Scopham

The capital of the Kingdom of Ælnea

Demographics

43% Human, 25% Elven, 16% Half-Elf, 7% Halfling, 4% Dwarven, 3% Tiefling, 2% Other

Government

Scopham is the seat of the Kingdom of Ælnea, and the location at which the royal hall is located.

While many nobles reside in the capital to counsel the king all year long, there is an annual gathering of advisers--the earls and barons of the territories of the Kingdom as well as the residing nobles of the capital--that takes place during the first month of the year. During this convention, the King assigns the annual budget of each of the 4 earldoms, and baronets are appointed for those cities that have vacancies or temporary ones. Laws are also discussed, drafted, and implemented during this time, as well as reviews of the nations foreign relations.

Defences

The grounds of the royal palace are surrounded by high walls with guard towers and the gatehouse have iron portcullises and postern gates run along the length ofthe walls. Immediately outside of the the palaces walls is a moat, which is crossed by way of a single draw bridge. Further out is another wall which joins with a keep (one signifying the edge of the city long ago), though this wall has no moat surrounding it. Finally there is an outer wall encompassing most of the present-day city, build during the early years of the reign of King Æthelweard's father.
Many members of the royal guard patrol along the length of the Palace walls as well as on the palace grounds. The regular city guard are stationed in the walls and towers of the inner and outer walls. The keep is host to the military, including a barracks and training ground where all soldiers of the kingdom train. The streets are frequently patrolled by the city guard, though due to the size of the city it can be difficult for the guard to totally ensure the safety of all districts of the city.

Industry & Trade

A port city, Scopham is host to many docks and fisheries.

Guilds and Factions

There is a university located in the middle districts of the city, which was built only 20 years ago by order of King Æthelweard.

History

Scopham was founded over 6 centuries ago by settlers who had ventured across the vast Carnnui Sea in 107 AS. The settlers, many of them warriors, found that the land was ruled by goblinoids. It was not long between the goblins took notice of the small settlement that the settlers created, and attacked. The settlers managed to push back the goblin hordes that surged into Cape Wulftoð. A series of fierce, back-to-back battles were fought, during which the goblinoids laid waste to the village and pushed the surviving settlers to the cliffs overlooking the sea on the southermost point of Cape Wulftoð.

It was during this desperate battle that it is said that the man who would later become the first king of Ælnea awakened to his powers. An unlikely hero, a simple scop (Bard) named [Insert First King's Name] defeated the goblin horde by casting an illusion over the cliffs to make it seem as though they extended further than they actually are. He lured the goblin to this hallucinatory terrain, whereat the goblins then fell into the ocean. When they realized that their fellow goblins were being swallowed up by the ground, the goblin scattered and ran away in droves. As the goblin fled, the surviving warriors gave chase and slew many of the routed enemies. The songs sung by the victors that day are said to have rung throughout Ælnea and instilled fear into the goblins occupying the land.

Geography

Scopham is situated on Cape Wulftoð on the central southeastern coast of Ælnea

Type

Capital

Population

49,578

Location under

Cape Wulftoð

Owner/Ruler

King Æthelweard

Owning Organization

Kingdom of Ælnea

Characters in Location

• King Æthelweard

Related Historical Events

• 107 AS
  Founding of Scopham