Sylburn

Ruler:‍ Gold Warden, Oathsworn of Waeldstone, Derron Coggeshall of Sylburn, the Cold.

Population: Small City, 9438 citizens

Exports: Fish, Entertainment, Parchment, Protection Contracts

Defenses: Damaged and incomplete stone walls currently under repair. A reinforced drawbridge over the Saelle River. The River Lancers, and recently contingent of Righteous Blade Knights.

~ Bio ~

Wide fields of grassland give way to towering walls. As you grow nearer you can hear the bubbling of numerous streams and the churning waters of the Saelle River. A low fog coats the tall grasses in dew and rolls across the plains. At the gate you can plainly see the walls have been thoroughly tested. Entire sections have been cracked and battered while others lay half collapsed, patched with timber and scavenged stone for quick repair.

Within, the city spreads along both sides of the riverbank, connected by a well guarded draw bridge. Dense housing and narrow streets leave you feeling cramped, and the thick crowds of people pay you little heed as they go about their business.

~ Founding And History ~

  • 310 years ago: Sylburn was founded as a river crossing and trade settlement, rapidly growing into a major hub.

  • 198 years ago: The city successfully fights off a major invasion, solidifying its reputation as a defensive strongpoint along the river.

  • 129 years ago: Engineers completed a major improvement to the city’s central drawbridge, allowing better control of river traffic and defense.

  • 91 years ago: The Dazzling Strings became famous across Waeldstone, making Sylburn the premiere city for entertainment.

  • 40 years ago: Derron Coggeshall was named Gold Warden after distinguished service in the Evarian War.

  • 30 years ago: The River Lancers were formally founded as House Coggeshall’s elite heavy cavalry force.

  • Currently: Increasing attacks by ravenous animals and bandits have strained the city’s defenses and accelerated its decline.

Enforced by the River Lancers

  • Public Performances require a permit from the Gold Warden, who has honored the Dazzling Strings with holding this responsibility. 

  • All merchants, trade goods, and river barges are subjected to inspection and taxed each time the bridge is crossed.

~ Extra~

Famous For: Once the main naval hub of Waeldstone, now Sylburn runs a barely functioning shipyard. Beyond being a “gateway” to the rest of Waeldstone, Sylburn serves as the entertainment hub of the domain. Those interested in seeing moving performances or learning how to perform, seek Sylburn.

Economy: Sylburn’s economy rests on river fishing, the production of parchment, the training and export of performers, and the protection fees and tolls associated with the river crossing. The entertainment industry remains one of the few bright spots in an otherwise strained city.

Nearby Landscape: Open parkland with rich forest expanse (the Elian Woods) and broad floodplains when rains flood the river.

~ Local Landmarks~

Nobles

Derron Coggeshall: Gold Warden, Oathsworn of Waeldstone, Derron Coggeshall of Sylburn, the Cold.

Victoria Coggeshall: Oathsworn of Waeldstone, Victoria Coggeshall of Sylburn, the Ambitious, Master Mason.

Commoners

The Sparkling Jewel, Hailiese Blackmont

The Dazzling, Aran Keklapenny

The Dazzling, Carth Chaylese

Captain of the River Lancers, Henry Santagar

Oathsworn, Rodert Roland, of Penrith Village, River Lancer

River Lancer, Maise Tyndall

Grand Surveyor, Kiyanna Hammer

Peter Cayley, Cartographer

Danire Cole, Cartographer

~ Local Laws ~

Walls: The Walls of Sylburn stand in vastly different states of repair. Some sections prove solid and powerful, while others are cracked, partially collapsed, or reduced to low piles of rubble overgrown with weeds. In many places, temporary wooden palisades have been erected, and scaffolding marks ongoing repairs. Work crews can regularly be seen hauling stone and working to fix the damages.

~ Notable Characters~

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Shantytown Docks: Rotting timbers stretch across the muddy riverbank, forming a chaotic and crowded pier. The weathered planks creak with every step, as fishermen, sailors, and commonfolk alike mill about docks. Many of the buildings and residences here seem like they might sink into the river at any moment.

Bridge: A massive bridge fashioned in Coggeshall colors, spans across the Saelle River, doubling as an engineering marvel and the pride of the city. The central section is affixed with counterweights and heavy chains, allowing it to be raised and lowered as the city demands. River Lancers patrol the bridge in strict fashion, ensuring two lines are maintained at all times, one for those entering, and one for those leaving. Each line is heavily scrutinized, its people searched, and taxed accordingly.

River Lancer Barracks: This impressive fortress rivals some of Waeldstone’s finest castles, and is surrounded by a series of well groomed yards where the knights train. Armed horseman move between the stables and main hall at all hours, and often welcome peasants and merchants alike who come to call on them.

Cartographer Guild Hall: This multistory, wooden building overlooks one of the nicer stretches of the Saelle River. The building is immaculately maintained, and proudly shows off a number of drafting tables, walls covered in maps, and racks of travel gear through open windows.

Gabrin, the Auditorium Brilliant: This massive, grand hall dominates the central square. Against the facade of fading buildings and crumbling walls, the auditorium shines like a diamond in the rough. Guards patrol it at all hours, and crowds form lines down the block when shows are put on.

Dazzling String Academy: This elegant building has high pointed towers and stained glass windows, sitting in the shadow beyond the Auditorium Brilliant. Here, aspiring bards and performers work their craft, becoming what many in Waeldstone believe to be “the finest talent in all of Avalayle.”

“Ode to the Lost” Monument: A stone statue depicting a beautiful woman cradling a young man draped in her arms, rises from the central square. The carving of the statue is exquisite, and the pained expression of the woman is remarkable. Countless offerings rest along the base of the statue. Folk often pause to sit at the statue, or bow their heads in reverence.

Santagar Estate: This stunning estate stands behind a low wall and iron gate, its ground well groomed and filled with an array of flower gardens. While the main house is restricted, a clear path leads to a small chapel. Within, a shrine to each of the Sibling Gods is tended to be a number of acolytes.

Wolf Water Ranch: Just outside of Sylburn proper, but still within its walls, this sprawling acreage is maintained by the Gold Warden’s stablemaster. Here, the River Lancer’s finest horses are bred, trained, and sold. In the distance an impressive farmhouse lodges the many ranch hands and stableboys who tend the space.

Goldkeep: This drab castle seems akin to something out of a grim fairy tale. The dark stone and spiked towers give it an eerie and frightful presence, overpowering the lone banner to represent House Coggeshall, which flits in the wind in tatters. Many of the walls and towers seem to be in poor repair, but no work crews tend to fix them. Even the yard is overgrown with weeds and bramble.

Coggeshall Tomb: This large, squat mausoleum rests in the shadowed yard of Goldkeep. Its exterior is coated in grieving gargoyles, carved pillars, and stunning murals. The heavy stone doors are locked and chained.