City of Northridge
The City of Northridge is the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Imesse and for the last 25 years, the re-instated capital of the High Kingdom. The official population is 15,000 souls, but that is a deceptive number as there are still no fewer than 2,500 workers in the city proper that worked on the city's walls each and every day. The Court attendees also have large retinues that could be counted to as much as another 1,000 souls on any given day of the week.
The city is located on a small natural bay along the southern shore of the great Graywater Lake. The bay opens into the Lake on its north side and the opening is more than 2,000 yards wide. It is partially protected by a series of rocky islands that stretch across more than half the bay's width and protect the harbor from the worst of the seasonal weather. The bay is naturally quite deep, dropping quickly only a short distance from the coarse, pebbled strand. The bay is surrounded by bluffs that rise as high as 100' above the surface of the water, but these bluffs are only close to the shore at the two ends of the bay's opening. The bluffs that rise south of the city reach their peak nearly a mile from the water.
The High King resides at the King's Keep, a large and nearly blindingly white castle built on a large bluff overlooking the town and the harbor. Surrounding the castle are several acres of stone buildings, shops, stables and houses where the officials of the city and of the High King's household live and work. The castle was declared complete just last summer, and a huge festival and tournament was held in celebration. The city's population swelled to nearly 30,000 that summer.
Since the completion of the castle, the work on the city's walls has taken over the labors of the community. One large towered gatehouse is nearly complete on the southern King's Road, and two more are just being started further along the wall's course in either direction. Currently, only a little more than three-fourths of a mile of wall has been built, but as the foundations of the contruct are plainly evident, the scope of the project is incredible.
Demographics
Mostly Humans, with a very small (and temporary) community of craftsman and artisans of Dwarves and Halflings.
Infrastructure
With the Maxalli revolt that ended the reign of the Mykalli Dynasty more than 130 years ago, most of the City of Northridge was raised to the ground. It was only during the reign of Max II that Northridge was reinstated as the capital of the High Kingdom, and the work to bring the city back to its former glory has been long and troubled.
Districts
The King's Keep is located on the western end of the bay. Between the Keep and the City is the up-scale homes, shops and estates of the Kingdom's ruling elite. At the southern extent of the City Walls, a fort has been built that allows the small river known as the North Wash to pass through the walls and into the Graywater. To the east of the Riverfort is the portion of the town that is the functioning, beating heart of Northridge. Shops, homes, taverns, inns, bakeries, breweries, baths, stables, markets, butchers and merchants all can be found here. At the eastern extreme of the bay is another, still under construction castle that is being built on the ruins of an older fort destroyed in the Maxalli Rebellion.
Of special note are a series of ruined structures located to the south and north of the existing town. On the largest of the stony islands at the mouth of the bay, known for generations as "Stones Island", are a series of very complex ruins that might have been an ancient tower. Seemingly built of local bedrock, the blocks and stones of the ruins are shockingly large. On the highest bluffs to the south of the city, perhaps a quarter of a mile past the new city walls, are an even larger complex of ruined walls, entrances, cellars and stairs. Ancient walls that once stood yards thick, finely laid paved floors and squares made of huge stone slabs, ornately carved stairs that lead to nowhere, all give evidence that at some time in the distant past, another great city existed here.
History
Much of the city, and all of the city defenses, were destroyed in 98 AF by Josso am Maxalli, the first Maxalli King of Imesse. For the next century, the city was inhabited only by fisherman and traders that worked the boats and vessels of the Graywater Lake. Then in 208 AF, when Max II committed to move his capital to Northridge, 3,000 craftsman, masons, carpenters, cooks, and general laborers were on site and working night and day to make the city a presentable place for the High King to rule from.
Architecture
As the city is still being rebuilt, much of it is still built in wood. The few stone homes and buildings are built of local sandstone, with finer touches finished with imported granite or marble. The finest building in the city is the Royal Castle high on a ridge overlooking both the city and its harbor on the lake.
Geography
Located along a high sandstone ridge above the shores of Graywater Lake and nestled between a natural sheltered harbor and the ridge, the city location seems ideal. Easy access to the lake, many clear streams running down from the ridges, and ample timber and stone access for building. Once past the ridgeline and a few miles south of the lake, the soil is a rich black loam that is well suited for farming.
Natural Resources
Large stands of both pine and hardwood timber, fine local stone quarries, beds of fine, clean gravel all along the shores of the Graywater. Fertile soil, a huge lake full of fish and fowl, and ready routes for trade and service via the water.
Type
City
Population
15,000
Location under
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Owner/Ruler
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