Originally known as Blacksteel Rise, Thorvahld is built on an island between two steep cliffs in the Sanka'a. Measuring about 1 mile across and spiraling upward (a remnant form its origins, being carved out by glaciers during the last ice age), the city is now the jewel of the Lightlands, a center of culture, wealth and nearly independant leadership that rivals King Esryk Wynsire himself.

History

Thorvahld was founded in 1056 by the aged and frivolous eldest son of Merod Lightbringer, who lent the city his name. Debauched and unmarried with no heirs, Thorvahld spent recklessly, trying to pave the streets with gold and obsidian and build a gigantic pleasure palace in which he could escape the haunting memories of his father's death.

Doing this bankupted the city and after he died, the locale mercantile intersts swore that they would have no more petty lords ruining the wealth of the city. They set up a series of guild interests, organized by a guild commisioner that managed wealth with socialist humorlessness and a dour, penny-pinching attitude, until the Sevillan Occupation forced Lord Borato Vitelli upon them, who ruled with the same sloppy indulgence as Thorvahld Lightbringer.

After the Occupation, afraid of noble revolt against the guilds, they came to a compromise, Thorvahld would be run by a local baron who answered equally to the guild alliance and to the Lightlands King. The Todbringers were imported from the Northern Greylands, near the Nuscovite border. The city would continue to be dour and diligent in its approach to wealth under strict guilder regulation, but every four years a Celebration that was given over the excesses of its now legendary founder would be held to satisfy the needs of the nobility and attract commerce from throughout Harkania. This Festivale, is still held every four years.

Current City

• Thorvald being one principality in the Lightland Kingdoms, the southern quarter of the Harkanian League.
• Thorvald is also the holy seat of the Church of Tyrako.
• Seeing as Thorvahld is built on a huge chunk of granite, it requires a lot of maintenance in unique ways: the first is that it has a huge number of engineering projects to help keep the city fron crumbling, the second is that it requires continual archimancy and magic which is most evident in the impossibly spanned bridges.
• Thorvald is on the whole, is very industrious and grounded, but also given to flighty liberalism like racial equality and relgious tolerance.

Hierarchy of Government

• Thorvahld Government circa 1699
• The Baron has ultimate veto power over new laws and can send the considerable Thorvaldian forces to war but he is not as much in chare of the minutiae of the city.
• Chancellor (who fulfills a PM/Speaker of the House role) in speaking for a large number of constituantism, runs city.
• Light Marshalls, a triumvirate of military experts, consisting of the Militia Commander, Watch Commander and General of the Army.
• Law Lords, a triumvirate of judges who are the supreme court, but also draft new law in accordance with the chancellor and the baron (to boot: extensive court)
• Gangs, concentrated in a place called The Pit

Ruling Family c. 1699

• Baron Boris Todbringer,
  • Baroness Velena Todbringer (deceased)
  • Baroness Anastassia "Annike" Todbringer (deceased)

• Eldest Son (Illegitimate):  Justin Cole. 
  • His wife, Miranda Cole
• Youngest son (Legitimate): Stephen Todbringer.
• Daughter (Illigitimate): Elseny Todbringer

Court

• Thorvahld Court circa 1699
• Knight Eternal - A ceremonial courtly knight who is romantic dashing handsome and embodies chivlary.
• Champion of Justice - Thorvald still abides to trial by combat, though not many take it.  Every year there are challenges to the champion at Festivale time to see if they’re employing the best fighter in the world.
• Master of Ceremonies during Festivale
• Master of Revels
• Master of the Hunt
• Court Minstrel
• Court Doctor
• Court Jester
• Ladies in Waiting
• Baronial chaperone

Guilds

• Mages Guild is also extremely important, and headed by Chief Wizard usually an accomplished Petty Thaumaturge.
• The Engineers Guild is run by dwarves.

• The Merchant Guilds still have a large influence in local politics but the city is under the official rule of the Todbringer family.