"Travel papers please." asked the armored soldier at the gate. "Sorry Lady Halburun. Standard procedure. You should know that it has snowed in recent days and the mountain path may be difficult if not dangerous. I will send a bird to the castle and let them know you will be delayed."
"Thank you. What can I expect from the other lords when I arrive? How are they taking the loss of the king?"
"They said little to me but I overheard them speaking to each other. They are talking of power and who should wield it."
"Of course they are. I don't think I will like this meeting very much."
The King on High
The main residence of the
King of Naemore -
Karai Castle - is located high up on
Mount Kalna. There are not many residents in the region but most of the population is located at the base of the mountain. Most of the people who live on the upper parts of the mountain are people who work there maintaining the road, guarding the pass, and manning the stations.
These guardposts separate the mountain into two parts, the lower part where people are allowed to travel and the upper part where only the
king,
queen,
lords, and people who work for any of them are allowed to go. From these posts on the mountainside the lookouts are able to see far into the distance - a job almost worth the view alone - and keep a sharp eye out for anyone who may be trying to reach
Karai Castle uninvited.
The Smallest Region
The Ascent is the smallest region of the
capitol containing only
Mount Kalna and the surrounding hills. It relies on goods to be purchased or sent in lieu of taxes from other parts of
Naemore in order to sustain the population. There are not a lot of exports from the region - aside from governance and coins.
The city located around the base of the mountain - the
Ring - is made up mostly of wealthy and powerful individuals and their families. The politics between the people in this town weave a large interconnected web of alliances and rivalries.
A Generational Project
After many decades of construction the
King's Spire is almost complete. Built in the center of the dormant cauldera of
Mount Kalna, it is the largest structure ever constructed in
Naemore. Tall enough to reach out of the pit in which it rests and strong enough to stand on its own, it is a marvel of engineering. The purpose of this structure is to replace
Karai Castle as the new residence of the royal family but there are rumors that it has a much different purpose.
On Bones of Enemies
The King's Ascent was chosen for the defensive properties of
Mount Kalna but also because it was the site of the
Collectors' fortress. To
Jarus Sabah and his
allies this was the location of their final victory.
Pressing Coins
All of the currency minted in
Naemore is created within the Ascent. The
Royal Mint is the single structure in which all the coins are made with the use of a coin press. This building is located high up on the
mountain and beyond the limit where most people are allowed to travel.
I have nothing out of the ordinary to report. Just another day on the mountainside. The weather warms and the snow is melting, the rivers that have disappeared for the winter are just starting to return.
This is certainly not the job for everyone but I have enjoyed my time here and would like to request the same post for the coming year.— Watchman's Report 7th of Sabah 147
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