Daernbeck
| settlement name | duchy | district/province | type | population | founding year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daernbeck §† | Daern | — | city | 125,000 | 4264 |
Daernbeck is a large coastal city in western Daern, at the mouth of the River of Souls where it spills into Silver Bay.
It is a shining bastion of Good, dedicated to the Paladins of D'Aad, and is also a powerful mercantile centre with one of the busiest ports in Kalderesh.
Daernbeck is a royal city as it is home to Her Royal Highness Celine Raimond-Kalder. She is the daughter of Prince Raimond and Princess Graece, and the grand daughter of King Maynard and Queen Adelicia. Lady Celine and her family live in Pegasus Gate, the official royal residence. She is a master astronomer and had an observatory tower constructed in the castle. In addition, she is a well-known scholar and is often consulted about minerals and gemology. Lady Celine is also the patron of the Guild of Professionals, who hold their bi-annual Gathering of the Masters at Pegasus Gate. The castellan of Pegasus Gate is Field General Christo Oaks.
Daernbeck is also the traditional home of the Duke of Daern. The ducal residence is Castle Broyle, near the centre of the city and overlooking the harbour. The castle is itself part of an even larger fortified complex, the famous Palace of Steel.
The current duke, Robertus Vasey, has chosen to take the title of Duke of Harl. His sister is Queen Adelicia of Kalderesh. The Duke’s tireless efforts to rid Daern and all of Kalderesh of the monstrous species has earned him a bloody reputation. He is the Paladin-Regent, the most senior paladin of the realm.
The Duke’s wife, Lady Maelya Vasey-Trout, is a master architect and ship designer. The duchess is credited with several innovations in tower construction, and is know for being hands-on with her work.
The Dowager Duchess, Lady Melanya Vasey, lives in the White Tower. She has taken on the roll of official biographer of the Kalders, and has published several volumes to date.
The Duke’s chief confidant is Lord Rick Raolin, the eldest son of the Marquis of Coth-Rom. Lord Raolin is a paladin and a dour idealist, devoted to his god and his people.
Blacklock Hall is the home of Lord Jordus Barnes, the Administrator of the Province of Oohm. The province is over 400 km to the east and to administer it, Lord Barnes sends his staff Orderly, Sir Rodus Scales, a knight of the realm, to visit the region from time to time. Blacklock Hall lies adjacent to the High Temple of Oohm.
The Lord Mayor of Daernbeck is Aedyn Dougherman, a retired cavalier and a sage specializing in insects. His senior councillor is the magus Lucoe Wheatley, whose responsibilities include infrastructure and the upkeep of the Royal Road in Daern. Grand Wizard Antonyr Days is the spokesperson for the city council.
The civilian court system is presided over by Justice Branus Buck. The court house is part of the complex making up the splendid Grand High Temple of D'Aad, probably the most impressive structure in the city. The temple’s central tower is made entirely of glass and is over 300 years old. The sub-prelate of D’Aad, His Holiness Jonaeth Silverman, is resident in the city, and is also responsible for overseeing the Paladin order, co-operating closely with the Duke and Lord Raolin.
The Grand Temple of Salaah, overseen by Arch Priest Olivya Banks, stands next to the military complex near the harbour area. Temples to Sahir and Razim are located within the military compound.
Daernbeck hosts a major army and naval base, and is responsible for the military security along the western seaboard. Commodore Branus Buck commands the armed forces in Daernbeck. His most senior assistant is Brigadier General Layla Bakeler, who is the commander of the navy. These forces, including the city guard, is known for their distinctive purple cloaks, emblazoned with emblems of their divisions.
The naval base, although not the largest in Kalderesh, is probably the most sophisticated, in large part due to the innovations created by Lady Maelya Vasey-Trout. In addition to housing military vessels, the harbour is also the entry and exit point for the nation’s currency units, which are crafted in the Royal Mint.
The Royal Mint, located deep within the Palace of Steel, produces the standard Kalderani coins and trade bars (see p 14). Metals and other materials are imported by ship and transported to the Mint. A compact of mages and craftsman, employing a range of materials and special substances woven together through magical procedures, create the objects of legal tender in Kalderesh. The mage’s compact is led by Grand Archmage Alyce Burgher and Archmage Louis Woodhouse. The senior craftsman is Guild Master Gwyllam Hightower.
An independent College of Learning is homed in the city, it’s senior members all being affiliated with the Guild of Scholasics. The College is famous for its library and scriptorium, and is administered by Terragian Aenglo Star, a sage specialist in Warfare and Combat. The notable scholar Reader Laylanna Towney, a sage specialist on The Burning, also works out of the College. Visiting scholars, who are Fellows of the College, include Master Jordus Derry (Fields: Disease, Philosophy, Vegetables) and Master Ryn Pynes (Law, Arts).
The Guild of Stable Keepers (Master: Gavyn Woodhouse, Steward: Aenry Innes) has its Great Hall in the city. Both the Guild of Clay & Stone Workers (Warden: Levius Deerman) and Guild of Harness Makers & Saddlers (Warden: Jaeden Shields) have their Small Halls here.
Other powerful guild presences are maintained by the Guild of Merchants (Masters: Aelinea Glasier and Aemo Palewine) and the Guild of Clerks & Scribes (Steward: Gabrael Cotton).
A wide range of trade items are imported and exported in Daernbeck. Outstanding trade is conducted in several specialist areas: masterwork metal items (fine tools, scientific instruments, clockworks, locks, etc.), spices, and durable canvas. Because of the proximity to the Broad Valley, horses are trained, to military standards, and exported.
A small but significant trade exists in whale products (meat, oil, ambergris). Several daring seamen undertake deep-sea journeys to hunt whales, a dangerous but lucrative business.
Gladiatorial combat is very popular in Daernbeck, with such heroes as Elyas Redflats, Camerus the Black, and Josayah Simms providing heart-stopping crowd-pleasing entertainment. The most famous, however, is the undefeated swordsman Lyncon Silver Sigil, known across Kalderesh as the best longswordsman. Equally famous is Naomi “Nails” Stitches, a celebrity sharpshooter.
Famous adventurers who are based in Daernbeck include Lord Tyago Rains (Order of the Red Talisman), Cavalier Davyd Moller (Illuminants of the Black Sigil) and Raims of Kalderesh (Circle of White Adepts).
Daernbeck’s annual Glass Festival is wildly popular, and last for a week. It is the second-largest music festival in Kalderesh, and focusses on military music, theatre performances, cavalry and sky helm displays, and a form of martial arts set to music. Customarily it is opened by HRH Lady Celine.
The Silver Spring Festival is a combined festival held between Daernbeck and Forbeck. The cities take turns to build extravagant river barges, which then move along the River of Souls, celebrating at they go.
Because of the overwhelming presence of paladins in the city, the criminal underclass is particularly adept at covert activities.