Skipgard

Demographics

15% Elf (95% wood, 5% high), 12% Half-Elf (80% wood, 20% high), 10% Human, 10% Dragonborn, 10% Firbolg, 10% Gnome, 8% Halfling, 5% Satyr, 20% Others (Including: Aarakocra, Bugbear, Centaur, Changeling, Dwarf, Fairy, Genasi, Goblin, Goliath, Hadozee, Half-Orc, Harengon, Hobgoblin, Kenku, Kobold, Leonin, Minotaur, Shifter, Tabaxi, Tiefling, Tortle, Triton, Orc and Owlin).
10% of the Dwarf, Elf, Gnome, Half-Elf, Half-Orc, Halfling, Human and Tiefling population are metallic half-dragons.

Government

The city is governed as part of the wider feudal system in Fylkirheim. It is ruled by a Villrfellian Thane named Aial Thanesson. Aial maintains the city with the aid of the city guard and a number of influential merchant families. Aial and the merchants make decisions and enact policies which affect the city, while the city guard enforce those decisions.
Taxes pay for large sum of the city's maintaince and defense. These taxes include a 'visitors' tax', which any non-resident travelling into the city is required to pay. The amount totals 1SP per day, payable on departure from the city. The city guard man control points on each exit to the city, notably each gate leading into Villrfell, the harbour and the skyport and use a network of enchanted stone tablets to collaberatively keeptrack of people entering the city, the amount of days they have been in the city and by extension amount owed. traveller's unable to pay the tax on departure from the city are required to take up jobs in the harbour (earning 2SP per day) until their tax has been paid.

Defences

The Walls. The entire city, save the for the river's exits, its protected by a 50-foot-tall, 10-foot-wide stone wall,supported by numerous towers which reach 75-feet-tall. This wall supports two gates, one in the north-west, one in the south-west, which are mand from wood reinforced with iron and manned continuously.
The City Guard. Skipgard hosts a force of approximately 1,500 city guard. They are led by Hersir Arnbjorg Ashcutter. The guard are responsible for protecting the city gates, walls and towers as well as patrolling the city, including its harbours and skyport.
The Fylkirian Navy. On the outskirts of the city, located in the bay to the east of the harbours, a porttion of the country's navy is stationed. In total, there are 10 warships stations here, each with approximately 40 crew memebers. While they do not directly involvedthemsemt with the city, Contact between the fleet and the Hensir is maintained shoudl the need ever arise.

