Vorchester

Vorchester is the capital city of Northsage. It is the largest city in the region, home to around a million people. It was founded in 456 by Vortrath, an adventurer and aspiring landowner. The settlement became a city over the next 50 years. In 550 A.R., the city became home to the Monarch of Northsage.

History
The city quickly became prosperous due to its presence as the only coastal city at the time of its development. Vorchester and the surrounding environs remained property of the Vor family for a generation, quickly expanding before stopping at the boarder with land to the south controlled by the Altman family.

After 550 A.R., additional money flowed into the city through visiting nobles and the establishment of the royal court in the city. Areas on the far side of the city from the cliffs became gentrified over time, hosing nobility, and national and international delegates.

Government
The city is governed by a City Council, composed of both elected and ex officio councillors, and is led by an elected mayor. The councillors are elected from each district. Each district has a prime councillor, with delegated authority to settle district-specific matters.

Vorchester is also the political centre of the country, home to Regency Palace, from which the Council of Regents operates.

Law and Order
Peace in the city is maintained by the Town Guard, who are responsible for investigating crime and detaining criminals in the city. A division of the Northsage Protectors have a presence in the city, guarding national and foreign dignitaries living and working in the city.

The Regency Guard, responsible for the protection of the Regent and the Regency Palace are headquartered in Vorchester.

The city’s judiciary comprises courts of magistrates, legally trained individuals appointed by senior magistrates. A court of three magistrates preside over each case, usually dealing with crime which occurs in the city. The country’s High Court is also located in Vorchester, dealing with civil and criminal matters from across the country.

Notable Locations
The city is split into six districts.

Cliffside District. The roads that climb the cliff-sides to the east of the city contain modest homes and small businesses. Several modest inns are also found in this district, the most famous being The Lost Lock.

Dean’s Park District. Near the Cathedral Church of Raugiel in Eld, the wealthier townhouses can be found, housing the nobles and influential individuals within the city. Notable establishments include The Prancing Unicorn, a tailor.

Docks District. One of the poorer areas of the city, the docks are mostly populated by sailors and traders who work on ships or as cargo trades.

Garden District. Suburban homes, parks, and gardens fill the modest-to-wealthy district overlooking the coastline and sea. A grand library can be found in this district.

Governance District. The centre of the city contains the offices of the Council, Mayor, and the Courts of the Regents and Ambassadors. It is a very wealthy area, and what houses there are present are populated by the richest of the moneyed classes.

Trade District. The majority of businesses and commerce can be found in this district, noted for its bustling markets and shops.

Inhabitants
In 897 A.R., Vorchester’s population stands at around one million people. It is a very diverse city, made so because of the number of visitors it receives from other nations and parts of Aedavar. There is a disparity of wealth between those who live and work at the docks and those who live and work in the city proper.

Culture
Religion. The impressive Cathedral Church of Raugiel in Eld and the residences of the Dean and Chapter take up a sizeable space in the Dean’s Park district. The cathedral also has the throne of the Bishop of Northsage.

Theatre and Sports. Vorchester has many theatres and sporting arenas, which are common pastimes of the populous, from the dock workers to the international ambassadors. Its network of theatres is renown for producing actors who rise to world-wide prominence.

People
Aleyn. The heir apparent and leader of the Council of Regents took over from his mother when she died in 895 A.R., when the human Aleyn was 17-years old.

Sir Ed Setton, Mayor. The current mayor of Vorchester is a descendant of the Vor family.

Lord John Wilberforce. The grand and kindly persona of Lord John Wilberforce resides in the Dean’s Park, and whilst he is an ambassador, he and his wife Elizabeth are known for hosting lavish parties at their mansion.