Arbo
White stone walls around Arbo are heavy, squat, wide, and studded with battlements and towers that face outward on all sides. Ballistae and a variety of catapults are set to target the surrounding lands and skies. At a distance, the walls and battlements look like a challenge, a fist raised against whatever might come. More than an appearance of strength, Arbo has in fact never been conquered. Dragons have burned parts of the city, giants have attacked its walls, and basilisks have tried its gates, but the city stood against them all and remains poised against any other threats that may come. The people here bear a fierce pride born of the challenges faced, and beaten, by the city as a whole. Ancient foundations and catacombs here are rebuilt or modified as needed without heed to their history as Arbo is more concerned about its future than its past.
While there is a district mainly populated by the poorer residents, most of the city is well mixed, with walled-off mansions standing amid homes, workshops, and stores. The center square of the city is protected with a second wall that encloses the palace, the main government buildings, and the growing University of Mains. Well-designed and cared for streets and sewage systems throughout the entire city — even in the poorer district — mark the city as forward-thinking and “modern” in spite of its ancient roots.
Officially, Duchess Aeria Enserrat rules from the capital city of the Duchy of Mains, but in reality, it is her son Sorar who controls the day-to-day activities of the city. The duchess concerns herself with promoting the schools and the developing university as she believes they provide a lasting impact on the future of the duchy. Sorar Enserrat is well-liked in the city and across the duchy; he is pleasant, charismatic, and generally finds pragmatic solutions to problems that might arise. Decorated military service during his younger years earns him the respect and admiration of the militia and guards, and that military background helps him maintain a strong defense for the city.
Generally, trade goods must follow the trade route through Saxentry in the Duchy of Saxe to the northeast, but as both dukedoms are sworn to the Kingdom of Foere, this generally doesn’t cause any problems. Arbo exports some food items but its predominant exports and trade goods include luxury quality ales and meads and a variety of lumber and wood products. Much of the iron from the nearby iron mines is either used within the city or sent out for trade. Hunters and adventurers delve into Harwood Forest in search of valuable ingredients for magical spells and items that are sold here, often to the university. Dwarven stonemasons based here are often contracted for the construction of walls, castles, or other structures at costs far beyond the standard.
Capital
Arbo, City of (Capital)
Type
Capital
Owning Organization
Comments