Alexandria
Established by Alexander II Veor the leader of the Stormgardian Rebels, nearly 400 years ago, the city of Alexandria sits as the capital of the Kingdom of Alexandros. The city of Alexandria was the first settlement to be built by men of the west within the eastern hemisphere of Esos, following the War of the Fallen. The city is regarded as one of the greatest cultural achievements of the world. Hailed for its magnificent stonework and grand arches and columns, as well as the use of the dome and vault to create tall and elegant structures, the city of Alexandria is a shining example of the intellectual fortitude of the mortal races.
The founding of Alexandria came both as a matter of happenstance and sheer luck. Using the journals and travel logs of the first man to sail across the Great Sea following the World Shatter, Rawthorn Attlecier, the Stormgardians were knocked off course as they approached Eldamir. They first made landfall on the series of islands that would become the Kingdom of Alexandros. Fortunately for Alexander and his people, the island contained a massive stockpile of the rare resource amonite. A mysterious mineral known for its unique magical properties, the use of amonite was essential in the wars of conquest conducted by the Stormgard Empire and the recent technological advancements to take place during the Age of Industry.
Following the construction of Alexandria and the establishment of the Kingdom of Alexandros, King Veôr set his sights on all that the mainland held. Alexander’s Conquest, also called the Stormgårdian Wars of Conquest, were the campaigns in which AlexanderII Veôr conquered much of Weströnd, at a time when the lands were still apart of Eldamir. With a ferocity reminiscent of his ancestors who fought in the War of the Fallen, Alexander and his armies stormed the southern coast of the continent, immediately establishing a foothold within Longcross Bay and further north on the shores of Lake Vänern. The Veôrlands, also referred to as the Stormlands, was the first region to come underAlexander’s control during the Wars of Conquest. Lacking a central authority and being comprised primarily of several dozen petty kings, Alexander made quick work of those who opposed him, eventually adding many of their houses and armies to his cause. Over the next three years, Alexander would bring the Esterlands, Aéfdæl, Celnaer, and the Veldrlands under his control, either by outright force or through diplomatic submission. Alexander’s Conquest was soon followed by the First Sirkaarian War.
Following Alexander’s Conquest, the Stormgård Empire controlled five crucial territories upon the mainland: the newly dubbed Veôrlands, the Esterlands, Aéfdæl, Celnaer,and the Veldrlands. In addition to his new empire, Alexander continued to exert control over the island of Alexandros. While the city of Alexandria had become a gem of civilization, rivaling the Eternal City itself—Valendi, Emperor Alexander II Veôr desired a new capital located upon the continent where he could more effectively project his military power and political might. As a result, the city of Stormcrown was constructed upon the shores of Longcross Bay, at the mouth of the Renos River alongside the Kingswood, the location where Alexander II first made landfall during his campaigns of conquest. With the construction of Alexander’s new capital, the need for Alexandria to exist as the location of the imperial throne waned. After his initial conquest, Alexander elected to place his older brother Philip II as the Steward of Alexandria, thus forming the Principality of Alexandros.
