Relvark

The Beacon on the Hill

Relvark is the largest city in the region of Rutfolk and one of the largest cities in the current realm of Bicwide, situated on the mouth of the Oxcar River. There is no firm statistic on population size, but estimates are in the tens if not hundreds of thousands. Relvark is known as the Heart of Rutfolk due to its economic, political, and military strength and the subsequent influence it exercises on the region. The elven heritage of the city is present in much of the architecture, design, and layout of the older districts of Relvark. The newer regions of the city built during the rule of the Elector Counts of Bicwide reflect the diversity and metropolitan nature of Relvark's new age. The city itself is further broken down into eight districts; Old Point, Bearfen, the Rookery, Hermit's Orchard, Dun Row, Eardham, Beaconton, and Stonebower. An unofficial ninth district has been referred to by many Relvarkians as the "Pilgrim's Bazaar", the large market installation outside the city's walls, but this is not an officially recognized designation. These districts do not all border one another, but the majority of citizens of Relvark live in an area known as the Five Barbs, where Hermit's Orchard, Dun Row, Eardham, Beaconton, and Stonebower all converge with one another.

Old Point

Old Point is located in the northeast of Relvark on the northern shore of the Oxcar River, and historically was the farthest point at which Relvark's harbor jutted out into Whetsaw Bay. Subsequent building projects have pushed further into the Oxcar and the neighboring Whetsaw Bay. Old Point remains the center of commerce and trade in the city, however, as the numerous trading houses and guilds of the region hold offices in the district. This area is inhabited by the upper crust of Relvark by day, but many of the older noble and wealthy families live elsewhere in the city. Old Point is one of the original districts of Relvark. The Trader's Union, Merchant's Guild, and Royal Tradesman are located in Old Point

Bearfen

Bearfen is located south of Old Point on the southern shore of the Oxcar River. Historically the military quarter of old Relvark, the district became known as stable and safe thanks to heightened military and later reeve presence. After the Bicwide conquest of the city, the major military installations were moved from Bearfen to forts and guardhouses on the outskirts of Relvark. Bearfen's military installations were converted into sheriff and reeve headquarters given the existing infrastructure. Bearfen is home to all walks of life in Relvark, but given the high presence of constabulary crime and gang presence is particularly low. Bearfen is one of the original districts of Relvark. The Burgher's Reeves, Relvark Metropolitan Sheriffs, and other public service guilds are based out of Bearfen.

The Rookery

The Rookery is the political heart of Relvark, located west of Bearfen and Old Point, spanning both banks of the Oxcar. All of the major decisions relating to the city occur here within the Greenwood Tower, an imposing structure from the days of the Nimloth Dynasties. The Relvarkian adage about ill-events, "Hard luck from Greenwood", comes from this structure. The official name of the district is "Scylftor," but beyond legal matters and political treatises this name is never used, with Relvarkians favoring the unofficial nickname of the city's best bird roost. As the political seat of Relvark all city legislation comes from this district. As a consequence, many of the common folk of Relvark avoid the area, having no business there themselves or preferring less stuffy, self-important areas of Relvark. Many of the dealings undertaken in the Rookery are done on the many floors and halls of Greenwood Tower, but many are also conducted in the numerous back rooms and smokey parlors of the district. This common knowledge of the clandestine side of Relvarkian politics has given rise in recent years to another adage, "Muter than a Rookery Raven", referring to one who does not snitch. The Rookery is one of the original districts of Relvark. The Bicwide Ambassador, Burgher's Seat, Green Leaf Council, and Ealder's Moot among other civic organizations are based out of the Rookery.

Hermit's Orchard

Hermit's Orchard is the oldest and longest inhabited region of Relvark. Hermit's Orchard is northwest of the Rookery, west of Old Point, and east of Eardham, on the north bank of the Oxcar. The district's name comes from the orchard which it was built over, which legend states was cared for by a bastard of the Nimloth Dynasties in the days when Relvark was still a backwater. Hermit's Orchard is not a wealthy region, but the denizens of the Orchard would not consider it a slum like many of the surrounding districts. This is in part due to the long tradition of industry and trade which has brought prosperity to the region, and also in part thanks to the prejudices of the local populace. Hermit's Orchard is the single largest population hub of elven citizens within Relvark, many of whom resent the new Bicwide overlords of the city. Many a Nimloth knight, warden, noble, and loyalist still call Hermit's Orchard home, and help to foment tension in the area between elves and non-elves. The elves of Relvark generally and of Hermit's Orchard specifically view themselves as better than the rest of the "mayflies" (Relvarkian slur for non-elf) that have come to "their" city. Hermit's Orchard is also home to the Grove Guardians, a gang of predominantly elven nativists who seek to stymie the influx of Bicwide citizenry and non-elves to Relvark, and led by Bertilac the Bowyer. Hermit's Orchard is one of the original districts of Relvark. The industrial centers, traders, and Grove Guardians are based out of Hermit's Orchard.

