Battervold
The central electorate of Khurabil is Middenwald defined by a swamp on its northern shore, and the forested region of Dunkelgrun in the south. The capital of Middenwald is Battervold. Battervold lies on the great trade route called The Beltway that runs from Confluence to Steinwark. Battervold is also known for it's temples. It houses temples for most or all the gods (Avandra, Bahamut, Bane, Corellon, Erathis, Gruumsh, Ioun, Kord, Lolth, Melora, Moradin, Pelor, The Raven Queen) though some are more prominent than others.
The center of Battervold is a quite high plateau. All the richest and most important buildings of Battervold are located atop the Plateau itself, with a lower town surrounding the largely circular plateau. Outside of this is a well maintained circle wall, though there are small clutches of buildings and hamlets amongst farmland outside the walls. The Beltway road passes through the centre of Battervold, passing through the west gate, up the Celestial Arches which carries the Beltway up to the central plateau, down the Unity Span which brings the beltway down to the eastern gate and off toward Steinwark. A branch of the Zaubrel River flows through the southern gate of the city wall and arcs around the base of the plateau under the Celestial Arches and exits again toward the north of the city.
Further south the Zaubrel river runs toward the Dunkelgrun Region, and to the north it flows toward the sea via the Brinebrae swamp lands.
Government
Battervold is ruled by the Elector of Middenwald and a select council of religious leaders selected by the Elector from the various religious groups within the city.
Defences
Battervold has a strong outer circle wall. Further, it's most sensitive and important buildings are, for the most part, built atop the central Plateau of the city.
Battervold is guarded by the Middenwald Cavaliers who serve as city and regional guard as well as military force, when called upon.
Districts
The Dry
The eastern part of the city below the plateau is locally known as The Dry, in constrast to the western half of the city which has a tributary of the Zaubrel River flowing through it and a series of docks along it.
Riverside
The western half of the city of Battervold below the plateau is dominated by the small branch of the Zaubrel river that curves through it and it's attendant docks.
Divine Circle
The Divine Circle refers to the circle of buildings that circles the plateau at the centre of Battervold. Although the district contains a number of civic buildings, residences, and a variety of businesses it is most notable for the temples that dominate it. Because of its prestige, luxury goods and important people are best found in this area of the city.
History
Battervold is named for the conflict with Voldr the Massive, a Giant who collected a conclave of giants around themselves and educated them like a zealot. He built libraries, gathered writings, and fortified and shaped the top of the plateau with pale stone that it is said his followers could shape with their wills. Voldr was eventually defeated by Bruno and the Vanguard and The Western Irregulars. There is some indication that The Cleansing Wave was also involved. However, it is the only the Vanguard and the Western Irregulars that have come down through history. The name Battervold comes from a corruption of "Battle with Voldr" or "Defeat of Voldr".
Points of interest
Bridges
- Celestial Arches: The western bridge connecting the plateau to The Beltway.
- Unity Span: The eastern bridge linking the plateau to The Beltway.
Markets
- Grand Exchange: The bustling marketplace at the convergence of the bridges and plateau.
- Artisan's Bazaar: A market specialising in crafts and unique creations. On the eastern side of the city within The Dry, under the Unity Span.
Plateau Top
- Divine Circle: The collective term for the ring of temples on the plateau.
- Clocktower: A tall clocktower displaying the time broadly as portion of day, with small figures that appear at different hours representing the Vanguard. One of the vanguard is always visible, but others show at changes of daytime. Stands near the temples of Erathis.
- Fountain of Light: A central fountain on the plateau. Technically splitting the Beltway briefly and bordering the Grand Exchange. Signifying the spiritual enlightenment flowing from the spring. The centre of the Fountain of Light is adorned with a statue of various people in distress expressing hope in rememberance of those lost during The Great Plague and The Great Scarcity.
- Tempest Tower: A dark stone tower on the northern side of the plateau, set toward the outer edge, this is a tall tower of dark, nearly black stone with a striking crazed line of white stone down one side.
- Priest's Nook: This expansive tavern arches over one of the smaller side streets just outside the Divine Circle. It has rooms for rent, multiple levels and a seperate performance space.
Streets up to the Plateau
- The Long Rise: The longer path up the side of the plateau, begins in the south of the city near the south gate and winds the whole way around the plateau rise until it gets to the top almost above where it begins. The long rise is fairly wide, but is somewhat crowded with thin buildings, both storefronts, services and homes all the way up. Many are built into the stone of the plateau itself. These homes are favoured by Dwarves, Gnomes and Halflings.
- Starkbeine: A shorter path that winds up the side of the plateau on a more dramatic angle. It is still populated in parts with small businesses and some homes. However, compared to The Long Rise more of the Starkbeine is made of stairs. It begins just about beneath the Celestial Arches and rises to the plateau just north of the Unity span.
Statues
- Bruno and Sabrina: Just inside the western gate of Battervold stand twinned statues of Bruno and Sabrina, standing on either side of the Beltway and each gesturing toward each other. The depictions are rather grand and heroic.
- The Western Irregulars: flaniking the top of the Celestial arches as they reach the Divine circle is a statue of the Western Irregulars standing in a cluster looking out toward the southwest, seemingly ready for battle.
- Prince Corwin Khurabil and Commander Garrett Hulsham of Steinwark: heroes of the Battle of Stonebridge, which took place on the Zaubrel River just west of the city. This status stands across from the statue of The Western Irregulars on the western side of the plateau.
- The Deathwatch: At the top of The Long Rise on the south side of the plateau there stands a status of these heroes, memorialising their defeat of Vergrath the Undying in 3201.
- Prince Aldric Khurabil: The hero of The Crimson Retribution can be seen rising above the top of the Unity Span where it connects the the Divine Circle on the eastern side of the plateau.
- Prince Emeric Khurabil: Across from Prince Aldric stands the heroic visage of Prince Emeric Khurabil, famed for his role in ending The Demon Siege of Khurabil.
Architecture
The central plateau of the city is notable for it's resplendant temples and civic buildings. Most of the buildings of the plateau are built from pale, nearly white stone.
Geography
Battervold stands proudly as a plateau city, its heart elevated above the surrounding lands, creating a cityscape that is both breathtaking and strategically advantageous. The Zaubrel River runs by the western edge of the city as well as having a small branch that runs through the western side of the city itself.
Comments