As time passed and new generations came into power, the familial connection between the man who sat upon the Strïthmerki Throne in Stormcrown and the Steward of Alexandria diminished. Nearly 340 years after the founding of the Kingdom of Alexandros, a desire for independence was stirring amongst her people. In 1358 AWF, the young prince Evandros III Veôr ascended to the Strïthmerki Throne, following the untimely death of his father. As emperor, Evandros is remembered unfavorably in the histories of the Stormgård Empire and Alexandros for being a particularly cruel and exacting ruler. Alexandros was always an economic juggernaut for the empire. Well-known for the large quantities of the mineral amonite found within the Mith’ras Mines, the region was very wealthy and accounted for a great deal of the empire’s economic viability. Amonite, a highly-valuable mineral found in only a few locations throughout the world, is sometimes referred to as the god metal. The kingdom’s production of amonite allowed for the empire to expand rapidly following Alexander’s arrival in the region. Prior to the Alexandrian War for Independence, Emperor Evandros made plans to launch a second campaign against the Triarchy, hoping to cross the Broken Sea and succeed in extending the reach of the Stormgård Empire where his forefathers had not. The endeavor required the capital to tax the Principality of Alexandros extensively, as well as for the island province to heavily increase its production of amonite. The Steward of Alexandria, Isaac Caelywyn, was disturbed by the requests made to him by the emperor. Seen as a fair and just leader by the people of Alexandros, Lord Caelywyn petitioned the imperial capital to reduce the burden placed upon his people, but to no avail. For some time, a division was growing between the mainland portion of the empire and the island territory. Lord Caelywyn was the third successive leader of Alexandria to maintain no blood relation to the Strïthmerki Throne. The past few generations of Alexandrians saw themselves as simply that, the people of Alexandros, and not as a part of the larger empire. Rumblings of independence were brewing even before Evandros’ ascendency to the imperial throne; however, with the requirements now imposed upon Alexandria to help fuel the emperor’s political agenda, the time was ripe for action. Aware of the military build-up taking place in the Stormgård Empire, the leaders of the Three Sisters, better known as the Triarchy or the Free Cities of Eldamir, the three cities of Banya, Nogaakaz’ad, and Selenor, met in secret with Lord Caelywyn to organize a rebellion aimed at shaking the very foundations of the massive empire. What occurred next was a war for the independence of Alexandros that lasted three years. An alliance was formed between Alexandria and the Free Cities. With the support of the Three Sisters, as well as their access to an abundant stockpile of amonite, Alexandria was able to wage a successful campaign against Stormcrown and the mainland territories. After three years of fighting, the island of Alexandros was successful in gaining its independence from the Stormgård Empire, initiating the steadfast rule of House Caelywyn for years to come.
The Wars of Conquest
Following the construction of Alexandria and the establishment of the Kingdom of Alexandros, King Veôr set his sights on all that the mainland held. Alexander’s Conquest, also called the Stormgårdian Wars of Conquest, were the campaigns in which AlexanderII Veôr conquered much of Weströnd, at a time when the lands were still apart of Eldamir. With a ferocity reminiscent of his ancestors who fought in the War of the Fallen, Alexander and his armies stormed the southern coast of the continent, immediately establishing a foothold within Longcross Bay and further north on the shores of Lake Vänern. The Veôrlands, also referred to as the Stormlands, was the first region to come underAlexander’s control during the Wars of Conquest. Lacking a central authority and being comprised primarily of several dozen petty kings, Alexander made quick work of those who opposed him, eventually adding many of their houses and armies to his cause. Over the next three years, Alexander would bring the Esterlands, Aéfdæl, Celnaer, and the Veldrlands under his control, either by outright force or through diplomatic submission. Alexander’s Conquest was soon followed by the First Sirkaarian War.
The Principality of Alexandros
Following Alexander’s Conquest, the Stormgård Empire controlled five crucial territories upon the mainland: the newly dubbed Veôrlands, the Esterlands, Aéfdæl, Celnaer,and the Veldrlands. In addition to his new empire, Alexander continued to exert control over the island of Alexandros. While the city of Alexandria had become a gem of civilization, rivaling the Eternal City itself—Valendi, Emperor Alexander II Veôr desired a new capital located upon the continent where he could more effectively project his military power and political might. As a result, the city of Stormcrown was constructed upon the shores of Longcross Bay, at the mouth of the Renos River alongside the Kingswood, the location where Alexander II first made landfall during his campaigns of conquest. With the construction of Alexander’s new capital, the need for Alexandria to exist as the location of the imperial throne waned. After his initial conquest, Alexander elected to place his older brother Philip II as the Steward of Alexandria, thus forming the Principality of Alexandros.