Infrastructure

All-Pterrain Vehicles. A famous wainwright located in the south-west of the city, close to the city gates. The shop appears as a large manor house built on top of an open-walled stable, specifically designed to house the unique dinosaur mounts the busness hatches and trains. As the busniess grew however, additional stabling was built next to the property, which face the main road leading from the city gate, giving the busniess excellent visability to those travel to and from the city from this gate. It is owned by a gnome named Fonkin Folkor, who breeds and raises hadrosaurs from eggs for use as mounts and pack animals.
The Golden Wyrm (Modest). A tavern located in the south of the city, which is popular with the local dragonborn population. It was founded by refugees from Dracoria after The Aspect Wars and is currently run by a gold half-dragon named Torinn Asason. The tavern overlooks the north banks of the river and has an enclosed garden out front where patrons can enjoy their drinks beneath the willow tress which grow here. The interior of the tavern is dark but comfortable, with dark wood tables, deep-red, leather cushions and torch scones filling the space in a warm glow. 
The Hearth and Horn (Comfortable). A tavern located in the north of the city, which is most used by the local residents of the city. Its interior is decorated with the heads of numerous horned creature (including: chimera, gorgons and even some young and wymling chromatic dragons), with the horns of similar creatures being used as cups for all their drinks. It is owned by a firbolg named Leshanna, of Skipgard, who famously will pay travellers good money for the horns or heads of any creature who would harm the forest beyond the city's boarders (or the city itself).
Immeral's Immaculate Imports. A modest magic item shop located in the north-east of the city. It is owned by the elf Immeral, who uses connections in the Kaupstefna, harbour and skyport to locate interesting items which he can sell to travellers and adventurers. The shop may be small, built into the bottom floor of the tower Immeral calls home (with tight shelves and low beams crammed full of merchandise), but it is the best place in the city to aquire items from across Fylkirheim and abroard. The shop 
The Kaupstefna. The Kaupstefna is a large, multicultural market located in the center of the city. It is situated between Villrfell Park and the city's eastern bridge, putting it in a prime location to be constantly filled by the foot traffic expercted from such a busy intersection. It is where most merchants travelling into the city sell their wares. Typically, merchants at the market can be found selling the full range of mundane items from across Fylkirheim and beyond, with many of the stalls decorated in the colours and patterns of their owners' culture. Occasionally however, it is possible to find and purchase more specialist items and even magic items. When these come through the market, they don't often last long before they are bought up.
Nature's Nook. A second magic item shop located in the south of the city. This establishment differs from Immeral's as it exclusively sells wares found or crafted in Villrfell. The shop is built into the trunk of a large oak tree which is said to have grown after being watered exclusively by the verdant waters from around The Coralbay Shrine. It is owned by a harengon named Nalir Burrowbreeze, who takes great joy collecting and selling magic items from her home, particularly anything completely handcrafted.
The Sailor's Sanctuary (Modest). A large inn located in the south-east of the city, near the city trade harbour. It is incredibly popular with travelling sailors and merchant coming in to the city thanks to its proximity to the harbour. Due to the wide range of clientele it caters to, the inn is known for being very multicultral, with its interior decoration drawing inspiration from Al-Tashar, Magnerium and Lokria in The Darastrix Dominion. Outside, seats are place around large flat stones, which function as communal tables, which overlook the river. At night, a large fire is lit to illuminatethe area a provide warm against the winds travelling in from beyond the harbour. It is owned by a hadozee named Kasha Wavedancer, who enjoys hearing stories from people who have travelled from far away places and is known for giving away free drinks for really interesting tales.
The Sylvan Smithery. A blacksmiths and metalworking studio located just off the center of the city, south-east of Triscale Hall. The forge is famously open to the elements, with much of the machinery found in the garden outside of the shop, which is found in the centre of of a small district in the city, detatched from nearby buildings for the safety of the other residents. Despite the black smoke which comes from the forge and chaotic mess patrons can find the place left in, the tools and equipment used here have an elven and otherworldly quality, decorated with delicate embelishments resembling sceneof the feywild. The sho and garden forge are enclosed by an iron fence, which mirrors these details. It is owned by a satyr named Lyra Sparksong, who is known for her incredibly intericate and fey-inspired designs for the pieces she creates.

Guilds and Factions

The Arbor’s Edge. This guildhall, located in the west of the city, is the home to the Skipgard branch of The Hurbryn Highwayman. The entrance to the hall famously has a large, enclosed garden, which is used as a social space by memebers of the guild, while the hall is prodominantly open plan and predominantly built on a single floor to accomadate the centaur guild members. The hall is home to approximately 30 members at any given time and is maintained by a centaur named Andraste Cithreth.
Dýr Lodge. Located in the north-west of the city, this manor house is the headquarters of the Skipgard branch of The Veiða. The manor is built on three floors, with busts, paintings and taxidermied examples of some of the creatures members have slain decorateing the large rooms, walls and corridors. A balcony on its southern edge is used as a sparring ground and a tower onits northern side functions as the guild's regional leader (or The Banamaðr), a human named Eghan Ragnarsson. Eghan directs the guild's missions and has recently expanded the guild's vision to battling sea monsters when reports and rumours of such creatures come through the harbour.
The Skáldi Sagahouse. This guildhall, located in the north-east of the city, functions as a library of the Skáldi's stories from the Villrfell region. The guildhalltakes the form of a longhouse located along the bank of one of the city's canals. Inside, the hall houses an impressive libary of stories, poem and music written by the guilds members as well as copies of famous manuscripts from artists from Fylkirheim's past. The Sagahouse is protected by a dwarf named Oskar Battleballad, who can often be found in the city meeting with travellers and trading stories to add to the his collection.
The Skywrights' Association Offices. The offices of The Skywirghts Association are located inat the endtrance to the city's skyport. The offices fuction as both an admistration building and secure entrance to the skyport, with all travellers and skyship owners having to enter through a large, arched tunnel which cuts through the center of the structure and is guarded by members of the association and the city guard. Here, owners of skyships are able to speak to the resident guild representitives to aquire parts and services to maintain their ships. The offices also house a number of rooms which it provides to some of its most important clients when travelling to the city, though thse are not openly known about except for those who have been offered them. The head of the guild in the city is a tiefling named Nemeia Farasdottir. Nemeia is known by those who frequent the skyport regularly and as a result is highly connected with the skyship merchants of travel to Villrfell.
The Svikari Guildhall. The Svikari's guildhall is located within The Sailor's Sanctuary, in a basement level only accessible by a secret staircase in one of the bedrooms. While Kasha is aware of the guild's establishment, she is not herself a member. The guild took up residence in her inn as part of a deal Kasha made with Vil, the guild's changeling leader in the city. The access stairs lead down to an underground base built into a cavern housing some of the ruins of the original Prime Milenia city. While many of the building are ruined, the guild has restored them as best they can to make them functional to their needs. While the guild operate from this location, they do not conduct business here, preferring to keep the location of the guildhall secret. Instead, they can be found in The Kaupstefna, where a number of their memebers operate trade stalls as a front for guild buiness.

