Dungannon
First Post
Ravensdale
Settled just over 100 years ago by Lord Alistair Rehvand (known as the Raven while he served in the Royal Army), Ravensdale is located on the Western Road about a day and a half’s walk west of Allimon. It began as a military outpost, but quickly grew due to its location on a major trade route. Today Ravensdale has a population of approximately 6300 citizens with a local guard over 500 strong. It is ostensibly governed, under the king's name, by Lord Thomas Rehvand, grandson of Alistair. In actuality, however, it is ruled by triumvirate of guilds representing the shipping, merchant, and banking businesses. These three organizations control all the commodities that are sold in and pass through Ravensdale. It is rumored that these three guilds were the financial backers of a recent massive sweep by the local guard, reinforced by a few mercenary companies, which broke up the thieves' guild and sent its members into hiding.
1: The Market. This circular bazaar is home to dozens of stalls, stands and wagons. The outer ring is comprised of permanent structures that house stalls representing the biggest and most profitable shops in Ravensdale. Temporary stalls, stands, and even wagons make up the interior, representing just about every type of business. These can be moved out if necessary to create a large open area for special events, public gatherings, and official ceremonies. In the center is a spectacular fountain, fed from an underground spring. It is common knowledge that the fountain has magical properties, for it provides fresh water for just about every citizen yet never runs dry.
2: The Council House. This is the home of the local government offices as well as the headquarters for the three guilds. The jail is located in the basement of this building.
3: The Warehouse District. These large buildings are ostensibly owned by the city, but it is common knowledge that the guilds control every aspect of them. They are subdivided and rented out to the various businesses to store their goods. The road exiting the city to the north runs to the dock complex about a half-day’s journey to the northeast. The dock complex, while not inside the town proper, is considered part of Ravensdale and is run by the Transport Guild.
4: The Lord’s Manor. This is the private home of Lord Thomas Rehvand. He spends most of his time here since he has passed most of the day-to-day governance to the guilds. Security is provided by the Blackwings, the local militia.
5: The Guild Manors. These three mansions house the leaders of the three guilds. In a public display of cooperation they all share a common fence surrounding the grounds. Each guild provides its own security, however, from the mercenaries they employ for the protection of their members.
6: Blackwing Headquarters. This is the home of the Blackwings, the local militia controlled by Lord Rehvand. Their size and stature in the city has shrunk as the guilds turn more and more to mercenaries to provide security to the members and their businesses. They remain loyal to the Rehvand family, however, and contain some of the best warriors and brightest military minds in the region. The Blackwings patrol the city and enforce the regular laws, mainly the residential areas in the south and the temples in the northeast. The Warehouse District and the northwest area containing the larger homes and businesses belonging to the most prosperous guild members are guarded by the private security forces provided by the guilds. The one exception in this area is the Lords Manor, where the Blackwings still hold their ground.
Settled just over 100 years ago by Lord Alistair Rehvand (known as the Raven while he served in the Royal Army), Ravensdale is located on the Western Road about a day and a half’s walk west of Allimon. It began as a military outpost, but quickly grew due to its location on a major trade route. Today Ravensdale has a population of approximately 6300 citizens with a local guard over 500 strong. It is ostensibly governed, under the king's name, by Lord Thomas Rehvand, grandson of Alistair. In actuality, however, it is ruled by triumvirate of guilds representing the shipping, merchant, and banking businesses. These three organizations control all the commodities that are sold in and pass through Ravensdale. It is rumored that these three guilds were the financial backers of a recent massive sweep by the local guard, reinforced by a few mercenary companies, which broke up the thieves' guild and sent its members into hiding.
1: The Market. This circular bazaar is home to dozens of stalls, stands and wagons. The outer ring is comprised of permanent structures that house stalls representing the biggest and most profitable shops in Ravensdale. Temporary stalls, stands, and even wagons make up the interior, representing just about every type of business. These can be moved out if necessary to create a large open area for special events, public gatherings, and official ceremonies. In the center is a spectacular fountain, fed from an underground spring. It is common knowledge that the fountain has magical properties, for it provides fresh water for just about every citizen yet never runs dry.
2: The Council House. This is the home of the local government offices as well as the headquarters for the three guilds. The jail is located in the basement of this building.
3: The Warehouse District. These large buildings are ostensibly owned by the city, but it is common knowledge that the guilds control every aspect of them. They are subdivided and rented out to the various businesses to store their goods. The road exiting the city to the north runs to the dock complex about a half-day’s journey to the northeast. The dock complex, while not inside the town proper, is considered part of Ravensdale and is run by the Transport Guild.
4: The Lord’s Manor. This is the private home of Lord Thomas Rehvand. He spends most of his time here since he has passed most of the day-to-day governance to the guilds. Security is provided by the Blackwings, the local militia.
5: The Guild Manors. These three mansions house the leaders of the three guilds. In a public display of cooperation they all share a common fence surrounding the grounds. Each guild provides its own security, however, from the mercenaries they employ for the protection of their members.
6: Blackwing Headquarters. This is the home of the Blackwings, the local militia controlled by Lord Rehvand. Their size and stature in the city has shrunk as the guilds turn more and more to mercenaries to provide security to the members and their businesses. They remain loyal to the Rehvand family, however, and contain some of the best warriors and brightest military minds in the region. The Blackwings patrol the city and enforce the regular laws, mainly the residential areas in the south and the temples in the northeast. The Warehouse District and the northwest area containing the larger homes and businesses belonging to the most prosperous guild members are guarded by the private security forces provided by the guilds. The one exception in this area is the Lords Manor, where the Blackwings still hold their ground.
