Draelon (Dominaria Supplement)
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| [[Image:|200px|center]] | |
| Size | |
| Medium City | |
| Power Center | |
| Conventional, Lady Elisa Tenner, Tier 4 | |
| Alignment | |
| Lawful Good | |
| Adult Population | |
| 45,000 | |
| Gold Limit | |
| X | |
| Language & Diversity | |
| X | |
| Ramosia Menu |
|---|
| High Seats |
| Low Seats |
The city of Draelon lies on the little-travelled road north from Faybarrow to Riverwatch. In better times traders would eagerly take the road north and stop at the castle of the venerable House Garlan. The castle was a bustling hub for trade and drew hunters all year round to stalk game in the King's Wood. From the castle, traders would travel north to Draelon and then on to Riverwatch. But the castle was ravaged by orcs at the turn of the Age and despite House Garlan's victory there they were weak and swiftly fell to Adam Renzel in the Unification War. These days Draelon has transformed from a bustling trade stop to a city of fishers, transient miners, and wine merchants. Lake Draelon is fertile and large, and Draelon can usually fish enough to trade away some as well. The lands surrounding Draelon are rich volcanic soil, and produce some of the best Emerald Wines in the world. As far as mining, the road into the mountains past Firewatch at the Nefriti Caldera is still well-used; mining companies will operate out of Draelon and bigger groups from around Ramosia travel through Draelon seasonally.
Life in the city is slow most of the year, only speeding up at the beginning of spring and the end of fall: when the miners travel to and come back from the mountains. During the rest of the year life just flows. From early spring to late fall the city is a sleepy fishing city. It's also during this season when the vineyards to the east of the city grow their wine. The vineyards of Draelon are famous, and the Wine Barons that own the plains east of the city and the lake live in palaces that rival House Tenner's for size and best it in grandiosity. These Barons and their merchants put Draelon on the economic map every year when they sell their aged good in the fall. So for most of the year the city trades only with the Firewatch Guard and miners who come down from their camps. Horseraces and small jousting tournaments sponsored by the Barons of House Tenner comprise most of the entertainment in the city. In the winter, the city hibernates and prepares for the next year.
The city itself fairly unimpressive. Low buildings of wood and stucco or the local whitish-grey stone lay out south from the lake. The buildings cluster around the main roads north and east, because few people travel south these days. Draelon has no wall, and no buildings of great size besides House Tenner's Keep and a pair of Temples. The temple to Pelor is well kept but not glamorous, and the temple to Moradin fell into disrepair long ago - a relic from a time when Dwarves lived with humans in Draelon. The wine shops of Emerald Avenue are easily the most well appointed besides the Keep. Northwest of the city though, on the wide plain that stretches around the lake, sits the grand ruins of an airship dock. In the 2nd and 3rd Age this dock was a military watch post responsible for the Nefriti Caldera and communication with the White Sword Keep. Draelon grew up near the post and grew into its own after the post was abandoned and the airships gradually stopped flying. The towers and moorings of the docks lie unused today, providing merely a roof to those that need it.
It should be noted that House Tenner is a Low House to House Lackham of Riverwatch. After the fall of the Second Imperium House Lackham marched on Draelon and took their southern neighbor. House Tenner was allowed to retain their Seat, but favorable trade laws were signed and a tithe of fish and quarried goods was demanded. On top of that, the Wine Barons were required to tithe every year to House Lackham. Maintaining this superior relationship was one of the conditions of House Starna and House Lackham's surrender to House Renzel in the Unification War. After the war though, the yearly tithes were lessened. House Tenner has made several marriages into House Tenner and fought with them against the Renzels even after Draelon was sacked. The relationship is good these days, and the intermixing of blood seems to point to a day when the rulership will be in name only.
Government: Lady Elisa Tenner rules the city as a sworn Banner of House Lackham of Riverwatch.
Guilds and Orders: The various Wine Barons exercise a large amount of power in the city and each keep at least a few dozen mercenary knights on retainer. These men are entitled and made rich by working for the Barons. For a knight of ill-repute, willing to work for gld over principle, this job is prime and the competition fierce. These men are often very good at what they do and should not be taken lightly. The Priesthood of Pelor in Draelon maintains the Temple and ministers to the populace. The Whitebridge Exploratory Guild maintains several stores and warehouses in the city to sell to miners and adventurers seasonally. Several small mining guilds fill out the major businesses in town.
Military: House Tenner has 500 men-at-arms to patrol the streets and roughly 70 knights. About half of these knights work in the city and fill jobs for House Tenner, the other half own manors or houses in the surrounding lands and oversee the farms there. In time of war, House Tenner can raise a Legion of 5,000 men (formerly a demi-Legio under Riverwatch's VII Legion) and can, by law, compel the wine Barons to contribute men. If the Wine Barons actually contributed their men House Tenner could theoretically put another 100 knights and 2,000 foot into the field.
Judicial System: Several of the knights sworn to House Tenner are educated Arbiters or Justices of the Realm and adjudicate disputes and accusations. All trade-related disputes go before the sitting member of House Tenner at the time.
City Relations: Draelon is part of High Seat Balmorra, and as such ultimately falls under House Starna. By treaty though they fall under Lackham as well. they have good relations with these cities and most of Ramosia views them favorably.
Travel:
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