The City of Ongus

Ongus is the capital of the Kingdom of Albion. On this page, you will find maps of Ongus and its environs developed for my own Dragon Warriors campaign. This page is still under development, so check in periodically for updates.

Ongus is the capital city of Albion. It has a permanent population of approximately 40,000 people but can swell considerably on occasion. The city was founded during the days when the Selentine Empire occupied Albion, and it has persisted ever since although at times, its population fell dramatically. Today, the only parts of the old Selentine City that still remain are the core structure of the city walls, the old fortress known as Oldfort, a few ruins (most notably a ruined temple to the Selentine God of War, although small ruins can be seen scattered about the city, and some buildings may have old stonework and brickwork incorporated in them) and a number of old Latrina - public toilet facilities - scattered about the city that make use of the still intact sewer system that runs under the city - it was built to last).

The city is governed by a City Council (made up of representatives elected by 'Freemen of the City' in each Ward, and from each Guild) headed by a Lord Mayor elected from the council each year. It acknowledges no Lord but the King himself as any inherent authority over the city. The Guilds (many of which have built grand Guild Halls over the last fifty years or so) are the true core of the city's power.

The city is divided into areas refers to as 'Wards', along with a couple of other districts within and without the walls. Only Wards are entitled to return members to the Council.

Below is a key to the city. This is not a complete list of all businesses in the city or anything like it. It simply gives a selection of places that can be useful in a game situation, to make the city useful. In addition to being displayed on this webpage, the map is available here for download in ProFantasy's Campaign Cartographer 3 format. This can be viewed with the aid of the free viewer that can be downloaded on the ProFantasy webpage, and probably is the best way to study or use the map in detail.

Except where prior rights exist, I do claim the Copyright on these maps of Ongus, but I have absolutely no obection to others editing them for their own use, or for distribution, subject to the following conditions.

1. No charge is made for the maps (this is a condition I have to abide by as well as I am making use of the intellectual property of others under Serpent Kings games fan policy.
2. I (Shaun Hately) am acknowledged as having provided the image files used, if they are used.
3. Any distribution is accompanied by a copy in some prominent form of Serpent Kings Games Fan policy which reads This website includes material based on the Dragon Warriors setting, as created by and copyright (c) Dave Morris and Oliver Johnson, and used according to the terms of the Serpent King Games Fan Policy. We are not permitted to charge you to use or access this content. This website is not published, endorsed, or officially approved by Serpent King Games. For more information about Dragon Warriors products and Serpent King Games, please visit www.serpentking.com". This isn't my requirement but Serpent Kings Games, but I would be remiss if I did not bring it to people's attention.
4. This last one is not strictly a condition - you're under no obligation to do this - but I'd love to be offered a copy of anything you produce because your map may well be better than my map.

Follow these four points (or at least the first three) and your map is your own - as long as no challenge is made to my Copyright or anybody elses (as I make no challenge to anybody elses), all rights are yours. I claim nothing.


Ward of Letburg

Boundaries
Northeast: City Wall
South: Deadline Street and the Grand Plaza
West: The Highway

Letburg is the most northeasterly of the wards of the city of Ongus. It is a fairly prosperous upper working class area, mostly residential/commercial (like much of the city, shops and other businesses tend to occupy the lower streetfacing parts of buildings with the family who own and run the business in question living behind and above their homes. Families in Letburg can often afford a maid of all work if they want to, but it is by no means universal to do so. The area is not generally connected to the city sewer, although the normal branch drain from the public Latrina at A2 is in place, and the Silver Chalice Inn at A1 has likely made an illegal connection. The most prominent public buildings in the ward are the Guild Hall of The Worshipful Company of Mercers and Grocers - now quite dilapidated and in need of repairs - questions are sometimes asked as to why the Guild has not moved their headquarters or demolished and rebuilt. The Convent of the Sisters of Saint Welman provides hot meals to those it has formally assessed as too elderly or otherwise infirm to work. The Black Tar tavern is known as one of the rougher taverns of Ongus, and questions are often raised as to how it manages to keep its licence from the city authorities. The Church of Saint Griswon's hold the relics of its patron saint, who was an early Bishop of Ongus martyred for his refusal to grant absolution to King Gundur (596-634, reigned 615-634) over the execution of the Queen who he accused of being unfaithful when their son was born 'with strange deformities' (King Gurandur (618-657), reigned 634-657).

The Earl of Mancaster, Earl Marshal of Ongus, has his city residence in Hull Lane next to The Black Tar tavern (this adds to the mystery as to why that tavern is tolerated).

RefLocationNotes
A1Inn - The Silver Chalice
A2Latrina
A3Convent of the Sisters of Saint Welman
A4Bakery
A5Coppersmith
A6Pawnshop
A7Bath House
A8Locksmith
A9Guild Hall - The Worshipful Company of Mercers and Grocers
A10Veterinarian
A11Illuminator
A12General Trader
A13Armourer
A14Engineer
A15Dairy
A16Inn - The Dew Drop
A17Physician
A18General Trader
A19Potter
A20Cheesemaker
A21Glassblower
A22Herbalist
A23Brothel
A24Animal Trainer
A25Pie Shop
A26Stables
A27Tavern - The Black Tar
A28Church - St Griswon's

Ward of The Plaza

Boundaries
North: Deadline Street
Southeast: Straightshot Street
West: The Grand Plaza

The Ward of the Plaza is the administrative centre of Ongus and one of its richest districts. The ward is dominated by the Grand Plaza itself, the largest open space in the city. Stalls selling food are allowed to set up on the edges of the Plaza but most of its space is underutilised. There is a large fountain in the centre of the Plaza that is famous for the fact that on special occasions, it can be set to flow with ale or wine, or any other liquid. This is exceptionally rare - only events like the coronation of the King, or the birth of an heir apparent to the throne have justified it in recent years - with the exception of the time that a group of apprentices managed to make it temporarily flow with urine during the Apprentices Rebellion of 982AS.

The five storey tall Council and Guild Hall is the centre of the City's government. It is the seat of the Lord Mayor, selected by the Guilds United and Combined. A series of flags mounted on the top of the Hall during the day and lights overnight provide a means for those who can read them to know the time (to within the quarter hour with sufficient skill). All Guilds maintain an office within the Council and Guild Hall.

Besides the Council and Guild Hall, other notable buildings include St Ursul's Church, believed to be built on the site (indeed on the very footprint) of the first True Faith Church built in Ongus, although of recent design itself, and a fine Inn, The Witch's Pyre, whose name refers to the fact that an area just east of it (near Saint Ursul's Church) was the site of execution of the Fell Sorceress Ragidine a few hundred years ago. Any building built on that site has burned down within months of being built and it now remains empty - some say due to a curse, although others favour simpler theories of arson. St Ursul's has been offered the land as a churchyard, but rumour has it that the Church has decided the land cannot be consecrated. The suggestion that it be used as a burial ground for those who cannot be buried in consecrated ground is resisted by local residents.

Many of the buildings in this area are residences for the rich and powerful - nobles often have city residences here, as do rich guildsman. Some businesses are run within the area, but anything unsuitable to its genteel nature would be unlikely to last long. One exception is the House of Dreams between Amethyst and Diamond Lanes. Masquerading as a club for the gentry, the gentry themselves are aware that it functions as a brothel as well as a discreet meeting place. It is unlicenced by the Council and Guild, but unlike other such unlicenced establishment in Ongus, it has some obscure exemption in law. Most, if not all buildings in this ward are connected to the sewers of the city.

