Cardinoll
Cardinoll is the capital of Meintalia, founded by Elves originally in the middle of the first Era and persisting ever since. Although it was always been larger than other cities, it was only designated as the capital by The Empire after the fall of Nëvik. It's name is Elvish for "Heart of the Hills".
Demographics
As the largest city in Meintalia, Cardinoll is home to large communities from all different races. The sprawling city is spread across several districts,with certain districts having higher concentrations of certain races than others. Humans are the most populous race here, making up roughly 50% of the population. Another 35% is made up of Elves, Half-Elves, Dwarves , Half-Orcs and Sahlahkeshi, the remaining 15% being made up of the other, less common and more exotic races.
There is a large wealth disparity in the city, with the richer people living closer to the Imperial Palace in the city centre and the poorer people living in the city's outer ring.
There is a large wealth disparity in the city, with the richer people living closer to the Imperial Palace in the city centre and the poorer people living in the city's outer ring.
Government
Cardinoll is governed directly by Emperor Garrus IV, however he is seldom in the city. As such, The Imperial Council of Cardinoll tend to handle the majority of day to day aspects of ruling and running the city.
Defences
Cardinoll is heavily fortified by a large outer moat with raised bridges and three large stone walls with heavy gates and several towers which are mounted with ballista and often fairly manned. It boasts the largest militia of any town, with around 2,500 members of the city guard and a few hundred private guards employed by the palace and noble families. The city guard also have the best kept arsenal of all the garrisons in Meintalia.
Industry & Trade
Originally, Cardinoll made it's wealth from exporting food and wood, however it has largely deforested the surrounding area leaving it now as open grassland. Nowadays, Cardinoll is a hub of asset rade, importing stone from Karagors, wood from The Great Forest, and food from South Passolan Grasslands with easy trade links thanks to it's proximity to the Cardinoll River and central road route.
Infrastructure
Most of the older and more central parts are constructed from stone, with the Imperial Palace being constructed partially from this stone and partially from the signature white stone used in Passolan architecture. As you get further from the inner rings into the newer and poorer outer rings, the houses shift almost seamlessly from stone to stone-wood hybrids to pure wood. There is a shanty town outside of the outermost ring wall, made bigger in the last year due to the influx of refugees from other regions, that is comprised primarily of tents and makeshift wooden huts.
The city has a sprawling undergound sewer system that's extremly convuluted as it's been frequently expanded on as the city grows. There is also the river docks, a hub of trade where shipments from up river are delivered and further shipments sent downstream to distibute to the smaller settlements more quickly than by road.
The city has a sprawling undergound sewer system that's extremly convuluted as it's been frequently expanded on as the city grows. There is also the river docks, a hub of trade where shipments from up river are delivered and further shipments sent downstream to distibute to the smaller settlements more quickly than by road.
Districts
The smallest and innermost district of Cardinoll is the Palace District. At the very heart is the Imperial Palace, surrounded by large and heavily guarded gardens. Outside of these gardens are large manor houses where the wealthiest and most influential families live, usually members of the Empire's court. There are also several smaller houses hidden away, home to the palace servants that serve these noble families. Most of these families are human, with a decent proportion of elves and dwarves as well, but very few members of other races live here. This district is built at he highest point of the city, overlooking the other districts and surrounding grasslands.
Separated from the Palace District by a large stone wall (the Inner Wall), the Middle Ring is the largest and most diverse district in Cardinoll. This is where the majority of the population live, in moderate to small houses with cobblestone streets zigzagging their way through the district. It was the first expansion to Cardinoll, and as such houses some of the old, purely stone buildings as well as more modern hybrid buildings and the odd few wooden ones. Most businesses operate in this district, everything ranging from real estate to taverns to stores to enchanting services.
Another wall, the Middle Wall, separates the Middle Ring from the Outer Ring, a decent sized district with the highest population. Most of the people here are human, Demi-Fiend, half-elf, half-orc, orc or Sahlahkeshi, due either to their higher general populations or racial prejudice. The houses here are smaller and cramped, mostly constructed of wood to make them quick and cheap to build. A few low end business operate here, including smithies, general stores and taverns. It is the poorest official district, and most people living here dream of one day earning enough money to make their way into the Middle Ring. This district is also contained within a wall, the Outer Wall, which although not as heavily fortified or robust as the other city walls serves to separate the district from the surrounding grasslands.
Surrounding the outer wall and city moat is a shanty town of makeshift wooden huts and tents, populated by displaced refugees and migrants looking for a better life that don't ave the coin to buy their way on to the city's real estate ladder. Homelessness in the city proper is incredibly low, but that's mainly because the guards will turf out anybody sleeping on the streets, hence the formation of the shanty town.
Separated from the Palace District by a large stone wall (the Inner Wall), the Middle Ring is the largest and most diverse district in Cardinoll. This is where the majority of the population live, in moderate to small houses with cobblestone streets zigzagging their way through the district. It was the first expansion to Cardinoll, and as such houses some of the old, purely stone buildings as well as more modern hybrid buildings and the odd few wooden ones. Most businesses operate in this district, everything ranging from real estate to taverns to stores to enchanting services.
Another wall, the Middle Wall, separates the Middle Ring from the Outer Ring, a decent sized district with the highest population. Most of the people here are human, Demi-Fiend, half-elf, half-orc, orc or Sahlahkeshi, due either to their higher general populations or racial prejudice. The houses here are smaller and cramped, mostly constructed of wood to make them quick and cheap to build. A few low end business operate here, including smithies, general stores and taverns. It is the poorest official district, and most people living here dream of one day earning enough money to make their way into the Middle Ring. This district is also contained within a wall, the Outer Wall, which although not as heavily fortified or robust as the other city walls serves to separate the district from the surrounding grasslands.
Surrounding the outer wall and city moat is a shanty town of makeshift wooden huts and tents, populated by displaced refugees and migrants looking for a better life that don't ave the coin to buy their way on to the city's real estate ladder. Homelessness in the city proper is incredibly low, but that's mainly because the guards will turf out anybody sleeping on the streets, hence the formation of the shanty town.
Guilds and Factions
There are dozens of guilds and factions that have strong, influential presences in Cardinoll. The criminal underground is mainly dominated by The Dwarven Cabal, The Coterie and the Cult of Shadus, and the Dwarven Merchant's Guild have a strong presence in the Middle Ring, practically runnng the banks here. The Guild also have their main base of operations here, drawing in prominent adventurers.
Heavy rumours persist of The Unseen Court secretly controlling the city, however these rumours are present in most cities ever since knowledge of their existence became public during The Grand Conspiracy.
Heavy rumours persist of The Unseen Court secretly controlling the city, however these rumours are present in most cities ever since knowledge of their existence became public during The Grand Conspiracy.
Points of interest
The Imperial Palace is the main point of interest n Cardinoll. Home to the Emperor and his family when they're in Meintalia, it boasts te most unique architecture in the city. Initially a castle constructed from the same stone as the rest of the city, it was heavily damaged during a siege in The Conquering of Meintalia. Rather than rebuilding it as it was from the same materials, excess white stone from the construction of Nëvik was transported over here and used to renovate the castle into a palace more typical of Passolan architecture to make it more homely and appealing to the foreign nobles that would be stationed here by the Emperor.
Founding Date
Mid E1
Alternative Name(s)
The capital
Type
Large city
Population
21,000
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
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