This article is about the city. For the state, see Free City of Anbenncóst
Anbenncóst is a city on the Isle of Damesear, it is known as the center of civilization and largest city in the known world. The city is a melting pot of cultures from Cannor and beyond and the very heart of what makes Anbennar. The Damesk River cuts through the city. By the 19th century, Anbenncóst's urban sprawl had spread itself throughout Damesear that the lines between were incredibly blurred - especially between Anbenncóst and Old Damenath, which eventually eventually was absorbed into the city.
History[]
Damerian Republic[]
While the isle of Damesear was the center of the ancient Damerian Republic, the city of Damenath was its capital, due to its location facing the Dameshead where much of the antiquity civilizations had their trading centres.
Due to this what is now known as Anbenncóst was then Damucen, a southern port-town that handled trade with the Divenhal Sea if ships were unable or unwilling to cross to the other side of the Damesear. Damucen was also famous for its colosseum (known as the Old Colosseum) which profited greatly due to the influx of slaves from across the Diven.
Post-Dragonwake[]
The Dragonwake resulted in the Razing of Damenath where much of the ancient city was burned by Zaamalot the Black which then caused the Fall of the Damerian Republic. After the attack many refugees found their way to Damucen which would then become the major urban center for the island.
The Landing and the War of the Sorcerer King[]
In 1000 AA the Remnant Fleet was led to Damesear when Munas Moonsinger sang to the moon, the day of which would be called Lansday. The majority of the large city-ships of the Remnant Fleet became permanently docked on the west coast of Anbenncóst Bay, where the modern Silverdocks district is.
Despite being the urban center of the island, Damucen was still small compared to other feudal cities at the time such as Redfort (Lorentainé). However what it did have was ample space and prime location, which turned the lands outside Damucen into a large tent-city where the liberation efforts of the League of Free Realms were rallied and organized during the War of the Sorcerer-King. Many people would then stay on at Damucen, which to this day many old Anbenncósters claim descent from.
By the time the War of the Sorcerer-King ended, the elven language had become popularized amongst the nobles and warriors of the Free Realms, and the name Anbenncóst eventually replaced Damucen.
As part of the Treaty of Anbenncóst that ended the war, the various Free Realms-originated settlements, barracks and camps in and around the bay were consolidated into the city.
Anbennar[]
Culture[]
- The city has no single militia, but a multitude of organizations hailing a long history. Their duties traditionally involve policing the more volatile districts, and collecting dues for their services. It is, however, their utmost duty to organize the cityfolk in times of peril, for it is the countless people of Anbenncóst which is the city's greatest defense against rivals, and coveting foes.
- There is not enough space to expand within the tight confines of the city's borders, so the Anbenncóst adopted Halfling techniques of house stacking, yet it can only go so far. A new movement of urban design has moved forward, it proposes the demolition of the city's more ancient roots, and to reconstruct them under a new regulatory framework.
- Anbenncóst is considered true capital of the Imperial Throne, and arising emperors must first make their way to its shores to receive fealty from all the realm.
- The Order of Chroniclers is a group of scholars and historians dedicated to collecting and scribing the world, and all its information, into the Chronicler's Encyclopedia. Headquartered in Anbenncóst's Temple District since its founding, the wealth of knowledge made available from all the world's corners is invaluable.
- Anbenncóst is the retiring place of many adventurers of renown, and home to wealthy mercenary captains. During the Lilac Wars, Anbenncóst was transformed into a hub of mercenary companies. Hosting many of their properties, we start with a considerable advantage when negotiating new contracts.
- Many Anbenncósters prefer their salads tossed.
Areas of the City[]
Anbenncóst Proper[]
Elvendocks[]
- Where the elven Remnant Fleet once landed, now its home to nobles and wealthy families rather than elves - the only elves that remain here are either elves rich in their own right, or servants and artisans in service of the nobility. The various elven ships of old from enormous remnant ships to elven light craft have now became stationary, with buildings built ontop of, within and inside them, with half the district seemingly on stilts or floating on water.
- Silver Gardens: the most exclusive part of the Elvendocks built further inland. The Silver Gardens proper is an extremely large park with various palaces dotted belonging to the most powerful of noble families, notably the Silver Families.
- The Tael: meaning 'Hall' in Elven. The City Hall and Mayoral Residence where Elvendocks and the Bilge meets, the Tael and its surrounds is a middle-class bulwark against the Bilge.
- Prince's Park: the actual elven neighbourhood (named after the idea of elven principalities) of the district. Because of the elven history with artisan crafts, it is also regarded as the arts district of the city, which works well with its proximity to the universities of the Towerhill District.
Time to Depart, oil painting of the Newport district of Anbenncóst (1849 AA)
Newport[]
- Newport: the actual docks and port for the city, after Elvendocks became a nobles quarter. It is located at the eastern side of the mouth of the Damesk River.
- Halesstown: a large enclave where a lot of Halessi people and Harimari. Started as a place to cater for halessi sailors.
