Rolemaster 

THE CITY-STATE OF NOREK

Great walls encompass the main city situated on the seven islands in the mouth of the Alunn River (at the head of the Bay of Elysea).  Between the islands and the wall are several thousand acres of agricultural land , as well as a large population of rural dwellers.  Though the Council only claims control over the land and city within the wall, the lack of any other nearby cities or significant principalities allows the Norek Council influence over the people and land stretching several leagues up the Alunn River.  This is rule by default rather than a true effort to expand governmental influence beyond the city walls.

Norek is a city of beauty.  The flavour of many cultures and eras blends into the atmosphere and architecture of Norek because of its contact with the people of Elysea Bay over the span of centuries.  Age, however, seems to rest lightly in Norek.  Grime is not etched into the facade of the buildings; ruin and disrepair are nonexistent; and only on the dreariest days can one find a corner or alley of Norek that is dark or gloomy.  Its cosmopolitan nature does not reveal itself in a jumble of languages and disorganised shops, but rather in a gentle and harmonious blend that comes from centuries of interaction. A tiny percentage of the city are native to Norek, while the remainder are humans from all points around Kulthea, but particularly from the Bay of Elysea.  A small scattering of Elven and Dwarven people reside in Norek as well.

The nineteen bridges of Norek, some spanning waterways over four hundred feet wide, are famous throughout the continent of Jamain.  Dwarves from the nearby Brank Mountains used their great skill with stone to build portions of each bridge.  The artistic mastery of magic by the members of the Arcanus and finished woodwork and carvings of the Elves are clearly represented in the eye-catching beauty of the bridges.  Each bridge is more a work of art than a means of transportation, luring travellers to spend several days touring the city's bridges and waterways.

Surrounding the city of Norek is the ancient wall.  In keeping with the Council's policy of "beauty in all things" the wall is inspected, repaired, cleaned and painted on a routine maintenance schedule.  Over six miles in length, thirty feet tall, and fifteen feet wide at the base, the 6000 year old wall still stands in perfect condition.  It is pierced by six gates, each wide enough to allow two wagons to pass by side by side within.  The gates can be sealed with beams and bolts (sufficient to repel almost any attack) in less than ten minutes.