City of Valeford

Valeford, the Ordo's motherhouse

From the high road, you first see the blue and white banners atop the towers, then the whole castle sitting on the water, and only afterward the thatched roofs crowding at its feet. Valeford is the capital of the Horth duchy (the family that rules these lands) and the seat of the Ordo Aurorae (a religious and military order devoted to light, which hunts necromancers). The griffin is everywhere: on the gates, on the seals, above the ducal motto, sigillum ducale sub luna regimus (under the moon we rule).
Since old Duke Charles died three years ago, his son Caelwinn has held the city. He is often seen in the streets, generous and far too familiar for his rank, followed by an elite guard it is pointless to question: they do not answer, on the orders of Wulfgard, the guard commander. At the castle, the steward Syvalde catches whatever the young duke lets slip. The streets and gates belong to the men-at-arms; each group answers to a sergeant, and the castle's orders pass through him.
On the market square, the Ordo's temple raises its two towers of pale stone and its great golden sun. Its paladins are everywhere in town: the Order's highest ranks sit here, and part of the nobility pays for their protection.