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| Proper Name: | Rel Mord |
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| Province: | Justcrown |
| Ruler: | King Lynwerd |
| Resources: | Trade |
| Population: | 50,500 |
| Languages: | Common, Old Oeridian |
| Religions: | Beory, Boccob, Celestian, Daern, Delleb, Fharlanghn, Lydia, Heironeous, Labelas Enoreth, Merikka, Murlynd, Pelor, Pholtus [Bright Path], Rao, Rudd, Stern Alia, Velnius, Wee Jas, Zilchus, Zuoken |
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[%exec turbine="npc link Lynwerd Nehron" %] [%exec turbine="npc link Xenia Nehron" %] [%exec turbine="npc link Astra Callistor" %] [%exec turbine="npc link Archbold Nehron" %] [%exec turbine="npc link Grey Seer" %] [%exec turbine="npc link Dihconwy Mthar" %] [%exec turbine="npc link Sewarndt Nehron" %] |
Because of its calmer waters, over time this widening of the Duntide became a popular crossing-point of the river. For centuries the ancient Flann used the broad plains to the west of this area as a yearly gathering and week-long celebration during Richfest. As the Oeridians, Suloise and others began to filter into the region permanent structures were erected and gradually a city was born. Much later (-303CY) the first military structure was built as a keep on the western banks. This keep later became the foundation for the great fortress which houses the Ninth Legion and the First Fleet.
Rel Mord is an old city, and is one of the greatest in the entire Flanaess. It was originally brought into the limelight during the Great Kingdom when it was the seat of the Viceroyalty of Nyrond, starting a century after the first Common Year. From Rel Mord the Viceroyalty of Nyrond spanned a region encompassing the modern areas of the Pale, Tenh, parts of the Bandit Kingdoms and the Dutchy and County of Urnst.
The fortress on the western banks of the river was built around 30 CY, with later expansions added around 270 CY. The palace on the eastern banks is built on a natural hill in the center of the river valley. Its origins are less certain, however most scholars believe that there was an earlier structure in its place, which was destroyed by the original Viceroy of Nyrond to make way for a proper palace in 100 CY. Over time additional smaller fortresses (referred to as fortlets) were built at the main thoroughfares into the eastern city.
By the time Nyrond proclaimed independance from the Great Kingdom in 356CY it had spread haphazardly across both banks of the river. A capitol city project was begun to improve Rel Mord. However, the western city was finding the ground to be less stable than the eastern bedrock. It was decided to extend a curtain wall around the eastern city, connecting the fortlets into a unified military structure. The bridge connecting the western fortress and the eastern structures was also built at this time, and later came to be known as the Highbridge[4]. These structures have remained largely unchanged, until after Chathold fell in Almor. The military was concerned about a similar fate for Rel Mord, and a six year project was begun, with the joint efforts of the Arcane and Divine Legions as well as assistance from the University and the Wizards Guild, to magically enhance the strength of the curtain walls, protecting as well as hardening. What enchantments were actually laid has not been released.
By 376 CY[2] most of the new Rel Mord was Completed. It was designed to house the official governmental needs of the new Kingdom, with a strong emphasis on protecting these assets. To the current day the defensive nature of Rel Mord has been maintained. No building of any nature is allowed outside of the walls (within five miles), nor near the walls inside the city. Because of this, Rel Mord has built upwards. Nearly every building inside the city is built wall to wall and directly on the street. The only public open spaces are in the various city squares, and on the Via Regus. Most buildings have three to four stories. The construction style is commonly brick and cement covered with stucco. The old city still exists across the river, but has degenerated into warehouses, places of pleasure and slums.
The only public park in the city is on Via Regus. To each side of Via Regus is the Garden of the Kings, which uses Rel Mord's renowned water system to provide a public water garden. Along Via Regus is also located the Assembly of Lords, the House of Judges and a few monuments to past victories.
