The Stockade (Bank of Aurora)
The Stockade is a large building within the Central District of Aurora. It has gone through several transformation, from being a small stockade, to a high security prison, to being the most secure bank in all of Erekiath.
Architecture
Originally the stockade was built from wood but was later upgraded with stone walls and iron bars. After the building was expanded even further, the entire building got whitewashed, to have a more clean and appealing look to their rich customers.
The Trade Guild, who owns The Stockade, spend quite a lot of resources maintaining the outer facade.
The Trade Guild, who owns The Stockade, spend quite a lot of resources maintaining the outer facade.
History
Aurora is one of the only pre-planned cities in Erekiath, as such the initial building camp quickly became crowded with fortune seekers and people looking for work. Crime quickly became an issue, thus The Guardians were sent from Haistone to help maintain order.
The Guardians erected a stockade in the camp, to avoid spending time transporting petty criminals around, and also served as a deterrent for would-be criminals.
Eventually, as Aurora prospered The Stockade was expanded and converted into a prison, although it was still referred to as The Stockade. An underground section was added, with high-security cells, for the more dangerous criminals. The upper level was rebuilt as well, replacing the wooden walls with stone and the wooden bars with iron bars.
As Aurora continued to prosper, it eventually took the shape it has today, with a central and outer district, with The Stockade located inside The Central District.
After Aurora became the capital of Erekiath it attracted both nobles and wealthy people to The Central District.
As it turned out, the wealthy and noble population within The Central District didn't care much for having a prison close by, and eventually, a new prison was built in The Outer District, and all prisoners were moved there.
With The Stockade empty, the Trade Guild saw an opportunity. They needed a place to safeguard their valuables and what better place to do so than a high-security prison, hidden inside The Central District of the capital. It would likely be the safest location in the entire country.
The Trade Guild purchased The Stockade and repurposed the lower levels into several high-security vaults. News of this new high-security vault spread quickly among the rich and nobles, and soon there was a huge demand for more storage space.
The Trade Guild hired help from the dwarves in The Snowy Peaks, and expanded the underground vault with two additional levels. This was a very expensive endeavor, but nobles and rich commoners alike were more than willing to pay for the added security. Additionally, two more floors were added on top of the building, to house bank records, as well as lesser valuables.
Even after these massive additions to the building, The Stockade name still stuck. Initially, The Trade Guild tried to campaign against the name by changing the name to The Bank of Aurora but quickly realized that the history of the building, along with its name was good at attracting new customers. Instead, they leaned into the name and started branding it as a symbol of order, it being the very first prison in Aurora.
The Guardians erected a stockade in the camp, to avoid spending time transporting petty criminals around, and also served as a deterrent for would-be criminals.
Eventually, as Aurora prospered The Stockade was expanded and converted into a prison, although it was still referred to as The Stockade. An underground section was added, with high-security cells, for the more dangerous criminals. The upper level was rebuilt as well, replacing the wooden walls with stone and the wooden bars with iron bars.
As Aurora continued to prosper, it eventually took the shape it has today, with a central and outer district, with The Stockade located inside The Central District.
After Aurora became the capital of Erekiath it attracted both nobles and wealthy people to The Central District.
As it turned out, the wealthy and noble population within The Central District didn't care much for having a prison close by, and eventually, a new prison was built in The Outer District, and all prisoners were moved there.
With The Stockade empty, the Trade Guild saw an opportunity. They needed a place to safeguard their valuables and what better place to do so than a high-security prison, hidden inside The Central District of the capital. It would likely be the safest location in the entire country.
The Trade Guild purchased The Stockade and repurposed the lower levels into several high-security vaults. News of this new high-security vault spread quickly among the rich and nobles, and soon there was a huge demand for more storage space.
The Trade Guild hired help from the dwarves in The Snowy Peaks, and expanded the underground vault with two additional levels. This was a very expensive endeavor, but nobles and rich commoners alike were more than willing to pay for the added security. Additionally, two more floors were added on top of the building, to house bank records, as well as lesser valuables.
Even after these massive additions to the building, The Stockade name still stuck. Initially, The Trade Guild tried to campaign against the name by changing the name to The Bank of Aurora but quickly realized that the history of the building, along with its name was good at attracting new customers. Instead, they leaned into the name and started branding it as a symbol of order, it being the very first prison in Aurora.
Tourism
Although a bank doesn't really attract tourists, the whole story surrounding The Stockade serves as an attraction for many. Although no one is permitted inside the vaults, unless they have specific business there, people still want to see the beacon of order that is The Stockade.
They call it The Stockade, huh? An apt name. It's like a prison, just for gold and gems. It's a shame really. No honest thieves like ourselves, will ever be able to rescue those poor valuables.
Just think, this fortress of a bank is protected by two city walls. Not even an army will be able to rob you of your valuables!
Comments