First built as a fort in the middle of the river Venteux to protect against the south, Vauxdoncourt would become the Jewel of
Rivell and her capital city.
History
Though a small village has existed on the site since the Rebel age, Vauxdoncourt wasn't recognized till 151 Devine when the Empire of Akoom built a small wooden fort in the middle of the river.
Fort Venteux
Originally called fort Venteux, It consisted of a small wooden mote and bailey in the middle of the river with a village on the north bank, its primary responsibility was to protect from the unconquered south. Its defensive position to both sides however was spotted by several
Paladins who increased the fortifications till it was a proper fort. This was also spotted by Fylkir Dhunob as he pushed south. During this time the village grew into a small town with a small amount of trade coming up the river. Falkir Dhunob claimed the for as his seat of power, moving it from the more traditional Lyon, so he could oversee the conflict more closely.
Court of Dhunob
As the town grew and spread to both sides of the river many started calling it Dhunob's court on Venteux. Much to the city of Lyon's displeasure, many administrative entities moved to the new city, growing it still.
Though no one truly knows when the official name changed from Fort Venteux to Vauxdoncourt, unofficial documents start to change the name from around three-hundred Divine, starting with the above name, then Dhuncourt Veux, Doncourt, and Vauxcourt among others were all used by various groups. By nine-hundred Divine the name seems to have changed to the modern Vauxdoncourt.
Rebelion and second city
Legend has it that when Rivell launched its rebellion against the
Demon Prophet, to everyone's surprise, the current Fylkir of Rivell opened the gates and handed out stockpiled weapons. Whether or not this story is true or something else took happened, Vauxdoncourt was under rebel control before any other town in the area. This led to it being declared the second city of the Kingdom, after Lyon, and an influx of
Human and Elf populations. After the building of the
Fang Fort, the fort in the middle of the river was destroyed and replaced with a magnificent 'Ducal' Palace.
Capital
The capital of Rivell was moved back to Vauxdoncourt after a scandal, the palace was further expanded to accommodate the national administration, many believe this was always the plan due to the little effort required. A large upper-class district also sprung up in the course of a few years.
Civil war
During the Rivellian civil war, the capital became a breeding ground for political intrigue, with an assassination attempt on visiting Duke
Charles of
Tourlu. It also suffered damage from the destruction of Fang fort as all the windows in the city shattered as the last bit of the blast wave went through the city.
Layout
The city is split into several sections, the first is the North and south banks of the river, these are further split up into districts, which are further split into wards. The Wealthy section of the town is more focused on the North of the river.
Royal Palace
Built on an island in the middle of the river, it is only accessible via a single white stone bridge to the North side, overlooking the entrance of the bridge is a pair of Statues, the first is of a Paladin of Akoom, handing over a sword with the words, 'No tolerance of tyranny. The other statue is of the emerald bard with the words ' Words can be mightier than swords.'
Once over the bridge, you enter the royal gardens in the center of the island, which are full of flowers, grass areas with trees, and a hedge maze. Next to the steps of the east building is a bare flowerbed. To the rest is the royal residence, a marble building that's highly decorated with gold. The eastern building holds administrative rooms.
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