Pendlehurst

**Pendlehurst** is the capital of the Varramine Kingdom; it is a massive city south of Barrowley.

## City Description

Pendlehurst lies upon a high hill above the intersection of two rivers, The Aldine River and The Calidore. Two hills rise higher than the rest of the city, Varras Hill in the southeast of the city and Belphœbe in the southeast. The streets are cobbled in the city proper and upon Belphœbe and Varras Hill, but not in The Blank or River Crossing. Pendlehurst is home to the monarch of the Kingdom, as well as housing the Council of Seven. Five gates in the high walls around the city and the river port: Wind Gate, Shade Gate, Fury Pass, The Gauntlet, and The Shield.

## Points of Interest

### Belphœbe

Belphœbe is the southwestern peak of Pendlehurst, and home to the manors and estates of Pendlehurst's nobility.

* Westwend Hall, home to the Boyle house.
* Cranwelle, home to the Lawdon house.

### The Blanks

The Blanks are the large northwest region of Pendlehurst, generally characterized as the slums of the city. Coincatchers– the city's thieves– play fast and loose with the law here, and ladies of the night practice their trade in low establishments. It is the part of town for those either born or fallen into poverty, and most children of the region live uneducated.

* The Beggar's Rose, a tavern run by Veir.
* Miss Freshly's House, a brothel.

### City Proper

The City Proper encompasses most of the center of Pendlehurst. It houses government buildings and hospitals, guilds and high-class shops. It is the center of culture, with museums and libraries open to the public. It is also home to the Loomward Academy, the Kingdom's premier center for magical instruction.

* Capitol Building, home to the Council of Seven.
* Pendlehurst Gaol.
* City watch barracks.
* The Teetering Tower, home to the court mage Podalarius.
* The Hydra and the Horse, an upscale tavern.
* Camdell Park.

### River Crossing

River Crossing lies at the intersection of The Aldine River and The Calidore in the northeast of Pendlehurst. It is positioned upon The Queen's Port, a river port, and is a large hub of trade and commerce. Most of its inhabitants are middle class, a mix of dockworkers, traders, and merchants. Street markets line the unpaved, muddy thoroughfares.

* The Carter residence.
* Shepherd's Hall, a tavern.

* The docks.

### Varras Hill

Varras Hill lies at Pendlehurst's southeast pinnacle and is home to Castle Aontas, home to the monarch of the Kingdom and their family. In the Varramine Crypts near the castle lie the remains of monarchs past and their most loyal devotees. Varras Hill is also home to Pendlehurst's Holy Row, containing a number of powerful religious factions including The Order of the Golden Lion, the Church of Tyr, and the Church of Azuth.

* Castle Aontas.

## Society

### Demographics

Pendlehurst is the largest city in the kingdom, and is known for a diversity of character. Most of the nobility of the city are Human or Elvish, but the rest of the inhabitants span a variety of humanoid races. It has a population of around 200,000.

### Factions

* Council of Seven.
* The Order of the Golden Lion.
* Church of Tyr.
* Church of Azuth.