Overview
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One of the major cities of The Riding, primarily known for its mammoth stone bridge that crosses the Green River. |
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- Governor Adelaide du Eagleroost - The Polonian Governor of Highbridge. She is installed in the tower on Baron's isle and is responsible for the governance of the city.
- Chancellor Gascard de Gravenford - The Southern Mercantile Company's Chancellor in the Highbridge Administrative District, His quarters are located in the Docks.
- Master Nicolas du Ravenscroft, Gascard's chief lieutenant and heads up day-to-day operations on the Docks.
- Herbert de Harecove, Gascard's head clerk and responsible for handling most paperwork on the Docks.
- Captain Warrane du Houndstrail, oversees the City Constabulary and captains the Legionnaires installed in the city, stationed in the Baron's Grounds.
- Jacques de Lambfield, Exalted Priest of Tiamat and the Governor's primary advisor.
Riding Folk
- Constable Harbuck, the Riding Chief Constable, the City Constabulary is located in the Narrows adjacent to Top Butcher.
- High Priests Imdurr and Lymura, the head priests of Amaunator, located in Morningglow Temple in Temple Park.
Geography
The city itself is divided into a handful of different sections.
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Baron's Isle is a small, rocky island located in the Green River, a few hundred feet from shore. The majority of the island is covered by a fortress with a large tower that overlooks the docks. The fortress itself was the home of the former Baron of Highbridge and is now occupied by the Polonian Governor and much of his administrative staff. The tower is almost one hundred feet high and serves as an excellent lookout for miles in all directions. The fortress has stout walls and is easily defended by troops stationed within. Some small siege equipment, particularly three large ballistas, are located on the walls of the fortress.
The Baron's Grounds primarily consists of barracks, a small parade ground, a courthouse, and a handful of support and administrative buildings for the soldiers stationed there. At the current time, it also is occupied primarily by Polonian legionnaires that are stationed here in order to ensure stability in the region. At any time, as many as 200 legionnaires are stationed here and on Baron's Isle.
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The Farthing Yards got their name either because citizens looking for work would be hired for small jobs for farthings or because the farthing was the most typical coin used in transactions in the open markets located here rather than the higher priced transactions that took place in the Merchant's Quarter or elsewhere.
The Old City
The Old City is surrounded by centuries-old, high, stone walls. The primary gate into the Old City is the Iron Gate at the northeast corner. Before the construction of the Farthing Yards and the Docks, the Trade Road passed in front of the walls of the Old City and the Iron Gate was the primary entrance. Now, a newer, lower, outer, stone wall connects the Docks and the Farthing Yards to the city and a small postern gate connects the Merchant's Quarter to the Farthing Yards. To exit Highbridge from the Old City, people first exist via the Iron Gate or Postern Gate and then through either through the Farthing Gate or Baron's Gate.
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East of the park is upscale merchants and housing. Most of the Polonians can be found in this area. The area is named the Garden District because the city has planted trees, bushes and other flowers on either side of the streets or in stone planters on corners. Many of the nicer homes have small lawns or gardens also.
The Narrows
West The Narrows is west of the park and is located further divided into the Merchant's Quarter, the Banking District, the Artificer's District, inns and taverns catering to these groups and caravans, as well as cheaper housing and two story tenements. The Narrows is named for the extremely narrow streets that appear to haphazardly crisscross the area.
The Docks
The Docks were built long after the Old City. The marsh along the river bank was filled with gravel and large stone blocks that extend out into the river. After that, floating wooden piers were built. The docks are designed to accommodate flat barges hauling grain or timber, fishing boats, and perhaps small ships with very shallow drafts. The river tends to be less than 20 feet deep at this point, and closer to the docks it is less than ten feet.
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