Jorundhamn
Jorundhamn (pronounced YOUR-und-ahm) is the largest city in western Askalda and the capital of the Kingdom of Jarland. It was settled by the Saerish raider king, Jorund Svärd, in -679 as a holding ground to amass an army of longships to terrorize the coasts and eventually cross the White Sea. Over time, it became a permanent settlement to facilitate an inland offensive against the encroaching threat of the Tomorkhan Empire, absorbing distant cities and people into its ruling in return for protection from the growing threats.
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Government
The government of Jorundhamn is comprised of three official branches, each with its own unique sphere of influence and expectations.Monarchy
The King or Queen is generally viewed as the single most important person in Jorundhamn, followed by the other members of their family. They are generally liked and respected by the majority of the population due to the rigorous election process. Unlike most monarchies, the ruling authority is not passed down through birthrights and marriage. Rather, when the current monarch passes, their family takes during the interim while a year-long trial is held for any and all willing candidates who wish to claim the throne for themselves. Each candidate must spend the year travelling between the twelve major cities of Jarland, including the independent cities Ygael'Falendur and Dún Deorad. At each settlement, they must participate in a trial drafted by the local populace which emphasizes the qualities they value most in a ruler. If no candidate succeeds in all twelve trials, the royal family will continue to rule and the trials will repeat the following year with a new pool of candidates. The monarch is primarily responsible for matters of war and defense, as well as diplomatic endeavors. Often, the monarch is directly involved in these matters, whether it is leading a charge on the front lines of battle or sharing a seat at a table with the enemy during negotiations of peace. For this reason, monarchs rarely have the opportunity to rule for more than a decade. The monarch also serves as a tiebreaker if a Council decision is ever evenly split. Occasionally, the monarch will act as a judge for particularly high profile trials. The current king of Jorundhamn is Odhin Steelheart, ruling alongside his wife Thora Steelheart.Council of Twelve
The Council of Twelve is a supplemental ruling party comprised of representatives from each of the twelve petty kingdoms of Jarland. They are expected to remain permanently in Jorundhamn and oversee the large scale management of Jarland. They are primarily concerned with matters of bureaucracy, including taxation, economic oversight, resource management, and public works. Occasionally, land disputes will arise between the petty kingdoms, at which times they present their case to the monarch who makes a final ruling.The Twelve Petty Kingdoms
- Feldirbro
- Vänghult
- Norrkoping
- Ygael'Falendur
- Älvagg
- Aderfors
- Dún Deorad
- Förgren
- Midkoping
- Sörenstad
- Karstad
- Guldvik
Noble Houses
The noble houses that occupy Jorundhamn are responsible for the daily management of the city. Where the Council of Twelve is responsible for kingdom-wide matters, the nobles are responsible for city-wide matters. There are currently 5 noble houses, each with their own set of power and responsibilities.House Goldgarden
House Goldgarden is responsible for the oversight of trade and commerce within Jorundhamn. The current heads of house are Sigrid and Folkar Goldgarden. They are relatively well liked by the populace following the corrupt rule of their aunt and uncle, who were deposed for funneling public funds into their own estate. The largest marketplace in the city is located with the Goldgarden district in an ornate plaza of bustling vendors and foreign traders. The heraldry of house Goldgarden depicts four golden roses on a black banner.
House Anchorsmith
House Anchorsmith is responsible for the shipbuilding and harbor operations of Jorundhamn. The head of house is Dagna Anchorsmith. Dagna's husband, Garm, was exiled to sea during a great storm as retribution for making treasonous deals with raiders from Bregorod. The name Anchorsmith has now been stained by treason which Dagna has devoted the remainder if life to repairing. They are quickly regaining their good name, in large part due to amassing the largest fleet on the White Sea. However, since she has no children and no husband, a small conspiracy is growing to see House Anchorsmith die with her. Their heraldry depicts an white anchor beneath the waves.
House Stonecleft
House Stonecleft maintains the largest mining and masonry operations in Jorundhamn. They were responsible for the oversight and construction of the castle and city walls. The head of house is Olaf Stonecleft, a bachelor who will only marry a woman who beat him in a stone throwing competition. Dispite being unwed, he has many bastard children in care who he raises in his own home. Oddulf Stonecleft, the first of the name to bring the family into nobility, was responsible for the construction of the Tomorkhan Wall, which upon its completion, ended the Great Tomorkhan Invasion.
House Greenelk
House Greenelk oversees the farming and lumber industry for Jorundhamn. The current heads of house are Cord and Talia Greenelk. They are a pragmatic couple focused on fairness and efficient labor. Their lodgings are located in upper stories of the large lumber mill on the outskirts of town, an attempt to show solidarity with the working class. They have several kids who they they've recruited into their family business. House Greenelk is highly respected for their ability to pull together the community in trying times and provide food and comfort when it's needed most. Their heraldry is a an oak tree encircled in elk antlers.
House Crownsguard
House Crownsguard is the oldest noble house and is responsible for the training of Jorundan soldiers. The heads of house are Magnus and Ragna Crownsguard. Originally a family whose sole duty was to protect the king or queen at sea, the Crownsguard family has transitioned over many generations from a purely naval focus to a comprehensive mastery of all forms of war. The warlords and tacticians that come out of this family have led Jorundhamn and the greater kingdoms through numerous victories throughout the ages. They now manage the local militia and towns guard during peace times. Their heraldry is a shield topped with a crow flanked by two axes.
Geography
Jorundhamn is a large city built on the eastern shore of Askalda around the banks of the King's Water. It is surrounded by fertile moors and the large forest, Keelwood, directly to the north. The city itself was built on elevated limestone cliffs that look out over a natural harbor. Many winding stairs were hewn directly into the stone leading up to the city proper, making a coastal invasion nearly impossible.Interior Districts
Jorundhamn's interior is broken into seven districts - the Keep, the Harbor, and a distinct district for each of the five noble houses.The Keep
The keep is a stronghold in Jorundhamn's interior and home to the monarchical family.The Harbor
The Harbor is an interior district on waterfront property separated from the high grounds of the interior districts by the King's Water. It is used by travelers and traders seeking to dock in Jorundhamn.Goldgarden Distict
The Goldgarden District is named for the Goldgarden royal family. It is most known for its extravagant gardens and parks, as well as its luxurious establishments.Anchorsmith District
The Anchorsmith District is named for the Anchorsmith royal family. It runs along the coast of the White Sea and the King's Water and maintains private docks for the citizens of Jorundhamn and the construction of the Jorundan fleet.Greenelk District
This section is a stub.Stonecleft District
This section is a stub.Crownsguard District
This section is a stub.Exterior Districts
Jorundhamn's exterior is broken into five districts - North Gate, South Keep, Riverward, Eastbridge and Dwarf Town.Northgate
This section is a stub.South Keep
This section is a stub.Riverward
This section is a stub.Eastbridge
This section is a stub.Dwarf Town
This section is a stub.Settlements
As Jorundhamn has expanded, several satellite villages have developed in the surrounding area to support it.- Shallowport
- Jorundgard
- Mistmoor
- Longcrossing
- Westgate
- Stormtide
Maps
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Jorundhamn
Nation
Region
Keelwood Region
Size
Capital
Population
30,000
Government
Monarchy
Rulers
Comments