- Newport Arsenal: a citadel and arms-manufactory for both naval and land armaments
Royal Quarter[]
- Where the Imperial Palace is and where old Castle Dameris, the ancient seat of the Dameria Kingdom was. The Royal Quarter is on the opposite side of the city from the Elvendocks, but a straight and well guarded highway (the Doveroad) cuts through the city straight to the Elvendocks.
- Imperial Palace: sits ontop of the highest hill on this side of the river, featuring the The Grand Ballroom of the Silver Moon
Eúnemar Báis, oil painting of the Dovemarket. (1856 AA)
Dovemarket[]
The main mercantile district of the city, sitting on the southern end side of the Damesk, bordering Newport to its south, the Royal Quarter to the east and the Bilge directly north past the river. Dovemarket is where much of the old city of Damucen was. The Doveroad cuts through the Dovemarket to get to the Imperial Palace. While the Damesk River is the official border between the Dovemarket and the Bilge, the lines usually blur with some of the Dovemarket spilling north and some of the Bilge spilling south.
- Dovemarket Bazaar: a large outdoor market set across a multitude of plazas and streets. Directly touches the Doveroad, and there has been many clashes throughout history to prevent the bazaar from spilling out onto the Doveroad itself.
- Forgeway: a large street off the Doveroad that heads south towards Newport. A prominent dwarven district but also the most popular place for adventurers seeking weapons and arms, and any other sort of equipment
- Old Colosseum: an ancient Damerian Republic amphitheatre where gladiatorial fights and great debates were once held. Largely abandoned and in squalor until the Blackpowder Rebellion when the Constitutional Assembly and later National Parliament made it their home.
Towerhill[]
- Home of the ancient mage towers of the Damerian Republic, now home to two prestigious universities that teach magic (amongst other subjects): Silmuna School and the Imperial Academy. As with its name, the district slopes up the Erecen Hills to its north. A district full of academics and artistes.
Temple District[]
- Home to various temples of many religious faiths, also home to the Order of Chroniclers. Wealthier merchants also live here. The Temple District exists to the southwestern tip of Anbenncóst, flanked to the north by the Elvendocks.
- Gnomish Village: once a gnomish neighbourhood, it has since become a liberal and forward-thinking quarter known for its avant-gardes, free thinkers and inventors - much to the dismay of the more conservative aspects of the Temple District
- Order of Chroniclers Headquarters
Below St Auci, oil painting of the Bilge. (1838 AA)
The Bilge[]
A sprawling slum situated at the heart of the city, above the Damesk River. The largest of all districts, albeit unofficial.
- Little Viswall: a large halfling neighbourhood
- The Wards: a failed part of The Bilge that tried to be renovate with new terraced housing and buildings in the 1660s, its now a large neighbourhood with the buildings half-finished, or half-completed by its poorer inhabitants - offering a strange mix of grander architecture and simpler slum architecture ontop of it. Still, the more "well off" inhabitants of The Bilge live here, but because of the real estate demand it is also home to more professional criminal syndicates. Located on the eastern edge of the Bilge, touching the Damesk River. On the other side of the river is the Imperial Quarter.
- St. Auci's Cathedral: the largest Ravelian Cathedral in Anbenncóst, built in the 17th century. The Ravelians bought a large tract of land in The Bilge for low prices to build such a monument.
Earshore[]
Formerly a fishing village southeast of Anbenncóst, by the time of the Age of Artificers it saw rapid and uncontrolled growth, becoming practically attached to the city. Regarded as a second bilge in the making.
Damenath (Northern Anbenncóst)[]
The Circus[]
Named after the ancient Damerian Republic circus (a hippodrome, a large open-air venue where races and public events occured). The Circus itself, known as Circus Park, forms the heart of this district.
- Academy of Strategy: formed as a sister to the Escanni Academy of War and later full college in its own right. The Academy of Strategy was made to focus on the strategic and high-level aspects of war like army and campaign organization due to the Isle of Damesear's strong connection The Dame, the goddess of wisdom. As part of the Magisterium higher curriculum, prospective war wizards and mage-soldiers are sent here to study and take part in exercises.
- Circus Park: once a hippodrome structure, now turned into an extremely large open space. Used by the Academy of Strategy and the Imperial Army as a whole for exercise.
Magehead[]
Located on the where Damenath reaches farthest into the city. Before half of Damenath was flooded it was home to the temples of the many gods there and overlooked much of the city. After Damenath was largely abandoned after its razing, it became the refuge for the unwanted, including some mages - who eventually secured a part of the flooded and razed city for themselves.
For much of history the Magisterium exerted influence across the rest of Damenath from Magehead.
Tideharbour[]
District west of Magehead, Tideharbour is the docklands district of Damenath. Underneath Tideharbour is the flooded parts of Damenath.
Boltown[]
District marking the southern walls of Old Damenath, Boltown was where the dragon Zaamalot the Black was wounded by the ballistae (bolt-throwers) which caused him to flee the city after its razing.