First Warren

*You are right here in your story. Don't skip ahead.*
Massie Burnson, *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*, p. 32
**WARNING: SPOILERS FOR *PRINCE LANDER & THE DRAGON WAR* ARE AHEAD; CAUTION IS ADVISED.**

## First Warren

The map of First Warren, as depicted in Ember Rising.

## General information

### Events

• Battle for First Warren
• War for All Natalia

### Appears

• *Ember Rising*
• *Ember's End*

### Mentioned

• *The Green Ember*
• *Ember Falls*
• *The Last Archer*

**F****irst Warren** is the established seat of the Royal Family of Natalia.

## History

### Early history

First Warren was conceived of by Lander, who founded the city following the end of the Dragon War. Later in the history of Natalia, it was remembered—erroneously—that Whitson Mariner established the city. Several notable rabbit families, including the Longtreader family and that of Brindle Cove, also became established in the city. It was eventually from this city that Walter Good and his son, Jupiter Goodson, established their kingdom of the Thirty Warrens. Sadly, after King Jupiter's murder First Warren was occupied by the Lords of Prey, who established a puppet government among the rabbit inhabitants.

### *The Green Ember*/*The Last Archer*

First Warren was mentioned by Smalls and Wilfred Longtreader as they discussed their next move following their escape from Redeye Garlackson's forces. Smalls suggested traveling there following the Attack on Nick Hollow, but Wilfred discouraged him from that course. Later, Lord Rake mentioned the departure of Bleston and Bleston's Waywards from First Warren during Picket and Heather's initiation. First Warren was also mentioned by Clay Fletcher as he explained the history of the Archer's Cup, which was initiated at the capital by Lord Ramnor's grandfather.

### *Ember Falls*

Smalls mentioned First Warren during a conversation with Heather, noting that he would be crowned king there once the War for All Natalia was won. Bleston would later mention being born and raised in First Warren before departing from it after Jupiter was chosen as their father's heir. During an assembly at Halfwind Citadel, he noted that he had long intended to return to First Warren to claim the throne, but claimed to have reconsidered this course of action. After noting that his nephew, Winslow Joveson, ruled the city as Morbin Blackhawk's underling, he expressed the intent to support Smalls in his bid to reconquer First Warren. However, these claims were false, with Bleston secretly forming an alliance with Morbin by which he intended to gain control of the rabbit lands in exchange for helping to destroy the Cause.

### *Ember Rising*

Helmer and Picket Longtreader stopped at Harbone Citadel on their way to retake First Warren. Councilor Greaves told Helmer and Picket that the Harboners thought that retaking First Warren would be the last act of the war, but Helmer responded that he, and Princess Emma, thought it to be one of the first. Picket then asked how things were in First Warren, and Captain Redthaw told of what had happened. When King Jupiter fell, the wolves took over the warren, and burnt it. The Preylords later rebuilt it somewhat, and made Prince Winslow its governor, though it was truly governed by Morbin Blackhawk through Garten Longtreader. He went on to tell of how First Warren's Seven Standing Stones have been defiled with statues of The Six and Garten Longtreader. He tells how First Warren's welcoming gates have been filled in, and the Black Gap has been created so that raptor sentinels can see anyone approaching from far away. Lord Hewson tells of Lord Falcowit, and how terrible he is for the city. Captain Redthaw adds that if there's any hint of disruption, the Lords of Prey will take innocent children. Councilor Tarr says that only a fool would try to enter First Warren, and Helmer in turn tells Lord Hewson to get word to Princess Emma that he and Picket are going to try to get in.

Lord Hewson holds an assembly to attempt to get them into First Warren. Helmer discusses his ideas, and various attendees of the assembly tell him of those who tried that idea before and failed, including Gendo Bavinson, Bill Tollers, Lieutenant Frale, Jorn Lin, and Emery Dann. Emerson then speaks up, contributing that the distractions work, and the problem is simply that there is no way to get the team in quickly enough. He goes on to suggest glider capes, and this is eventually agreed upon.

Emerson creates a divirsion using blastarrows, and Lord Hewson and other inhabitants of Harbone Citadel fight off the wild wolf packs while Helmer and Picket are launched into First Warren. They watch as Winslow calls an assembly, where they blame the blasts on the resistance, take children from First Warren's inhabitants, and kill them. Helmer and Picket are devastated. They go to Airen's house and Picket meets Weezie. He and Weezie are later snatched and brought to a holding cell, which Weezie deems to be part of the original city, the underground warren, which she says King Whitson built (incorrect) and King Lander ruled (true). They are then brought to Moonlight's Citadel of Dreams. They go on to rescue Helmer and Airen, having heard that the Black Band is advancing on Helmer's farm. After a run-in with Daggler and the Black Band, Helmer and Airen are eventually rescued and brought to the Citadel of Dreams, to their great delight.