Mordant Bellwether, an artist resident in Amethyst Lane (in fact next door to the House of Dreams) is generally held to be the greatest painter of portraits in the history of the world - now in his sixties, he is a legend within the city. There are persistent rumours that he is a bastard son of one of the Kings of Albion (there are three possibilities given his days of birth), allowed to live only because he has no real interest in anything than his art. He is certainly seen by many as being somehow above the law as while he also does conventional portraits he has long scandalised the most upright citizens with certain aspects of his work that embrace the human form in uncanny detail, as well as sometimes touching on themes that the powerful, and the church find disturbing. Yet he also painted the brilliant but entirely orthodox 'scenes of glory' surrounding the altar and sanctuary in the Cathedral, negotiating a very high price with the Bishop of the time for his services - and then paying that amount rather than being paid.

B1Mathematician
B2Linguist
B3Scholar
B4Church - St Ursul's
B5Lawyer
B6Goldsmith
B7Engineer
B8Engineer
B9Inn - The Witch's Pyre
B10Jeweller
B11Alchemist
B12Exotic Animals
B13Alchemist
B14Artist (Painter)
B15Locksmith
B16Architect
B17Guild Hall - Advocates and Scriveners
B18Jeweller
B19Physician
B20Council and Guild HallCentre of government for the City of Ongus
B21Latrina

Ward of Groverest

Boundaries
North: The City Wall
South: Wisdom Road
East The Highway
West: Riverbanks Road

The Ward of Groverest is dominated by two large buildings:

Oldfort, a huge hulking building near the north gate of the city that serves as the city's main court and prison. It is an ancient Selentine fortress, close to one thousand years old although it has a much more modern facade.

The Cathedral Church of Saint Celus, recently constructed serves as the largest Church in Ongus and as the seat of the Bishop of Ongus. It was built over the course of decades by the Capstone Guild. It is a fairly orthodox design, but is known for elaborate gargoyles carved along its walls and a stone phallus at its peak, placed there by the Masons who built the Cathedral after a dispute about payment, and for some of the most impressive work with murals and mirrors internally of all True Faith churches.

Besides these two large structures, the area is also noteworthy for containing the ruins of an Ancient Selentine Temple, dedicated to their God of War. There are rumours that the Ancient Selentine religion still has some adherents who occasionally use the temple for rituals but as it exposed to the open air, most people doubt this is true.

Saint Edmund's Churchyard has recently become a source of some controversy, along with certain other Churches in the city. It is so full that bodies are now being buried in it at a depth of less than two feet and there is considerable debate as to how the dead should be buried in the future.

An inn near the northern wall of the city, The Hanging Man, traditionally provides condemned criminals with a fine breakfast on Boldursdae morning as they make their last trip between Oldfort and the execution ground at Holders Creek to the north of the city. The Inn is renowned for its breakfasts, and many people choose to enjoy a morning meal there at least once in their lives. Some regulars do so more often.

The tavern, The Fast Ship to Outremer serves as a meeting place for people returned from the crusades, and those intending to go on Crusade.

The Cathedral School located in the shadow of the Cathedral is one of the growing number of 'Matriculation Schools' being opened across Ongus, often with the patronage of the Crown or a powerful noble, or in this case, the Bishop and Cathedral. These schools charge tuition and where necessary boarding fees for boys (mostly - there are exceptions, one of which will be discussed later) aged between approximately 8 and approximately 18. They are primarily educated in Bacchile, Emphidian, and Elleslandic, as well as public speaking and debate, with other subjects also being available if they are seen as necessary. Discipline tends to be strict in line with the most modern ideas of effective education. These are not the only schools in Ongus - indeed, there are many small dame schools scattered about where children can acquire at least basic literacy and numeracy - but they are developing a reputation as providing the type of education needed to successfully matriculate to the University of Cantorbridge, or those on the continent (a bright boy may be sent to one of these places as young as fifteen - an exceptional boy even younger).

The Convent of Saint Ashanax in the southwest corner of the ward occupies a building that used to serve as a Guildhall for the stonemasons who built the Cathedral. There are stories that the convent contains cellars that lead into the sewers of the city, and perhaps other deep tunnels as well, but the main thing the Convent is known for is providing excellent medical care to those who need it. It is a hospital and its sisters (The Oblates of Saint Ashanax) contain skilled physicians and nurses. They have some unusual and radical ideas about the cause of disease and seek to improve the hygiene of the city.

C1Armourer
C2Smith
C3Stable
C4Wineshop
C5Carpetmaker
C6Smith
C7Cathedral Church of Saint Celus
C8Dairy
C9General Trader
C10Guild Hall - The Worshipful Company of Bakers and Pastrymakers
C11OldfortOld Selentine era Fortress that now serves as prison and court for the City
C12Veterinarian
C13Inn - The Hanging ManTraditional site of the last breakfast before a felon is executed
C14Cartwright
C15Swordsmith
C16Alchemist
C17Scriptorium
C18General Store
C19Horsetrader
C20Horsetrainer
C21Cheesemaker
C22Ruined TempleWas once devoted to the Selentine God of War
C23Engraver
C24Latrina
C25School - The Cathedral School
C26Stable
C27Spice Merchant
C28Church - St Edmund's
C29Weaponsmith
C30Leatherworker
C31Bowyer and Fletcher
C32Dairy and Egglers
C33Wineshop
C34Scriptorium
C35Scholar
C36Furrier and Tailor
C37Brothel
C38Horsetrader
C39Inn – The Fast Ship to Outremer
C40Scriptorium
C41Leatherworker
C42Armourer
C43Baker
C44Convent of Saint Ashanax

Ward of Ongwic

Boundaries
North: City Wall
South: Wisdom Road
East Riverbanks Road
West: The River

Ongwic is the northernmost river ward of Ongus. It is a mostly working class district with a mercantile reputation - good, solid merchants, if not necessarily very successful ones, live here. The periodic flooding of the river has lead to a situation where the solidly built Riverbanks Road is higher than the land surrounding it - but only inches on its eastern loop but but by an average of two feet (and sometimes a little more on the parts nearest the river.

The Priest of Saint Bartaman's, Father Ponders, is over eighty and has been priest of his parish for over sixty years. This may be why his eccentricities are tolerated - for the last thirty years he has claimed based on evidence he will not show anyone that the foundation stone of his Church was laid by the saviour Gatanades himself. The Church generally accepts as plausible a story that Gatanades did visit Albion in the years before his mission of glory and grace, but there is no specific evidence (unless Father Ponders has found it) that suggests he came to Ongus. The Churchyard of Saint Bartaman's is often covered by flowers by believers in the legend. The Bishop is rumoured to find this annoying for reasons that are unknown to the public.

It is an offence under city law for anybody to enter the river from the banks in Ongwic, or to allow any rubbish or other foulness to enter the river. These rules are generally followed largely because of the presence of the Monastery of Saint Alauria. The Monks of this Monastery brew the most common beer and ale sold in the taverns and inns of Ongus, and they use the river water for their brewing - fouling the waters would endanger the beer supply and make a person very unpopular.

The Company of Messengers have their Guild Hall in this ward.

D1 Cobbler
D2 Gambling Den
D3 Paper and Inkmaker
D4 Guild Hall – Company of Messengers
D5 Alchemist and Herbalist
D6 Stable
D7 Brothel
D8 General Store
D9 Baker
D10 Smith
D11 Silversmith
D12 Blademaker
D13 Coppersmith
D14 Potter
D15 Latrina
D16 Monastery of St Alauria The Monks brew beer that supplies most of the city's taverns and inns.
D17 Sharpener
D18 Church – St Bartaman's
D19 Lawyer
D20 Outfitter
D21 Weaponsmith
D22 Leatherworker
D23 Tailor
D24 Leatherworker
D25 Cabinetmaker
D26 Brothel
D27 Inn – The Master Bowman
D28 Scriptorium
D29 Stable
D30 Guard House and Militia Barracks
D31 Gambling Den
D32 Boatwright
D33 Barber

Ward of Sunmedow

Boundaries
Northwest: Straightshot Street
South: Turnabout Road
East The City Wall
West: Wisdom Road

The Ward of Sunmedow is hope to a community largely made up of the upper middle classes and the upper classes (and, of course, attendant live in servants - it would be a rare home in this district that did not have live in staff). Some families do run a business from the ground floor of their homes, but for the most part, these are specialist businesses and quite discreet. Many scholars and academic types live within the Ward, and a former Monastery (E1) in the southeast corner of the Ward has recently been purchased by a group of nobles and scholars with the aim of eventually creating a university in the city to rival that of Cantorbridge and to outshine any other in the world.

