Amador: Cintra, the White City: Inner City

Amador: Cintra, the White City: Inner City

The shining pearl in the center of Amador, the Inner City is one of the world’s eleven wonders. It was built by the Dwarves several thousand years ago, yet only the smallest of cracks can be found on the pure white marble; a testament both to the Dwarven masons and the Heartstone they used.
The buildings rise up in fanciful designs, often possessing towers and cupolas in addition to numerous floors and columned entrances. Even warehouses, barracks and stables look like palaces to one not used to the ancient splendor of the Inner City. It is also within the Inner Walls that the most prestigious of the Knightly Orders have their Headquarters, easily identifiable by the sound of warriors training and the iconic banners fluttering in the wind.
Every Noble house in the Kingdom has at least an estate within the white walls of the Inner City and their palaces incidentally look less majestic than the rest of the city because of the additions made at their whim. Though the masons of later ages have tried their hardest, replicating the stunning craftsmanship has proven impossible and as such the mansions of the Nobles have been scarred by extra towers and extended ballrooms in common marble.

Places of Notice:
-The Royal Palace: The true center of power for the Kingdom of Amador, the Royal Palace does nothing if not live up to its significance. Though it was built of the same Heartstone as the rest of the Inner City, the Palace was the work which the masons poured all their devotion and skill into. By the shape of the white stone, it almost looks like it was grown rather than carved from stone. And from its every spire flutters a banner: Either the red, white and gold banner of Amador or the deep crimson and silver banner of the Dragon-born Bloodline.

-The Silver Keep: Though strictly a part of the Palace grounds, the Silver Keep has its own circular wall that puts it apart from the rest of Cintra. Within lies the domain of magicians, both mages and battle-mages in the service of Amador, and traveling wizards and hedgemages who need a place to sleep can enter under its arching gateway and find refuge. The Silver Keep itself rises just a few paces short of the tallest spire of the Royal Tower, its white Heartstone inlaid with sinuous shapes in silver, making the tower shine brightly in the midday sun.

-“The Lion’s Mane” Tavern: A mighty building whose name was taken from the golden lion inlaid into the Heartstone over the main entrance. The ground floor is compromised of a monstrous common room filled with round tables and a kitchen in a separate room. The western wall is lined with a pair of great big fireplaces the blaze with heat during the winter’s cold months, and on the eastern hangs a dozen tapestries depicting the major battles of Amador. The private dining rooms are housed on the 1st story together with the staff’s rooms, while the floors above are rooms for paying guests.

-Deathguard Order’s Headquarters: This is the main Chapterhouse for the order of Knights whose service are available only to the King himself. They are his most steadfast warriors, who have sworn to serve and protect the Dragon-King until their death or his. As the most notorious of the Knightly Orders, their chapterhouse is equally as striking. In all of the Inner City, its walls as black as onyx are unique. Only the Deathwatch Knights and the Dragon-King himself are allowed to enter those hallowed halls, and only the most talented and steadfast Amadorians may hope to join that exclusive group.