From the Citadel of Dreams, the resistance begins plotting to free First Warren. Whitbie, Helmer, and Picket pay a visit to Winslow, the city's puppet governor, and give him a message from Emma saying that the city will no longer be his after this day. Winslow does not believe the resistance poses a threat to the so-called 'Victory Day' and carries on with the proceedings as normal. However, the resistance does pose a threat— using barrels of blastpowder, Picket, aided by Weezie, knocks the statue of Morbin Blackhawk of First Warren's seventh standing stone. The Battle for First Warren then begins. Wolves and birds pour into the city, but as does Emma's rabbit army. In the end, Emma's rabbits win the battle, Falcowit is killed, and First Warren is liberated. Emma addresses the city, and pardons Winslow and all the other rabbits who are willing to join her cause again. The now-free rabbits of First Warren then begin to celebrate, with song and dance under the seven standing stones now free of their statues once more.

### *Ember's End*

Jo Shanks, after infiltrating the Terralain camp and snatching some papers, realized that the Terralain army was going to attack First Warren.

In First Warren, preparations abounded for the coming siege. Heyward led a team of votary engineers and Emerson's inventions were used. The Royal Fowlers Auxiliary, many soldiers armed with glider packs, was created, the Highwall Wardens, many of Natalia's best archers, were set to defend the wall, and the Royal Warrenguard was created as well. Emma, Helmer, Picket, and others left First Warren to meet with the Terralains in an attempt to win them to their side, but they were of the opinion that Emma was an usurper and refused to join her cause.

Soon the Terralain army marched on First Warren, and soon after that they received word that Morbin's army was on their way as well. The defenses were put in place, but nearly all in the army expected First Warren to fall to the Terralains before the raptors and wolves even arrived. However, when the Terralains arrived, Kylen and Naylen turned on Tameth Seer, and the Terralains joined Emma's side. Farlock arrived with an army of wolves, and the Siege of First Warren began.

Farlock and his wolves were eventually subdued. Falcowitson then led a horde of raptors, who set fire to many places in the city. He was, however, killed by the Blackhawk Option. Two more of the Six arrived with another raptor horde, but these two were killed by Jo Shanks. More wolves arrived, and raptors bore members of the Longtreader Command to attack the city's defenders. Morbin Blackhawk himself even came, leading the last of the raptors. The Seventh District fleet escaping Akolan arrived in time as well, and rescued Heather and Smalls from the dragon tomb. The combined efforts of Picket Longtreader and Prince Smalls were able to kill Morbin, Flint's sword broke, and the Mending began.

After the siege, First Warren was ruined. Although it could not be completely restored, after the Mending many worked to revive it, and it was "the headquarters of the renewal". First Warren's river was restored to its regular banks, though the Brute's Gorge was left in ruin, holding the bodies of many, including Morbin Lastfoe. It is noted that Newcity lay between First Warren and the former site of Harbone Citadel. Most of the best crafters were busy with Newcity, but according to Jair, First Warren made do without them. Princess Emma was intent on quickly finishing the additions to the old palace, so that rabbits could live there.

## Physical attributes

First Warren is a large area surrounded by a tall wall. It housed the Citadel of Dreams. Its architecture contains Romanesque and medieval English elements.

## Locations

### Black Gap

The **Black Gap** is a ring of burned-away ground that circles First Warren. It was created by either Winslow and his minions, or Falcowit, as a means of which to see the advance of any hostile army within a wide radius of the Warren. Many rabbits of The Cause tried to cross the Black Gap and failed, including Gendo Bavinson, Emery Dann, Lieutenant Frale, and Jorn Lin. It was thus deemed near-impossible to cross the Black Gap without dying in the attempt, due to the ever-watching vigil of Falcowit's raptor sentinels that perched themselves all around the perimeter of First Warren.

Helmer and Picket Longtreader were the first to succeed in crossing the Black Gap by launching themselves over it with a catapult and engaging their gliders (invented by Heyward) en route for a smoother flight and safer landing.

### Citadel of Dreams

There are other articles on this wiki that share a similar name.

This article is about Moonlight's establishment. For all other articles by a similar name, please visit Citadel of Dreams (disambiguation).

- The Green Ember Wiki -

The **Citadel of Dreams**, also known as **the C.O.D.**, was an inn located within the borders of First Warren. Originally an ordinary establishment run by the family of Moonlight, it was reestablished in the depths of First Warren as a resistance stronghold with the unique mission of helping First Warren's inhabitants regain their fire for resisting the tyranny of the Preylords. In order not to arouse the suspicion of Daggler, rabbits were captured and held in a cell before being brought to the inn. Picket, Weezie, Helmer, and Airen all are brought to the Citadel of Dreams, to their great delight. During 'Victory Day', when Winslow is making a speech about how Daggler has found the resistance and crushed it, there is a large blast and the ground shook. It is evident that the old warren under the city was blown up and collapsed, presumably on the members of Daggler's Black Band.

As preparations for the Siege of First Warren were underway, Moonlight—then acting as a quartermaster—pointed out the location of the original Citadel of Dreams to Picket. After the War for All Natalia, Moonlight reestablished the Citadel of Dreams as an inn, located in First Warren's Old Town.

