York - Londinium

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Londinium in Recent History

The Cinque Port of Londinium holds the main ship building yards of Her Majesties Navies, with wood being supplied from the Selby Forest. Around the turn of the millennium, production at Londinium ceased for three years after the Elven Blood Court transformed the trees of Selby Forest to make a home for their queen. Several attempts were made to construct ships using the converted blood wood however, all suffered numerous problems as the wood continued to gradually weep a blood like sap secretion even after it was converted into lumber. Once the forest was restored Londinium once again become the navies main shipbuilding yard with only a brief interruption caused by civil unrest during the war with the Empire.

Before fleeing the city during the civil war, the Scum burnt and sacked Londinium. Many buildings were burnt down and looting was rife. One of the most impressive victims of this dark time was the headquarters of Albion's Quaesitors, the majestic building was burnt to the ground and much of their library was lost to the fire and looting. Rather than rebuild in Londinium the Quaesitors instead moved their headquarters to Winchester.

Londinium saw unrest again in 1104 when rumours began that the Empire would destroy the city by overloading the ritual circle in a manner similar to what occurred on Caer Dannon the previous year. Rioting and civil unrest eventually led to the city declaring itself independent to Albion in an attempt to prevent attacks from the Empire. Refugees fled into the surrounding countryside and the city descended into anarchy for a year before the northern fleet and an army of mercenaries in the employ of the then Baron of Londinium, Percival deGales, moved against the city. Initial encounters suggested that Imperial Lion Knights were present in the town although Albion's surrender to the Empire occurred before this could be investigated fully.

Places of Note

Not all of Londinium's great architectural achievements have been destroyed; wonders such as Londinium Bridge and the White Tower both survived the numerous fires and unrest that have plagued Londinium. More modern additions also stand out as sights to be seen when you visit Londinium.

The White Tower serves not only as the home of the Baron of Londinium, but also as a treasury, prison, and stronghold. The Bishop Gundulf Falcon oversaw the construction of this impressive square keep in 1078 and its 90ft high and 11ft thick walls have survived everything thrown at it since. Folklore says that as long as its famous birds of prey are kept inside its walls they will be impenetrable.

Londinium Bridge is another great monument to Albion engineering. It was one of the first bridges built high enough to allow tall mast ships to pass underneath it. The bridge's ability to remain unscathed despite the calamities that have surrounded it over the years has given birth to folklore and a popular children's song that inform us that only the cataclysm itself could destroy the bridge.

Although Londinium's circle is only a minor ritual circle, it is unique amongst all of Albion's currently functioning circles. Not only is the circle itself inside the walls of the city but it is also directly connected to a temple constructed by the followers of Bacchus. Despite the fact that many experts warned against the construction of the temple so close to the circle due to the possibility of its destruction from the slightest magical backlash, the carefree followers of Bacchus built it anyway.

The fabled Isle of Logs was the Scum's fortress without walls in the estuary outside of Londinium. The boggy marsh ground around it was lethal suddenly giving away under the unwary traveller. Only someone who knew the one safe route would be able to safely navigate the isle to the centre. After the Scum deserted it, the island was taken over by the Witch Sygorax who imprisoned the nymph Cordelia there and stole her youth and beauty. When Albion's finest released Cordelia from the witches spell not only was Cordelia returned to her true magnificence but also the isle itself was transformed into a place of great beauty with a strong link to nature.

The People Of Londinium

The city of Londinium has traditionally had a strong presence of followers of the ancestor Bacchus. This association with the lord of the vine has given it a reputation as a wild place and its taverns are known by name across the whole of Albion. The Jug and Ferret, The Blind Beggar, The Lord Tarragon, and The Queens Rest are all household names throughout Albion.

Londinium has a strong Nihhon quarter, housing many settlers from the far off land of Nihhon. This community was originally introduced to Albion by Sicilian trading vassals in the early nineties and has grown over the years. Despite people from Nihhon spreading to other areas in Albion, Londinium is still the heart of their community.

The criminal organisation known as "The Elysium" has traditionally had a strong presence in the city of Londinium.