The most prominent feature of Sunmedow is a large open space referred to as the List Field. This is used to host tournaments within the city and occasionally for other sporting contests. Large temporary wooden structures and tents can be erected on the field at this time. On one corner of the field is the College of Arms - the base and headquarters of the King's Heralds of Albion - those responsible for assigning and administering grants of arms and certain prerogatives of the nobility and gentry across the Kingdom.

The Goat and Compass Tavern on Runrabbit Run has a reputation as the centre of collegial intellectual and academic debate in Ongus. There are rumours that it is a haunt of wizards and other practitioners of circumspect arts, but many of the more educated people of the city (perhaps fearful of being associated with such things) reassure their friends that this reputation simply comes from the fact that most people cannot understand the complexities of many of the conversations overheard there and assume that things so imcomprehensible must be magical. A cluster of buildings bordered by Flaybottom Bend, Wisdom Road, and Straightshot Street constitute the Guildhall School, a day and boarding school for boys regarded as the best school in the city. Entry is via a competitive examination with fees set based on the marks achieved - they may be nothing for a bright enough boy, or very high for a dullard whose wealthy father nonetheless wants him to have some sort of education beaten into him.

The Sisters of the Convent of Saint Crispin are a rather genteel order - many of their nuns are noblewoman who have chosen to enter the cloister as a way of withdrawing from the wider world.

The Guild Hall of the Masterful Apothecaries and Alchemists Fellowship will distribute medications made by apprentice Apothecarists and Alchemists to those unable to afford to purchase medications made by the Masters and Mistresses of the Guild. A gallows capable of hanging six men projects from the second floor of this building over Wisdom Road, a legacy of an incident thirteen years ago when during a time of plague in the city, people were found to be selling cures of little or no value to a desperate populace. The Guild was granted the right to try those who commit such crimes and to execute them - it requires the approval of sentence by the signatures and seals of two of the King's Magistrates but reflects the fact that such cases require the assessment of experts.

E1 Monastery
E2 Bank
E3 Physician
E4 Exotic Pets
E5 Scholar
E6 General Store
E7 Inn – The Stag's Antlers
E8 Interpreter
E9 Dairy
E10 Biologist
E11 List Field
E12 Physician
E13 Alchemist
E14 Physician
E15 Convent of St Crispin
E16 Furrier
E17 Astronomer
E18 Bath House
E19 Scholar
E20 Inn – The Chipped Cheeseboard
E21 Lawyer
E22 Scholar
E23 Music Shop
E24 Bird Trainer
E25 The College of Arms
E26 Perfume Seller
E27 Latrina
E28 Physician
E29 Tavern – The Goat and Compass
E30 Spice Merchant
E31 Interpreter
E32 Linguist
E33 Jeweller
E34 Architect
E35 Mathematician
E36 Brothel
E37 Furrier and Tailor
E38 Artist – Painter
E39 Scholar
E40 Church – St Emanel's
E41 Weaponsmith
E42 Artist – Sculptor
E43 Guild Hall – Masterful Apothecaries and Alchemists Fellowship
E44 Physician
E45 School - Guildhall School

Ward of Queensbower

North: Wisdom Road and The Grand Plaza
Southwest: The Highway
East Acorn Avenue

Queensbower is a new addition to the city of Ongus. Until less than twenty years ago, it constituted a formal garden surrounding a fortified manor house known as Dower Castle (the district itself was referred to as the Dower and the Bower) which was often used as a home for a widowed Queen on her sons ascension to the throne. As the the Guilds and Council gained more and more authority over the city, uneasiness grew about the Royal Family having any sort of permanently manned castle within the city walls and so a compromise was reached where the King agreed to hand over this area to the City in exchange for an agreement that the city would not object to the continued presence of the Castra (described further on) within the city. Dower Castle was demolished and a new road, Cushion Street, was driven through the centre of the newly named Ward of Queensbower. Cushion Street is unique within the city. All the buildings that line it are owned by the King and pay their rents to the Crown, but the Guilds and Council are responsible for their everyday functioning. Every building is identical in design, and they are rented to a wide variety of Merchants leading to Cushion Street's reputation as the premier shopping location in Ongus. Besides Cushion Street, most of the buildings in Queensbower are palatial townhouses, although the Honourable Fellowship of Precious Metal Smiths has their Guild Hall in one corner of the Ward. The White Horse Inn has an excellent reputation as the best place for a lady to stay within the city if she must make use of such temporary accommodation.

The public latrina located on Algandy Street, just off Cushion Street is noteable as having been recently built to the same designs and specifications as the Ancient Selentine structures found throughout the city. Because of this despite being the newest such structure in the city it is the most representative of the original structures in terms of its fine interior decorations - other such public facilities clustered around the city are in various states of cosmetic disrepair (generally in proportion to the wealth of the surrounding ward) although all were built very strongly and after close to one thousand years remain fully functional - to be built like a brick... latrina... is a byword for strength in Ongus.

The building of this structure was considered symbolically important in establishing Queensbower as a genuine Ward. The public Latrina of Ongus are significant enough that the modern wards of the city each include one such building - the ward boundaries are generally believed by the populace to have been specifically set based on their location. These buildings are of solid construction and many have survived numerous fires or other disasters over the centuries, with their basic structures remaining intact - although in poorer areas, cosmetic features such as painted wooden seats and tiled floors are often missing and even in wealthier areas some tiles and fitting may be in need of repair.

Each latrina has two chambers, the mirror image of each other. One is reserved for male use (the left side as you approach from the front) and the other for female use. Privacy, once inside the chambers, should not be expected.

Those in best repair have cisterns in the roof filled by rainwater, which are used to provide a slow flow of water to a fountain in the centre of each of the two main chambers of the latrina - but in many cases, this arrangement no longer functions. The Guild of Plumbers and Pipemen is small and concentrates its efforts on maintaining the most basic functions of the latrinas - their link to the sewer - except in a few locations in the wealthiest areas where they have been specifically paid to do otherwise.

In recent years, it has become commonplace for the former storage and maintenance rooms at the back of each latrina to be 'rented out' to the poorest of the poor in exchange for them keeping the latrinas reasonably clean, and informing the Guild of any serious blockage.

Each latrina does have a connection to the ancient sewer system, but generally not one that could be easily used for human access. The Guild of of Plumbers and Pipemen have no control over the actual sewer system, this being under the control of the powerful Capstone Guild, they merely deal with the surface connections and the public latrinas.

