Kilmarnock

Ruler:‍ True Sage, Oathsworn of Waeldstone, Osgood Volmark of Kilmarnock, the Wise

Population: Small City, 9598 citizens

Exports: Wool, textiles, wood, iron, stone, wheat and flour

Defenses: Thick stone walls with numerous gates.

~ Bio ~

The road rises through golden wheat fields and low rolling hills before the impressive stone walls of Kilmarnock come into view. Banners of wine red and white wave from the many towers dotting the wall, and make for a scenic picture with the expanse of hills beyond the city. Once inside, orderly streets welcome you. Scholars in simple robes walk alongside merchants and laborers. Each of them stands tall, and noticeably cleaner than the average peasant. The distant sound of music drifts from the Opera Hall, while the tiled roof of the People’s Library stands out against the skyline. Furthest from the entry gate, towering over everything else, Castle Volmark stands proud. A second wall encircles it, dotted with even more towers and banners.

~ Founding And History ~

  • 328 years ago: Kilmarnock is founded as a site for gathering resources. Its people herded sheep, mined in the hills, forested in the Elian Woods to the east, and cultivated wheat fields around the settlement proper. 

  • 261 years ago: A massive forest fire sweeps through the Elian Woods, destroying large sections of timberland before spreading to Kilmarnock. The people endure hard times as they rebuild.

  • 237 years ago: Kilmarnock’s scholars and craftsmen played a major role in the construction and founding of the House of Merit, aiding House Aetherian and strengthening the city’s reputation as a center of practical learning.

  • 194 years ago: Gold Warden and Sacred Guardian Eustice Complyn dies unexpectedly, and a monument is raised in his honor. Though the position of Gold Warden would not return to Kilmarnock, its people still practice the lessons and ethics Eustice bestowed them. Some of his most famous quotes and practices are inscribed into the monument.

  • 15 years ago: An impressive hospital is errected in Kilmarnock after House Volmark becomes the leading expert on curing the Lung-Rot sweeping Waeldstone. To this day it still houses several recovering Mossmarked.

  • 4 years ago: Large insects are seen in and around the Elian woods, damaging crops and timber and attacking laborers. 

  • 3 months ago: The Learned temporarily shut down public access to the People’s Library, claiming repeated vandalism and the need to protect rare texts. Access has only partially reopened to those who can acquire a permit.

Enforced by the Shadowcloaks

  • Access to the People’s Library requires an approved permit, which can be purchased from the Learned.

  • The surrounding hills, land, and forests belong to House Volmark, and can not be poached without permit.

  • To ensure the Long-Rot doesn’t spread, public gatherings must be registered in advance and approved of by the Learned.

~ Extra~

Famous For: The People’s Library, its cleanliness, and impressive hospital.

Economy: Kilmarnock prospers through wool and textile production, timber, mining, and surplus grain. The presence of scholars and the academy also brings a steady flow of students, tutors, and trade.

Nearby Landscape: Expansive wheat fields surround the city, while rolling hills to the north hold active and abandoned mines. The dense Elian Woods stretch to the east.

~ Local Landmarks~

Nobles

Osgood Volmark: True Sage, Oathsworn of Waeldstone, Osgood Volmark of Kilmarnock, the Wise.

Mathusela Volmark: Oathsworn of Waeldstone, Mathusela Volmark of Kilmarnock, the Insightful.

Dovan Volmark: Oathsworn of Waeldstone, Dovan Volmark of Kilmarnock, the Logical, Master Tanner.

Rafe Volmark: Oathsworn of Waeldstone, Rafe Volmark of Kilmarnock, the Admired.

Renny Volmark: Oathsworn of Waeldstone, Renny Volmark of Kilmarnock, the Selfless.

Reese Volmark: Oathsworn of Waeldstone, Reese Volmark of Kilmarnock, the Hammer, Master Engineer.

Commoners

Tiffally Yerde, Chief Advisor of the Learned

Laurane Porter, Learned

Sigric Markley, Learned

Jayke Sawler, Captain of the Shadowcloaks

Cleeve Crawley, Shadowcloak

Gilly Langeton, Shadowcloak

Master Botanist, Melahnie Redding, Green Guardian

Catherine Edgcomb, Green Guardian

Charad Malver, Green Guardian

~ Local Laws ~

Castle Volmark: A towering stone keep rises above the rest of Kilmarnock, its dour grey walls catch the light and cast long shadows across the city below. A second, high wall completely encloses the castle grounds, studded with watchtowers that fly House Volmark’s banner. The outer gate is a massive iron-banded structure flanked by statues of stern scholars and armored wardens. Beyond it, a broad stone courtyard opens toward the main keep.

~ Notable Characters~

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Stone Walls: Thick, well-kept stone walls encircle the entire city, rising high enough to cast long shadows in the afternoon sun. Towers interrupt the wall at regular intervals, each flying banners of wine red and white.

Gates: Multiple heavy stone-and-timber gates pierce the outer walls. Each is flanked by guard posts and reinforced with iron bands. Traffic flows steadily through them during the day under the watchful eyes of the Shadowcloaks.

Eustice Monolith: A massive standing stone of dark grey rock dominates the plaza. The stone rises nearly twenty feet high, its surface worn smooth in places by weather and the touch of countless hands. Inscriptions cover nearly every side, while small offerings of flowers, coins, and notes are left at its base.

“The Historic” Opera Hall: This grand building is made of white stone, with a curved exterior and tall arched windows. Through them you can see a refined space, leading to a pristine auditorium. Flanking the front door are 15 foot statues, representing Dontar Aetherian and Charles Volmark, the founders of each house.

The Osgood Sanctuary: This pristine wooden building looks akin to a temple, with its tall spires, stained glass windows, and ornate archways. Inside, herbs and ivy line the walls, small gardens bloom and a tiny pond rests at the center. The space is partitioned with embroidered curtains, allowing patients a modicum of privacy, as surgeons and healers move about with purpose.

The Herbary: This compound doubles as a botanic garden and private park. While folk are welcome to explore the space, the paths are clearly defined, and attendance requires a substantial donation. Within, Wealdstone's finest alchemists and gardeners tend to an ever growing stable of flora.

Academia Avalayle: The private academy for members of the Learned. This elegant building boasts a brick finish that surrounds a stunning courtyard. High towers contain both dorms and classrooms alike.

The People’s Library: This tall building is made of dark timber and accented with a speckled stone finish. A broad staircase leads to the front doors, where statues of owls line the railing and various platforms. Once, the doors stayed ever open, now they are shut and an iron fence locks out the upper platform.

Shadow Cloak Barracks: Discreetly placed along various sections of the wall, these barracks look meek and forgettable. Within, the Shadowcloaks train their craft, and prepare to defend the city from any intruders.

The Moss Slums: This shoddy district is considerably worse off than the others. Its streets are narrow and cluttered, the walls are stained and damp, and its residents look on the brink of collapse. Faded tents fill alleyways and makeshift shelters populate any open space. While technically cured of their Lung-Rot, the Mossmarked huddle together, shunned by the people of Kilmarnock.

Laborer’s Respite: This cluster of longhouses doubles as an inn, its worn exterior is covered in numerous repairs and patch-ups. Despite its flaws, there is something quaint and cozy about it. While primarily a home for seasonal workers, miners, loggers, and shepherds are paid fair wages in exchange for their craft. Though overseen by the Learned, the Respite is run by its innkeeper.