Ashbury

Ashbury or Esceburght IPA:/ɛ.ʃɛ.byrxt/ in Savernian, is a city in the kingdom of Savernia. It is situated in the northwest of the country and borders the Heart of Haven. It is the oldest city of the kingdom, built on the shores where the initial group of clans arrived in Haven. It is considered the birthplace of Savernia.

History
The city of Ashbury was founded on the 1st of June, 2021, by a group of people new to this part of Haven. The group consisted of several clans, originally coming from faraway lands. Some of the more known members were Olly Ashwood, Hazel Starlyn, Geoffery Flameheart, Robert Dire and Från of the Þrumðiland.

As the settlers were without a home and threatened by the dangers of wildlife and neighbouring settlements, they quickly built a new town at an astonishing rate. The city got surrounded by substantial stone walls and in the centre a large castle emerged. Thus, the stone keep was built. Throughout the coming years, the city expanded and several new quarters were added. Each of them was defended by the typical stone walls. The castle saw several iterations of layout and numerous new rooms and halls were added.

When Savernia became independent, Ashbury became the first capital of the kingdom. A title it later passed on to the city of Hearthport.

Geography
The city is situated on an elevated area at the source of the Heart of Haven. The area was selected to be well-defensible as it is a strategic location that looks over both the land bridge between Boulderov and Savernia and the river flowing into the Heart of Haven. The city is mostly surrounded by pine forests and has several farmlands in the close vicinity. The walls of the city are built on top of steep cliffs. In comparison, the castle is built on top of a natural hill and looks over the surrounding areas.

Cityscape
The city was built and expanded over several periods throughout history. Therefore, the city exists of several quarters, each divided by walls and gates. The main entrance of the city is at the south-eastern corner. This gives access to the leading residential and economic areas of the city. This section contains several houses and a small marketplace. Close to the market, you can find an old forge and a sawmill that dates back to the time this city was largely economically dependent on exporting pine from the local woodlands.

A second section contains more residential buildings and more extensive manors. This area was added in a later period and was mostly inhabited by the local high-ranking citizens. At the northwest corner, a small fortress is located. This is mainly a lookout over the rivers flowing beneath the walls. A third section is considered a public park area. This part of the city contains a large gazebo, a statue in honour of the founding members of Savernia and the Máthair Darach, a large oak tree grown from a sapling brought back from the homelands of the first settlers. The park also has an entrance to the Ashbury library.

The last section consists of Ashbury castle. The castle was built partly inside and on top of a hill. In the underground central part, you can find the main hall and important rooms like the duchess’s office. Higher up, there are residential areas for visitors and nobles who live at the castle. A ballroom and the old king’s quarters are also higher up in the castle. Deep underground, there are catacombs that contain the graves of former nobles and rulers of Savernia.

Outside the city walls, there is a small farm that provides most of the food for the citizens of Ashbury. The area is sometimes referred to as ‘The forest of Boris’. As legend goes, this land belonged to a man named Boris before the foundation of the city. But none of the initial settlers has ever seen or heard about him.

Culture
Ashbury is considered to be the birthplace of Savernia. It was the first city founded by the Savernian people and acted as the first capital of the kingdom after its independence. Therefore, the city has great importance for the savernian people.

The city is sometimes referred to as the Stone keep. This is because the initial settlers erected huge stone walls to defend the early homes they built. Another name that is commonly used to refer to Ashbury, is the city of foxes. Besides the many depictions of foxes around the city, you can find many foxes living in and around the city. Most of them are shy to the people approaching them, though some of them have been getting used to humans around and do sometimes come closer to the citizens of the city.

The symbol of Ashbury is the large white tree. This is depicted on the flag of the city and refers to the Máthair Darach (the mother oak). This large tree can be found in the park are, next to the castle. It was planted there by the first settlers. The story goes that Logan Ashwood brought a sapling from the homelands along their travels. After planting it in the foreign soil, he asked Silvania, the god queen of the Five Divines, to bless the plant and make it grow, as both a symbol to the growth of their new founded nation and remembrance to their faraway homeland

Religion
With their arrival in Haven, the savernian settlers brought with them the religion of the Five Divines. Two large statues of Nyx and Archangel William are symbols of the dedication of the citizens towards their religion. Inside the city, small shrines can be found, where people bring gifts and pray to their gods.