F1 Church – St Handal's
F2 Guild Hall – The Honourable Fellowship of Precious Metal Smiths
F3 Furrier
F4 Inn – The White Horse
F5 Architect
F6 Linguist
F7 Latrina
F8 Engineer
F9 Geologist
F10 Bowyer and Fletcher
F11 Music Shops
F12 General Merchant
F13 Goldsmith
F14 Ironmongers
F15 Furniture Sales
F16 Silversmith
F17 Armorer
F18 Cabinetmakers
F19 Stationers
F20 Pets
F21 Baker
F22 Butcher
F23 Swordsmith
F24 Tailor
F25 Glassgoods
F26 Bookshop
F27 Engravers
F28 Locksmith
F29 Tailor
F30 Pottery and Ceramics
F31 Clothseller
F32 Tailor
F33 Wineshop
F34 Furs and Leathers
F35 Perfume Seller
F36 Jeweller
F37 Carpetseller
F38 Spice Merchant
F39 Cosmetics Seller
F40 Greengrocer
F41 Fruiterers
F42 Cartographers
F43 Herbalism
F44 Dairy and Cheese
F45 Woodcarvers

Ward of Gracefields

Boundaries
Northeast, East, and Southeast: Wisdom Road and Grace and Favour Street
South: Fairplay Road
West: Acorn Avenue and The Highway

The Ward of Gracefields is one of the largest and most populous in Ongus. In general terms it can be described as a middle class area, and the residents regard themselves as the heart and soul of the city. Most homes keep at least one or two servants.

At the southern end of the ward lies the City and Guild Library, one of the largest libraries in the world. In theory any citizen of the city is allowed to use it, and any visitor can use it if a citizen vouches for them, but in practice, the library finds excuses to exclude those they do not regard as suitable from entering. A person may ask to sit an examination that requires them to read a passage in either Bacchile, Ancient Emphidian, or a modern language and having proven their literacy will be admitted but may be sent to bathe first. The Guild of Sages and Scholars which is located nearby can also issue licences to enter the library that are treated with respect by the librarians, and the price they charge will be based on their judgement of the academic credentials and wealth of the person asking.

Numerous small bathhouses dot the ward - on almost every street somebody has started a small business providing tubs in their ground floor rooms - but the Sweetwater Bath House on Acorn Avenue provides hot baths as well as steam baths - strictly segregated by sex - as well as private bathing rooms.

Our Lady of Grace is one of the larger Churches in Ongus and is permitted to marry non-residents of the city, unlike most Churches which will only perform a wedding if either the bride or groom are members of the surrounding parishes.

Numerous small parks dot the ward, and by long standing tradition, children are guaranteed the right to play in these parks on lesser holidays and Boldursdae afternoons.

The Dandy Lion is an inn renowned for its food, and especially for its deserts. A confectioners shop that lies near it is renowned for selling the most exotic sweetmeats and candies. It is heavily guarded - far more heavily than really seems to be justified. It is owned by Gerta Manifesk, the mother of three of the city magistrates and she takes advantage of this by issuing prominent warnings that any child who tries to steal from her can expect strict and severe justice from the law - but she is also known to have a soft spot for children in genuine need - the orphanage that just allows just outside the city was recently rebuilt at her expense.

G1 Eggler and Dairy
G2 Interpreter
G3 Goldsmith
G4 Lawyer
G5 Candlemaker
G6 Guild Hall – Guild of Sages and Scholars
G7 Lawyer
G8 Cartwright
G9 Greengrocer
G10 Armourer
G11 Furrier
G12 Linguist
G13 Silversmith
G14 Undertaker
G15 Distiller
G16 Tailor
G17 Armourer
G18 Weaponmaker
G19 Cobbler
G20 Church – Our Lady of Grace
G21 Taxidermist
G22 Engineer
G23 City and Guild Library
G24 Pawnshop
G25 Pieshop
G26 Silversmith
G27 Smith
G28 Dairy
G29 Latrina
G30 Woodcarver
G31 Glassblower
G32 Scholar
G33 Illuminator
G34 Sweetwater Bath House
G35 Lawyer
G36 Inn – The Dandy Lion
G37 Guild Hall – Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Glassblowers
G38 Scriptorium
G39 Goldsmith
G40 Guard House and Militia Barracks
G41 Confectioner
G42 Fortuneteller
G43 Jeweller
G44 Brothel
G45 Baker

Ward of Great Oak

Boundaries
North: Cutter's Lane
South: Arrowhead Fix
East The Highway
West: Dreadhollow Road

The Ward of Great Oak has seen better days - once a prosperous area, it is now mostly populated by the working classes. The Ward takes its name from a Great Oak tree that used to lie within its boundaries - today, the Great Stump as it is known, is still the height of a two storey building. It is often rumoured to be associated with the Faerie folk, but if that was once the case, there is little evidence of it today. Two Guilds - The Armoursmiths and Weaponsmiths, and the Master Bowers and Fletchers still have their Guild Halls in the wards, and many young journeymen in those crafts open their first shops in this ward. The best of them move on as they become Masters, but it remains a place to purchase relatively cheap and functional if unadorned weapons and armour.

The only Temple of the Old Faith in Ongus is located on Chicken Street and for that reason that street, Hound Street and Alis Lane, have become the centre of that small community within the city. The True Faith regards the Old Faith as ancestral to its own beliefs though they have not accepted the Martyrdom of Gatanedes as fulfilling the ancient promise of God - and though prejudice against these people exists, it is generally kept in check.

H1 Great Stump
H2 Guild Hall – Company of Armoursmiths and Weaponsmiths
H3 Armourer
H4 Dairy
H5 Guild Hall – Company of Master Bowers and Fletchers
H6 Swordsmith
H7 Smith
H8 Woodcarver and Carpenter
H9 Latrina
H10 Tapestry Maker
H11 Weaver
H12 Leatherworker
H13 General Merchant
H14 Wineshop
H15 Botanist
H16 Spice Merchant
H17 Temple – Old Faith The Old Faith is analagous to Judaism in the same way that the True Faith is analagous to Christianity
H18 Inn – Klavayn's Mug
H19 Church – St Bretwald's
H20 Armourer
H21 Cabinet Maker
H22 Engraver
H23 Coppersmith
H24 Ink and Paper Maker

Ward of Byway

Boundaries
North: Arrowhead Fix
South: Tucker Street
East The Highway
West: Dreadhollow Road

This ward has seen better days - the houses are old and beginning to show signs of dilapidation. The Worshipful Company of Inn and Tavern Keepers have their Guild Hall here, but the only other building on any real significance is the very new Church dedicated to the Sacred Mother of Peace. It has been erected on the site of a Monastery that was supressed a decade ago, following proven allegations of demon worship and necromancy (which lead to a number of executions), and many people have been quite astonished that the Church authorities have chosen to erect a new consecrated building on this site. The churchyard remains virtually empty, as nobody seems to want to be buried there. There are rumours of catacombs beneath the ward.

I1 Outfitter
I2 Dyer
I3 Leatherworker
I4 Guild Hall – Worshipful Company of Inn and Tavern Keepers
I5 Coppersmith
I6 General Merchant
I7 Cooper
I8 Fuller
I9 Latrina
I10 Church – Sacred Mother of Peace
I11 Cobbler
I12 Bath House
I13 Inn – The Swan
I14 Baker
I15 Ropemaker
I16 Engraver
I17 Spice Merchant
I18 Outfitter

Ward of Long Market

Boundaries
North: Cutter's Lane
East and Southwest Dreadhollow Road and Cross Street
West: Sallyforth

Longmarket was once the largest open space in the city - quite literally the long market place of the city. But over time more and more buildings encroached until today, the remaining market square only occupies a relatively small section of this ward. It is a working to middle class area - buildings tend to be of simple wooden and brick construction but relatively modern. The Monastery of the Sacred Mother in the care of the Blue Friars owns most of the housing within this ward, but sets rents relatively low. Traditionally the Monk's income came from the brewing of cider and a cider brewery they own still stands near the Monastery, although they now employ others to deal with the brewing. The Company of Clothiers, Tailors, and Fullers have their Guild Hall in this ward, and a significant number of guild members have their shops and homes within the ward. The Holy Tomb Church contains an ancient sarcophagus that is claimed to have been used to hold the body of saviour Gatanedes immediately after his matyrdom - the claim is generally accepted in Albion and other northern Kingdoms, although similar claims are made of a sarcophagus in a church in the mountains of Molasaria, and the Tamorian Church of the New Selentine Empire claims both of these are false, and that the saviour was never held in any sort of sarcophagi, but was simply wrapped in a simple shroud in their possession. It would flirt with heresy to suggest it, but a very well informed person might wonder at the similarity of the sarcophagus of the Holy Tomb and those found in the pyramid tombs of Zhenir. Of the inns and taverns of the city, The Crumpled Horn found in Longmarket has a specific reputation for being the best place to try spirits and wines drawn from foreign lands, if somebody has the money to pay for them. It even has a special dispensation from the King to import a dozen bottles of the otherwise forbidden Chaubrettan Brandy each year.

