'Almaz'o

The Grey Keep, with its pillars, were all that kept the cliff from falling and crashing into the glade. And yet water cascaded between and over them, tempting the fates in a beautiful testament to its longevity. If it had stood for the last thousand years, it will stand for a thousand more.

— Gladtohlab Writings circa 1051TF

'Almaz'o is a city located within Daggerfall in the foothills of the Knife of the World, currently used as the capital for Quldafjord. It was originally built long ago by the elves of Eleanor, before their betrayal of the Sjichan. It was idolised due to being a Fostpoint but also for the architecture that inspired many settlements in the Bloodsoaked lands around the Knife of the World.
When Quldafjord was formed at the end of the Third Ages, the capital was chosen for its strategic location, the fact it was a stronghold, and that being a contested location meant it was in the hands of all clans in the union. Since, it has grown as a place for pilgrimage, a place for commerce, a place for governance, and a true center to the machinations of Quldafjord.

Demographics

Being the centre for Quldafjord, the majority population of 'Almaz'o is Orcs, however this does not mean no other species exist. The majority culture is that of the northern clans, with the Gladtohlab Clan holding itself as the true discoverers and thereby custodians, but this is meant more as a service than a claim; they discovered it to share. At least, this is how it is portrayed to placate the other Great Clans.

Government

The running and management is maintained by the Governor of the city, as most major cities are governed in Quldafjord. The current Governor, 'Emanom III, is the twelfth governor since the introduction of governors in the government of Quldafjord in 250 RB.
The city of 'Almaz'o, being not just a political hub but also a religious hub, a commercial hub, and a residential hub, means that the government for the city is much larger than other cities. The governor makes use of various office titles to ensure that laws, taxation, and peace are kept in order.

Infrastructure

The Grey Keep is well in Quldafjord for its design - built into a cliff face, with stone pillars that were carved from the original rock, and great platforms that form the plazas for homes and offices to see the rest of the glade that the city sits in. Most of the ancient infrastructure was built from the rock, with staircases and pathways hewn from the stone of the glade.
Since then, architecture follows a similar method of assimilating into the natural formations, with caves hollowed and carved to provide living spaces, trees rarely cut down and instead left to grow through and around buildings. Land is rarely cleared or flattened, instead foundations are raised using stone and strengthen by raising the land to follow the grain. Roads wind through the landscape as best befits without causing damage.
As a fostpoint, the surface level fostrend is found within the Grey Keep, below the pools of water that create its original moat. The moat has since been covered over by intricate stonework to prevent people falling in accidentally (or purposefully such as the fate of Chief Jomlom I in 306 RB).

Districts

The city of 'Almaz'o can be split into several provinces:

The Inner City

• The Grey Keep - restricted to offices and homes of high government
• The Waterfalls - residences of officials and wealthy citizens
• Blooddrop Province - located beside the fost ponds, residential and commercial for high nobles as well as the location for the city Guild for Magicians
• Gladeway - the main road into the glade passes through, making it highly sort for trade
• Fost Province - located beside the fost ponds, holds the the National Archives
• Yewshade - high in the cliffs, residential for the wealthy citizens

The Outer City

• Oldhill - noted for its watchtower ruins that have since become the local barracks and Guild for Arms
• Yewhill - a respectable residential district
• Newway - a bustling market district, with links to the rest of the city
• Blood Crossing - built up for the bridges over the streams from the glade, now highly sought for residential and commercial
• Arms Quarter - originally the best location defensively, now filled with smiths and furnaces
• Newchurch - location to one of the churches of Khom, common destination for pilgrims
• Logger's Quarter - abandoned lumber camps, now turned to commercial and residential
• Wheelshaft - a long stretch of land filled with commercial and markets
• Drywell - a mostly residential area, once the location of a well said to have the power of miracles

Guilds and Factions

The History Academy of Quldafjord is based in 'Almaz'o, where many famous and highly respected historians study and archive events. The intention of the academy to have a full written record of all events in Olivia and Eleanor's past. These documents have been transcribed and translated to many languages and passed to many realms of the world.
The local Guild of Magicians and National Archives lie close to the fost ponds. The local Guild for Arms sits at Oldhill. The 'Almaz'o Guild of Laws lies within Newchurch.

Alternative Name(s)

The Home of Orcs

Type

Capital

Inhabitant Demonym

'Almaz'oqreb

Location under

'Atdhohab

Owning Organization

Union of Quldafjord