Rotrishold
Rotrishold is the largest city and the seat of political and economic control of the territory of the Benroty Clan of Colo. It is located in the north-central portion of the region and has a population of just over 20,000 Human souls. Built onto a flattened rocky prominence extending off of a low but quite steep mountain called Noc Neela by the locals, the walled city has stood here for more than eight centuries.
The city has three approaches to its walls: one on the eastern side (called Great Gate), one on the western side (called West Gate), and a narrow, steep and winding path that comes up the northern face of the mountain's protrusion known as the Wind Gate.
Demographics
The more than 20,000 souls living and working in and around Rotrishold are exclusively Human, and those are mostly direct members of the Benroty Clan.
Government
Ruled by the Ryuri, Rory Benroty and his chosen lords and administrators from the seat of Clan government, Rotrishall.
Defences
While the city was originally intended as a fortified hillfort centuries ago, much of the defenses of the city have fallen into disuse or been converted to habitation or industrial use today. All three of the city gates can still be secured, but none would be effective against a concerted effort to enter the settlement by a determined enemy.
The city is protected by a standing force of hand-picked and highly trained professional soldiers known as the Claughta Guard, or the "swords" of the Ryuri. The Claughta number 480 men, nearly half of which can be mounted with only an hour's notice. All are armed and armored in the finest kit available and they train as a unit weekly. The Claughta are first and foremost the personal house guard of the Ryuri, but act as a very effective deterrent to petty crime and theft within the city walls.
Industry & Trade
Rotrishold teems with shops, businesses, crafters, artisans and builders, but the three largest and most profitable businesses within the city walls are iron working, textile weaving, and slaves. There are no fewer than 11 of the finest weapon smiths and armorers in the entire Benroty territory within the walls, and they are allowed to work their noisy and often smell craft within the walls to keep their secrets and methods safe. Several dozen of the most successful and profitable fabric makers are also actively working every day within Rotrishold.
And, just a few yards from the city market, there are half a dozen slaver houses that move as many as 800 slaves each through their pits a year at a profit of staggering proportion. 40% of that profit goes to the Ryuri himself.
Infrastructure
While the city is ancient, it is also very impressively and effectively functional with a highly efficient level of infrastructure in place to ensure a healthy and productive population in all seasons and in all circumstances. The roads are cobbled and kept remarkably clean with efficient gutters and drains throughout. Fresh water is available to much of the population through a gravity-fed system of pipes and reservoirs that allow running water to be brought to many quarters of the settlement. Waste and sewage is also removed through efficient underground tunnels that take the filth of the city outside the walls and into deep ravines along the mountain's sides.
Near the southern extent of the city proper, built high onto the side of the mountain, is a huge (80' wide and 100' long and 60' high) stone cistern that holds 2.5 million gallons of cold, fresh spring water from the heart of the mountain. This water is piped to more than a dozen other cisterns built into the bedrock of the mountain throughout the city, providing not only a nearly endless amount of drinking water, but (in some places) actual pressurized running water carried in copper and lead pipes.
Assets
When the city was built and rebuilt over the last eight centuries, much of the stone and gravel was quarried from the side of the mountain along the city's southern extent, making additional space for the city to use. Active quarrying still happens here whenever city improvements are made.
Points of interest
There is a large open space with a large and ornately carved idol to Maraonon at its center. Known locally as the "Godsgreen" it is not only the primary place of Maranonic worship within the city, but it is also the primary location for gatherings and celebrations of the residents for events such as weddings, holy days, funeral feasts and large public announcements. The Godsgreen is located near the old quarry on the south side of the city, and is now a lush green lawn full of soft grasses and fragrant flowers during the spring and summer.
Tourism
There are five ostachah, or inns, located at various places within the city walls. These cater to travelers and locals alike, offering food, drink, lodging and baths to any that can pay the going rates. The largest of these ostachah is the Goat's Horn located just outside the tower gate of Rotrishall itself.
Geography
Built on a what was, centuries ago, a relatively flat top of a natural prominence of the Noc Neela mountain, Rotrishold was leveled and walled over the intervening years with high, thick stone and earth embankments and massive round towers and fortresses. Few of these original structures remain, but what does remain is meticulously maintained by the residents and defenders of the city.
A view of Rotrishall from the Great Gate
The walls of Rotrishold as seen from the west, with Kincora and the Seer Home plainly visible
The Great Gate of Rotrishold with its ancient double tower
