Theodonanda

Theodonanda is a very large city in the heart of Matrona and the kingdom's capital. It is the second-most populous city in Matrona after Montanaria.

Theodonanda has a reputation as the party capital of the world, with a thriving nightlife and parties that often get out of control. It is also famous for its "illusionists" - be they real magic users or simply convincing performance artists - who are hired to entertain at banquets for the social elite as well as put on organized shows. Theodonanda is also known for being one of the cleanest cities in the world thanks to its sewer system.

Theodonanda's role as a major political center dates back to the Empire of Nerath, where it was a major trade and commercial center with great political and artistic influence. It lost much of its importance after the fall of Nerath, but regained its status when King Nero declared it the new capital of Matrona in 960.

Theodonanda is also considered the fashion capital of Matrona, with the social elite setting the kingdom's fashion trends.

## Toponymy

When King Nero took power of Matrona in 960 GD, he moved the Matronian capital from Montanaria to the city of Benguardata. He then renamed Benguardata to Theodonanda in honor of Theodosia, the first Queen of Matrona.

## Layout

Theodonanda's layout consists of semi-concentric circles of wood and stone walls with few gates.

### Districts

Theodonanda is divided into 10 districts, as follows.

#### Seven Horns

The innermost circle of Theodonanda, which includes all the oldest buildings in the city, is known as Seven Horns, named after Seven Horns castle, where the king lives. Seven Horns castle is so named due to its seven towers. Cobblestone streets wind through the district, leading to hidden courtyards and ancient fountains.

Much of the city's nobility lives within Seven Horns, residing within grandiose manors and estates.

#### North Town

As Theodonanda grew beyond the walls of Seven Horns, the population settled largely to the north north-west. When a new town wall was eventually built, this placed Seven Horns within the south south-east of the city, and the new walled district became known as North Town. This district serves as the backbone of Theodonanda's economy, with expansive markets and trade plazas.

North Town is also the location of Sacred Fate Church, the main temple to the Raven Queen in Theodonanda.

#### West Town

The next growth spurt that happened after building a wall around North Town was to the West, and eventually Theodonanda's final outer wall was built to encompass this growing district, earning it the name West Town. This district is where the city's wildest parties take place.

West Town is home to the Temple of Neveh, the main temple to The Pantheon of the Exalted in Theodonanda.

#### Egg Ridge

The eastern side of Theodonanda's outer wall is lined up with a ridge; down the slopes of this ridge on the outside of the city, a couple dozens buildings have been built. The ridge leads down into a vast swath of farmland that is home to a great number of chicken farmers, which has earned this district the name Egg Ridge.

#### South Gate

The blocks around Theodonanda's southern gate took West Town's party culture to its extreme, becoming the city's hot spot for debauchery. The term South Gate has become analogous with sinful pleasure, and everyone in the city and neighboring regions is familiar with the expression, "to take him/her from his/her South Gate."

#### Summer District

As South Gate district grew beyond Theodonanda's walls and a new generation of citizens were born into it, a movement began to change South Gate's lecherous reputation. This resulted in a divide in the region of South Gate that lies outside of the city walls: everything north of Harlot's Road would remain part of South Gate, and everything south of it would become Summer District, a name chosen simply due to its pleasant-sounding nature.

#### Honey Spring

This small district outside the south-western gate of the city is home to an apiary and thus earned the name Honey Spring, because it's where the city's supply of honey flows from.

#### Bardscrown

On the opposite side of the main road of Honey Spring, Bardscrown is a small district named after the Bard's Crown inn. The district is popular among the artistic community. Many bards, minstrels, and poets call Bardscrown home. It's not uncommon to find impromptu performances happening in its many squares and open spaces.

#### Shortgate

Shortgate is an impoverished district that is situated by Theodonanda's north-eastern gate. This gate gained the nickname "the Short Gate" because it was frequently short on security and was thus the preferred gate for smugglers, fences, and other criminal elements. The district around the gate, consequently, sees higher-than-average crime. Over time, this district grew beyond the walls of Theodonanda and now extends quite a distance along the main road leading out of the Short Gate.

