The City of Cellam

The Capital City of ["Arthea"] is old and densely populated. Like many of the county-towns of Ticetia, it has seen industrial expansion and the growth of the city structure over the past two hundred years, and has sprawled beyond its traditional boundaries, and out to cover what used to be surrounding villages.

Brief History

The first settlements in this region date from somewhere between 500 and 550, when southern ["Ticetia"] was first occupied by humans. It is situated in the middle of a low-lying plain, which provided shelter and even in the earliest days showed it to be one of the best farming regions available at the time. Originally, it was two discrete settlements, only a few hundred yards apart, both on the southern side of the wide and fast flowing ["River Rhoub"]. The western settlement was established as a port on the river just behind the mouth of the river, which initially became a fishing community. The eastern settlement specialised in farming, making the most of the plain to the south of the settlements. As time passed, the settlements expanded on the proceeds of their farming and fishing exploits, and latter development of coastal trade by boat, to become one town sometime between 650 and 670. At first it was surrounded by a large bank and dyke, but expansion was needed which caused this to be re-dug frequently.

Slowly the town expanded to the north to the river and to the south out onto the farmland plains. The first river crossing was built here in 703, but was a poor quality wooden bridge which did not last well. It made a significant contribution to the wealth of the city, though, which grew rapidly after this. The bridge was eventually replaced with a stone bridge which was built in 733-734.

The first city wall was erected in 855, the first such construction in the north. It set a trend among many of the richer southern Kingdoms of the Ticetian region. The first construction was largely wooden with some stone sections, erected to supplement the banked defences. Once the stone wall was commenced, plans for the town's castle and palace structure were drawn up. Work began on the castle in 861, and it was completed in 867, with Cellam becoming the north's first city. It originally housed the palace for the Cellam throne, but this was moved to a newly built palace site in the city in 1002 during the reign of ["King Egar"], when the political structures of the region were beginning to unify. The palace was rebuilt in 1057 by ["King Dairmot"] with a grand new building reflecting the massive wealth of the region which had largely been created by the diamond trade. The building was designed to rival many of the decadent structures of the Empire, and was intended to show how far the Ticetians had come in civilisation. This building is still a majestic sight, and still raises a few heckles among those from the former [:The Carrodian Empire:Empire], as it now holds the seat of power for the whole nation.

City Layout

There are eight districts in the sprawling city, with several more in outlying areas. At the heart of the city are the two oldest districts, Cellam Port and the district that used to be called 'Old Cellam' but it is now often referred to as 'The City'. Cellam Port is still a busy trading port on the river, but now caters mainly for heavy ships. The City is the heart of the capital, government is largely carried out here, and this where Cellam Palace and Ticetia Square are located. This square also houses the primary Ticetian cathedrals of the main church organisations. Cellam Port lies on the river's edge, while the City is immediately to the southeast of there.

To the north of The City district is a staging area for light traders, this is known as The Docks district, in which also congregate a market area and traders from both up and down the river. The eastern bound of this district is the city's main river crossing, the Rhoub Bridge. North of the river Cellam has just one district, the Rhoubbridge District, which is partly residential but is also the staging ground for many traders who travel to Cellam by road from the north.

To the south of the Cellam Port district is the area where the rich seem to have gathered, the Cemdell district. To the west of this, and forming part of the city wall, is the Royal Castle, now an old building but which is still in use. The houses in Cemdell are well spread out, and there is little trade carried out here. There are carriages available here to cover the short ride to The City for a very small fee. To the east of the Rilston Road is the main commercial area, the Barkage District. This place is alive with small retailers and service providers. There are plenty of inns and taverns here for weary traders or travellers to rest.

South of the Barkage and City districts is the cheapest housing district inside the wall. The Covernan District is densely populated, and many consider the district to have spread outside the wall too. There are many homes just outside the wall, and these spread off towards the farmlands to the south.

