Dromfor
| settlement name | duchy | district/province | type | population | founding year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dromfor ‡ | Krethes | Royal District of the West | town | 20,667 | 4479 |
Dromfor is the western-most settlement in Kalderesh, located on the coast between Cape Kalder and Leptor Bay in south-western Krethes. It is home to the Crown Prince and Princess, elevating it to the status of the second city of Kalderesh.
Dromfor is nestled at the northern edge of Dromfor Bay and has a first-rate harbour, capable of berthing the largest ships. A fabulous winged building, standing on a promontory overlooking the harbour, houses the Guild of Builders.
The hilarious and much-loved comedian Brynn Bones was born in Dromfor and lives in the city when not travelling across the kingdom, or performing with the Benthantium Project. Bones collaborates closely with the equally famous Resplendent Colleagues, a coterie of brilliant playwrights, under the patronage of Lady Adelice, the daughter of the Prince.
Lanya Gold, the famous dancer, recently moved to Dromfor and opened a School. When not on tour, she trains one or two pupils and famously collaborates with other artists.
Maximo B. Tauws, the most sought-after tower architect in the kingdom, is from Dromfor, and several of his signature works grace the city skyline.
Crown Prince Philbert is technically the Earl of Dromfor, but his royal duties keep him otherwise occupied. In his stead, the city council is lead by Baron Edun Tuyon, a peer of the realm and an erudite Oohmian. Baron Edun is a much-liked ruler and a supporter of the arts. The Baron, in turn, delegates certain duties to the Executive Mayor, Peria Slaughter, and the Senior Alderman Grand Wizard Victorus Seams.
Dromfor is also the capital of the Royal District of the West. The authority to rule the district has been seconded by the Prince to Marquis Cameryn Laine, who is also the Prince’s aide-de-camp.
The Royal Family in permanent residence in Dromfor consists of HRH Princess Kathrine (wife of the Prince), and HRH Princess Adelice (their daughter) and her husband, Lord Shears.
A curious feature about Dromfor’s layout is that a splendid monument marks each district, a design unique in Kalderani custom. Many of the monuments are erected under the supervision of Maximo B. Tauws, with designs influenced from myth and legend. Several of the monuments were designed by Lyam Lethers of Pai.
One of the city’s most famous features is the magnificent Royal Museum of Nature and History. It was created almost 175 years ago when the noted adventurer Herakonor, the Judge of the Deep, left all his belongings and money to the city. Herakonor’s sizeable endowment allowed for the construction of the museum buildings. The many, sometime bizarre, items and objects he had collected in his legendary adventures form the core of the museum’s collection. In 4603, the museum received a large but undisclosed amount of money from another retired adventurer, Kabbtan the Fearless. The museum’s name was modified, and the peripheral buildings much expanded. Over 1 million items are in the collection, many of which can be viewed by visitors and studied by approved scholars. The Museum is under patronage of HRH Princess Kathrine, who has donated some of her retrieved items to the collection. The current director of the museum is Professor John N. Fore. Professor Fore has been aggressively funding new acquisitions.
Dromfor is a major industrial centre, producing fine ceramics, hempen products, and weapons. A fine breed of small but swift and elegant horses are bred and trained in the city.
Dromfor’s strong military presence is dominated by the navy, under the leadership of the formidable 1-star Commodore Thaeodore Burg and his Chief aide-de-camp Colonel Bryn Hood. The naval dockyard has a large outer ward, surrounding the Inner Harbour which is for the exclusive use of royalty. The Prince’s Royal Yacht is berthed here, and functions as a waterborne command centre.
Field Cornet Aedrian Pynes commands the land- and air-based forces in the city. The infantry and cavalry divisions wear distinctive red caps, emblazoned with the city’s sigil.
There are temples to Qidra, Razim and Oohm in the city, with over 40 smaller devotionals scattered across the city.
Perhaps the most splendid worshipry is the Grand High Temple to Qidra, which is located partially underwater, opposite the naval harbour. Holiness Aeliya Mair is the resident Grand High Priest of Qidra.
The Razimite High Temple, overseen by Holiness Haenna Fryman, has a large, independent, military academy associated with it, overseen by Arch Priest Naethynel Poleman.
Many guilds are represented and active in the city. Foremost is surely the Small Hall of the Guild of Builders, overseen by Master Warden Maelya Greene. Less ostentatious but more influential is the thriving Guild of Scholastics, which has its Great Hall in the city. Order Master Paenelope Arch oversees a record-breaking library and scriptorium. Master Dorn Pagen is one of the most celebrated members of the Guild, and is resident in Dromfor.
The nationally important Royal Guilde of Map Makers & Surveyors has its Small Hall here, capably run by Master Warden Mme. Aryanna Rutland.
Naturally, the Royal Guilde of Mariners is well represented in the city; the Supreme Wizard Bryne Fishman, one of the older members, is an authority on ancient maps and navigational methods.
Other guilds that are active include the Guild of Armorers & Locksmiths, Financial Transactions, Fishmongers, Merchants, and Wood Workers.
For centuries there has been an amicable relationship between the city and the Druids of the Circle of Stars in Wetwoods. An annual festival celebrates their continued friendship.