmere was established centuries ago by the early kings of Grasynnia. Back then, it was an open and crime-ridden city, often filled with aristocrats from all over, attending one of the kings' many fêtes. After the Dragonbane Conquest of Grasynnia, however, the fortress was further fortified, and a second wall was built around the city's outlying districts. Since then, this second wall has been broken down and rebuilt farther out to facilitate the city's further growth. During the early stages of the Zenith War, Hartmere was the beating heart of the war effort, from where all campaigns marched. However, as the war reached further and further from the capital, the headquarters of the war was moved to Camp Sonthill in the east, with only the westerly campaigns remaining headquartered in Hartmere. After the war's conclusion, the city has become increasingly heavily patrolled, as the Falchions crack down on even the smallest crimes. People in Hartmere live safe lives, under threat of a myriad of punishments if they deviate from a normal, safe life - leading to an oppressive atmosphere. Non-humans especially are constantly kept in check and often stopped by the guards for inspection. Any crime that exists is therefore forced into hiding.Politics and Society
Hartmere has no mayor or city government, instead ruled directly by the monarch, currently Supreme General Althea Dragonbane. Pleas of the citizenry often go unanswered and are instead handled by the guards or other delegated functionaries. Living conditions are rough for the lower class citizens. The city's rich and aristocratic upper class lives near the Old Fort, the star-shaped red stone fortress with its own walls around which the rest of the city was built, and live luxurious lives there. The Old Fort itself houses some of the city's most preeminent buildings: the Royal Palace, as well as organizations such as the Falchions, the Officer's Academy, and the regional office of the Threecloak Company can be found here. The port of Hartmere serves as a gateway to the Grasynnian lands for merchants and organizations friendly to the Grasynnian regime, and anyone else permitted to pass the Great Gates of Merxellis. Goods shipped through here make use of the well-paved roads emanating outward from the city to every corner of Grasynnia, as well as the major cities of Starn, and even Qarakh and Warsenfeld on the Senué Gulf, as it's considered faster and safer than to sail around all of Senué and the Sunset Peaks. The people of Hartmere, overwhelmingly humans, are industrious, working hard every day in an attempt to better their circumstances and be able to afford to live by the Old Fort one day. Alcohol consumption is high in the city, as it is a cleaner hydration source than the city's water supply. The local Purcell Brewery is therefore an important institution in the city's lower districts. At the northern end of the city stands the Grand Temple of the Red Knight, the most opulent building outside of the Old Fort. Faith is important to many of the lower-class citizens, who pray to their divines for better lives. Ilmater, Helm, and Tymora are among the most-worshipped here. In the upper rungs of the city's society, many follow the Supreme General's faith in the Red Knight, if only to curry favor with her and her regime. The city also hosts a noticeable community worshipping the Five Scorned, especially Loviatar and Beshaba.Royal City of Hartmere
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