Castellon Heights

Despite being underground, one cannot help but notice the grandiose nature of this, relatively speaking, small district of Geata-Iarainn. The cavern is dominated by structures of the finest marble and stone, with a surprising plethora of color and panache. Gold and silver, copper, bronze and brass decorate corners, bannisters, the framework of windows and doors alike. The roads that move through the Castellon Heights are similarly not merely carved, but refinished, purposely so, of the most pristinely gorgeous black and dark green cobbled stonework, done in a three-two-three-four-three-one repeating pattern creating a dazzling optical effect with the natural black and grey of surrounding stone. The cavern is well lit, with many a lantern, more frequently placed than most other districts. Furthermore many of the large manor like homes have their own crackling magnetorch lamps along their fence line or property wall, providing further illumination. The streets around you do not lack for traffic however, the same you've experienced elsewhere in the city, though the carriages within the cavern districts lack the animal propulsion they utilize in Sky-Side or the Docklands, and are generally pricier, run by the city directly. Instead they are pulled by magnetech constructs in the rough shape of horse or oxen. These constructs are famously expensive to make, however are very useful. They do not handle the thick sea air of the Docklands or the bitter cold and snow of the Suranthi winter particularly well on a long time frame however, so such contraptions are generally localized, as you see here in the capital.

As you pass through the threshold of the Castellon Gates, it is impossible to ignore a couple other notable changes and factors. Within this noble district, one can find all the houses of Suranthi power, the seat of her national government. As well, within this district and this district alone the GPD, the Geata Police Department, lacks any direct presence. You see no cops on patrol, no sign of any precinct of any kind. Instead the streets and avenues are patrolled by pairs or trios of armored men and dwarves with muskets, pistols, and sidearms such as handaxes and cutlasses very much present. They are armored in the finest of mithrium chain, bearing an unmistakable crest emblazed upon the stone grey tunic they wear over the shirt of chain. A roaring dragon of pure fire emblazoned atop a barrel of smokepowder. The Iron Dragons, the elite special force/infantry and military police of the Suranthi armed forces. Some fifty of their number act as the enforcing authority within the Castellon Heights, with another twenty-five paired with twenty-five Storm-Lancers whom act as the royal protectorate within Bravori Sanctoris, or more commonly known as the Hall of the Brave, or Castle Bravery. This is the seat of power of the High King or Queen, the residence they and their direct blood take up, as well as any staff from their clan they choose to fill the many positions needed to keep this place operating smoothly. Housed within the castle grounds the Hall of Clans, the location within which governance is discussed, brought to a head, suggested, and voted upon or against. The place where the Council of Crowns governs all of Suranth, in the large picture anyway. Though the smallest district and least populated by far in Geata-Iarainn, the Castellon Heights always inspires a little bit of awe. It is also a place of great social power and intrigue, as it is here, in this small cavern, where decisions, discussions, and politicking is done that makes waves all across a nation the size and breadth of Suranth.

Demographics

Castellon Heights, despite the grandeur one may notice within the cavern district, is actually by a large margin the least populous district of Geata-Iarainn, home only to some 9583 out of the city's population of just north of 150 thousand. This small district is heavily weighted by population, moreso than the rest of the city by percentage, with dwarves making up well over 50% of the district's population, as one may expect, given that the elected head of government, the High King or Queen and their direct family and most trusted clan mates are housed here along with the Council of the Crowns, the clan representatives from the other great clans chosen to sit on the Suranthi government, as well as their kin and direct blood/family as well. Humans naturally and unsurprisingly make up the next highest number by percentage, given that two of the so named 'great clans' are actually human family lines that have earned that unique and most honored distinction for their loyalty and friendship to the Suranthi dwarven peoples over nearly three human generations. Beyond that you have a smattering of most other races present, though a distinct lack of Tanturs is immediately noticeable though not that strange and trait shared across the entire of the Caverns Quarters. The tall folk will come down for business, but given they are even a little taller than elves and a lot bulkier than them, they have historically and continue to choose not to live within the Caverns Quarters.

Race	Rough % of Population	Count
Dwarves	61%	5846
Elf, Woad	1%	96
Elf, Skye	2%	191
Gnome	1%	95
Halfmen	2%	190
Human	33%	3165
Tantur	0%	0

Government

Castellon Heights is the where the Hall of Clans is situated, making it the location of governmental power of the entire nation of Suranth He head of state, the High King or Queen, when they are chosen and in power, lives within Castle Bravery as well. Currently Suranth is without anyone within that position with the recent passing of High King Cormac Ironcliffe. The leaders of the six 'great clans' have been summoned to appear in Geata-Iarainn to initiate the necessary Crown Vote by the Council of Crowns to establish which of the clans heads shall take upon the position and role next. Normally these regional clan leaders would not live within Geata-Iarainn, their seat upon the Council of Crowns delegated to a trusted appointee. Many of the most powerful political figures in all of Suranth make their home and estate within this district.

