Topenah

From BattleMaster Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Error: No contents found at URL https://battlemaster.org/data/region/7/39.

https://battlemaster.org/dynamicmap_mini.php?SetWorld=7&ShowRegion=39
Region Details
Continent
Region Type
Geographic Area
Population
Economy
Politics
Realm

[[Category:]]


The second largest city in the Far East, Topenah has been until recent years the capital of Ethiala for most of the latter's existence, benefitting from the wealth and influence that such a dominion provided. Currently over nine-tenths of the original population of thirty-one thousand and three-hundred have either been killed by famine and plague or have fled from the region, due to both the war with Arcaea and poor management of the city and it's resources during the reign of Ethiala. Under Duke Aerywyn, who had previously led the armies besieging the Ethialans, the arduous process of rebuilding was begun until he was killed in a duel on the Saffron Bridge seeking veangance for his dead knight Emma Octavius and to right the wrongs that Deathwyrm Tomarsen had done with blood. Duke Goffrey Massey of Nocaneb recieved the city after avenging Aerywyn's death.

The City and it's Surrounds

Seventy miles inland from the sea the land is gentle, rich in fertility and a pleasant climate which has allowed for a very large population to survive and expand in the northern grasslands. The Dyer's guild and the Winemaker's guild are two of the most influential organisations in Topenah, with the fields running up to the very walls awash with the aroma of flowers, thousands of different kinds in an vast array of colour. Further out in the rolling hills are a number of vineyards and wineries making use of both the climate and topography as well as the proximity to the trade hub of the city itself. At the edges of the region, in the less fertile eastern reaches towards the plains of Arempos and in the grasslands to the south live mostly farmers and husbandmen, growing wheat, hops and barley as well as herding sheep and goats.

A city cannot be built without access to resources however, the walls and buildings of which have been fashioned from the stone quarried from both beneath the earth. Woodland used to cover most of the region before the rapid expansion of the local settlements, resulting in the forest being cut back to the south-eastern border. As well as shale and granite, Topenah boasts several major mines in the east, digging into veins of iron and tin.

The city proper is divided into two major quarters which can be roughly called the rich and the poor, with the river Maros running through the middle, pushing the Floral Quarter, the centre of government and the central keep to the north-west and the larger, Outer Quarter to the south and east. Three bridges link the parts of the city, with the largest and most well travelled being the Saffron bridge leading to the Plaza on the south-eastern bend of the river.

By the bridge in the floral quarter, just north of the bridge, the University of Topenah has it's campus at the top of a hill with gardens rolling down to the water. An observatory is present as well as the large stone building housing the main lecture halls. Students can choose to lodge themselves in the fine accomodation available around the university, or more often in the cheaper housing across the river. It is also across the river where they all hitch their robes up, toss back the earflaps of their scholarly caps and run amok during their wild nights.

Ducal Palace

A majestic structure dominating the north-western part of the city, the original foundations date back to the years of the first Arcaean Patriarch when the empire was in its infancy, when the main hall was first erected for purposes of government. Following the fall of the empire and the secession of Ethiala it was turned into the formal residence of the duke and the capitol of the kingdom, with each successive duke building upon the past in a display of power and wealth. Aside from the main hall and it's adjacent buildings, there is the west wing which is the summertime residence of the Duke with room for guests and servants, and the north-east tower which has a bridge leading towards the Citadel.

The Saffron Plaza

The Plaza marks the most busiest part of the city, a place bustling with traders and people from all walks of life making a living by selling whatever goods they have managed to procure. Although there is a large open space of faded red tiles, the name applies to the surrounded blocks as well which double as both shops and living quarters.

Floral Quarter

Home to the rich and the growing middle class, Quarter is named for the iconic Floral way which runs from the Saffron bridge straight to the ducal palace and the Citadel of Topenah. Flowerbeds line both sides of the long street and trees lie in the center, giving off a pleasant aroma and turning an otherwise gray city into a beautiful and peaceful sight. The parks and streets are an attraction to both visitors and locals alike, being especially popular in spring when the leaves and roses begin to flower. As well, the nobility benefit from the bath houses of the city, styling themselves as civilised in comparison to those from further north. Academies and hospitals all make use of the theureputic services the city has to offer.

Outer Quarter

Fields of flowers surround the city in all directions.

History

Troops and Supplies

Saffron Skirmishers

Culture

Festivals

Folk Lore

Information

  • Investment cost: 360 gold
CoatofArmsTiny.png The Kingdom of Arcaea CoatofArmsTiny.png
Imperial
None
Duchy of Far East/Lasop
None