Drachenfel [City]

Can't Outrun the Sunrise

Ashen grounds offer the most fertile of lands and so it is too with Drachenfel. This recently sprouted community of about 50 is growing rapidly, gathering more of the similar minded under its banner. In the shadow of Stair Tower, this ancient ruined city has come alive once more.

Demographics

The population consists for about 90% of dragonkind. A large population of kobolds - a group growing fast - inhabits part of the ruins. Other notable groups are dragonborn, several humanoids (such as elves and humans) and dragons.

Government

The Keepers are some of the heads of the Council of House Drachenfel, having jurisdiction among their chosen elements. This does not mean they are masters over their chosen elements or studies at all, but that they hold an advisory and informatory position unlike any other among the household. The Grand Advisor handles public relations, relaying the plights of the poor and the commonfolk to the household heads. Should it be required immediately, the Grand Advisor has authority to take actions over most matters. The Diplomat handles affairs with the other houses in ways the Dragons struggle, in order to avoid conflict of ideals and interests. Dragons are known for their potent and powerful moral grounds based on their scales, and The Diplomat sees to their work, in hopes that another war is not forged. The Priestess is the advisor on matters of religion, outside that of the Dragon Gods. She has the authority to handle all religious decisions, churches, and holy matters within the grounds of ancient Dol’Dura, and also more contemporary Drachenfel. This position can only be held by someone of the female gender, due to tradition and a time-tested belief of a stronger connection with the Time-God.

Above the Associates stand the Patriarch - at this moment this is Lord Svantixen Drachenfel, descendant of a long line of silver royal dragons. His chosen mate is a bronze dragon, Arytissiejir, General of their small army. The Patriarch and Matriarch reside in Stair Tower, and have an Ambassador to speak for their kind outside of Drachenfel.
Extra effort is put into the education of Durian citizens. The outside world is as important as the inside. Those who know no common are taught so, and the manners and traditions of mankind are also on the agenda.

Defences

Drachenfels most valuable line of defense are the steep mountains surrounding it. Other defenses include several towers on those mountains (with kobolds or dragonborn on guard), hallowed Stair Tower (as the main and final stronghold), and the Cavern of Teeth (One of the only ways to access the city on foot).

Industry & Trade

Drachenfel currently does not do much trading, but strives to connect more to the outside world once it has grown more powerful.

Infrastructure

The old city consisted of densely built stonemold homes, giant squares wall to wall with several wide streets. Each house had a landing space for dragons. Now, most streets and houses are ruined and in need of major repair. As such, only the city center (a square) and main road are freely accessible for carts, mounts and such.

History

Dol’Dura was a prosperous city, home to the dragons and their kin. Worshippers of a god not part of the pantheon, they showed their praise by carving massive reliefs into the mountainsides - The Pilgrim’s Peril. According to history, in the wake of the battle of Hypsion and Yyrepree, several and severe catastrophes struck the great city. The city fell, and the dragons spread to live in solitude, leaving a plethora of ruins to be discovered.
Now, these old ruins are being reclaimed from nature one by one as the city grows.

Architecture

Stonemold The dragons of Dol’Dura would build their homes in the surrounding caverns. Sometimes, they would enlarge cavern rooms by carving. Another massively adopted architecture was that of Stonemold. Using dragonfire, the dragons could melt and place stone into massive structures that often looked like extensions of the mountains. Often they’d resemble huge elevated squares upon which one - up to four - square buildings stood.
Skybridges Built against most of Dol Dura’s homes are skybridges, resembling a bridge that ends in empty air. They serve as a place for takeoff and landing for the dragons.
Stair Tower The tallest stonemold building in Dol Dura, Stair Tower resembles four square buildings and a single enormously tall spire. The spire’s lower half is closed off while the upper half consists of rows of pillars, open to the sky. Several skybridges are built of the side to allow dragons to take off and land at higher floors. Stair Tower, according to Opsola, was the palace of the ancient rulers of Dol Dura. It is said to extend as far underground as it does above ground. While the top levels of the Tower are transparent and represent connection to the people, its underground levels are said to hold many secrets. Now, those floors are inhabited by other creatures and must be reclaimed. Opsola also speaks of hidden meaning behind the tower. He claims that the floors above represent sunrise (Angurar) and those below ground represent sunset (Bezegar).
Pilgrims Peril This is the route that brings travelers to Dol Dura and now also Drachenfel. It is riddled with steep mountains, deep canyons, hidden lakes and - of course - the famous murals made by the ancient dragons for their two-headed god. In the end, the travelers must face the Cavern of Teeth - once home to the sacred altars of Dusk and Dawn where all would pay tribute, now a place riddled with all manners of filthy creatures that have overrun the abandoned city.

Geography

Steep mountains, endless pastures and green dales on Pilgrims Peril. Deep-carving rivers and hidden lakes.

Alternative Name(s)

New Dura, City of Dragons

Type

Town

Population

About 70 citizens

Inhabitant Demonym

Durians