Dun Row

Dun Row is known for being the shady, disreputable underbelly of Relvark, located west of Eardham. This reputation is hyperbolic in some ways, largely pushed by members of the clergy of Beaconton and the politicians of the Rookery. Dun Row is arguably the arcane core of Relvark, with a rich tradition of all sort of magic and arcane arts dating back centuries. Before Relvark was a city, the area now occupied by Dun Row was said to be a vast and sanctified network of naturally occurring caves, a holy site for Druids and Warlocks pushed to the edge of society. Over the years the area became an enclave for those who practiced the arcane arts, but was still largely rejected by the ruling Nimloth Dynasties who favored holy and druidic magic. With the conquest of Relvark by Bicwide, this old status quo was upended, and word spread that Relvark was now more accepting of the denizens of Dun Row. As more and more magical practitioners came to Dun Row requiring more and more supplies for their studies, ties between Dun Row and Relvark tightened and Dun Row was later incorporated into the bounds of Relvark. Over the past century religious orders and politicians from the Rookery have attempted to use the "weird magics" and "unholy goals" of Dun Row's denizens to scapegoat any number of difficulties faced before Relvark. The resulting reputation of the district has been one of dark magic, dark dealings, and dark fortunes. This reputation is cultivated by the ruling gang of Dun Row, the Sightless Seers, who specialize in chaotic actions and arcane arts. Publicly cultivating the visage of boogeymen but privately accepting all those who seek to learn, the Sightless Seers have built a community of magic within the walls of Relvark. The Sightless Seers are led by the guidance of Cassandra "Moonsong" Holddal. Dun Row is a new district of Relvark. The Magehold, Webway, and Sightless Seers are based out of Dun Row.

Eardham

Eardham is an anomaly within Relvark, by and large unpopulated relative to the rest of the populous city. Eardham is located east of Dun Row and West of Hermit's Orchard, spanning both banks of the Oxcar. Green spaces, small-scale farming enterprises, and groves of trees can still be found in pockets of Eardham. Historically this district was the home of the Farmer's Collective, and further back the seat of local druids. When arcane practitioners moved into the cave systems of Dun Row, Eardham and the Druid's Seat provided a haven to many dispossessed people. The pastoral heritage of Rutfolk is strongest in Eardham, with Eardham in fact being the only place many from the countryside will venture to when visiting Relvark. The district has not been as highly developed as the rest of Relvark resulting in these last vestiges of greenery, due to local sentiment stemming from a deep-rooted heritage and gang activity. The history of development encroaching on Eardham and the broader history of successive waves of interlopers into Relvark has rekindled long-held angers within the populace. Specifically, many Earders are seeing less and less value in their ties to Relvark, and questioning the merit of city life as a concept. This has given rise to a new gang in Relvark known as the Hornwood Reclaimers, or Hornwoods for short. Unlike the other gangs of Relvark, the Hornwoods would rather see the city burned to ash than parceled out any further. Their recent string of guerilla attacks and arson has caused unrest for the upstanding citizens of Relvark. Until such a time their leader, known simply as "The Revenant", stops honoring the Truce, the other gangs of Relvark do not take umbrage with them. Eardham is a new district of Relvark. The Farmland Collective, Rangers Post, and Hornwood Reclaimers are based out of Eardham.

Beaconton

Beaconton is the holy seat of Relvark. Situated south of Eardham and south of Hermit's Orchard on the southern bank of the Oxcar, Beaconton is a district of miracles and misdirections. Prelates and politicians frequent this district, seeking to curry favor with the masses through public acts of piety and penance. The devout find sanctuary amid the eyrie turrets and minarets which populate Beaconton's skyline, and the downtrodden find hope to face yet another day in the city of Relvark. Until the Bicwide conquest of Relvark, Beaconton was a small and insignificant collection of temples to foreign deities. In the current era, however, the influx of citizens has brought a deluge of deities whose devotees vie for divine favor through grander buildings and ostentatious events. The sudden surge of capital into the region has created ample opportunity for corruption, degeneracy, and excess, all vices which are decried at weekly mass. Beaconton's citizens pride themselves on being a bastion of order within the Five Barbs, but the actions of the Lamplighters, Beaconton's head gang, speak otherwise. Priding themselves on their "non-lethal" violence, the Lamplighters wield blunt weapons made to emit the light of any deity imaginable. The name of the god does not matter to the Lamplighters as long as your actions taken in their name serve "the greater good", whatever that may be to their leader Alcuin Godred. In any case, the Lamplighters can often be seen trying to uphold the Truce in the Five Barbs, often working alongside other gangs and constables to achieve a measure of peace. Beaconton is not an original district of Relvark. Temples of the Faithful, hospitals and healers, and the Lamplighters are based out of Beaconton.

Stonebower

The youngest district of Relvark, Stonebower was officially recognized as part of Relvark following the Bicwide conquest. Stonebower sits south of Dun Row and west of Beaconton, and its name is derived from the old quarries in district which provided the stone for most of Relvark's fortifications. In recent years quarrying operations have moved elsewhere in Rutfolk, as the growth of Relvark has made the real estate of Stonebower more valuable than the stone beneath the streets. A few quarries still operate in this district, but most have long since shuttered. With the influx of cheap land from the appointment of a new district, many of the citizens of Bicwide displaced by recent wars and calamities have come to make a new home in Stonebower. As a consequence the people of Stonebower come from all walks of life and all over Bicwide, creating a melting pot of Bicwidian culture. With the quarries leaving Stonebower the district has come to rely on trade and other, smaller industrial efforts, but the vacuum left by the quarries has also led to increased crime and poverty in the district. Many Relvarkians avoid Stonebower for fear of crime or cruel arrogance, but those who live in Stonebower find a tight-knit community supporting them. Given the varied heritage of the people of Stonebower and their relative lack of support from other Relvarkians, the people of Stonebower have been forced into protecting themselves from political, illegal, and violent reprisals. The main force protecting the people of Stonebower are the Stone Dragons. This gang is led by Ulrik Anbosiid, nicknamed "The Mason" for his ability to build up the Stonebower neighborhood from so many different groups. The Stone Dragons main goal is protecting their own, but have also been known to take the fight to the other gangs when the need arises, raiding other turfs and treading perilously close to breaking the Truce. Stonebower is not an original district of Relvark. The Crafter's Guild, Artisan's Keep, traders, and the Stone Dragons are based out of Stonebower.