Monorca
"On the banks of the Fallici River lies the town of Monorca. The town is split in two but connected by the Bridge of Monorca. Long ago, a castle was erected on the eastern, Felisian banks to prevent the kings of Daraba and Donhura from crossing the river. When the rival kingdoms were united under the Kingdom of Parera, the castle lost its strategic value and was transformed into a palace.
Originally, Monorca was a hilltop castle that watched over the border of the Kingdom of Felisia. For many years, it did so successfully, forcing Daraban troops to make the long trek around the Fallici River and through the Hills of Daraba. The castle halted many an invasion. During the long peace of the 7th century After Parretoa, a wooden bridge was constructed, forever changing the purpose of the castle town.
After the construction of the Bridge of Monorca, it was no longer just a strategic castle but also an important trade route between the kingdoms of Felisia and Daraba. A century after the construction of the bridge, war broke out between Felisia and Daraba, and a large army crossed the bridge. Felisian forces tried to burn the bridge to halt the advance of Daraba, but many men had already crossed, and Monorca was taken. Felisia retreated along the coast, where they were joined by an allied army from the kingdoms of Iliseya and Termia. Meanwhile, Daraba’s army was reinforced by troops from Donhura. The two armies met on the plains of Martinco. It is said that on that day, all the combined armies of Parera were engaged in a terrible battle. Many men fell, and the plains are still littered with broken spears, splintered shields, and countless bodies. These days, the plains are called Martinco’s Waste.
After the war, the burned bridge was replaced by a stone one, and a castle was built on the western bank to protect it. Since then, the castle of Monorca has never been directly assaulted again. Instead, the town around the castle has grown into a flourishing trade hub, sitting on the most direct road between two once-powerful kingdoms.
When Termia united all the Pareran kingdoms under the Kingdom of Parera in the 11th century After Parretoa, Monorca was no longer the strategic castle it once was and was converted into the Palazzo di Marto. Now, its courtyards hold many flowers and trees and have been renamed the Gardens of Saléza. The old barracks and training grounds have been repurposed as a luxurious bathhouse, and many establishments have sprung up around the settlement. Buildings spread across the Palazzo and onto the western banks of the river, with a Church of Annaaru, the Lady of Light and Life, watching over the peaceful town.
Lush riverbanks with a mix of trees, bushes, and shrubs offer a welcoming sight amidst the dry, yellow plains surrounding the town. The turquoise waters, combined with the terracotta-tiled roofs, make for a beautiful sight—something that Monorca prides itself on."
D. Harewood, Fendalian Cartographer
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