Regent Hill

Smoke curls in the air as you step into the ruined city of Regent Hill. All around you sits cracked stonework and abandoned structures, yet life continues to flourish, in vines and creepers, in birds and insects, and in the blossoming settlement founded on the ruins of the old. Tents are pitched up, wood nailed together in rickety huts, and canvases stretched across crumbling houses for shelter as far as the eye can see. The shouting and hollering of working folk fill the air, as slowly but surely, the fallen city pulls itself back together.

Demographics

Humans are the dominant species, composing around 9000 of the population. The next highest are elves and half elves, of about 2000. The remainder 5000 are a mix of half orcs, halfings, gnomes, and tieflings. No dragonborn are present given their rarity.

Government

Regent Hill is run by a meritocratic council, each represented by a senior member of the leading organizations of the city - the Scrappers, the Builders, the Watchers, and the Traders. However it's no secret that the Watchers, who have consolidated most of the security power in the city, are the most influential.

Defences

While many of the old defenses of the city can't be used, the inner part of Old Veridan is fortified as an emergency shelter. Veridan once had two walls, but the outer walls have fallen, rendering the outer districts unsafe. However the inner city, which is plenty spacious for the population of Regent Hill, is used, which means Regent Hill has a functional city wall and keep.

Industry & Trade

Much is available in Regent Hill but their greatest asset available is their grown food, which is leveraged in trade with local settlements. Grains are farmed in large amounts, as are their axebeaks which serve both as mounts, beasts of burden, and food culture with eggs.

Infrastructure

Much of Regent Hill is ruined - what's left of Old Veridan lies in broken stonework. However, the old farmlands and waterworks still holds together thanks to the efforts of the Builders, allowing Regent Hill to produce a surplus of food and have a steady supply of clean water. Many of the old structures have been repurposed into silos to store excess food, and the outskirts of the old city are used as ranges for Axebeaks.

Guilds and Factions

The Scrappers venture out into the wilderness to harvest from both nature and ancient ruins. Builders maintain and expand infrastructure in the city, Watchers are guards and armed forces for both offense and defense, and Traders make the dangerous journey to other settlements, bringing goods and news to and fro.
People of the city are not required to show deference to or join in any of the groups, but it's strongly recommended as they will be provided with a means of labor and income.

History

Regent Hill was once Veridan, the capital of Emervale, a small kingdom of predominantly human population. During the Shattering Veridan was abandoned for the Eden Project, causing it to be in its current state. A century or so later survivors of the Shattering repopulate the city without knowing much of its previous history.

Architecture

Ruins and shambles dominate the city, with most buildings being makeshift structures that adapt and change as the city is rebuilt around them. The rebuilt structures have a fairly typical medieval aesthetic, with wood struts and plaster walls.

Geography

Regent Hill sits on a river on the edge of the Clebend Forest. It sits in the ruins of old Veridan, in the heart of the old capital. The only way into the city is through the main road which cuts across the ruins of Old Veridan. It provides safe passage through the otherwise still untamed city, which is overrun by monsters and rogue constructs, kept at bay only by walls and the Watches who have outposts along the walls.

Natural Resources

The surrounding farmland provides grain and Axebeaks roam the outskirts of the city. A mine does exist but it has long been abandoned.

Alternative Name(s)

Old Veridan

Type

Capital

Population

~16000

Inhabitant Demonym

Hillfolk

Characters in Location

• Elandris Silvertears