Riekhol

Most of the population of Reikhol are native Hraldan humans, and have been for centuries upon centuries. There is a sizeable population of Urokir and Mankir (Half-Orcs) living within the city as well. Though few in number, individuals and groups from other races make their home here as well, a small community of Torvi and Eirim, many of whom work either directly for the Queen or as Diplomats and Guild Liaisons to her court.   Its location at the edge of Lake Fridal, makes it one of the few regions of Konigal suitable for agriculture, and as such many hundreds of farmers live in nearby communities outside of the city. Aside from these herdsmen and nomads make yearly migrations near to the city to provide their tribute to the Throne of Konigal and to attend any Great Moots. Should these be all brought together (though most would never be inside the city proper) the city's population might be at it's largest recorded at 10,000.

The Town of Riekhol is the sole possession and domain of the King of Great Konigal, this presently is Queen Wellana the Bold, who was selected by the Great Moot, after her great-uncle Polm the Fat died leaving no male heirs.   All matters concerning the governance of Reikhol therefore go to the Queen directly, though most day-to-day matters are delegated her stewards and huscarls. As her possession, all residents are expected to pay rent, taxes and fealty to her directly. Though many are exempted in practice or by writ of law from one or more of these duties. Most daily affairs concerning the town itself are managed by her First Steward Sewin Bolmaster; security issues and enforcement fall to her Huscarl Bruska-Leilan Masok, who also effectively leads the city watch and presides over any criminal issues not seen fit to be brought before the Queen.

The Reikhol and Reikmot are very well-defended structures, as befitting their importance as the administrative capital of Konigal. Situated atop a tall and steep hill further bolstered by a 12ft wall of mixed earth and set stone. There are two 16ft guardtowers which preside over the rise. Leading to the stone gatehouse, which as two pseudotowers attached on either side. Within their is an inner bailey and further gatehouse before reaching the King's Hall itself.   The Reikburg is less well-defended, it's walls are 10ft of Earth reinforced by stone and a 7ft deep water-filled trench below, wooden watchtowers are spaced at a 100ft interval, the walls are not crenelated, and in peace-time offer only protection against direct assault rather than defensive platforms. The gatehouses at the West and South respectively are mixed stone and wood constructions, with iron-reinforced portcullis and wooden drawbridges. Further watchtowers of mixed wood, stone and earth constructions can be found within sight-lines of the town to the North, North-West, West and South-West.

Reikhol's principle wealth is made by draw as locus of administration and local nobility. It has a modest crafts distract, but produces little of note, but is nonetheless serviceable to city's wealthier classes.   Reikhol does not lie on any pivotal trade routes such that, were it not for it's political prominence, it likely would not receive much trade at all and a not insignificant effort is made by the town's stewards to draw trade in by the hosting of frequent fairs, festivals, and melees. An effort which draws a reliable crowd of traders from the river-towns, but little exotic reaches the town without being asked for at a high price.

Reikhol has little in the way of infrastructure; sewage is either collected or run-off into small ditches which pour into the moat or lake, there are two drawbridges at the gatehouses leading into the city from the West and South respectively. The city possessing a single large windmill for the grinding of grains and barley.

The town is principally divided between the Reiksmot and the Reikburg. The Mot is the high hill upon which the King's Hall is built, alongside the city windmill, the chapel of St. Jiub, the Mage Guild Headquarters, the King's Stables and a few other attending structures such as the guard barracks, a weapon's smith and fletcher and a small garden sometimes used as a training yard.
Below the Reiksmot is the Burg, the town proper where the majority of the population live. There are some further informal distinctions, the houses, gardens and shops nearest the rise to the Mot, are sometimes called the Thaneburg, so named as they are home to majority of the richer attendants, thanes and bodyguards of the Queen. Below the Thanseburg little other distinction can be made. The dwarves of the city have mostly congregated near the smithing district, which sometimes gains the area the moniker "Torvburg", but it is little used. Beyond this most of the wealthier shops and homes are set close to the All Gods Temple of St. Yolanda the Healer; and the gardens therein.   The poorest section of town is found between the gatehouses in the South-West corner of the town, the area is given no name formally but is sometimes called Keenfyrd Alley, or the village of the horseless.

The town of Reikhol has sat in this location now some 600 years, first established as the possession and hold of the Warlord Keerak Broadblade; it passed hands for the next two centuries before it eventually became the seat of the Children of King Sigval Blackbeard, who built the eponymous King's Hall. His line would go on to establish full kingship over much of what is now Konigal, before being replaced by Hrundi the Fairhaired and her lineage in 450 and from them through several smaller dynasties through to the most recent dynasty of Wilman the Fat in 710 AC.   While the town itself has existed only 600 years; the lands near to it have been settled far back into prehistory, evidence of Giants Mounds and later of the Cairnbuilder culture, suggest the area to have seen frequent settlement for nearly 12,000 years. However the land has never sustained civilization beyond towns of a few thousand souls.

The architecture of Reikhol is largely reflective of the Northern Hraldan style, favouring longhouses of stone and earth foundations with wood thatched walls and grass-covered roofs. The Temples of the High Church here stand out most in their construction reflecting Arumnic Influences with elaborate masonry and carved stone pillars.

The Reikhol is built on the tallest hill for some distance around, to the east the wide Lake Frida stretches out so far that most days with the fog you cannot see the opposite shore. To the North, the plains roll across dozens of productive farmlands, villages, fields, and grazing ground until meeting up at the edge of sight with the edge of the Redpine Forest. To the South lies further farmland, following the curve of the lake, and several small villages and towns.

Reikhol is located in one of the few fertile regions of the otherwise dry Konigal Steppe, along the shores and tributaries of Lake Frida. As such it benefits in being the locust of significant agricultural trade, as well as modest industry in fishing, grazing and hunting.   In all other respects though, Reikhol is extremely resource poor. The woodlands nearby are unsuitable for anything more than kindling and the region lacks anything remotely resembling mineral wealth. There are some salt deposits along the southern shore of Lake Frida, but most wealth from it heads to Oxhagan, skipping Reikhol.