Independence of Alexandria
As time passed and new generations came into power, the familial connection between the man who sat upon the Strïthmerki Throne in Stormcrown and the Steward of Alexandria diminished. Nearly 340 years after the founding of the Kingdom of Alexandros, a desire for independence was stirring amongst her people. In 1358 AWF, the young prince Evandros III Veôr ascended to the Strïthmerki Throne, following the untimely death of his father. As emperor, Evandros is remembered unfavorably in the histories of the Stormgård Empire and Alexandros for being a particularly cruel and exacting ruler. Alexandros was always an economic juggernaut for the empire. Well-known for the large quantities of the mineral amonite found within the Mith’ras Mines, the region was very wealthy and accounted for a great deal of the empire’s economic viability. Amonite, a highly-valuable mineral found in only a few locations throughout the world, is sometimes referred to as the god metal. The kingdom’s production of amonite allowed for the empire to expand rapidly following Alexander’s arrival in the region. Prior to the Alexandrian War for Independence, Emperor Evandros made plans to launch a second campaign against the Triarchy, hoping to cross the Broken Sea and succeed in extending the reach of the Stormgård Empire where his forefathers had not. The endeavor required the capital to tax the Principality of Alexandros extensively, as well as for the island province to heavily increase its production of amonite. The Steward of Alexandria, Isaac Caelywyn, was disturbed by the requests made to him by the emperor. Seen as a fair and just leader by the people of Alexandros, Lord Caelywyn petitioned the imperial capital to reduce the burden placed upon his people, but to no avail. For some time, a division was growing between the mainland portion of the empire and the island territory. Lord Caelywyn was the third successive leader of Alexandria to maintain no blood relation to the Strïthmerki Throne. The past few generations of Alexandrians saw themselves as simply that, the people of Alexandros, and not as a part of the larger empire. Rumblings of independence were brewing even before Evandros’ ascendency to the imperial throne; however, with the requirements now imposed upon Alexandria to help fuel the emperor’s political agenda, the time was ripe for action. Aware of the military build-up taking place in the Stormgård Empire, the leaders of the Three Sisters, better known as the Triarchy or the Free Cities of Eldamir, the three cities of Banya, Nogaakaz’ad, and Selenor, met in secret with Lord Caelywyn to organize a rebellion aimed at shaking the very foundations of the massive empire. What occurred next was a war for the independence of Alexandros that lasted three years. An alliance was formed between Alexandria and the Free Cities. With the support of the Three Sisters, as well as their access to an abundant stockpile of amonite, Alexandria was able to wage a successful campaign against Stormcrown and the mainland territories. After three years of fighting, the island of Alexandros was successful in gaining its independence from the Stormgård Empire, initiating the steadfast rule of House Caelywyn for years to come.
Government
Prior to its war for independence, Alexandros existed as a principality of the Stormgard Empire. The territory was first governed by Emperor Alexander's older brother Philip and thereafter, bu his family line. During this period, the Steward of Alexandria governed Alexandros in a semi-autonomous fashion, making a majority of the administrative decisions for the region, but ultimately kowtowing to the imperial throne. As centuries passed on, the ancestral connection between the emperor of Stormgard and the Steward of Alexandria weakened and ultimately, led to the war for the independence of Alexandria. Since capturing its own independence, Alexandros has operated as a constitutional monarchy. The throne remains within the control of House Caelywyn, while a bicameral legislature exists to represent the will of the people. Comprised of two chambers, the House of Lords and the House of the People, the Witenagemot works to protect the rights of the citizens of Alexandros and enact laws that help govern the island kingdom. Throughout the greater kingdom, individuals selected by the king and the Assembly are given the office of starosta and charged with leading their respective communities.
Industry & Trade
Alexandria is the second largest city in Alexandros and one of the most prosperous metropolises in all of Esos. It exists as the seat of power for the Kingdom of Alexandros and commands a significant commercial trade economy. With its near monopoly on the export of amonite, most any goods, services, and places of business can be found within the city walls.