J1 Dairy
J2 Cider Brewery
J3 Veterinarian
J4 Bowyer and Fletcher
J5 Tapestry Maker
J6 Physician
J7 Baker
J8 Monastery of the Sacred Mother
J9 Latrina
J10 Spice Merchant
J11 Spice Merchant
J12 Carpet Maker
J13 Physician
J14 Inn – The Crumpled Horn
J15 Scriptorium
J16 Dyer
J17 Guild Hall – Company of Clothiers, Tailors, and Fullers
J18 Church – Holy Tomb
J19 Armourer
J20 Inn – The Crown
J21 Carpenter
J22 Inn – The Moon in the Water
J23 Rug and Blanket Maker
J24 Scriptorium
J25 Weaver
J26 Tattooist

Ward of Argent Hill

Boundaries
North: Cutter's Lane
South: Cardinal Road
East Sallyforth
West: Ropeturners Street and The Flush

The Ward of Argent Hill is a community of successful merchants and tradesmen of various sorts. Money lenders are found scattered throughout the ward, but these are not the normal pawn shops and loan sharks that offer their services to the poor and desperate but those who make the commerce of a major city possible. The small hill that gives the ward its name is still visible to those who look for it, surrounded by Silver Circle, and somebody familiar with fortifications would likely suspect that it may in fact be the mound of an ancient fortress that once sat on this site. Historians say that this fortress and silver mines near it were the earliest known settlements in this area, predating the city that the Selentines built.

The Worshipful Order of Saint Wythan, otherwise known as the Knights Capellar built their first Chapter House in Albion in this ward - and it has, so far, remained the only one in Ellesland. While they are respected by most, some worry at the presence of this new and powerful force in the City and the Kingdom. The Order is known to control great wealth and operates a true bank from the Chapter House. There are stories of great wealth within its wall, but though quite ornate in design it is quite obviously a fortress in its own right. It lies at the base of the hill, and the Knights Capellar are known to be interested in buying up all the real estate on the hill in order to build an greater building - this may be why their current Chapter House does not have the normal eight sided structure of their Chapels and Chapter Houses in other major cities - it may merely be intended to eventually be an outbuilding.

The Five Magi Inn and Tavern that is near the Chapter House is treated by the Capellars as their local haunt, but remains open to all. It is a high quality establishment more renowned for its food than its drinking or atmosphere. The other notable inn in Argent Hill is officially known as The Faithful Hound but most refer to it as The Dead Dog because of a story associated with its history. It has many dark corners and small tables that makes it a popular place for private meetings which require discretion.

The Church of Saint Deniol is often visited by people simply wanting to see the ornate gargoyles covering its walls. Many churches have a few such carvings, but Saint Deniol's takes it to extreme with grotesque and gruesome images that make many uncomfortable to see. This may be why its Churchyard is less full and more ordered than many in the city.

Emalee's Bath House is among the best quality of such establishments providing public baths and private within its walls, as well as a variety of other services.

K1 Weaponsmith
K2 Armourer
K3 Money-lender
K4 Coppersmith
K5 Stable
K6 Outfitter
K7 Bowyer and Fletcher
K8 Smith
K9 Weaponsmith
K10 Inn – The Faithful Hound Widely known as The Dead Dog
K11 Bowyer and Fletcher
K12 Weaver
K13 Baker
K14 Dairy
K15 Weaponsmith
K16 Potter
K17 Latrina
K18 Inn – The Five Magi
K19 Bowyer and Fletcher
K20 Lampmaker
K21 Physician
K22 Chapter House – Worshipful Order of St Wythan (The Knights Capellar)
K23 Monastery of St Leon
K24 Guild Hall – Brotherhood of Furniture and Cabinet Makers
K25 Emalee's Bath House
K26 Church – St Deniol's
K27 Veterinarian
K28 Veterinarian
K29 Weaponsmith
K30 Fishmonger
K31 Signpainter
K32 General Merchant
K33 Stable
K34 Glassblower
K35 Guard House and Militia Barracks
K36 Baker

Ward of Bridgewater

Boundaries
North: Wisdom Road
East and South: Ropeturners Street
West: The River

Various bridges have crossed the river here since at least time of the Selentine Empire, and this has shaped this ward. Many buildings serve as small warehouses for materials brought into the city over the bridge, and the last remnants of the city docks lie within this ward. The River Baths are the cheapest place in the city for people to bathe - indeed, bathing is free and a small charge is made only for those who wish to pay for the use of a towel. The baths are sex segregated but both the male and female sides are overseen by Sisters from the Order of Saint Ashanax who take the opportunity to assess the health of those they are watching and refer those they see as needing medical help to their convent in Groverest. The Princess of Braeburg inn tends to serve the small number of sailors who still bring ships upriver as far as Ongus to anchor in the river, or use the one dock that remains. It is known that the city authorities would like to extend the river dock and a recent fire that wiped out a slaughter yard near the bridge is regarded as suspicious by those who think that it would be convenient to the city authorities if this whole district was burned out. It is considered notable that the King himself joined efforts to fight that fire and containing it to a relatively small area.

The Worshipful Company of Barber Surgeons have their guild hall in this ward, and their proximity to the graveyard of the Church of Saint Calfanda's is the last resting place of those whose bodies are studied by the students of that guild. There are stories of unquiet dead associated with that graveyard, and of catacombs beneath it.

L1 Baker
L2 Cobbler
L3 Cheesemaker
L4 Guild Hall – Worshipful Company of Barber Surgeons
L5 Cooper
L6 Pawnshop
L7 Cobbler
L8 Latrina
L9 Fortuneteller
L10 Carpenter
L11 Lampmaker
L12 Cobbler
L13 Carpenter
L14 Carpenter
L15 Church – St Calfanda's
L16 Scriptorium
L17 Tailor
L18 Signpainter
L19 Cobbler
L20 Weaponsmith
L21 Carpenter
L22 Painter (Trade)
L23 Herbalist
L24 River Baths
L25 Pawnshop
L26 Dyer
L27 Carpenter
L28 Sharpener
L29 Painter (Trade)
L30 Inn – The Princess of Braeburg
L31 Barber
L32 Burntout Area

Ward of Docksides

Boundaries
North: Ropeturners Street
South: The City Wall
East The Flush
West: The River

The ward of Docksides used to be the docks and port of the City of Ongus, up until twenty years ago when a devastating fire destroyed most of its area in a single night. Silting in the river had made navigation increasingly difficult over the years so a decision was taken to build a new port for the city - Ongus Port - about five miles to the south and to redevelop Docksides. But so far no redevelopment has occurred. Instead it has become a slum area, almost a shanty town of crude cottages and unmade roads where the poorest of the poor makes their homes. There is relatively little crime in Docksides because people have very little to steal from each other, and there is a relatively strong community spirit. But the people do not much like outsiders.