Rel Mord enjoys a fairly metropolitan atmosphere. While the years before and immediately after Lynwerd took crown were tough on the entire nation, Rel Mord has managed to revive itself and prosper. As in any large city Refugees and Homeless can be found, but are generally collected and placed into government work projects fairly rapidly. The western city is the only area where open begging is allowed.
The Royal University of Rel Mord is one of the largest
intellectual establishments known on Oerth, and has come to influence
much of the attitudes in Rel Mord.
Many noble and well-to-do families across the Flanaess
send their children to Rel Mord for schooling. This has caused an
influx of dilettante behavior. Not only known for scholastic and
artistic
pursuits Rel Mord is fast becoming known for its culinary innovations.
Restaurants and eateries are a common past-time of the idle rich who
inhabit the city.
Tradition steeped in the practices of the ancient Flann of the
region still drives the modern burial practices of Rel Mord. The dead
of Rel Mord are interred in underground tombs, located beneath the
city. These tombs have grown over the years into a large complex.
This Necropolis is managed by the Royal Morticians Society. The
Society has two goals above and beyond providing interment. They are
interested in keeping unwanted individuals out, and keeping the dead
resting. While many rumors
abound about dark denizens of the Necropolis, the Royal Morticians
Society actually meets their goals. It is not well known, but a
temple to Wee Jas is located in the Necropolis, and managed by the
Royal Morticians Society.
Most of the Necropolis is fairly close to the surface, and
sometimes alternate entrances can be found in both the sewers of Rel
Mord and other locations. The true depth of the Necropolis is
unknown, as long ago its deeper levels flooded and have been
abandoned.
The Necropolis (For Builders Only)
The Ninth Legion is headquartered out of the great fortress on the western banks of the Duntide, and the First Fleet also maintains a post. The Ninth legion is also responsible for patrolling any other province of Nyrond which does not have an activley poste Legion. Three divisions of the Ninth Legion are permanently posted in Rel Mord, in the fortress and gatehouse fortlets each of which also has mighty catapult and ballista installations. The river wall also has catapults and ballista. Rel Mord's defenses have never actually been tested, but if it were to come down to a last stand, it stands ready.
While the city gates and walls are manned by the Ninth Legion, the streets are policed by a force known as the Sentinels. The Rel Mord Sentinels are a civil organization which keeps the peace inside the city. This is a fairly daunting task, for one of the largest cities in the Flanaess. Fortunately, they do have the ability to pull support from the Legion if necessary. While the Sentinels have had authorization to use "deadly force" in the past, this liberty has been removed since the betrayal of Sewarndt. With the added presence of the Legions which they can lean upon in dire situations, the Sentinels do not carry weapons prominently, and instead limit their armament for regular patrols to a simple peace-keeping club.
The City is spread across the eastern and western banks of the Duntide, with the majority of the city on the eastern side. The eastern city spreads across a separate river valley which used to empty into the Duntide (it has since been piped and added to the water system of Rel Mord). In the center of the river valley is a hill, which is home to the Royal Palace. The leading edge of this hill leads down into the valley, and is capped with the road Via Regus. The lowest income housing can be found in the valley sections of the city, starting in the south western and north western corners. The quality of building increases while moving up the hills, with the highest grade sitting on the benches to the north and south of the city. Around the docks can be found mostly merchants and warehouses (although most warehouses are in the western city).
Because of recurring flooding, the dockside of the eastern city has been back-filled and rose an additional ten feet (this was a slow process which took place over many centuries). The docks raise and lower with water level, and there is generally a steeply sloped ramp to reach them. Many mercantile houses on the dockside are split level, with a warehouse in the bottom level (which opens directly onto their docks) and the upper level meeting the regular city street where they conduct business.
The Iron Fist Guild Building is almost an adventurers exchange, with fighters being the most common type here. [2, pg. 17] The Iron Fist also maintains a larger establishment outside of Rel Mord, where they have their own practice yards and exercise grounds.
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