Geography
The city was constructed to take advantage of a number of the geographical features the island of Alexandros had to offer. First built on the northern bank of the Shearwater Rush where it opens into the Shearwater Bay and the Narrow Channel, Alexandria now extends beyond the southern shores of the waterway. The city's location at the mouth of the river guarantees its dominance over the internal trade of the island, as well as providing for a valuable position when interacting both defensively and economically with other nations. Roughly one mile off the coast of the city, located in the center of the Shearwater Bay, sits Garrison Island, a landmass well-suited for amassing naval superiority in the region. In addition to the natural defenses offered by the Shearwater Rush and the Narrow Channel, Alexandria sits at the base of the Mith'ras Mountains, providing it with an organic physical barrier to its western face.
Landmarks
Colossi of Alexandria
Two massive statues stand atop the twin towers of Castle Alexandria. Upon the west facing tower presides a statue of the chief deity of the Esoean pantheon Enoreth, looking towards the throne room and the great hall of the castle. Standing tall above the castle and observing Alexandria’s seat of power, the figure represents the wisdom and eternity of honorable leadership. On the eastward tower, resides a massive statue of Bahamut, Lord of the North Wind. Gazing out over the city, eyes fixed on the Witenagemot, the Platinum Dragon symbolizes the ideals of mercy, justice, and the rule of law.
Castle Alexandria
Castle Alexandria was one of the first structures erected upon Alexander’s arrival to the location. The stronghold briefly existed as the royal seat of power for Alexander II Veôr, before housing the Steward of Alexandria for over 600 years. Now the castle exists as the home of House Caelywyn. A symbol of wisdom and honor to the people of Alexandros, Castle Alexandria sits atop the highest point in the city, well positioned as a defensive citadel for the community. The castle is built in a gothic style, with a tall design, flying buttresses, and high vaults. The interior of the castle is adorned with beautiful artwork, glorious hunting trophies and tapestries, and magnificent white stone architecture.
Witenagemot
The legislative body of Alexandros, the Witenagemot’s name comes from a phrase meaning the,“meeting of wise men.” Also known as the Witan or the Assembly of Alexandria, this parliamentary body consists of two houses of elected representatives and stands tall above the city of Alexandria. The Assembly occupies the east facing tower of Castle Alexandria, overlooking the city and her people. A colossal statue of Bahamut adorns the tower’s peak, projecting the ideals of justice, honor, and the rule of law to the entire city.
The Gates of the Dragon and the Processional Way
The main entrance to the northern and oldest portion of the city, the Gates of the Dragon are a set massive structures leading into the upper metropolis. The portcullises were constructed for the dual purpose of honoring the gods Torm and Bahamut and for creating a nearly impenetrable barrier into the inner portion of the city. The gates encompass a grand, walled processional way leading into the city, as well as a double portico structure to protect the upper part of the city. The front segment of the southern gate has a low relief design with a repeated pattern of images of the god Bahamut. The bricks of the structure are glazed in a vivid blue, which imitates the color of lapis lazuli. The borders and rosettes are glazed in black, white, and gold. The northern gate exists to honor the god Torm and serves as the final barrier into the upper districts of the city. The North Gate is stands nearly fifty-five feet tall and is flanked by the city’s main barracks and garrison. The gate itself is decorated in a golden glaze with black trim to honor the god Torm. The Processional Way, which spans nearly a quarter of a mile across the Shearwater Rush, connects the two gates and leads directly into the Processional Square. The bridge is often used in the celebration of a number of religious and national holidays and events. In addition to providing a stage for many of the various festivals and fêtes of Alexandria, the Processional Way is also instrumental in the overall defense of the city. The gateway design incorporates the use of a series of crenelated buttresses along both sides of the bridge to aid the protection of the city and the river.
