Tecard
Situated atop a massive rock in the centre of the Acarian plains, Tecard is an intimidating citadel visible for miles around. Tecard is the capital of Acaria, and the seat of the mysterious Archduke.
Tecard is divided into three main regions. A little over half of the population live in the "tent city" surrounding the base of the rock. The lower city comprises the western half of the top of the rock, and the exclusive upper city the eastern half. It is within this tightly controlled region that many of the major landmarks are found, including the Castle, the Grand Cathedral of Daizall, the Arena and the War Museum.
Defences
The city is often regarded as completely inpregnable, rivalled only by Vilknier or Darstad across Troyvalden for its defensive capabilities. It's most obvious advantage is the huge rock upon which it is built, but the inaccessibility of the top of the rock is also key. Just one staircase rises from the south east corner, which is heavily guarded by towers and walls, as well as large gatehouses at both the top and the bottom. Any attempt to scale the rock would also meet high, sheer walls at the top which are heavily patrolled. The city has a standing guard numbering several thousand, and although their day duties involve mostly policing and control of the movement of the population, they also act as a large standing garrison and regularly undertake defensive drills.
Districts
The city of Tecard is divided into three very distinct regions, with access between them tightly controlled by walls, guards and paperwork.
The Tent City surrounding the base of the rock houses in the region of 25,000 people at any one time, although the marjority are transient. Officially, there are no permanent buildings at the base of the rock, although many long standing residents have hidden more permanent constructions within their large canvas tents. Folk of all nationalities live within the tent city, which provides almost all of the commercial output of the capital. Narlanders are particularly common to the south of the city, with Offenlanders and Lassans more common to the south-west. Much of the northern side of the tent city is populated by native Acarians trading in produce. To the south, near the stairs, are large grazing stables for the horses of the nobility of the city.
Ascending the several hundred stone stairs from the south west corner of the rock, a huge gatehouse complex guards the entrance to the Lower City. Around 400 buildings are crammed into narrow streets and house almost 8000 people in total. A number of minor noble households have small abodes here, but much of the rest comprises multi-family residences for the working classes or small stores selling a wide range of finished goods. Most of the streets are narrow and winding, with multiple storey buildings towering over narrow streets. The roofs are criss-crossed by conducting cables which light up with the lightning during the stormy seasons. There is one large central square in the area, which features a large wooden stage with a gallows, sacrificial altar for animal sacrifice, a church, and one of the several inns for travellers in the lower city.
The top of the rock is divided into two by a high wall separating the Upper City. Two gates - one to the north and one to the south - provide the only access, which is tightly controlled by paperwork. Within the upper city the streets open out dramatically, as within the same area there are approximately half as many builings, housing just 2500 people. Linking the northern gate directly to the castle is a broad street flanked by the large mansions of the most influential nobles of the city. From the southern gate, a similar street is lined with major cultural attractions, including the Arena, the Museum of War, large restraurants, and at the end the Grand Cathedral of Daizall. The central area comprises high end commercial buildings and the hall of the Knights of Kapok.
Maps
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Tecard
The city of Tecard
Type
City
Population
35000
Location under
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
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