Molantinopolis

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*Note: This page is currently here to give the staff members the lore behind the city, later, if not approved, it will be deleted*

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## Foundation

The city of Molantinopolis was founded in the second age, in the first wave of colonization made by the Numenoreans. The name of the city originally was Azruzimir (Sea jewel) due to the location of the island, which appeared, from the shore, like a jewel on te coat of the sea. The island was chosen primarily because of the higly defendable location, but later abandoned in favor of Umbar, when the hold on the hinterland was more tight.

The port to the west, now replaced by the one in the north because of the more defendable location, was the place where the first numenoreans set foot in the island. A small village is still there **(Will be when it's built)**, with a statue of a numenorean soldier. It is said the statue was of Elros, a memento of their land, as the mountain in the middle of the island remembered the first colonists of the Meneltarma. Although it's probably a legend, omage is still payed by the current descendants of the numenoreans still proud of their ancestors.

The Tower Hill **(In construction)** is the only remaining part of the original settlement: the towers are decorated with the blackstones of the numenoreans, originally it is thought that they were used by the first colonists to fend off the invasions. The tower themselves were enriched through the second and third age with blackstone and precious marbles, while the walls were kept as functional as possible.

## Third Age

During the first years of the third age not much it's known, although the Herii claim that they came into possession right after the defeat of Sauron, as a gesture of good will for their deeds during the war of the last Alliance. The settlement grew from the bunched up towers on the top of the middle hill to a small but lively city.

**(Already Built)** During these times the main keep was built, using a style that was more close to the Haradic, a mix of Numenorean shapes and native blocks, later known as Early Umbaric. The keep is still functional and oversees the plains in the west, as the bridge that connects to the mainland **(not built yet)**, while quite crude, it is still the seat of the Herii family, that lives within the towers and few buildings that are in the first set of walls.

**(Not Yet Built)** The city grew considerably during the golden age of the kingdom of Gondor, with the houses quickly overrunning all the space left on the hills, while several smaller settlements sprawled on the coast and in the plains surrounding it. There was an abrupt hold to he prospering of Molantinopolis, due to the Kin-strife, which brought severe consequences to the Molinar house, due to their affiliations to Eldacar, while the Great Plague shrank the borders of the city and lead to a massive decrease in the population.

In the following centuries, the Herii of Molantinopolis had to contend with the hinterlands' lords, which yearned for the rich city and richer trade routes. During this period, the first set of walls was built around the northwestern chain of hills **(Not Built yet)**, where the bulk of the population resided, while further works were directed to connect the Tower hill and the main keep with the rest of the city.

These times saw an unruly Umbar breaking civil war after civil war, with Haradrim often playing the role of brokers, when the Gondorians were too occupied to meddle in the affairs of the black numenoreans. As a semi-indipendent city as it always had been during the times it wasn't ruled by Gondor, Molantinopolis was allowed to prosper relatively, while the mainland slowly collapsed periodically into wars and schemes. Due to the relative proximity to Umbar, it was seen as a non-threat, but it enjoied the protection of the capital, when it wasn't at odds with its rulers.

During the times of Molor's father, the city saw 2 citadels (Not Yet built) grew in the south western and south eastern appendices, because of the issues with the king of Umbar, that usurped the throne from Molor's mother. Currently they are filled to the brim with siege workshops, armories, smithies and barracks.

## Districts (Images will be posted)

### Tower hills (Mostly built)

The oldest part of the city, built in a quite particular style, close to the numenoreans, but with a local twist. They were used to host the noble families and the retinues of their soldiers, in order to defend the strategic location from the natives. Although it outlived its use, this part of the city still works as a defensive location if needed.

### The Keep

The keep is the last defence, nested on the highest hill, looks at east with its two twin towers, while the walls are high and steep. The Herii family resides here, mainly, while the main military buildings are built nearby.

### The Main plaza (Partially built)

The western part of the main city, it has a tavern, the main warehouse, used for all building projects, the tax office and the town hall, where the city council takes the decisions, overseed by the major, usually appointed by the lord of the city. To the west are some houses and the granaries.

### The western plaza (Partially built)

The western part of the lower city, is filled with huge buildings, hosting several shops, taverns, wineries and kebab cooking houses. The second and third floors, meanwhile, host the sprawling population, all contained in relatively small rooms for the working class of the city. The slave market is set there, with the building on the southern part that acts as the storing place for the slaves. While it is the most vulnerable part of the city, it's maze-like streets and high buildings still provide useful cover for the would-be defenders, although a breach in the walls has been never occurred.