Shearwater Garrison
The Shearwater Garrison was first constructed alongside the founding of Alexandria. While the geographical features of the region made for a fantastic location to build a city, Alexander quickly realized that if he wished to maintain control of the region for generations to come, he would need to build a fortress from which he could project his military supremacy. The garrison, sitting roughly half a mile off the coast of Grand Alexandros, was built to serve a dual purpose. Firstly, the fort exists as a means of protecting the city from foreign threats and secondly, as a way of a massing a navy large enough to assault the mainland of Eldamir. The fortress sits on the western face of Garrison Island. It occupies an advantageous position for the defense of Shearwater Bay and the Narrow Channel. The fort protrudes out from the island on a small peninsula, providing it with an unhindered view of the waterway. The garrison is home to three active regiments of Alexandrian soldiers and serves as the headquarters for all military operations carried out by the kingdom. One notable location within the stronghold is Shearwater Market. The plaza is a collection of shops, restaurants, taverns, and workshops located just outside the garrison walls. The small town is populated mostly by Alexandrian soldiers stationed on the island. As a result, many of the bars and theaters on Garrison Island cater specifically to the wants and needs of the sailors who reside there, especially notable establishments like the Black Dog Tavern, the Half Moon Inn, and the Magic Lantern Theater. Aside from the market shops and homes littered throughout the area, the naval shipyard located just north of the fort occupies the largest portion of the island’s settled territory.
University of Alexandria
The University of Alexandria is the arcane college and premier research facility for magical and divine artifacts in the city of Alexandria. The buildings associated with the academic institution reside within the upper district of the city, sitting slightly to the northeast of the North Gate. The structures of the university are built of white marble, with very high ceilings, stretching as high as 100 feet in some areas. The main hall of the college makes use of the classical basilica and a copper dome, with many of the other buildings on campus following suit. The interiors of the university buildings are decorated with relief carvings and sculptures depicting various events throughout the history of Esos, with an emphasis on the incidents of the War of the Fallen. Magical orbs of light highlight the paintings and statues littered throughout the halls of the college. One unique feature of the university involves the guards stationed within the university grounds. These soldiers, while members of the Alexandrian military, are an elite division tasked with protecting the many rare magical artifacts and technologies housed within the walls of the college. The guards are easily distinguishable with their silver and gold armor of elven design.
Library of Alexandria
The most notable structure within the university grounds, the Library of Alexandria is regarded worldwide for the legendary and ancient tomes it houses inside its walls. With the only other house of knowledge on the planet comparable to the library being the Citadel of Valendi, the Library of Alexandria exists as a testament to the intellectual ingenuity and fortitude of the mortal races. The most famous portion of the Library of Alexandria is dubbed the Long Hallway. The Long Hallway, or sometimes referred to as the Long Room, stretches nearly 200 feet and is filled with over 200,000 of the oldest texts and manuscripts in Esos. The room is beautifully accentuated with high vaulted ceilings and an open-air layout. Marble busts line the Long Room, depicting images of some of the greatest thinkers, philosophers, generals, and leaders of Alexandria and Esos. The library is a sought-after destination for many travelers hoping to find answers to the most complicated of life’s questions and hold particular interest for those hoping to catch a glimpse of the Book of Kildare, one of the oldest copies of Cosmos in existence.
Neighborhoods
The capital city itself is a vivid and lively metropolis full of grand architecture and historic structures. The districts of the city vary in culture and atmosphere dependent upon the groups that reside within them. Alexandria is divided into a number of different districts and neighborhoods, each with their own distinct aesthetic and unique ambiance.
The Lower Districts
As the city of Alexandria grew, it became necessary for the communities to form along the southern shores of the Shearwater Rush. The first areas developed were the Smokeworks in the Southward and the Little Docks to take advantage of the amonite being mined and shipped Alexandria via the Shearwater Rush from Millmouth. Other important sites include the Black Keep, New Harbor, and Feytown.
