Ostelor

Situated on the border between the Dominion of Miredor and the Drel lands of Gelion Ostelor is one of the largest ports in the Dominions. Originally an ancient port of the Elves it had become mostly deserted by the end of the Great Darkness and was rebuilt by Elorien Halfelven in -838. Although all cities in the Dominions largely govern their own affairs Ostelor is technically a completely independent democratic republic. Elorian had much practical help in designing the city from Elven architects and engineers and although nowhere as beautiful as Carasalas it still has much fine architecture to commend it.

Ostelor is a walled city with exceptionally broad avenues, curving stone quays, two fine citadels, five hexagonal keeps and fourteen watch-towers. A massive fourteen arch bridge (the Iant Elorion) spans the river Celiant to the immediate south, joining Ostelor to the paved Men Miredor and the main overland routes to the north and east. The bridge connects both banks of the river to Elorion's Island, a 178' rock rising out of the centre of the river. This strategic island is the home of the Bridgewatch (Tiriant) a six-sided 99' spire which is the only surviving building of note from the earlier Elven harbour.

With two sizeable harbours the city can accomodate up to 300 ships. Its smaller war-port (Hopandakro), which looks eastward to the Bay of Drel at the mouth of the river, has a half mile long anchorage. Silverbridge Castle (Arta Keliant) is on the heights overlooking the southern side of this cove, across a strait from the island keep called the Mouth Tower (Mindo Anto). Over two miles of quays line the larger more sheltered commercial harbour (Hopa Enyarma). Protected by a narrow entrance that is guarded by the Old Harbour Castle (Hopost Iaur), this small inlet contains two islands. The 140' Sea Lords Keep (Mindo Hararearo) crowns the smaller islet, while the ancient Kraken's Watch (Tirion Balearaukar) surmounts the larger wooded isle.

Elorion's Hall (Mard Eloriono) serves as Ostelor's administrative centre. A long tall, rectangular, red-marbled building it overlooks Fourbridge Square, the city's main marketplace. The Bragoslir ('Sudden Stream'), one of two creeks within the city's walls flows along one side of the square and spills into the commercial harbour at the southern end of the quays. Four granite bridges span the fast-moving stream.

Ostelor is governed by an oligarchal council, the fourteen member 'Makotano', which is dominated by a coalition of sea captains, merchants, nobles and warriors. Ostensibly a republic the city is dominated by the upper class which usually manage to hold all of the council seats thus enabling them to elect the High-lord of Ostelor. The High-lord, once elected, rules until he dies unless censured by at least 10 of the 14 council members. The Lords of the Seven Dominions keep a careful watch of the city's politics as the port is of strategic and commercial interest to many of them.