The Three Shovels inn and tavern is the centre of the community for most people, and many small businesses are run out of small cottages, but the majority of residents of the ward work as labourers and similar in the city at large. in the southern end of the ward, there is an area unaffected by the fires which is dominated by the butchers trade. The Worshipful Company of Butchers and Poulters and the Company of Dyers and Ink Makers both have their Guild Hall there.

While no docks remain in Dockside, small sail boats and rowboats are pulled up along the shoreline at night and some people go out in them to fish or to participate in the transfer of smaller items between Ongus Port and the city during the day.


Detail of Slum Area - not to scale with other city maps

M1 Guild Hall – Company of Dyers and Ink Makers
M2 Herbalist
M3 Brothel
M4 Distiller
M5 Cobbler
M6 Cobbler
M7 Carpenter
M8 Painter (Trade)
M9 Pawnshop
M10 Guild Hall – Worshipful Company of Butchers and Poulters
M11 Fishmonger
M12 Carpenter
M13 Cheesemaker
M14 Cobbler
M15 Paper and Inkmaker
M16 Painter (Trade)
M17 Church – St Teres'
M18 Painter (Trade)
M19 Cobbler
M20 Fortuneteller
M21 Dyer
M22 Signpainter
M23 Cooper
M24 Cobbler
M25 Butcher
M26 Sausage Maker
M27 Butcher
M28 Carpenter
M29 Inn – The Three Shovels
M30 Butcher
M31 Latrina
M32 Barber
M33 Barber
M34 Butcher
M35 Poulterer
M36 Butcher
M37 Poulterer
M38 Baker
M39 Sharpener
M40 Potter
M41 Cheesemaker
M42 Signpainter
M43 Carpenter
M44 Fortuneteller
M45 Butcher

Ward of Southgate

Boundaries
North: Fairplay Road
Southwest and South: The City Wall
West: The Highway

The Ward of Southgate takes its name from the southern gate of the city that lies near its southwest corner. It is a working class community, with very little crime making it a popular place for merchants to set up their businesses.

The School of the Immaculate Saint Sandii is found in the northeast corner of the ward in the shadow of the City Walls. This is Ongus only high quality school for girls - there are a number of boys schools, but the idea that girls could benefit from a complete education is still considered novel by many. Saint Sandii's is utterly dedicated to the principles that girls can be just as well educated as boys and the school is run on very similar lines to the most successful boys' schools in the city. It has taken to sending some of its best girls to the University of Cantorbridge to demand admittance, so far with limited success (where it has happened, it has been made clear that an exception has been made, and no precedent is being set, but the 'exceptions' are growing each year. It is not the only unusual school in the district - a Dame School run by one Mistress Marta sits in the centre of the ward and is one place where bright but poor children have a reasonable chance of finding an education (see Friends or Foes, p38, for details of Mistress Marta). Directly opposite the Dame School stands Saint Lucart's Church - a singular establishment in Ongus.

Though it has all the features of a church and even provides services because it must, Saint Lucart's is actually the Ongus headquarters of the Crooked Rooks - the closest thing to a stereotypical 'Guild of Thieves' to exist in the city. The general response of citizens of Ongus to the suggestion that such a guild exists is 'stuff and nonsense'. Exact details of the Rooks are unclear, but the very well informed understand that their leaders take the names of gemstones, and that Southgate is so free of crime, because the rooks do not tolerate those who foul their own beds. The area between Saint Lucart's Church and the City Wall is the rookery, where honest men only go for good reason, and the city watch virtually never at all. The Church authorities are well aware that Saint Lucart's has never been consecrated but as it delivers more money in its weekly collection to the Cathedral than any of the official churches, they have done nothing about this.

The Fighting Cocks Inn has regular cockfights as befits its name and is one of the most violent taverns in Ongus, but many wealthy men travel to it for the sport.

N1 School - School of the Immaculate Saint Sandii
N2 Tailor
N3 Stable
N4 General Merchant
N5 Guard House and Militia Barracks
N6 Baker
N7 Cartographer
N8 Greengrocer
N9 Guild Hall – Worshipful Company of Carpenters, Cabinetmakers and Woodworkers-In-General
N10 General Merchant
N11 General Merchant
N12 Physician
N13 Scriptorium
N14 Leatherworker
N15 Lawyer
N16 Tavern – The Fighting Cocks
N17 Inn – The Frog Pond
N18 Horsetrader
N19 Stable
N20 Latrina
N21 Scriptorium
N22 Smith
N23 Scriptorium
N24 Baker
N25 Veterinarian
N26 School – Mistress Marta's Dame School
N27 The Rookery Headquarters of the Crooked Rooks in Ongus
N28 Church – St Lucart's
N29 Barber
N30 Inn – The Apple Tree
N31 Illuminator
N32 Horsetrader

Ward of Southside

Boundaries
North: Tucker Street
Southeast: Cardinal Road
Southwest Cross Street

A prosperous middle class community, Southside is largely residential. Some shops and businesses are run out of homes, but many from this district work elsewhere in the city.

The Monastery of Saint Ambrosius is renowned for the wines it sells - the order of which it is part maintains vineyards all over Chaubrette, Kurland and Algandy, and many monks from these nations spend time there. These monks tend towards zealotry and active opposition towards what they see as unnatural practices - including any practice of Magic, or any religion outside of the true faith. In Ongus where such things are tolerated by most, they are fairly circumspect but any practitioners of the arts should be careful around these monks.

The Worshipful Fellowship of Brewers, Vintners, Distillers and Cider Makers have their Guild Hall in this district.

Parkland next to Saint Fredara's Church has recently been designated for use as a cemetery. This is causing some controversy and complaint.

O1 Smith
O2 General Merchant
O3 Guildhall – Worshipful Fellowship of Brewers, Vintners, Distillers and Cider Makers
O4 Monastery of St Ambrosius
O5 Smith
O6 Smith
O7 Dairy
O8 Physician
O9 Smith
O10 Illuminator
O11 Stable
O12 Baker
O13 Scriptorium
O14 Coppersmith
O15 Cartwright
O16 General Merchant
O17 Smith
O18 Inn – The Bishop's Finger
O19 Spice Merchant
O20 Latrina
O21 Church – St Fredara's
O22 Leatherworker
O23 Herbalist

Ward of Piscally

Boundaries
North and Northeast: Cardinal Road
South: The City Wall
West The Flush

The Ward of Piscally is dominated by the Fish Market, the second largest open area within the city walls. It was once a southern appendix to the larger Longmarket before that square was almost totally built over early in the century. The Fish Market escaped such development, largely because it rests in a basin below the streets that surround it. It is always damp, and prone to flooding in any heavy weather. Debate rages among the City Council as to whether the Fish Market should be left as it is, redeveloped into a new general market for the city, which would probably require engineering works to raise its ground level, or even subdivided as Longmarket itself was into new streets with new buildings along them. No resolution has been reached so far after a quarter of a century of debate. And so the Fish Market remains as both a market for river fish brought downriver from the fresher waters to the north, and sea fish brought upriver from the coast, and as a more general market - general butchers are permitted to sell along the western edge of the market in exchange for large fees paid to the Fraternity of Fishmongers and Fisherfolk, while stalls selling many other cheap goods are permitted in exchange for smaller fees. Every few months, the City Militia erects a gallows in the centre of the market and executes a few felons there in order to try and discourage pickpockets and similar, while floggings of minor miscreants, while various forms of less severe physical punishment are administered within the square on a more than weekly basis - the only permanent pillories in the city are located around the southern edge of the market, and fish entrails are sold cheap for those who want to throw them at those pilloried (although the City Militia does regard it as their duty to protect such people from harm, and any physical attack on the pilloried can lead to a person being forced to replace their victim on display - and the owners of shops and houses facing the market often strongly object to misaimed fish guts).

Besides the Fish Market, the streets of the ward tend to be have homes occupied by solid working class families, and businesses catering to their needs.

