Le Ro

Le Ro was the capitol city of The Dragonlands and crown jewel of the empire. Its name is a shortened form of Lelerough, who founded and ruled the region. She is typically credited with founding the city, but the exact origins are unknown.

Layout and Demographics

Very little is known about the city during its heyday. Few records survived the destruction of the empire, and no modern exploration has been possible except by air. According to surviving records, the population was around half a million, focused on the northern side of the river, with agricultural lands around it.

Le Ro did have an eyrie, and some accounts say it was an artificially-constructed mound. If true this would represent a sizable feat of engineering, as the work would have to be done by hand. Le Ro sits on a wide, low plain.

Dragons in Le Ro mostly lived as humans, though were the elite ruling class. It is thought there were about 400 full-time residents and as many as a thousand Dragon-halfs. These were of the Halfbrood variety; it is not believed that dredbroods were ever created in the Dragonlands.

History

The commonly-repeated narrative is, the city sprang from the ground by Lelerough's will, and she formed its first inhabitants herself out of the very mud of the riverbank. Some parts of this may be true, as the Westin Cliffs demonstrate the ability of powerful mages to radically alter the landscape. In any case, no archeological survey has ever been done, but anecdotal evidence suggests an important settlement was present on the site long before Lelerough's birth. Most historians suggest the city was indeed the place of her birth, but those dragons of Phoenix Tavern Flight who are willing to admit the myths are just that, suggest more likely it was a convenient center of administration and commerce, chosen as the capitol for its value and no sentimental reasons.

Like all cities of the Dragonlands, the people lived simply, with agriculture and recreation being the chief activities. There were mines at Le Ro, but its chief export was extremely high-quality pottery, some examples of which survive into modern times.

Lelerough's rule came about B.G.A. 1315. One account indicates she ordered all the finest human artisans of the city to build a palace for her. As pottery and clay-workings were the chief skills, stonework was used for the frame and polished marble for much of the floor, but every other surface was "covered in all manner of ornate, intricate, and finely-wrought clay decorations". It is said Lelerough was pleased.