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.

Of the latter era of the city, something is known. While the Dragonlands continued to increasingly militarize and industrialize to combat the Marconian threat, Le Ro kept it's idyllic charms. It was the queen's sanctuary, her quiet place. The population was deliberately kept small, and while garrisons were built, it's location at the heart of the empire made a direct attack unlikely.

The city was sacked in B.G.A. 901 when the Dragonlands fell into civil war. With no natural defenses to rely on, it was most likely quickly abandoned and destroyed fully, claimed by the encroaching wastes when the blight came.

Later History

Le Ro would not be visited by humans again until the Second Age, when Lelerough's body was discovered in a Marconian tomb. The Gudersnipe Foundation, who had long credited her with softening up the Marcons(paving the way for their later victory) felt she deserved as much honor as they could bestow.