History

Skipgard was founded on the site of an ancient port town from The Prime Milenia, which was destroyed during The Draco-Giant War. The new city quickly became established as a prominent port and place of commerce and travel both within Fylkirheim and abroad. As Skipgard grew, as series of canals were developed to allow easier transport for the merchants and fisherman which made up most of the city's population at the time, a engineering marvel which was the first of its kind in Fylkirheim.
Skipgard managed to avoid much of the direct battles during The Aspect Wars, with many of the creator gods' armies using it as their entry to Fylkirheim when their durty required them to come to the country. It was however the site of one famous battle between the forces of The Stormlord and The Strife Emperor, where Bane's infamous Black Fleet attempted to take control of the city. However, they were pushed back once support from Kord's giant-kin allies from Jörðramm arrived.
After The Aspect Wars, worship of Martivir, the Burnished Warden began to grow in the city, as sailors and other travellers heard stories of the dragons power and influence over the sea. At the same time, refugees from Dracoria came across the boarder during Queen Ixenvor's conquest of the country, bringing with them worship of Selara, the Prime Aureate.
These days, Skipgard remains one of the most important port cities in Fylkirheim, with a rich history and the benefits which come from having such a diverse range of citizens and connections to other regions and nations.

Points of interest

The Coralbay Shrine. This shrine, located in the south of the city is dedicated to Melora, the Wildmother. The temple is access by four covered walkways, the space between which contain beautiful grardens of tulips. The inner sanctum of the shrine houses a bowled, circular worship space, accessable by staircases on each side by the entrances, which is decorated with motifs of water and plantlife and can be filled with holy water from a reserve under the floor during ceremonies. On its western side, instead of a tulip garden, the shrine opens out to an inlet from the neighbouring canal, which functions as a 'healing pool'. Stairs build into the inlet leading to a raise floor allow access to the water safely without dropping to the full depth of the canal. It is from this inlet that the emerald-green colouration of the water in this canal originates. The water is said to be a divine sign of The Wildmother's connection to Skipgard and follower's of The Wildmother will often request vials of the green water as mementos of their visit to the shrine (with some even reporting the water to have magical properties). The shrine is overseen by a tortle named Gura, who famously begun the practise of performing cleansing ceremonies in the temple's healing pool. She is the only member of the temple authorised to distribute the holy water. She typically only gives one vial per person and onlyif she deems they deserving of the gift. As such, she does not charge people for it (though leaving a donation to the church certain helps convince her).

• Coralbay Holy Water. When a creature with piety to Melora, the Wildmother uses an action to drink a vial of this holy water, they gain one of the following benefits depending on their amount of piety: 
• 3-9 piety. They heal 2d4+2 hit points.
• 10-24 piety. They heal 4d4+4 hit points.
• 25-49 piety. They heal 8d4+8 hit points and benefit from the effects of lesser restration.
• 50 piety. They heal 10d4+20 hit points and benefit from the effects of greater restoration.

The Gate of New Beginnings. This temple dedicated to Avandra, the Changebringer is located in the north-east of the city and marks the main entrance to the city. The shrine is modest, as with most Changebringer temples, however its interior is decorated with beautiful paintings depicting the history of Fylkirheim as is a popular stop with visitors to the country. These paintings include depictions of:

• The Great Draco-Giant War.
• The Uniting of the Tribes by King Ragnar, the Conqueror.
• The Aspect Wars, with heavy emphasis on depictions of Kord, the Stormlord.
• The Arrival of the dragonboard and half-dragon refugees to Villrfell and Miðrlönd.

