Dunkelding
The capital of the petty kingdom of Powynry, the strongest of the kingdoms of Ynys Cymragh, and the public capital-city of the island, Dunkelding is the most cosmopolitan settlement on the isle and has been growing at a respectable rate for many years. Because of the presence of outsiders and their ideas, and the availability of revenue from licensing foreign merchants and taxing trade, Dunkelding has a bustling merchant quarter, a well-run harbor, and wide and well-kept streets. In fact, Dunkelding is the only port at which foreigners are permitted to dock. Those foreign merchants licensed to trade in Ynys Cymragh can land and sell their wares in Dunkelding but may not leave the city.
Although its primary source of wealth rises from its role as the only gateway between Ynys Cymragh and the rest of the world, revenue also comes from farming and raising cattle, shipbuilding, and, increasingly, mining operations in the nearby Strathclyde Mountains. Dunkels are quite proud of their prosperous growth and can be quick to anger over even the slightest of insults targeted at their city or people.
The worship of Mithras and Thyr, along with a few other Hyperborean gods, predominates in Dunkelding. The old ways are little remembered in town, though the old gods are recalled in the mountain valleys and remote farms.
Though denominated as a kingdom, Powynry is actually an autocracy without a hereditary king. Rather, a single individual from one of the 100 original Daanite Dunkelding families serves a 25-year term before personally choosing his or her successor. The honorable leader of the city has complete control and jurisdiction in all matters of the city. The Honorable Gorlish “Stoneface” Yaargsgood is finishing up the last two years of his term and is already contemplating his replacement. He gained his nickname after facing down certain death with a battle-troll, his face never changing to show emotion.
The city can call upon 500 full-time soldiers and another 500 militia to defend itself in times of need. A fleet of speedy longships patrols the harbor and port while the town guard watches over the city streets day and night. It has been some time since a great attack force ventured into the city’s waters, and the last pirate fleet was sent to feed the carrion sea creatures in the harbor’s sea bottom many years ago.
With walls protected by well-trained archers and ballistae, Dunkelding has little to fear from the occasional goblin raid from the nearby mountains. However, the joined forces of several clans of trolls and giants could challenge the city if caught unawares. It has been a long time since enough mountain-dwelling foes gathered their forces together to contest the strength of the city, however. Some say they have been fortunate for too long and that their luck may run out at some point.
Capital
Dunkelding, City of (Capital)
Type
Capital
Owning Organization
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