Rel Mord

Rel Mord is the capital of the Kingdom of Nyrond. An impressive, walled fortress-city, Rel Mord lies upon the upper Duntide River.

Overview

Rel Mord, the capitol city of the kingdom of Nyrond is spread across the eastern and western banks of the Duntide, with the majority of the city on the eastern side. The eastern city spreads across a separate river valley which used to empty into the Duntide (it has since been piped and added to the city’s water system). In the center of the river valley is a hill, which is home to the Royal Palace. The leading edge of this hill leads down into the valley, and is capped with the road Via Regus. The lowest income housing can be found in the valley sections of the city, starting in the southwestern and northwestern corners. The quality of building increases as they go up the hills, with the highest grade sitting on the benches to the north and south of the city. Around the docks are be mostly merchants buildings and warehouses (although most warehouses are in the western city).
Because of recurring flooding, the dockside of the eastern city has been back-filled and rose an additional ten feet (this was a slow process which took place over many centuries). The docks raise and lower with water level, and there is generally a steeply sloped ramp to reach them. Many mercantile houses on the dockside are split level, with a warehouse in the bottom level which opens directly onto their docks, and the upper level meeting the regular city street where they conduct business.
A truly impressive fortress-city, the city garrison includes 1,500 troops, including 350 elite heavy cavalry. The secondary castles of the king’s palace and the “fortlets,” bristle with 250 soldiers are stationed here, together with another 4,000 on the king’s lands. The city of Rel Mord is ruled by King Archbold III, but many of the day-to-day functions are handled by the Royal Seneschal.
Rel Mord enjoys a fairly metropolitan atmosphere. As in any large city, beggars and homeless can be found, but are generally collected and placed into government work projects fairly rapidly. The western city is the only area where open begging is allowed.
The Royal University of Rel Mord is one of the largest intellectual establishments known on Oerth, and has come to influence much of the attitudes in Rel Mord. Many noble and well-to-do families across the Flanaess send their children to Rel Mord for schooling. This has caused an influx of dilettante behavior. Not only known for scholastic and artistic pursuits Rel Mord is fast becoming known for its culinary innovations. Restaurants and eateries are a common past-time of the idle rich who inhabit the city.

History

Rel Mord is one of the three Aerdi "Cities of Enlightenment". It was built after the defeat of Nyrond by the Aerdi at the Battle of a Fortnight’s Length in -110 CY. The ruling house of Nyrond was made subservient to the eastern House Rax, which ruled the territory from an impressive series of castles and fortresses centered on the imposing palace at Rel Mord. The Viceroyalty of Nyrond (one of four viceroyalties in the Great Kingdom had been established by 100 CY and was ruled from Rel Mord, and by 356 CY Rel Mord was the seat of the Viceroy of Nyrond when it declared independence.
King Dunstan I called the Great Council of Rel Mord in the city in Harvester, 450 CY.
In 508 CY fire destroyed much of a crowded area of residences in the western commoners' district. Over 500 people died, and during the clean up that followed labourer crews complained of hauntings and strange events which led to the area being abandoned.

Notable locations

• The Assembly of Lords
• City Baths of Nyrond
• The Goods Market of Nyrond
• The Hall of Judges
• Iron Fist Guildhall
• Men O’Steel Tavern
• Oak Rocker Orphanage
• Oerth Theatre and Opera House
• The One Lamp
• Rel Mord Fortress
• The Riverman’s Repose
• The Royal Annals of Rel Mord
• The Royal Palace of Nyrond
• The Royal University of Rel Mord
• Ryschenken’s Roll
• Three Creeks Inn
• The Western City
• Via Regus and the King’s Gardens

Type

Metropolis

Included Locations

• City Baths of Nyrond
• Iron Fist Guildhall
• Men O’Steel Tavern
• Oak Rocker Orphanage
• Oerth Theatre and Opera House
• The Hall of Judges
• The One Lamp
• The Royal Annals of Rel Mord
• The Royal Palace of Nyrond
• The Royal University of Rel Mord
• Three Creeks Inn

Owner/Ruler

Archbold III