P1 Fishmonger
P2 Undertaker
P3 Paper and Inkmaker
P4 Cheesemaker
P5 Cobbler
P6 Friary of St Heramik
P7 Dyer
P8 Potter
P9 Carpenter
P10 Tavern – The Grapes
P11 Cobbler
P12 Guild Hall – Fraternity of Fishmongers and Fisherfolk
P13 Fishmonger
P14 Undertaker
P15 Pawnshop
P16 Candlemaker
P17 Undertaker
P18 Physician
P19 Fishmonger
P20 Fishmonger
P21 Guild Hall – Worshipful Company of Tanners and Leatherworkers
P22 Fishmonger
P23 Fishmonger
P24 Lampmaker
P25 Fishmonger
P26 Fishmonger
P27 Fishmonger
P28 Church – St Pholus'
P29 Spinner
P30 Latrina
P31 Pawnshop
P32 Inn – The Bucket of Blood
P33 Candlemaker
P34 Cooper
P35 Carpenter

District of Castra

Boundaries
North and Northeast: Wisdom Road and The Highway
South: Cutter's Lane
West: Ropeturners Street


The district known as the Castra occupies a sizeable part of the city, larger than some of the wards, but is not a ward because it does not return any members to the City Council. The district has only a very small permanent population. It is only full on very rare occasions when the King raises an army to deal with some threat to Albion, or to send across the seas - an event that has occurred only twice in the last century. At that time, the Castra becomes the centre of the Army of Albion. In times of peace, only a few buildings are in use by a small city garrison and a few services - such as the pension office where those granted pensions in previous wars can collect their payment each week and a hospital for such pensioners.

The Castra's streets still follow the plan of the ancient Selentine city of Ongus, but the buildings are much younger. Even the arena at the centre of the Castra is less than a century old, replacing the Selentine structure that had decayed to dangerous levels. Any type of gladitorial games are banned from the arena despite several attempts over the years to revive such practices, but wrestling and boxing matches do occur quite regularly along with occasional sporting events of other types. It is also traditionally the place where any trials by combat within the city occur.

Q1 Garrison Commander's Home
Q2 Lawyer
Q3 Pension Office
Q4 Military Hospital
Q5 Physician
Q6 Inn – The Twelve Sided Dice
Q7 Tattooist
Q8 Arena
Q9 Weaponsmith
Q10 Church - The Chapel
Q11 Undertaker
Q12 Armourer
Q13 Cartographer
Q14 Smith
Q15 Bowyer and Fletcher
Q16 Latrina

Manor of Bishop's Privilege

Boundaries
North: Turnabout Road
South: Turnabout Road
East: The City Wall
Southwest Grace and Favour Street

While the area known as Bishop's Privilege lies within the walls of the city of Ongus, in a technical sense it is not part of the city, but is a Manor held by the incumbent Bishop of Ongus. A wall and a gate used to divide this area from the rest of the city, but most of it is gone, except for a few ruins amidst parkland that marks when part of the wall one stood. In many ways, Bishop's Privilege is integrated into the life of the city but there are a few exceptions. Most notable among this is that the fact that the Manor maintains its own small Militia Force which enforces law within the Manor's boundaries. The Bishop's Militia may pursue miscreants into the city proper, and the City Militia may do the same in reverse and both will come to each other's aid quite freely, but no normal beat or patrol crosses the boundary. Any arrest that occurs within Bishop's Privilege is supposed to be tried by an ecclesiastical court, but it is quite well known that the Bishop's Militia will carry most of those they arrest for minor crimes into the city before formally arresting them. The City Militia used to try the same trick until the Ecclesiastical Court began simply acquitting such people (Marshal Mancaster, the Commander of the City Militia is too concerned with justice to take this same response in reverse). Some among the City Authorities would like to end Bishop's Privileges independence, and have pointed to the presence of a Selentine latrina within the boundaries of the manor as proof that it should be treated as a ward but the power of the Church is too strong for any serious effort to be made unless a Bishop might be persuaded to agree.

The Bishop's Palace is the dominant building of the Manor. The Take Up the Cross will supply any man or woman who agrees to becoming a Crusader with free ale and spirits and lodging for a night - but any who then reneges on that promise can face retribution by a so far unidentified group that leaves them naked, tarred, and feathered, although not seriously harmed, in some public place within the city.

R1 Coppersmith
R2 Illuminator
R3 Cartwright
R4 Dairy
R5 Swordsmith
R6 Church – St Willard's By The Gate
R7 Baker
R8 Guild Hall – Brotherhood of Coopers
R9 Inn – Take Up The Cross
R10 Shipbuilder's Office
R11 Stable
R12 Lawyer
R13 Physician
R14 Bishop's Palace
R15 Spice Merchant
R16 Carpenter
R17 Inn – The Unready Scholar
R18 Ecclesiastical Supplies
R19 Ropemaker
R20 Smith
R21 Bakery
R22 Cheesemakers
R23 Latrina

Ongus Bridge

A bridge has crossed the river here for close to one thousand years, but the current bridge is less than ten years old. It was erected by the City Council and is paid for by rents paid on the identical three story buildings that line each side of the bridge. The bridge is owned by the city but is not officially part of it. Those resident on the bridge pay no city taxes and are not represented on the city council but are allowed to run businesses from there. City guilds have a responsibility to the orphaned children of their members, and to those who were orphaned while apprentices and it is reasonably common for the Guilds to pay the rent of a bridge shop and home for such an orphan for five years after they obtain journeymen status to give them time to build up a reputation and business capital in order to move into the city themselves or to set up elsewhere in Albion. This makes the bridge a good place to locate competent but relatively inexperienced and thus cheap tradesman and artisans. City law does not allow any business operating on the bridge to take on apprentices of their own, nor to hire workers from within the city without special dispensation.

The heads of executed criminals (those hung, drawn, and quartered or nobles executed by beheading) are traditionally placed on spikes mounted above the buildings at each end of the bridge and left there until they rot away.

Small boats can travel reasonably safely under the bridge but it prevents the passage of larger ships beyond this point.

S1 Cartographer
S2 Art Dealer
S3 Dairy
S4 Coppersmith
S5 Swimming Instructor
S6 Dyer
S7 Butcher
S8 Leatherworker
S9 Engineer
S10 Linguist (Language Teacher)
S11 Geologist
S12 Tavern – The Bridge Over Troubled Waters
S13 Tailor
S14 General Merchant
S15 Brothel
S16 Spice Merchant
S17 Bakery
S18 Cobbler
S19 Scriptorium

The Stink

The Stink lies immediately south of the southern city wall of Ongus, and it has earned its name because businesses that were considered too odourific to be allowed within the city wall have traditionally set up in this hilly area, particularly along the eastern bank of the river. The discharge from some of these into the river adds to the smell of the sewerage of the city that discharges through an outlet in this area. The normal tidal limit of the river is a few miles further south but at times of exceptionally high tides, this refuse can be pushed back into those parts of the river within the boundaries of the city wall. More recently, people have started to build cottages in this area on plots of land purchased from the city authorities who own this area as simple property and a wider variety of businesses are appearing. The people living in this area are considered residents of Ongus, but the city council has resisted their calls to be proclaimed a ward in their own right. The City Militia does not generally operate in this area, but crime is relatively unusual as the locals are very ready to respond to the hue and cry. The powerful Capstone Guild of stonemasons has chosen to set up its guild hall in this area, rather than be too beholden to the city authorities.