#### Rainring

The Rainring is an enormous district that lies outside the city walls, forming a semi-circle around Theodonanda's north-western half. Citizens in this partial "ring" are "left out in the rain." It is believed that eventually, a new wall will be built to circle the Rainring.

## Politics

Citizens of Theodonanda tend to be slightly suspicious of outsiders. 61 noble houses can be found in the city, and trade guilds hold major influence over the governing of the city.

### Government

Though King Brunus resides within Theodonanda, he leaves the administration of the city to a council of elected officials. This council consists of a Magistrate and his Small Council of six Councilors. Though the Magistrate and the Councilors are all elected positions voted in by the noble houses of Theodonanda, the King has always publicly backed candidates, and those candidates have always won. None question that it is the King who holds the real power in Theodonanda; when the King does - on the odd occasion - meddle in the city's affairs, Councilors who oppose him are swiftly replaced.

The current leaders of Theodonanda are:

* Magistrate Robertus of the House of Baronus
* Councilor Baratonus of the House of Ranerius
* Councilor Lorita of the House of Sistus
* Councilor Sillitta of the House of Dragonus
* Councilor Ivaldus of the House of Novellus
* Councilor Santus of the House of Veneticus
* Councilor Epiphania of the House of Coradus

### The Church of the Raven Queen

Second only to the King, the Church of the Raven Queen holds tremendous political power in Theodonanda due to its support from the people. The Sacred Fate Church is led by Mortalis Antolinus.

Religious and irreligious citizens alike love the Church for the good it does within the community. Because of this, the Church is able to compel Councilors towards certain actions out of fear of losing public favor. However, the relationship is mutually parasitic, because in turn, some Councilors extort favors from the Church.

The King has been attempting to pass legislation - through the government of Theodonanda - to limit the Church's power in the city.

### The Pantheon Temple

The third most powerful body in Theodonanda is the Temple of Neveh, constructed in ancient times in honor of Emperor Neveh of Nerath. This is a temple to The Pantheon of the Exalted and is currently led by High Priest Ivaldus, a devotee of the goddess Sehanine.

The Temple of Neveh receives bountiful donations from King Brunus, which it puts to use ensuring the temple is filled with the most fanciful décor, paintings, and sculptures, the most comfortable benches, as well as the best acoustics, instruments, and performers to ensure a loyal and devoted congregation.

It is also rumored that the Temple uses the King's coin to bribe the Church of the Raven Queen to stop the Church from stealing away its congregation, and that members of the City Council happily accept bribes from the Temple for a variety of favors.

### Crime

Theodonanda has average crime rates. Four criminal syndicates operate within the city.

### Defense

Three centuries of the Second Legion are stationed within Theodonanda. Imperator Castellanus of the House of Dragonus leads the Matronian army from the capital, with Legatus Fulchus of the House of Baronus, commander of the Second Legion, serving as his right hand.

## Economy

Theodonanda is Matrona's financial heart, home to banks run by powerful families that lend money throughout the kingdom.

The city's economy, which is based on trading metals, is strong and growing. Neighboring settlements have been establishing more mines in the Amaranthine Hillside to mine the iron and manganese ores found within - the later of which was found to have tremendous value to alchemists, though little value to the everyman. These mining towns could make little use of the manganese, so Theodonanda buys it from them and then uses its vast trade network to sell it across the world.

## Culture

### Cuisine

Unlike most of Matrona, where fish is common, the cuisine of Theodonanda features almost no fish, instead featuring veal as the primary protein.

## Education

Theodonanda is home to two universities and four schools. The University of Benguardata is a grammarian university, and the Arcusian Academy is a rhetoric university. The four elementary schools include King Nero Elementary School, Prince Orlandus Elementary School, Prince Brunus Elementary School, and Queen Pericleia Elementary School.

## Points of Interest

* The Raven's Perch, an inn in North Town run by the Aurum Order
* The Dragon and Unicorn, a tavern in West Town