Points of interest

The Castellon Heights as is geographically the smallest district in Geata-Iarainn, and the one with the least locales of general public interest from any sort of tourism or economic perspective. With that said, there are a few locations worth noting, as listed and explained briefly below.

Bravori Sanctoris (AKA Castle Bravery)

This is the seat of power of the nation, and this massive compound and structure, seemingly carved from the very stone of the cavern itself. Enclosed and encompassed within is the Khasliean ver Clann, better known as the Ironcrown Estate. This compound is the residence taken up by the current High King or Queen and their direct blood family and chosen personal support staff. Contained within is also two small garrisons for the Ice Crown Honor Guard, which is always made up of twenty-five veteran Iron Dragons and twenty-five veteran Storm-Lancers. Besides this within the castle sits the Crowned Clann-hall, the seat of Suranthi government. The castle offers smaller, but no less accomodating, residences that are generally taken up by those representatives and elected officials whom sit upon the Council of the Crowns, outside the obvious ones such as Storm Father Noisgruam or Archmagister Gregory Brunstrem, whom both have their own estates within the Castellon Heights outside the Bavori Sanctoris. Castle Bravery is generally open to the public, though the estates themselves within the castle, the various manors are generally not, being beyond a secondary set of defenses. However the Council of the Crowns, which meet three days a week for 14 hours a day, their assemblies are open to the general public to attend part or all of if they so wish. As one might expect, security for these assemblies is quite stringent however, with no way to enter the assembly itself without passing through at least two security points where you will be rather thoroughly patted down. Magisters are an exception to this, needing explicit proof of written permission to even enter the building, much less attend the assembly, due to the nature arcane magick and their inherent ability to cause widespread destruction over such an enclosed space. As such generally the checkpoints have someone present, a magister or templar, whom can detect the touch of Arcanis on people, so that no such individual, magister or otherwise can sneak in.

Brunstrem Estate

This mansion of white and grey marble at the north-eastern wall and edge of the Heights, with polished copper trim and decorative framing around the windows and doors, is the largest property outside Castle Bravery. The building is a work of art, much of the stonework seeming mystical in its perfection, its subtle shapes, its smooth and skilled geomentry, yet in spite of its owner and the implication of such a statement, it is not. For this is the home to the archmagister of the Geata-Iarainn Magisterium Campus, Gregory Brunstrem. He is in fact of magister of the Topaz Order, that is a Geomancer of great skill and reknown. However, his estate was in fact built by regular tradesfolk, the best one could hire, as he preferred to allow the most skilled craftsfolk money could employ the chance to show off their skills. He has always had a great respect for labor and tradesfolk, and is himself a fully licensed and recognized toolsmith. The structure is naturally warded by and against magick however and has all the trappings within its interior that one might expect of a magister of the Topaz Order, including a magnificent tool and die casting workshop, with all the trimmings. It is one of Gregory's deepest laments that he simply does not get to spend enough time in these facilities, for his responsibilities are numerous and ever time consuming.

Storm Manor

Neighboring the Brunstrem Estate, and the next largest structure within the Heights, this manor looks more like a personalized hybrid of a military encampment and a church. The property is not merely fenced, but walled, with a proper gatehouse and checkpoint. The home itself is of uniform grey stone with many carvings and murals of an obviously religious nature depicting the dwarven god Sir Kartheart, and the windows are of stained glass, depicting scenes, images and iconography of a religious significance. This is the homestead of Storm-Father Noisgruam, highest ranking individual within the Karthertian faith anywhere across all of Valerick. His title speaks to his importance within the faith and the complex structures within the religious organization, for no other can hold the title whilst he yet lives. Storm-Father Noisgruam is known to be a private individual, and does not entertain guests very often within his own home. Given his importance and station, it is not surprising that he is watched over by his own homeguard, ten oathsworn Storm Lancers who the entire dedication of their service within the Templar Order is to serve him directly, being housed upon his estate.

Crown Manors

These other notable estates, standing above and beyond the norm for this already rich and visually stunning area of Geata-Iariann are the housing that go to the appointed representatives on the Council of the Crowns from the High Clans, they are special diplomatic housing provided as a unique perk to this civil service. The Council of the Crowns as a body is spoken of often and is generally well known amongst Suranthi culture and even on the streets of Geata-Iarainn. However it is genuinely surprising how few people know the individual members upon the council outside Joakim Ironcliffe, whom is merely sitting in until the next High King or Queen is chosen after the death of his brother, along with Archmagister Gregory Brunstrem and Storm-Father Noisgruam. The appointed representatives from the clans are generally not nearly as well known.

Type

District

Population

9583

Location under

Geata-Iarainn