Years after the war's end, Picket Longtreader visited the Citadel of Dreams, which had become a cherished favorite among locals, to deliver some cabbage. The Citadel of Dreams was now housed in a rebuilt neighborhood on the edge of the Old City. Picket was greeted warmly by the Citadel's patrons, including Moonlight. A buck called Jair asked Picket what it was like to kill Farlock, which made Picket uncomfortable; another buck, Gabe, apologized for their forwardness and thanked him for his service. They encouraged Picket to stay, but he declined and slipped back outside. Moonlight followed him out, and they exchange a few friendly words, with Moonlight reminiscing about the "old days." As Picket took his leave of his old friend, promising to return; he expressed his love for the Citadel and the homey, welcoming feel it provided.

### City Square

The **City Square** is a city sector located within the northernmost walls of First Warren.

### Helmer's Farm

**Helmer's Farm** is a farm located in First Warren. As reported by Helmer, the farm was built by his great-grandfather, and seems to have served as the family's home ever since. Helmer's sister Airen and her husband Snoden apparently took up residence on the farm after their marriage, and it was also home to their twin daughters Layra and Louise. Sadly, after Snoden and Layra were both murdered by the Black Band, Airen's spirit was broken. Louise was thus left alone to manage the farm, though she could do little more than maintain the area directly around the house where she and her mother lived.

Upon infiltrating First Warren, Helmer and his apprentice Picket Longtreader made their way to the farm, Helmer seeking to reunite with his sister. The Black Band later attacked the farmhouse, capturing Helmer and Airen after a considerable struggle with the former. Fortunately, Picket and Louise were able to rescue them.

After the Retaking of First Warren, Picket is sent to the farm to recover after being injured in the battle. The farm is later designated as a fallback point during the Siege of First Warren, with Weezie taking shelter there with other rabbits during the battle. The farm is later given to Picket and Weezie as a wedding present, and the pair live their with their children, Picket having become a farmer.

A large elm on the farm is dubbed the **Helmer tree** in honor of Helmer, who fell in battle. It serves as the site of a family gathering that includes the inhabitants of the farm, other members of the Longtreader family, and members of the Royal family of the Thirty Warrens. It is never specified whether the tree was already on the farm before Helmer's death, or planted later in his honor.

### New Bridge

**New Bridge** is a bridge built in **First Warren** after the end of the War for All Natalia. It connects the city's Old Town to the area of the city containing Helmer's Farm.

Picket Longtreader uses the bridge to make his way to the Citadel of Dreams. On the way he passed Ray Carter hauling a cart, and the two exchanged words.

### Old palace

The **old palace**, once the palace for the royal family of the Thirty Warrens, was the main government building in the city of **First Warren**. During the city's occupation by Morbin Blackhawk's forces it was known as the **governor's palace**. The palace was presumably built after First Warren became a city on Natalia's surface, rather than a collection of underground caverns and tunnels. King Jupiter reigned from the palace until he was murdered by the Lords of Prey. Following the afterterrors, it became the headquarters of a puppet government loyal to the oppressive birds.

Picket Longtreader and Helmer observed Winslow Joveson, King Jupiter's eldest son and the governor of First Warren under Morbin Blackhawk's occupation, addressing the populace from the palace balcony. They later entered the palace on Victory Day in company with Whitbie Joveson, a brother of Winslow's loyal to the Cause. After delivering an ultimatum from their youngest sister Emma, appointed heir to King Jupiter, Whitbie and his companions took their leave of Winslow. Evading the Black Band, they made their way to the roof of the palace through an old cistern beneath it.

After destroying the Citadel of Dreams to lure the raptor sentinels away from the palace, Picket leaped from the palace using his glider cape to reach one of the Seven Standing Stones. He then glided back to the balcony and joined Helmer and Whit in engaging Winslow's guards, whom they defeated or drove off. While Helmer and Whit kept Winslow under guard, Picket left again to join the Battle for First Warren as the resistance army invaded the city. Helmer later leaped from the balcony to confront Daggler, whom he defeated in a decisive swordfight.

Emma and her retinue then arrived and entered the palace, with a palace guard who attacked them being subdued by Heyna Blackstar. The group then made their way to the balcony to join Whit, and from there observed the remainder of the battle. An area of the palace was also converted into a sickbay, with an injured Picket being taken there after falling unconscious. Emma subsequently addressed the city from the balcony, issuing a pardon for Winslow and all members of his regime who expressed remorse and a willingness to join the Cause.

The palace served as headquarters of the Cause prior to and during the Siege of First Warren. During the siege, Kylen apologized to Emma and gave her the Whitson Stone while kneeling on the palace porch. Multiple times during the battle, surviving rabbits gathered atop the palace roof to discuss strategy, including Emma, Picket Longtreader, Lord Blackstar, and Maggie Weaver.

After the conclusion of the War for All Natalia, the palace was used as both a medical and housing facility. Due to the benefits of Firstflower, it eventually ceased to serve the former purpose, and was added to so that it could become homes.

### Old Town

The **Old Town** is the oldest sector of First Warren. It was the home of the old apothecary Missy Dreft. Following the Mending, many crafters worked to repair it.

### West Gate

Picket notes that the hole Emma's army had blasted in First Warren's west wall in order to enter during the Battle for First Warren had become the main gate, though some called it simply 'the gate'.