Hordgorod

Hordgorod is the capital of The Kingdom of Novrus.

## History

### Village of Abegud

It is belived by Dravrosian scholars that the Town of Hordgorod was first founded by Tuzem natives before or during the Era of Stagnation, during which Hordgorod was instead known as Novrus. History in Hordgorod officially began with the arrival of Royallian migrants from the south, most fleeing from the various wars occuring between the former Royallian Kingdoms who composed the Alliance of Ordo.

The Tuzem natives and the Royallian migrants would evetually intergrate into a more primitive form of the current Novrus culture.

### Hord the Conqueror

In 82 BCE, a Novrite townsman by the name of Hord Karling would arise to the position of chieftan, following the death of the last chieftan by Gororas raiders. In response, Hord Karling laid siege to the town of Gororas.

He would conquer the town by 81 BCE and unlike most rulers of the Tuzem Tundras, occupied the town. This conquest of Gororas was the start of the Kingdom of Novrus, which Hord than expanded over 9 long years. The former town of Novrus would be renamed Hordgorod in his honor following Hord's death in 72 BCE.

### Modern-day Hordgorod

Hordgorod is currently the largest city within the Kingdom of Novrus as well as the central seat of the government. Here the royal family commands absolute authority over the nobility and the commoners. Much of the city has changed since it's humble beginning as a town, with the Karling Dynasty funding monuments, statues, and other works all across the city.

## Geography and Climate

The region around Hordgorod is mostly flat tundra land, with much of the forest once surrounding the City having been cut down in order to support the growing population. The forest still exists to the southeast, creating a natural wall that prevents monsters up north from traveling part Hordgorod and Gororas. To Hordgorod's northwest lies the Hord mountains and the Odin River.

The climate is temperate, due to Hordgorod's position near the sea allowing for the warm summer currents to travel overland and the cold northern air cooling the winters.

## Economy

Hordgorod's economy is mostly based around the exportation of vital meat, wool, and grain supplies. Creatures domesticated on Novrite farms are wellknown for their fat content, while much of the crops grown around Hordgorod are planted in spring, when the winter snow melts to reveal the fertile tundra dirt; and are harvested in autumn before the winter snow once again arrives.

Trade is also a vital part of Hordgorod's economy, with many traders making their way to The Clans of Orginaar first stopping in Hordgorod to hire caravan guards and prepare for a long journey east.

## Culture

Hordgorod's status as a center of trade and close location to several natural sights means many artists find their way to Hordgorod. This gives Hordgorod a cultural side not commonly seen in Novrite land, and only rivaled by the Ord citystates. Several of these artists, most often sculptors, are usually commisioned by the nobility.

Cuisine in Hordgorod is often based around traditional Novrite meals, which tend to be based around meats and soups. However, Ord cuisine has recently made it's way into Hordgorod society, especially as the farms in Pechae grow more and more prosperous.

A commonly celebrated holiday in Hordgorod is the Abe Festival, which takes place during the autumn period. The festival begins and lasts the week before the official start of winter on the Draivrosian calender, and huge feasts are held for the common people during this period.

 Government

Much of Hordgorod's government exists in the form of the local counts and the royal family. While the local counts manage and protect the various farms surrounding Hordgorod, the royal Novrite family oversees the entire city as well as the kingdom from Karling Castle, which began construction in 78 BCE and was finished in 74 BCE.

Though the Novrite ruler is the official mayor of Hordgorod, this responsibility is often handed down to the Steward of the Kingdom, who is also usually the right-hand person of the Novrite ruler.

## Danger Level

Though unclaimed tundra wilds lie to the east of Hordgorod, much of which are roamed by monsters. Though most normally avoid large groups of humans, it is not rare to see a large horde appear every year during the winter to raid Novrite settlements for food. However, the powerful fortifications of Hordgorod and the natural forest barrier means most of these monster hordes are funneled down towards Gororas instead.

This leaves Hordgorod a low danger zone, due to very few monsters making it past into the lands south and west of Hordgorod.