Alzeiza

Alzeiza is a bustling, moderate-sized city that stands on a major trade route and is mainly constructed of granite. It is defended by an elite band of mercenaries, the Iron Vanguard, which helps keep crime rates low. The city's most noteworthy feature is its detailed murals.

The city is strongly religious, being the world's religious capital of the Raven Queen.

## History

Alzeiza began as a religious community that grew into a town and ultimately a city over the generations. It was established in what was believed to be a holy site for the Raven Queen, Fate's Fells.

It is believed that Alzeiza was founded in 362 GD by settlers from the far east as "Al'Seiza," or "The Place of Kneeling."

## Layout

The town is surrounded by walls whose gates close at night. Guards are on duty on the walls including some Iron Vanguard. Beyond the walls on the outskirts of the town is where there are poor people and mostly beggars. Within the walls the city is divided between three districts which themselves are walled off.

### Magnificent Ward

This ironically-named district is the lower-class section of Alzeiza.

### Craftsman's District

This is the middle-class section of Alzeiza. Many professionals make a living here producing goods.

### Noble's Farthing

This is the upper-class section of Alzeiza.

## Politics

Alzeiza is governed by an elected Magistrate, Salvectus of the House of Guiscardus. It is home to 66 noble houses and two crime syndicates.

## Economy

Alzeiza's trade-based economy is strong, but has been on the decline for some time. Its main trade good is fur, which has become increasingly unfashionable in recent years, and Galefridus - the main importer of Alzeizano fur - has been growing its own fur industry, relying less on foreign imports.

Still, the city's economy continues to be propped up by tourist money and its craftsmen.

## Education

Alzeiza is home to a single university, the Arcane University of Alzeiza.

## Points of Interest

### Cathedral of Crows

Situated right in the center of the city stands the Cathedral of Crows. It is the tallest building in the whole city adorned with stained glass. It is the headquarters of the church devoted to the Raven Queen and houses dozens of priests including the Mors Mortalis.

The Cathedral of Crows is one of the tallest man-made structures in the world, measuring 530 feet high, with its tallest windows situated 450 feet in the air. Construction of the Cathedral began in 831 GD and complete in 997 GD.

### The Citadel of Alzeiza

Off to the side of the city but still within the walls is the elegant castle of Alzeiza. The castle houses various nobles and people of high political importance including the Magistrate and the Vice Magistrate. Connected by a bridge to the castle is a tall tower which stands about 180 from the ground. It can be used as a lookout to see invading armies and a signal fire which can be lit as a call to arms. It also houses the Minister of Defense.

### The Fortress of Bosa

Within the Craftsman's District, this fortress houses the city guard. Construction began in 956 GD with the intent of gifting the fortress to the Iron Vanguard, but after 30 years of heavy taxation to fund the ongoing construction, the city could no longer afford to both keep the Iron Vanguard hired on retainer and construct the fortress, so construction was stopped. Instead, the city guard were located to the partially-completed fortress.

### Ocford Stronghold

This castle is the ancestral seat of the House of Ocford, a dynasty of electors whose ancestor originated from the region that is currently known as Folkhard before settling in Alzeiza in 647 GD. The castle was completely destroyed in 822 GD after a year-long siege on the city of Alzeiza by the Kingdom of Galefridus, which resulted in the death of all members of the House of Ocford that inhabited the castle.

Reconstruction of the castle began in 853 as a family memorial to the Ocford family and finalized in 869, though no member of the House of Ocford ever took up permanent residence in the castle, using it simply as a temporary lodging when visiting Alzeiza. In 959, the House of Ocford sold the castle to the city, and in 986, the castle was gifted to the Iron Vanguard and became their base of operations.