Black Keep
The Black Keep and the neighborhood by the same name that surrounds it, resides at the southernmost point of the city. The keep was built to help defend Alexandria as the city grew in size. Currently, the fortress serves the dual purpose of operating as a staging ground for the city guard and also housing a battalion of the Alexandrian army. The Black Keep neighborhood that surrounds the fort is home to many of the soldiers and city guardsmen that safeguard the territory. The district maintains an austere aesthetic and houses a handful of bars that cater directly to the military clientele.
New Harbor
New Harbor was constructed not long after the discovery of amonite in the Mith’ras Mountains. As the rare mineral found its way to Alexandria along the Shearwater Rush, the urban planners of the city quickly realized the need for a larger wharf to handle the export of this rare and valuable substance. The new port began as the Little Docks, a section of the waterfront rapidly constructed to handle the ammonite trade, that eventually grew into the massive collection of piers called New Harbor. The neighborhood surrounding the quay is called Sailor’s Barrow and is home to a majority of the dockhands, mariners, and longshoremen who work there. Any number of taverns, inns, and theaters designed to accommodate the salty dog clientele can be found in the Barrow.
Southward
The Southward is the largest district within Alexandria. Originating along the southern banks of the Shearwater Rush, the precinct houses a number of notable neighborhoods including Feytown, New Market Square, and the Smokeworks. Following the discovery and subsequent excavation of the amonite found within the Mith’ras Mountains, a zone was needed for the refining of the valuable mineral near the city. As a result, the Smokeworks were built along the southern banks of the river. What started out as a simplistic and primarily human driven operation, eventually evolved into an industrialized process, reflecting the technological advances of gnomish engineering and indicative of the current age. In addition to the industrial works, the Southward is known for being the primary residential district of the city’s middle class. The area is full of bars, theaters, and markets that tailor to the needs of its residents. One neighborhood of particular interest is Feytown, an elven community that sprung up following Alexandria’s war for independence. Once the autocratic rule of the Stormgård Empire ceased, a number of the sea elf clans that originally inhabited the area moved back to town. Now, Feytown exists as a vibrant community with eccentric markets and mysterious oddities to discover.
The Upper Districts
Built along the northern banks of the Shearwater Rush, the upper districts of Alexandria contain its oldest neighborhoods and communities. This portion of the city is steeped in history and contains some of the its wealthiest areas. Notable locations in this region include the city’s original shipyard, Castle Alexandria, the university, and Oldtown.
Naval Yard
The Naval Yard is the original harbor built in Alexandria. Commissioned by King Alexander II Veôr himself, the Naval Yard was built in alongside Castle Alexandria and Shearwater Garrison. Upon settling Alexandria, King Veôr was very concerned with quickly amassing his military might and making haste to conquer the mainland. Currently, the Naval Yard remains responsible for building and repairing the ships that comprise the Alexandrian navy; however, rather than being sent off to join the front lines of the Stormgård Empire’s conquest of the mainland, the ships now reside at the docks of Shearwater Garrison.
Oldtown
The first commercial district to form following Alexandria’s founding, Oldtown is home to the oldest shops, taverns, cafés, museums and theaters in the capital city. The precinct is characterized by a number of historic neighborhoods, including University Heights and Priest’s Gate. In addition, several public landmarks reside within the district, like the University of Alexandria, the Processional Square, and the Cathedral of the Morning. Adventures will be most interested in visiting Oldtown’s Strip Market. A stretch of land lining the northern waterfront of the Shearwater Rush, the Strip Market or often times simply referred to as the “Strip,” is a collection of some of the oldest food purveyors, art studios and theaters, antique dealers, unique boutiques, magical item shops, and lively taverns the city has to offer.
Silver Steps
The Silver Steps are a neighborhood within Alexandria that rests on the backside of the hill upon which Castle Alexandria was constructed. The area is called home by many of the upper class and aristocrats that reside within the city. The Steps are marked by magnificent walled estates and a number of beautiful fruit groves.The Silver Steps gets its name from the long and winding silver stone stairway that begins near the Processional Square and wraps all the way through the Steps, ending at the castle.
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