Riverbridge
The waypoint of the world
The most fought over city in all of Zol. Riverbridge is located on Ile Sterza in the center of The Narrow Sea. Famous for its massive bridges that span east and west to cross The Narrow Sea.
Its name, originally Saedis Vaarin, was mistranslated and altered several times in its constant change of rulership back and forth between Kapesh and Gethsemane during the Triumvirate Battles. However it was originally part of Gethsemane. It is now home to a population mostly made up of equal parts Humans, Elves, and Dwarves. These parts do not get along very well.
# Overview
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Main Opportunity | The city’s is the most centrally located place in all of Zol, it has little pieces of all of the world’s culture all tied within it, and does not have the same feeling of oppressive crown rule as mainland Kapesh. Many sailors from all over The Narrow Sea and The Archsea frequent this city. |
| Main Challenge | The city has changed hands between Kapesh and Gethsemane many of times. Due to this, the city is full of Humans, Elves, and Dwarves. The vast majority of these people do not like each other. Eastern Riverbridge being the territory of the Humans, and the west going to the Elves and Dwarves. |
| Climate | Temperate |
| Cuisine | Fish, Imported Foods, Farmed Goods, Rum |
| Export | Fish, Ships |
| Size | Large |
| Outer Villages | Few |
| City Leader | Lady Trell Gallan |
| Primary Language(s) | Human, Elvish, and Dwarvish |
| Majority Racial Group(s) | Humans, Elves, and Dwarves |
| Majority Religion(s) | Trinity-Centric, Zolaen-Centric |
# Major Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Distinguishing Features | Island City, Great Bridges, Costal |
| Architecture | Cycladic, Arches |
| Color(s) | Black and Gold |
| Symbolism | A vertical sword with a bridge spanning from either side |
| Defenses | Naval Fleet, City Garrison |
# People Groups
| Group | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nobility | Social Class | Those charged by the crown with running the city, or successful business owners. |
| Common Folk | Social Class | The working class of the city, most of which live just above the poverty line. |
| Beggars | Social Class | Those unable to find work. Be it because of health issues, mental state, addiction, or some other personal reason. These individuals are extremely poor and are occasional persecuted for their begging and made to be slaves. |
| Slaves | Social Class | Those charged with significant crimes who are forced to work and serve in recompense. |
| Human Population | Racial group | The Humans of the city, the politically extreme are very anti elf and dwarf and believe they should be removed from the city. |
| Elven Population | Racial Group | The Elves of the city, the politically extreme hate the humans, but will mingle with dwarves, the feel that Gethsemane should retake the city for their own. |
| Dwarven Population | Racial Group | The dwarves of the city, the politically extreme hate the humans, but will mingle with elves, the feel that Gethsemane should retake the city for their own. |
| Off-Human Population | Racial Group | The ‘bystanders’ of the city’s racial conflicts. Once, Off-Human individuals were horribly mistreated by The Triumvirate, but within Riverbridge they are strangely the neutral party and are able to freely mingle with any group. The most racist members of the other groups are known to say “at least you’re not one of them” to the off humans. As one would expect, most off humans hate The Triumvirate and their stupid squabble within the city. |
# Goods and Services
| Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Driftwood Keep | Keep | The city’s keep |
| Riverbridge Convergence | Teleportation Circle | The city’s teleportation circle |
| Riverbridge Station | Train Station | The city’s train station |
| Burnmarkets | Market | The city’s main market which is begrudgingly shared by all local groups by order of the city’s Lady. |
| Dockmarkets | Market | The market closest to the dock. Used for sale of supplies and imports. |
| Elroy and Dern’s | Tavern | Popular tavern to Dwarves and Elves. Reflected by its married proprietors. Elroy being Elvish, and Dern being Dwarvish. |
| Bridgeside | Tavern | Popular tavern to Humans of the city. A common place for barfights. |
| Bildgey’s | Tavern | A dockside tavern commonly attended by sailors. |
# Authority
The city is overseen by Lady Trell Gallan, loyal servant to King Galliard. Lady Gallan is known for being a good ruler but faces many challenges with The Triumvirate population and its bickering.
# Laws
The city subscribes to the Kapeshian Laws.
# Modern Importance
In modern day the city is a hub of trade between the eastern and western kingdoms of Zol. It is also the bottleneck for the The Iron Tracks as the bridges that span The Narrow Sea run through it.
# Historical Importance
Riverbridge was constantly fought over during the Triumvirate Battles. It changed hands between both Gethsemane and Kapesh many times. Both the city and sections of the great bridges had to be frequently rebuilt.
# Other Things of Note
- The Elves and Dwarves of the city could likely immigrate back to Gethsemane if they wished, given they could afford it. However most do not as their families have been living in the city for quite some time, and feel a sort of ownership of it. Leaving would be giving that up.
- The Great Bridges of the city were constructed by Grand Arcanist Nalia Xin, who specialized in Structural Transmutation. The same arcanist who created Kierketholl’s Megastructures.