Pyden

**Pyden** is the capital and largest city of Medland. The city stands on the River Haver the central region of the Kingdom. Pyden has been a major settlement for around a millennium. *Pinedon* was founded by Proto-Nerran settlers in the 14th Century - it eventually became the seat of the petty kingdom of Laythe (which covered modern-day Pyden, Havershire, Levenshire, Heermarch, and Suthermark). The Borough of Old Pyden retains boundaries that closely follow its original limits. The adjacent Borough of Eston has for centuries been the location of much of the national government. Ten additional boroughs also comprise modern Pyden. Pyden is governed by the lord mayor of Pyden and the Royal Pyden City Council.

Pyden is one of the world's most important cities. It exerts a considerable impact upon the arts, commerce, education, fashion, banking, and transportation.

Pyden has a diverse range of people and cultures, and more than 20 languages are spoken in the region. Its estimated 2498 municipal population was 3,400,000, the most populous of any city in Tannos and accounts for 14% of the Meddish population.

Pyden contains many notable landmarks: the Petty Tower, the original residence of the Petty Kings of Laythe; the Rose Lodge Gardens; the Palace of Eston, the seat of Parliament; Sedwin Palace, the monarch's main residence in the capital; the Curial Basilica of Pyden, the seat of the archon; the Royal Museum of Natural Philosophy; and King's Standard Station, the busiest railway station in the world. Pyden has numerous museums, galleries, libraries and sporting events.

## History

### Early History

Although it is likely there were early settlements in what is now Pyden, the first major settlement was founded by early Nerrans around the 14th Century.

The city, which eventually became Pyden, was established as the principal city (and eventually the seat of power) for the Petty Kingdom of Laythe (1400s-1649). The city, which was larger than even the original Meddish capital of Husrdon, maintained a position of regional and national importance.

In 2013, king Alden III moved his capital from Hursdon to Pyden and built Sedwin Palace (which remains the monarch's primary residence).

### Recent History

With the rise of Medland as a major player in Tannos, Pyden surged in population. It reached a population of over 100,000 by 2100. This dwarfed Queensport, the second-most populous city in the Kingdom, which had only 15,000.

Eventually, in 2320, Pyden's city limits were expanded to encompass some of the surrounding territory and reflect the size it had grown to. It was made a shire-equivalent in the same year.

It surpassed 1,000,000 inhabitants in 2350.

## Administration

The administration of Pyden is carried out by the Royal Pyden City Council, which is led by the Lord Mayor. The RPCC is made up of 12 Councillors - 2 from each of the city's boroughs. They are elected every two years (odd-numbered years), and take their seats on the 2nd Sowtide. At their inaugural meeting they elect one of their own as Lord Mayor. The RPCC meet at Wyche Hall in Old Pyden.

Each of the boroughs has a Borough Court, comprised of anywhere between 9 and 43 aldermen. These are elected alongside the RPCC and attend the City Council's inaugural meeting to swear fealty to the new Lord Mayor.

### Policing

Policing in Pyden, is provided by the Royal City Constabulary (commonly known as Bluecaps), overseen by the lord mayor through the City Chief Constable. However, the RCC does not have jurisdiction in the grounds of the Palaces of Eston, Sedwin Palace, or Pyden Basilica; which is undertaken by the Gentleman Corporals, an organisation established in 2021 by Alden III. It is made up of former members of the Royal Meddish Army (of the rank of corporal or higher), who act as the monarch's private bodyguard.

### Boroughs

1. Old Pyden
2. Eston
3. Bittenham
4. Caylock
5. Dabney & Ethelham
6. Queensbridge
7. Mossbrook & Stenn
8. Topcross
9. Slackheath
10. Staking
11. Brownside
12. Lapwall

## Demographics

According to recent estimates, roughly 75% of the 3,209,500 inhabitants of Pyden were Meddish, 10% were Alemic (primarily from Kekere), 5% were Shennish, 5% were other Tannosian, and 5% were from Yanam.

With a total of at least 25% of the population being foreign born, it is one of the most culturally diverse cities in Tannos.

The borough of Brownside is considered the most diverse area of the city, with significant Lekish (Goosemarket), Kekeran (Birling Square), and Jassiradan-Garafani (Grenton Street) communities.

### Religion

As the seat of the Archon of Pyden, the city has been Trinalist for nearly two millennia. However, a growing number of its inhabitants are abandoning the Orthodox Communion for other denominations like the Rubricists and the Alarene Sect. There also sizeable Amari, Kefitenya, and Darsha communities as well as pockets of almost every other faith in the Old and New worlds.

## Travel

### Rail

King's Standard Station, situated in Eston, near the border with Topcross, is the largest rail station in the world. It is the terminus of the Suthermark, Kingdom (Unster & Kalbry), Royal Tolmandy, and Northeastern Rail Lines.

#### Underway

The Capital City Railway, known as the Underway, is the intracity rail system in Pyden. It is made up of three lines: Parliament (Eston to Old Pyden), Eastern (Eston to east Lapwall), and Bridges (Bittenham to Dabney & Ethelham). These lines run throughout the day and through the night on a limited schedule. The two cross-over stations are King's Standard in western Eston and Thane Bridge in southern Old Pyden.

### Waterways

Riverboats are permitted to travel the Rivers Haver, Lottin, and Bray, as well as the number of small canals that criss-cross through the city. There is no longer a major port within the city, as most cargo is now moved via rail. However, Brownside docks are still one of the largest inland quays in the kingdom.

## Educaton

### Schools

Whilst many of the most prestigious schools are located in more rural areas, there are a number of very prominent schools in Pyden itself.

#### Preparatory Schools (10-14)

* Duchess of Worslon's Preparatory School (mixed), the currently favoured school for young royals
* Basilica Lower Senior School (boys-only), operated by the Archon of Pyden
* Princess Lysette's School (girls-only)

#### Senior Schools (14-18)

* Stenn College School (mixed)
* Basilica Upper Senior School (boys-only), operated by the Archon of Pyden
* Queen Edane II School (girls only)

#### High Schools (10-18)

* Lord Mayor's School (mixed), run by the RPCC
* Hospital School of Blessed Poverty (mixed), run by the devotional Order of the Poor Sisters

### Universities

Medland is a centre of higher education and has more universities than any other city in Tannos.

The universities of Pyden are:

* Royal University Hospital, the world's leading institute of medical education (founded in 1713)
* Prince's College of Natural Sciences, a leading centre of scientific research (founded in 2196)
* University of Pyden, the largest of the universities in Pyden which offers fellowcraft degrees in multiple disciplines (founded in 2350)