Stalgorod

Province capital of Stalgorod Oblast, and the starting location of the game. Stalgorod is a medium sized city that, until recently, trundled along in relative obscurity. Tucked in the Dezhda valley near the edge of Versk territory, for many years it served mainly as an administrative centre for the countryside surrounding it, with the main attraction being the massive markets that happened a few times per year, and the Enyeline Basilica of the Bsd Nightfighters, a large temple commemorating a group of local heroes.

Over the last few decades, it has gained increasing strategic importance. The city’s proximity to the mountains and the front lines of the war have turned it into a stopping point for troops. Proximity to the mineral-rich mountains and the development of a railway line from Odobroburg have also made it into something of a manufacturing centre, with steelworks and manufacturing plants popping up almost overnight. Stalgorod has expanded massively over the past few decades, and the city’s historic centre is now bounded on all sides by hastily-built housing and factories.

The oblast is ruled by the human Stalgoroskij family, who have held it as their traditional seat for centuries at this point. The current head of the Dievnika family is Duchess Natalia Dievnika Stalgoroskaya, a young woman whose governorship came suddenly 5 years ago, when her father died in battle. Stalgoroskaya is reported to be sickly and scholarly, and to leave most of the running of the oblast to others. In practice, this has fallen to her secretary, the gnome Rosimyra Chudostakan, the mayor of the town, the human Levresty Stalovich Kubetsnov or Lieutenant General Braith Medwyn Strakutskij, the dragonborn leader of the soldiers currently based in the city.

North of the docks, this district has grown rapidly in recent years, its proximity to both the railway and the river - and distance from the wealthy parts of town - making it an ideal spot to build factories. The majority of this area is taken up with factories and factory yards, with cheap housing squeezed in between.

Although, being a fair way from the docks, the name of this station causes some confusion, like the docks it is a centre for Stalgorod's commercial activity, bringing ore and stone from the mountains and taking goods to Odobroburg and the mountains.

Historically the site of a moderate amount of trade, the docks have massive expanded over recent years and are now a bustling hub of activity.

A primarily residential district, though the area closest to the river is also known for its music halls, cheap theatres, bars and organised crime.

The main train station serving passenger trains in Stalgorod, this train station is a grand affair - the product of Duke Stalgarovskij's (the current Duchess's father) vision to build the city into something cleaner, brighter and grander than it really is.

Euphemistically terms, this area is little more than an extensive slum, housing immigrants to the city whole mostly survive on casual work. Military presence in this area has been increasing, with offers of food, board and a better life for its residents.

The area enclosed by the old city walls is the wealthiest part of Stalgorod, and contains most of the important city administrative buildings. Although the walls have, in many places, been demolished, there is still a clear division between who is in and who is out.

The administrative centre of the city, on and around City Plaza you will find the Stalgarovskaya Palace, the City Hall, the Enyeline Basilica, the Grand Hotel and a number of particularly fancy shops.

The city's university takes up a surprising number of blocks in the south west of the old city district. The university is only a few decades old, but is establishing a foothold for itself in the Verskian academic world.

After a number of houses had to be demolished to expand the canal and reservoirs, the then-duke commanded that some of the land be given over to a park for the enjoyment of the city's residents.

Mostly built within the past couple of decades, The Gardens is a particularly fashionable district of the city, home to a number of boutiques and coffee houses, but is particularly known for magical services offered.

Home to the majority of the city's basilicae, along with some old houses.

This road stretches along the river, and is home to a number of grand and important buildings, including the city's most notable fashion house, banks, and a new 'department store'.

An old city ordinance forbade the military from being stationed inside the city walls, so the barracks were positioned just outside them - and the city grew around them. The barracks have expanded in recent years with the strong military presence currently in town, leading to some displeasure from local residents removed from their homes.

The city's military base has recently been taken over by Lt Gen Strakutskij and her troops. Local authorities are grateful for the discipline she has brought to local law enforcement, but some are concerned by the presence of far more troops than usual.