Chevelar, City of Swords

Of all the Accord cities, there is none more quintessentially Tuwellian than Chevelar. Steel gleams in the bright streets and fine temples of the port city, called by some the Grand Capitol of Duelists. Indeed, many famous swordfighters hail from Chevelar, and many who would have been among the finest in the world have had their barrows raised by the very best of their generation.
A knight in Aertas is a squire in Chevelar, as they say. Who can say for sure if it is true.
What is not in dispute is that Chevelar is the political leader of Tuwellios. Chevelar is a traditional aristocracy, a duchy, and a city-state of a tidy, manageable size. At the top sits the Duke or Duchess, who for the last two or so hundred years has been from the family Vendramin. Currently, this is Duke Naos Vendramin, son of Etienne Vendramin. Its sturdy, straightforward governmental style and recent string of powerful dukes and duchesses make it as politically stable place as you are likely to find in Tuwellios. That is not to say it is without its infighting. The major houses are constantly at squabble, engaging in contests of honor and games of social one-uppery. Individuals of all talents can find ways to be pawns for aristocratic competitions.
On Honor: Why have have life, happiness, wealth, love, or freedom when you could instead have honor?
Things which impugn honor include: Losing, courting someone who instead courts another beneath their station (tantamount to losing), marrying for duty instead of love (what a conundrum these last two present!), bringing scandal, returning from a long voyage without a new scar, and being caught in a lie (though not necessarily lying).

Demographics

Dominant: Halflings, Human
Minorities: Dwarf, Drow Elf
Small Groups: Half-Elf, Tiefling, Genasi, Goblin.
Scattered Few: Dragonborn, Wood/High Elf, Goliath.
Maybe One or Two: Half-Orc, Orc, Triton.

Government

Duke: Naos Vendramin
Privy Council:

• Vizier: Rolav Almetti
• Master at Arms: Vigo Le Bret
• Master of Watch: Antonia Toroth
• Master of Trade: Marcos Lauriston
• Adviser to the Arcane - Nanue Ties Anor

Other important figures in the city:

• Mouzer - The Beggar Prince.
• Eloisa of Auxthane - High Priestess of the Church of the Consignation.
• Lord Andrastos Ondore - Leader of the Capitalos, foremost broker of luxury.
• "Little Blue Pebble" - General name for the leader(s) of the River.
• Yasmin al-Rayhun - Representative for the Table of Profaned Things.

Districts

Isle Vendran -

The isle of Vendran is the most tightly guarded part of Chevelar. It is dominated by Saber's Rest and its outlying estates. Most who live here are directly loyal to the Duke. The rest are key functionaries of the city who are offered the same protections as the ruling family.

Points of Interest:

Nephilim Bridge - Smallest, northern-most bridge across the Durance river
Saber's Rest - Seat of power of House Vendramin.
Tomb of La Chevalier Fait Entier - Memorial to "The Made Knight", or, "The All-Fated Knight", a symbol of honor and sacrifice for all who wield the blade.

La Altastrada -

The Old District, the high sloping hills and beautiful old estates of the nobility. History is alive in this place, etched in stone and gold. Home to Le Bret manor and the Carmindemos, among many other historic landmarks.

Points of Interest: The Carmindemos - Ancient, prestigious university
Le Bret Manor - Target of the Chevelar Job
Gannetroost - Manor of House Lauriston
Kalremix Hold - Sprawling library/fortress (open to day-long use for a small fee).

Bladebarrow Hill -

Home to the tombs of ancient duelists. In the cool, fertile grounds are buried numerous legendary duelists. Home to many of the common folk and merchant class.

Points of Interest:

Holdfast Strip - Public park where duelists of all skill convene to hone their skills.

Deepring -

The ringed slum-city surrounds a once-prosperous district of the city that sank into the earth following the emergence of a massive sinkhole. Traverse the Rings at your peril.

Points of Interest: The Rings (Mural Room, Hanging Theater) - Multi-level sinkhole living-space crawling with monsters and living mold.

Pont de Ghislaine -

Decaying remnant of a time of flourishing religious culture in the city. Now dotted with abandoned temples of many faiths. Gangs stalk this place and anger festers in the corpse of prosperity.

Stillwater -

Small district of docks and warehouses by the bayside. In the day time, a place of business and bustle. By night, a multitude of dark corridors and shadowed doorways.

Points of Interest:

The Hideout

Guilds and Factions

The most prominent noble houses of Chevelar are, currently:

House Vendramin

Current dominant faction of the city. Holder of Saber's Rest fortress. Rulers of Isle Vendran. Notable Figures: 
Naos Vendramin - Duke of Chevelar Yolenna Vendramin - Duchess of Chevelar

House Le Bret

Composed of superior millitary minds, as well as some of the best martial instructors in the city. The Duke relies on the Le Brets to produce the finest soldiers in all Tuwellios, if not the largest armies. Notable Figures: Vigo Le Bret - Patriarch of the family.

House Lauriston

Cunning, careful planning, and long memories are the creeds of the Lauristons, whose complex feuds with other houses heavily enmesh themselves in the fabric of the city's history. The oldest of the houses.

House Toroth

Lesser compared to those listed above, but notable in their recent rise in notoriety.

Other notable groups operating in Chevelar include:

The River

Criminal syndicate charged with maintaining some semblance of order among the criminals of the city. Even corruption must have rules if things are to remain civilized.

Los Capitolos

A new money movement of wealthy young merchants, thinkers, inventers, and artists who believe they can break the barrier between lowborn and nobility with money and innovation.

Type

Large city

Population

~200,000 in the city itself, another 300,000 in the hinterlands.

Inhabitant Demonym

"Chev" / "Chevs"