The final district inside the wall is west of the Covernan district and south of the Cemdell district. The Balmar district used to be an overspill for the Cemdell district; it has traditionally housed those who were not affluent enough to live in Cemdell. This has slowly changed over the last 150 years or so, as this district had become more and more the home of the ethnic communities of the capital. The dwarf quarter here is now particularly strong, but there are many Halflings and gnomes that dwell here too.

Outside the wall but closest to the city the houses of the poorer residents are packed more closely together; this is particularly true near to the city's gates. As the suburban sprawl gives way to farmlands, the housing quickly becomes less dense. To the north and spread to the east of Rhoubbridge is the ["Evorlen"] district which extends in an arc around the east of the city, along the wall all the way around to the Barkage Gate. To the west of the Rhoubbridge gate, and extending along the river opposite the docks is the Fennis district.

The area around the south of the Covernan district, and spreading off along the road is the slum-like New Covernan, which extends to the east, and the Garlan district which extends to the west.

Outline Map

attachment:cellam.jpg

Places of Interest

Where to Stay

There are many inns and hotels in the capital, here are a few that player characters may want to consider.

• Minxton's Inns. William Minxton runs a chain of inns across the city. He has one in the Rhoubbridge district, one in Covernan (Minxton's Red Dragon), and his largest inn on the edge of The Docks district.

• Tafarel's Station. Edly Tafarel the gnome runs this popular inn with plenty of ethnic gnomish charm. It caters for all kinds of traveller, and is located in the Rhoubbridge district.

• Eastman's Inn. Donald Eastman is over 70, but still running his own business. He's been in the inns and taverns industry all his life, and this place is popular, if a little old-fashioned. It is on Lanreith Road in the Barkage district.

• The Cold Blade. When ex-adventurers retire, they start up their own inn! This happened to Aaron Velmet and Marty Finkle, who run this place in the Covernan district to appeal to rowdy, boisterous, high-spirited folk.

• The Grand. A very expensive luxury hotel, situated on Ticetia Square in the heart of the capital. Used by the state to host visiting dignitaries and high-born nobles (i.e. Princes and Dukes) from the furthest reaches of Arthea.

• The Hotel Metropolis. Used by visiting politicians (i.e. Earls and Marquises) when attending court at Cellam, this is situated just off Ticetia square, conveniently to the side and slightly behind the royal palace.

• The Old Pheasant. Seems to slip under the noses of the city guard, this long-established inn in the Covernan district is also a meeting ground of the lowest of the lowlife in the city. It is said that one can buy anything in the Old Pheasant.

Other Services

Warrior Guilds

All the national guilds are represented in Cellam, that is:

• [:Arthean Warrior Guild:The Arthean Warrior Guild]

• ["Ticetias Warrior Guild"]
• ["The Guild of Warriors of Danethrae"]
• ["Anbartaean Warriors Guild"]
• ["The Legion of the Crown"]
• ["Fel-Khezran"]

Local guild groups are represented as follows:

• ["The Cellam Warriors Association"] (["The Cellamrion"])
• ["The Warriors of Rhoub"] (["The Cellamrion"])

• ["The Mercenary Guild of Cellam"] ([:The North Ticetia Warriors Guilds Association:NTWGA])

Other stores and outlets

If anything is available in human society anywhere in Arthea, it will almost certainly be for sale in Cellam somewhere. Here are some of the more popular shops to look out for:

• Armourers: Tebbit's Bespoke Armoury (The City), Covernan Shield and Armour Supplies (Covernan), David's Executive Leather Store (The City/Covernan).

• Weapon Makers: Cleaver's Cleavers (Barkage), Felmarinatis and Gravelbeard Bows (The City/Covernan), Swift Iron (Covernan).

• General Smiths/Blacksmiths: Johnsons Smithy (Barkage).

• Hardware: Pendells Hardware (Docks), Jackson Quilley's (Barkage).

• Apothecary: Jock Brewmans (Barkage).

• Markets: there are markets daily in the Rhoubbridge and Covernan districts; price-wise these are the best places to buy general equipment from.

CategoryPlaces