Dunedyn

A street view of Dunedyn

Dunedyn is a city in the Empire of Man and the county capital of Chrichheim. Recognised as the capital of Chrichheim since the county was first officially formalised, the city is the seat of the Chrichheim Parliament and the home of the ruling Hamilton line of dukes and duchesses. It has a permanent population of approximately 23,000 citizens but Dunedyn also possesses a fairly sizable population of non-permanent residents, mainly students and artisans.

Dunedyn is recognised as a centre of education, especially in the fields of medicine, literature, philosophy, law, and the natural sciences. It is also a city recognised for it's cultural and historical significance, for Dunedyn has never fallen to an outside force, despite being a major battleground in numerous conflicts such as the Emergence War and both Vampiric Wars. The city is home to numerous cultural institutions such as the Chrichheim County Gallery. It is also known for the Thoroughfare Festival, the Empire of Man's largest performance arts festival that showcase street performers, comedians, magicians, and others.

## **Characteristics**

### **Geography**

Dunedyn is found in the north-east of Chrichheim. While the early town was constructed around the prominent Castle Rock, the modern city has expanded to encompass the surrounding land as well as other geographical features like the city loch. Much of the city's layout is revolves around verticality, with the steep ridges of Castle Rock making it an ideal strongpoint. The wider city, to, is constructed on and around numerous hills and valleys that were created by glacial erosion believed to originate from Castle Rock.

Modern Dunedyn includes multiple towns and villages that still retain much of their original character as settlements in existence before their absorption into the city limits. The city is divided into 3 districts: the Old Town to the south, the New Town to the north, and the West End to the west. The Old Town is dominated by Dunedyn Castle, built high upon Castle Rock, as well as the city's main street. The New Town acts as a major educational centre, home to Dunedyn Academy, as well as several vital institutions like the city police force. The West End is primarily a governmental and cultural district. The Duke's palace can be found in the West End, as well as the homes of several key figures within the county.

### **Demography**

The most recent figures estimate the population of Dunedyn as around 23,000 people. However, the city also has a notable population of non-permanent residents (like students and artisans) so it is possible that the number is somewhat higher than the official figures. Racially, the city is primarily populated by Imperials and Demi-Humans, which is normal for Imperial cities, but there is also a sizable minority of Tabaxi residents living within Dunedyn.

An overwhelming majority of citizens within Dunedyn are said to worship the Imperial Pantheon. The city, like most Imperial cities, is home to multiple churches and temples that are, naturally, dedicated to a variety of gods and goddesses. This includes Kifuna (goddess of healing and medicine), Xasara (goddess of life), and Zegram (god of death).

### **Economy**

Dunedyn has had quite a strong economy for much of its history and has only strengthened this power in recent times. Historically, the city's economy revolved around animal goods - most famously leather and wool. Brewing and distilling were also huge industries and continue to be to this very day. More recently, however, new industries have risen to prominence in the city's economy. Education and scientific research are perhaps among the most notable of these emerging industries, but culture has also become a major economic fixture for Dunedyn. As well as this, the city's status as Chrichheim's governmental and banking centre ensures that it remains economically significant to the wider county.

### **Culture**

Dunedyn is a city of many, many festivals - a lot of which run in the summer season. The best known of these festivals is easily the Thoroughfare Festival but the Art Festival and Literature Festival are also of note. As well as the summer festivals, there are other events that take place during other parts of the year, such as the Science Festival. There are also traditional festivals that are still celebrated today. For example, Dunedyn celebrates New Years with a celebration known as Hogmanay, a 4 day long event of processions, concerts, fireworks, and street parties. The Fire Festival is another example, a spring event inspired by fertility celebrations of the old druidic faith.

Outside the festival season, Dunedyn supports several theatres and other such production companies. The performances vary greatly from venue to venue, from touring shows to contemporary plays to musicals. Dunedyn also has a healthy music scene. Large concerts are often held in Chrichheim Music Hall, while a variety of other venues host smaller-sized events. Many city pubs and taverns are known for their live music, particularly of the folk genre, from local bards and musicians.

Dunedyn has several museums and libraries, in line with the city's status as an educational centre. One such example is the Chrichheim County Gallery, a building that primarily hosts Chrichheim-originating art from across the county's history - but also hosts art from all across the world. There are also several small private galleries that provide space to showcase works from local and/or lesser-known artists.

## **Behind the Scenes**

Dunedyn is inspired by the city of Edinburgh.