Difference between revisions of "Avaldsnes (Royal City)"

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image_flag = Flag_Avaldsnes_(Royal_City).png |
 
image_flag = Flag_Avaldsnes_(Royal_City).png |
 
coat of arms = Arms_Royal_City_of_Avaldsnes.png |
 
coat of arms = Arms_Royal_City_of_Avaldsnes.png |
subdivision = Avaldsnes |
+
subdivision = Royal City of Avaldsnes |
 
motto = Við byggja denne by på Forn Siðr <small>("We built this city on the Ancient Ways")</small> |
 
motto = Við byggja denne by på Forn Siðr <small>("We built this city on the Ancient Ways")</small> |
 
status = [[Royal City]] |
 
status = [[Royal City]] |

Revision as of 18:31, 13 December 2016

Royal City of Avaldsnes
Flag Avaldsnes (Royal City).png

Arms Royal City of Avaldsnes.png

Motto: Við byggja denne by på Forn Siðr ("We built this city on the Ancient Ways")
Feudal Status: Royal City

Local Leadership Title: Lord Mayor of Avaldsnes
Local Government: Feudal
Current leader: Hallbjörn Haraldsson

Local language: Common Tongue, Froyalanish, Wintergleamish
Local Religion: Froyalanish Ancient Ways, Bovic Faith
A view of the Royal City of Avaldsnes.
The city of Avaldsnes in the very early days of the tenure of Count Harald of Wintergleam.

Avaldsnes, also known as the Royal City of Avaldsnes as well as the Sea Shrine City, is the capital of the Bailiwick of the same name as well as the capital of the Royal Precinct which is known as the Federation of the Seven Ports.

About

The Sea Shrine City is bustling hub of trade and commerce, which still has managed to maintain a romantic and picturesque atmosphere with its cobbled streets and half-timbered houses. Due to many members of the Royal Family of Elwynn - especially the King of Elwynn - spending considerable time there, Avaldsnes has become somewhat of an unofficial capital of the Flower of the North, with the Council of Eliria from time to time meeting there in stead of in the official capital.

Among the most striking features are the city's roofs - which are virtually all tiled blue in honour of the House of Ettlingar Freyu - and the gargantuan walls protecting the city, which are also known as Haraldsveggir.

Avaldsnes has access to some of the richest fishing grounds in the world and is famous for its gold- and silversmiths as well as its other arts and learning, with Hertug Haraldsmál College being one of the most prestigiouss college of the People's Academy of Elwynn.

The Royal City of Avaldsnes is regarded as the capital of present-day Froyalan.

History

Avaldsnes was founded by the Valtian chieftain Augvald Holmfastsson of the House of Tysvær as a trading post and way-station of the coast of Winter Bay in the Wintergleam area of what was millenia later to become the Duchy of Goldshire. The colony grew slowly during this period, not ever exceeding the size of midsized village, as it was hard to find adequate labour for what most Valtians considered a not too attractive outpost of the Valtian Empire.

After the destruction of Valtia and the subsequent collapse of the Valtian Free State, Avaldsnes received an influx of refugees made up of people driven out of other former Valtian colonies, allowing it to grow to the size of a small town.

For most of its post-Valtian history Avaldsnes managed to chart a semi-independent course for itself throughout times, owing to a combination of:

  • being sheltered from raids carried out from its hinterland by the inaccessible pre-Great Thaw frozen interior of Wintergleam;
  • its robust coastal defences and being one of the few places of knowing the secret of making the formidable weapon which is known as Valtian Fire;
  • clever diplomacy, including stiking mutually beneficial deals with Raynor as well as various Dukes of Goldshire;
  • keeping a low profile to avoid attracting unwanted attention, including bribing cartographers to keep Avaldsnes off their maps.

Avaldsnes got a major boost when the Sameinaða Erlendur Kaupsýsla Einokun Félagið (SEKEF) established itself in the town shortly after the foundation of the High Realm of Stormark, which led to a tremendous increase in commercial business and trade volumes.

An even larger boost came during the days of the Ducal Reign of Sirithil nos Fëanor of Elwynn when she invited the SEKEF to do business in Elwynn under very generous terms to help meeting the insatiable demand from the Elfinshi elite for luxury goods. It is said that to this very day the Eldgammela Kryptar, the legendary maze of subterranean vaults connected by underground passageways which is situated below the Old Town of the Royal City of Avaldsnes, holds fabulous treasures amassed by the Duchesses Sirithil and Mari Greenwood including coins, bullion and jewellery.

Trivia

Sites of Interest