Frostarch

Frostarch (also known as Frostarch Keep or Kyrepion from Daelyrian "snowy mountain") is a Daelyrian city in the province of Duskyon, and is ruled by Alpha Kaerfels. It is the seat of House Kaerfels and capital of Daelyria. Frostarch is renowned for its marvellous architecture and rich culture.
== History ==
===== Founding =====
The city's construction started on July 19th, 2021. Originally, the city was designed as a fortress to shelter those from Daelyria who sought out protection from war or other attacks, with its mountainous environment helping serve that purpose. Aelvar stepped into service for Dusk Synderys, who at the time ruled the region of Duskyon.
It was in Frostarch where the province of the Midlands was created, when Lord Spoken "Thorne" Kaerfels reunited with his lost brother Lord Aelvar and a bartender named SkyRox in the forming of a geographical union. This union's motto was to make the region consist of "70% castle, 20% alcohol, 10% town". This cultural group has evolved, and so did the noble houses of the region.
===== Daelyria to Mithra =====
Frostarch was the first place to host a tournament in the defunct nation of Daeylria, hosting several others afterwards (see "Sports and Entertainment"). In Daelyria, tournaments were the most common way of satisfying the bloodlust of the population.
Over the time, Frostarch expanded beyond the valley of the keep and during September and October, the town gained many citizens and was the most active town in the nation. It has become a cultural heritage of Daelyria.
On January 8th 2022, Frostarch served as a camp for the Simulami and Mithran forces in the war against the Alamayn rebels. After the initial attack on Adwa, Frostarch was raided by Ulfaeng, who were hired by Alamayn in advance. Daelyrian troops fought hard and bravely, but they were heavily outnumbered, most notable of these Daelyrians is Tonic Mahale's last stand at the gate of Frostarch, fending off enemy troops for a few minutes but eventually being defeated, thus recieveving the title 'Defender of the bloody gate of Frostarch'. The battle ended in Frostarch Keep being looted clean, livestock slaughtered and places of cultural importance being destroyed. It is said that Aelvar Kaerfels watched the ruins in a flood of tears, seeing his walls razed, warehouses cleared and even petty theft and marauding after the battle. This day is remembered across Frostarch and started a shockwave of sorrow in all of Mithra, after which they surrendered to Bardonia to avoid another devastating conflict, becoming the Provisional Helmian State (Helmian Federation).
===== The new Era =====
For a long time Frostarch sought to expand outside the walls. The citizens and the mayor started connecting the Wyrmpit, the largest arena in the continent, Vederya and Treetop Inn with houses, forming one huge city. This lead to the Midlanders developing a new type of Draconist Church, the Kyrepion style. Under the High Kingdom of Daelyria, Frostarch has acquired the role of a de-facto capital, experiencing a large increase in population, even from Lorent in the south of Rathnir. Frostarch did become the de-juro capital, once Aelvar Kaerfels was crowned High King after the death of Maekar I in 101 AD. 
== Architecture ==
The white castle walls upon stone foundations is iconic for Frostarch. The snowy environment of the city makes it perhaps the most beautiful settlement in Helmia and has been recognised as such by many. The town centre and streets are surrounded by many colourful houses, most of which have incredible views. The ambience of the town is quite relaxing and cozy. The strong fir near the marketplace in the higher parts of the town is called "Viotal's gift", named after Aelvar's nephew Shade Eptaskia Kaerfels, who after the events of the war in Frostarch left his home town for his love. 
Clever engineering allows the aesthetic castle to have functional defenses, especially in the walls. The fortress itself is a complex of four castles, each with its own purpose of serving as an administrative keep, an armoury and a castle for noble guests. The fourth castle across the Kaerys, Vederya (formerly known as Duskfang), is the origin of the Draconist mercenary company and holy order The Hand of Vhagar. Today, Vederya is an abandoned ruin overseen by Spoken Kaerfels. 
== Culture ==
=== Cuisine ===
Frostarch grows a mutated variant of the Duskopion berries, Hvaekan berries. These are known for their amazing taste and resistance to cold weather. Their roots have adapted to the rocky soil and can extract minerals, that help develop an umami taste. Followingly they are great for garnish or refining any dish. Thus they are a main ingredient in Daelyria's national dish, Gaelkrys. A variation of the dish is known among the common folk as "Potats". Hvaekan berries are also the main ingredient in the recipe for Hvaekar wine, an expensive traditional wine made at Frostarch, which was reserved for the nobility and royalty, seated in Daelerya. 
=== Sports and Entertainment ===
The people of the Midlands take great pride in sports and competitions. Knights from the region would meet together and joust with blunt spears and lances. The first ever recorded jousts on Rathnir were held in Frostarch. As time passed, guests from the whole country joined in the sport. Chivalry plays a key position in the Midlands, therefore the rules in the Frostarch tourneys relied much on personal honour. When the sport was adopted in Astor, for example, rules were a lot more brutish.
Brawling and armed duels were also prominent. The combatants entered a palisade pit, and fought in different arrangements until a victor remained. Combined with archery, these two sports made up the casual pre-final rounds to determine finalists. Sometimes brawls were also purposely fought while drunk.
===== Wyrmpit =====
As tourneys were held on the hill on the wooded northern side of the Kaerys river, the spectators used to look down the valley during breaks. The other side of the river was not populated, as all that remained was the destroyed ruin of New Hilbor and a dragon skeleton. It is here where the vision for the Wyrmpit emerged. The skeleton of the old dragon was sturdy enough to support a building larger than any built before - an arena to expand the possibilities of hosting the (by now very crowded) festivals. The building has 28 fire bowls on the top. 14 bowls were lit by a runner of each team on the morning of the tournament, to cast a blessing by the gods of Draconism. 
Many tournaments were held on important occasions, such as the coronation of Maekar I, the wedding of Aelvar with Faern Vién de Relmont, and others.
Over time the tourney grounds expanded. The Wyrmpit district was capable of hosting classic duels, brawls, parkours, archery, jousting, chariot (ice boat) racing around the ruins of the Qeluko settlement, horse racing, and later ice hockey with the Frostarch Whiteclaws team winning many global hockey tournaments. 
Category:Places
Category:Towns
Category:Daelyria
Category:Traveler's Era