It is protected by memebers of the city guard, but overseen officially by an Owlin named Zephyra Swiftwing, who founded the temple after journeying from her home in Magnerium.
The Harbour. Located on the easten side of Skipgard is the city's docks, a pair of locations where merchants and other sailors travelling by sea can safely moor their vessels. The docks on the north side of he river are used by private vessels, while the southern docks are reserved for commercial ships. The harbour is patrolled by members of the city guard, who also man a gatehouse to collect the city's visitor tax. The harbour also has its own shipwright and repair shop, which is owned by a half-elf named Adran Skiphöfn. Adran is an expert at crafting and repairing seaborne vehicles, with many regular merchants seeking the services of him and his carpenters.
The Tidehaven Temple. This temple is located in the south-east and is dedicated to Kord, the Stormlord. It was built near the city's harbour to allow easy access for sailors visiting, who wish to pay the respects or make an offering before a long journey, and is accessed by a series of six, large sets of stairs which cross a moat around its perimeter. The inside of the temple is adorned with statues of great sailors and warriors from Fylkirian history, which surround an open-plan worship space. These statues include depictions of:

• Astrid Véurr. A human warrior who famously fought both dragons and giants during The Great Draco-Giant War.
• Brunhilde. The leader of The Valkyries during The Aspect Wars, who died during a battle against the forces of Gruumsh, the Ruiner.
• Grutok Snake Splitter. A famous orc warrior who fought Stórrgargan, the great sea serpent of Miðrlönd.
• Lamlis Ariessus. A high-elf sailor who was the first person from Fylkirheim to meet Martivir, the Burnished Warden after his rise to divinity and famously believed them to be an avatar of Kord.
• Rill Shallowtide. A water genasi sailor made famous for sailing into The Stormvoid and surviving.
• Uthal 'Skybreaker' Kalagiano. The storm giant goliath Champion of the Stormlord during The Aspect Wars.

It is overseen by a water genasi named Fjord Sjávar, who has served in the temple all his life and is a friendly face to all followers of The Stormlord who frequent the temple during their travels.
Triscale Hall. This temple is the largest in the Skipgard and is located in the west of the city. It is dedicated to thee dieties, who are known to be closely linked: Bahamut, the Platinum Dragon, Selara, the Prime Aureate and Martivir, the Burnished Warden. The temple itself has a communal worship space down its central aisle , while each of its large alcove contains a large shrine to one of each of the dieties worshipped here. Out front, three large metal statues mark the entrance to the temple, each depicting one of the dieties in is equivilant metal. The temple is overseen by a trio of bishops, one dedicated to each of the dieties:

• Bahamut. An orc named Lotar, the Just
• Selara. A dragonborn named Gilkass Kimbatuul
• Martivir. A half-orc named Rendar Sjómann

The three leaders of the temple conduct their own business in the temple and also work together on matters which relate to their shared tenets. They also conduct research into the history of the greatwyrms of Albion, with the intention of gaining a better understanding of their powers and motivations.

Tourism

Skipgard is naturally a well-connected city, with people from across Fylkirheim and beyond regularly found within its walls. Most notably, citizens of Allfridr, Jörðrammm Miðrlönd and Skerjaðarr can be found here, trading goods. However other people from as far as Al-Tashar and Magnerium can also be found here. Visitors from these countries tend to be wealthy merchants, due to the inherent costs of travelling such distances.
Skipgard also tends to attract important groups and individualy, such as government officals and royality, who sail into its harbour to make use of the aajoined skyport for greater speed and comfort while travelling to other parts of the country.

Maps

• 

  Skipgard

Founding Date

Age of Ascension

Type

City

Population

15,000

Location under

Villrfell

Owner/Ruler

Thane Aial Thanesson

Characters in Location

• Adran Skiphöfn
• Andraste Cithreth
• Bishop Fjord Sjávar
• Bishop Gilkass Kimbatuul
• Bishop Gura
• Bishop Lotar, the Just
• Bishop Rendar Sjómann
• Bishop Zephyra Swiftwing
• Eghan Ragnarsson
• Fonkin Folkor
• Hersir Arnbjorg Ashstalker
• Immeral Iranapha
• Kasha Wavedancer
• Leshanna, of Skipgard
• Loremaster Oskar Battleballad
• Lyra Sparksong
• Nalir Burrowbreeze
• Nemeia Farasdottir
• Thane Aial Thanesson
• Torinn Asasson
• Vil