T1 Butcher
T2 Cooper
T3 Sharpener
T4 Butcher
T5 Sign Painter
T6 Fortuneteller
T7 Inn – The Lass in the Lane
T8 Dyer
T9 Stoneworker
T10 Stables
T11 Slaughteryard
T12 Sharpener
T13 Stables
T14 Orphanage
T15 Guild Hall – Capstone Guild
T16 Stables
T17 Perfumer
T18 Weaver
T19 Carpenter
T20 Watermill
T21 Brewery
T22 Tannery
T23 Slaughteryard
T24 Tannery
T25 Fishfarm
T26 Laundry
T27 Fuller
T28 Dyer

Freemarket

The areas across the bridge west of the city are not considered part of Ongus but their proximity means they have some impact on the life of the city. Until recently the area now called Freemarket was simply land held by the Order of Hadar - a group of men and woman who are convinced that a noble of that name who spent most of his fortune tending the sick and indigent in the areas across Albion for over thirty years until his death ten years ago will eventually be canonised. He had established a plague and leper hospital here and left what little remained of his money to his followers who have built a hostel which serves as a base for their work. They wear robes of simple wool and number both men and women among their numbers. They rarely enter the city except to travel through it, focusing their work on the poor and ill who lives in smaller communities They have recently allowed the setting up of market stalls on their land without charging any fees so that poorer people from nearby rural communities may have some place they can sell their wares to the people of the city. The City Council tolerates this but is not entirely happy about it.

U1 Market Office
U2 Seed Store
U3 General Merchant
U4 Hostel of the Order of Hadar
U5 Leper and Plague Hospital

Manor of St Jera's

The Manor of Saint Jera is a village held by a middle-aged Knight named Sir Colum Marshwood, as vassal to Lenas, Baron of Haxton, whose main demesne is in central Albion. There are many of these villages within twenty miles of Ongus, each owned by an absent lord, and held by a Knight on his behalf as Lord of the Manor, or in the control of a steward of some description - most of the powerful nobles have such a holding near the capital. Land not held in this way is generally either owned by the city of Ongus itself or remains crown land under the direct control of the King (although, again, he will have appointed a Lord of the Manor, or a Steward of some description). Smaller parcels are held by the Church, or by individual religious orders, and some land is even in truly private hands owned by a legal deed, purchased from its former feudal owners.

Saint Jera's, named for its church is simply the closest such manor to the city. It has a fortified manor house, an inn - The Old Regret and a recent addition, a theatre, The Bear Pit which shows entertainments - plays. Until recently most dramatic performances seen in Albion have been based on religious texts, or very occasionally Ancient Emphidian plays, but in recent years, new plays have started to be written and performed in open spaces or rooms hired in inns. Though relatively small, The Bear Pit is a purpose designed theatre - Sir Colum and his wife enjoy such entertainments, but the city authorities are not sure they want such establishments within the walls. Sir Colum sees a business opportunity here to rent his theatre to travelling players.

A few other businesses exist in the village, but the majority of residents are serfs who farm the nearby fields or fish the river, or trap in the forests to the west. They live in relatively comfortable conditions - any serf who flees to the city and lives within its walls for a year and day becomes free, and with the city in such close proximity, people really do need an incentive to stay. The typical villager here lives a better life than the working poor of the city.

V1 Church – St Jera's Without The Walls
V2 General Merchant
V3 Smith
V4 Theatre – The Bear Pit
V5 Manor House
V6 General Merchant
V7 Inn – The Old Regret

Holder's Creek

Holders Creek is both the name of a stream running into the river, and the name of an area immediately north of the city of Ongus, through its northern gate. It serves as the execution ground for the city. Almost every Boldursdae morning, felons are brought here from Oldfort in the city to be publicly hanged on the gallows that sit by the side of the road. Hundreds of people typically attend to watch the executions - sometimes thousands in the cases of somebody of serious notoriety. It is treated by many as a form of morbid entertainment but it is also considered to be a salutory lesson for the populace - including children - to see what happens to those who seriously violate the law. Rows of elevated benches are available for use by nobles in attendance, but the populace in general have to stand.

Felons of noble birth are generally beheaded here instead, and very occasionally an execution by hanging, drawing, and quartering on burning at the stake may be carried out here as well.

Bodies are typically left hanging until Tyrsdae at which point they may be claimed for burial by family members or friends in most cases - occasionally gibbeting at the gibbet outside the eastern or southern gates of the city is imposed as a specific part of a sentence. If not claimed by Torsdae the bodies are cut down and thrown into a common grave on the western side of the road here. When a grave is filled a new one is dug.

An inn, The Overlook is the only other structure in Holders Creek besides the bridge that crosses the creek here.
(Traditional execution ground for the City of Ongus).


W1Inn - The Overlook
W2The Gallows
W2Common graves

Monk's Reach

Across Albion, a considerable amount of land is held by the Church - either by the Church in general terms, or by individual Monasteries and Abbeys. Monk's Reach is simply the closest such area to the city of Ongus. The holding is small, surrounding the Monastery of Saint Jaden. Some orders of monks are primarily contemplative, but the Monks of Saint Jaden take their secular tasks almost as seriously as their religious requirements. The Monastery itself is covered in creeping, flowering vines, with beds of flowers planted around the land as well. Behind the Monastery is a grove of fruit trees. But all this is ancillary to the monk's true calling - the grove of trees is full of beehives and the main vocation of the monks is the collection of honey and the production of some of the best mead in all of Albion - which they market under the name of "Bee's Best."

The bees have a reputation for being unusually aggressive which is the main thing that keeps many of the children of Ongus from stealing fruit from these groves. The monks also make fruit preserves, and are known to have a good knowledge of the uses of many herbs, but this is all secondary to the making of mead.

A gibbet is located near the Monastery as a deterrent for those travelling towards the city from the south who might be tempted towards a criminal life in Ongus.

X1Monastery of Saint Jaden

Ongar-On-High

Ongar-on-High occupies higher ground about half a mile north on the city of Ongus. It is not part of the city (at least as far as locals are concerned - to those further afield, the city and all the areas around it are really seen as one), but as is it the centre of the King of Albion's Court, it exerts a considerable influence of the largest city in his Kingdom - and vice versa. The King generally only spends the winter months in Ongar-on-High, the rest of the year is spent travelling with a large entourage around southern Albion, but Ongar-On-High remains quite busy and crowded even when the King is absent - much of the administration of the Kingdom cannot readily be moved even if the King travels.

The centre and largest building in Ongar-On-High is The Tower - a mighty keep that dwarfs even the largest buildings within the city walls. It stands four floors tall and is an eminently defensible structure. It has never fallen and is regarded as one of the greatest fortresses in the modern world. It is the residence of the King and the Royal Family and also houses offices and apartments for many high officials of the court. Beside the Tower, there are many other large buildings - Thuland Hall is a smaller castle that is occupied on occasions when the King of Thuland visits Albion - a rare event today, but in centuries past, the two Kingdoms had relationships that required considerable personal diplomacy in order to avoid war. The is also a Guest House that can be used to house senior representatives of other foreign nations at times. The Kings School is a school, established by the crown for the education of the sons of nobles and the gentry who seek it out - only a small number of students from Ongus are permitted to attend it. A Royal Prison exists to hold prisoners of noble birth, or of personal interest to the crown. A boathouse by the river houses the Royal Barges which the King can use to travel the river past the city - the King requires the formal permission of the Lord Mayor to enter Ongus by any of the gates, but does not technically require permission to enter via the river.

The Royal Crypt houses the remains of deceased members of the Royal Family, although Kings themselves are generally buried in the crypts underneath the Cathedral.

Z1 School - The King's School
Z2 Guest House
Z3 Thuland Hall
Z4 Royal Prison
Z5 The Chapel Royal
Z6 The Exchequer
Z7 The Treasury
Z8 The Tower
Z9 Banqueting House
Z10 The Royal Crypt
Z11 The Royal Mint
Z12 The Dowager House
Z13 Royal Dock



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