Narn Aran

Narn Aran is an Olgish city on the banks of the Brethan in western Belkondíl.

Etymology

Narn Aran means ‘red crossroads’ in Olgish. The name refers to the dividing of roads to the west of the city and presumably either the colour of the purple and yellow heather common in the area (Olg. narn can refer to any colour not blue or green, see also Olgish Colour Terms), or the rocks hemming this section of the Brethan, which are rich in haematite and of a light reddish colour.

History

The origins of the city date to the prehistory of Belkondíl. It was most likely founded during the first period of Olgish expansion in the late third millennium B.E.B., presumably as a Brethanian fort overlooking the upper Brethan. No evidence remains of this time, but it can be assumed that the settlement grew fast, profiting from its strategic situation at the crossroads of eastern and western Belkondíl. By the fourth century E.B., it had become an important trading post and was noted for levying tolls from all merchants crossing the Brethan and wielding significant power over the trans-Belkondilian trade of the era.

Initially a close ally of the Lécaronian Emperors, who granted the city extraordinary commerce and tax privileges, Narn Aran was almost completely destroyed at the end of Hémira’s Rebellion of 1487 E.B., when countess Hémira of Orinion, after a failed campaign against Talis and Soskilón, rallied her scattered troops in the city and refused -- founded pre-history, probably in Olgish expansion era -- originally brethanian fort, but no record survives -- important trading post since at least the 4th century E.B. -- Fully destroyed in a rebellion in the 15th century -- Thereafter rebuilt and briefly capital of Orinion before it becomes a Lécaronian appanage (> Molbewín)

Geography

The city is located in the county of Orinion, on the western bank of the River Brethan, where the three branches of the Niom III Aran meet, respectively hailing from Eres, Talis, and the Olgish Highlands. Surrounded mostly by the unfertile moorland of western Belkondíl, Narn Aran nonetheless finds itself in a strategically important position, overlooking the Fields of the Brethan and the river’s only convenient crossing point south of the Lemmi-Dirith.

Layout and Architecture

Narn Aran is noted for the tight layout it received during the city's reconstruction under Mendúrin II 1488–1494 E.B., comprising of two concentric circles of fortifications, the inner containing the majority of the city and a donjon as citadel in its centre. A limited number of workshops and depots are located between the inner and outer ring, but by baronial decree the space outside of the outer ring has to be kept free and unobstructed at all times. The walls are built from cobbled Highland granite, making Narn Aran one of only two Belkondilian cities, alongside Lágon, which are fully fortified in stone. Its eastern bridge is the only major dry crossing of the Brethan.