Post by Beolakh on Mar 18, 2009 3:50:22 GMT -5
The City of Caermarn
Overview:
Caermarn is the capital city of Talambar, home to the seat of the Talambrian government, Brenhintyr Palace, as well as the Talmas arena and the Caermarn Runic Academy.
Location:
Caermarn lies on Talambar's west coast, sprawling over the land where the Wysfarr River meets Marchnad Bay.
Geography/Layout:
Built over the Wysfarr Delta, Caermarn's terrain is predominantly flat with some rolling hills to the south.
To the north, Caermarn is dominated by docks, taverns, and slums. Although the North District constitutes only about a third of the city's area, it houses nearly 70% of its population. The soil in this region is unstable, so its buildings are prone to foundation problems.
The Central District consists mostly of open squares, plazas, street-side shops, and apartments for the middle class.
To the south, the bustle of the Central District gives way to the open manors and estates of the South District. The area is full of manors for the social elite, orchards, private gardens, and riding grounds, as well as the king's horse track.
Landmarks:
Talambar's largest trading center, the Caermarn Market, occupies a significant amount of space in the Central District. On any given day, the plazas of the Market are packed full of merchants from Mynydford selling furs from the backs of wagons, sea-traders hawking wares from the latest ship's arrival, and slavers auctioning their prize goods. Whatever a man is looking to buy, he'll find someone who wants to sell it in the Market.
Also in the Central District is the Talmas—Talambar's world-renowned gladiatorial arena where freemen and slaves alike battle daily for fame, glory, and—for some—survival.
Brenhintyr Palace, home to the rhyn, is situated in the South District overlooking the Wysfarr river.
At the southwest limit of the South District, nestled in the woods, lies the Caermarn Runic Academy—the largest human-run institution for the learning of magic in the world. Middle and upper-class youths from all over Talambar come to the Academy to learn the lucrative art of runecasting.
Inhabitants:
There's no single stereotype for a Caermarner, for the three districts are distinct enough to be cities in and of themselves. The culture of the North District focuses around the Bay and the ports; many of its inhabitants (called “northrats” in the other districts) are people whose livelihoods depend on the ships which are ever coming in and out of Marchnad, whether sailors, innkeepers who house sailors, or merchants who do business with captains. However, a great many of those dwelling in the North District are lower-class laborers.
Residents of the Central District, often referred to as “limers” by inhabitants of the North District after the white pavestones common in the plazas, make their living for the most part in the Market. They are manufacturers and craftsmen who go to the Market bearing goods and return with the day's meal. Some lower class youth are able to leave their families' homes in the North District and live in the Central District as apprentices to middle-class crafters.
The South District is occupied by Caermarn's very wealthy, and the political elite. However, those of lower classes may be fortunate enough to find homes here as servants or slaves on a noble's estate.
Flora:
In the severely-overpopulated North District, vegetation is rare. Some small gardens and roadside trees speckle the layout of the Central District. Most of Caermarn's plant life is concentrated in the lush, manicured manors of the South District.
Fauna:
Caermarn is home to the typical array of resourceful urban critters—pigeons, raccoons, seagulls, the occasional stray dog. Some nobles let game animals such as foxes and deer run wild on their land to hunt for sport.
History/Myth:
Caermarn was the seat of the Careg tribe in the years before Brencynt's Unification. During the Elven-Dwarven wars, it was occupied by the Aetheraens.
Overview:
Caermarn is the capital city of Talambar, home to the seat of the Talambrian government, Brenhintyr Palace, as well as the Talmas arena and the Caermarn Runic Academy.
Location:
Caermarn lies on Talambar's west coast, sprawling over the land where the Wysfarr River meets Marchnad Bay.
Geography/Layout:
Built over the Wysfarr Delta, Caermarn's terrain is predominantly flat with some rolling hills to the south.
To the north, Caermarn is dominated by docks, taverns, and slums. Although the North District constitutes only about a third of the city's area, it houses nearly 70% of its population. The soil in this region is unstable, so its buildings are prone to foundation problems.
The Central District consists mostly of open squares, plazas, street-side shops, and apartments for the middle class.
To the south, the bustle of the Central District gives way to the open manors and estates of the South District. The area is full of manors for the social elite, orchards, private gardens, and riding grounds, as well as the king's horse track.
Landmarks:
Talambar's largest trading center, the Caermarn Market, occupies a significant amount of space in the Central District. On any given day, the plazas of the Market are packed full of merchants from Mynydford selling furs from the backs of wagons, sea-traders hawking wares from the latest ship's arrival, and slavers auctioning their prize goods. Whatever a man is looking to buy, he'll find someone who wants to sell it in the Market.
Also in the Central District is the Talmas—Talambar's world-renowned gladiatorial arena where freemen and slaves alike battle daily for fame, glory, and—for some—survival.
Brenhintyr Palace, home to the rhyn, is situated in the South District overlooking the Wysfarr river.
At the southwest limit of the South District, nestled in the woods, lies the Caermarn Runic Academy—the largest human-run institution for the learning of magic in the world. Middle and upper-class youths from all over Talambar come to the Academy to learn the lucrative art of runecasting.
Inhabitants:
There's no single stereotype for a Caermarner, for the three districts are distinct enough to be cities in and of themselves. The culture of the North District focuses around the Bay and the ports; many of its inhabitants (called “northrats” in the other districts) are people whose livelihoods depend on the ships which are ever coming in and out of Marchnad, whether sailors, innkeepers who house sailors, or merchants who do business with captains. However, a great many of those dwelling in the North District are lower-class laborers.
Residents of the Central District, often referred to as “limers” by inhabitants of the North District after the white pavestones common in the plazas, make their living for the most part in the Market. They are manufacturers and craftsmen who go to the Market bearing goods and return with the day's meal. Some lower class youth are able to leave their families' homes in the North District and live in the Central District as apprentices to middle-class crafters.
The South District is occupied by Caermarn's very wealthy, and the political elite. However, those of lower classes may be fortunate enough to find homes here as servants or slaves on a noble's estate.
Flora:
In the severely-overpopulated North District, vegetation is rare. Some small gardens and roadside trees speckle the layout of the Central District. Most of Caermarn's plant life is concentrated in the lush, manicured manors of the South District.
Fauna:
Caermarn is home to the typical array of resourceful urban critters—pigeons, raccoons, seagulls, the occasional stray dog. Some nobles let game animals such as foxes and deer run wild on their land to hunt for sport.
History/Myth:
Caermarn was the seat of the Careg tribe in the years before Brencynt's Unification. During the Elven-Dwarven wars, it was occupied by the Aetheraens.