Hynden

If the League of Three Crowns could be said to have a capital, that capital would be Hynden. Though nominally a part of Kvesland, and indeed its second largest city after the capital of Kveshenholm, it is far more famous as the center of League activity. It was here that the operations of the League were established in the League Charter, and here that the League Council meets each season.

As the largest city in the Levic Marches, Hynden is held by many to be the center of civilization in that region. Built on the eastern bank of the Galta River, and was originally founded as a stopover point by Vardessian traders ferrying wood, amber, and furs before blossoming into a major center of trade, connecting the lands of the north to the more settled kingdoms to the south. As such, much trade with the Northmen and the Levic clans passes through Hynden at some point.

Due to its location, Levics and Kvessians make up a large portion of Hynden’s population, but there are considerable numbers of Vardessians and Togarmans as well, and even a few Northmen have settled in the city. Dwarves and halflings are also numerous, and there is a sizable elvish population in the Southern Quarter. However, the city’s status as a capital of trade means that people of all sorts call it their home.

Officially, Hynden is governed by an elected Burgomaster, who leads a town council of officials from numerous guilds, including the Wheelwrights’ Guild, the Jewelers’ Guild, the Dyers’ Guild, the Most Careful Order of Skilled Smiths and Metalforgers, the Fellowship of Carters and Coachmen, the Watchful Order of Magi, and the Guild of Boar’s Heads (a guild of merchants ineligible to join the city’s League-affiliated guild due to not being citizens of Hynden by birth or marriage). However, the Archmagistress also sits on the town council, and has considerable sway, so the League ends up making the final decision on most matters. The current Burgomaster is Mateas Lundebeck, an old and world-weary sailor who has seen most corners of the known world in his youth, now retired from the merchant life. Although he has been a source of guidance for the Archmagistress, he takes full advantage of the fact that the League's influence means he doesn't have to do a lot of actual governing, and is content to spend his life's earnings on the finer comforts in life.

Any travelers staying in Hynden for more than a week, and any caravans or ships arriving in the harbor, are required to register with a League magister. The city’s north, east, and south gates are the most widely used; the east gate, which opens onto the Galta, is untended and used mainly by fishermen and clamdiggers selling their wares in town. As a major trade city, Hynden’s roads are carefully maintained to accommodate traffic. Many traverse by foot, but carriages are also available for rent.

Hynden is built on the eastern bank of the Galta, by the side of the Castlestone, a hill so named for the castle that sits atop it, simply known as Castle Hynden. Originally built to defend against raids by Northmen, it now serves as a redoubt in the event the city is attacked, and as a nucleus from which the city’s defensive walls extend. The actual governance happens below the Castle, at the Palace of the League and the House of the Burgomeister located in the Castle Ward. Other districts of Hynden include the wealthy River Quarter in the west; the Northern Quarter; the Trade Quarter in the east (home to the city’s markets); the Southern Quarter, which boasts the city’s elven district; and the Dock Ward, the city’s port and boasting the greatest reputation for crime.

Notably, the law of Hynden defines a native citizen of the city as being anyone born within line of sight of the Castlestone, or married to someone who is. This is important, as only those of such privilege may join the city's branch of the League of Three Crowns. In practice, this usually translates to anyone born within the city walls or just outside them, given the usually cloudy weather of the Levic Marches - however, on clear days, the Castlestone may be seen from greater distances. In fact, the famed Archmagister Vladas Karklinus was born in a village far from Hynden, but at such an altitude that the Castlestone could be seen - something he would, famously, demonstrate to the League Council to prove his legitimacy in one amusing historical anecdote.

It is an open secret that Hynden is built over an extensive system of tunnels and catacombs. Rumors tell of everything from thieves’ guilds to dwarven vaults to villages of rat-men living beneath the streets. Official word denies any suspicious activity, and many would prefer to live their lives unaware of any machinations below.