The Renovation of Duskendale

[Xion]

Lady Darkyn looks at a map of Duskendale in it's present form. The small city has once again become a nexus of trade with local Crownlands merchants, those from the other realms, and even some Essosi ones sailing into the harbor which has a slight appeal over King's Landing, the rock formations to the north and south of the city form a natural barrier against the storms of the Narrow Sea. The districts once nearly destroyed by the great fire nearly a decade ago have mostly been rebuilt, some still bearing the scars of the fire on buildings that were not completely destroyed. She runs a finger along the outline of the wall, which has been recently reinforced with several new towers in case the city was to be besieged in the recently conflict.

Elizabel then reaches for a quill, drawing several lines on the map. "Duskendale is no longer a mere port town that would receive only the overflow of merchants from the capital or local Crownlanders, but a major port in it's own right. The city should reflect that..and this could be a opportunity to reduce the risk of having a massive fire again.." she muses aloud while drawing a circle around some of the docks and writing a note in regards to transforming them into a military district solely for her fleet, which presently occupies at least a quarter of the docks, or form a separate dockyard for the fleet allowing the main port to be solely commercial in purpose. She then raises the quill from the map, moving it over to the Dun Fort. A fortress that has stood for potentially thousands of years, the seat from which her ancestors ruled as kings of the Northern Crownlands before the Storm Kings conquered them. Since then, the fortress has slowly decayed into it's present form, a hollow shell of it's former splendor. She writes down several notes regarding the Dun Fort, along with marking two Xs on the paper for locations of one of the improvements. She continues to analyze the city and note some changed before finally placing the quill aside and looking at her work.

She thinks over the work for some time, reading a report about trade as she does. "A source of stone will be required for the construction of the guild houses and improvements to the Dun Fort. Perhaps a trade route to the Vale could be plausible if I lower taxation on merchants for a period of time, drawing more into Duskendale to avoid the higher tariffs of the capital. Timber..we already have some of that from the North along with furs so the stockpiles of that in my son's lordship will suffice." She gets up from the desk and goes over to a shelf, eventually finding what she was looking for and unfurling it over the smaller map of Duskendale. "Lyseni and other Essosi builders or artisans would be rather expensive to hire, maybe the guilds could form an agreement with those of the other cities of Westeros to get craftsmen and artisans to come and work on the projects." Elizabel then taps a finger on the location of Gulltown, Lannisport, Oldtown, White Harbor, and King's Landing. "Or I could send the craftsmen of Duskendale and Rhae to learn from the other major cities and bring their findings back to Duskendale. Which may result in other agreements being forged as well." Darklyn then rolls up the maps and begins writing a request for the guildmasters of Duskendale to begin preparations for a extensive project. "If they refuse, I shall find others to do it..and adjust my plans accordingly to account for their actions.." she thinks as she writes..

[Oznerol]

A large carrack arrives to Duskendale's harbor, "The Gallant Bard". The ship has gold and black sails, its prow decorated by a roaring dragon with a chalice in its right claw, the flags bear Brightfyre's heraldry, a roaring golden dragon, breathing fire on a sable field, surrounded by black roses and holding a silver chalice. The ship desk is burstling with activity; Pentoshi mariners and sailors, with dyed beards manage the ship, presumptuous Tyroshi and Myrish traders walk up and down, wearing colorful robes. Stern and armored Westerosi, a few knights even, protect the carrack.

From the lavish aft castle appears a young man, handsome and thin, delicate, with lavish robes in a mix of Pentoshi and Westerosi fashion, his hair and small beard trimmed in the Essosi fashion. He's clearly the one in command of the ship and the crew.

Soon the harbor of Duskendale is flooded with exotic products; golden wood from the Summer Islands, scents from Asshai and Qarth, pelts from Ibben, rich embroidered silks from Myr, dark velvet cloaks in the Braavosi fashion, bronze armors from New Ghis, fearsome sculptures from Mereen (harpies and other monstrosities), dyes from Pentos... With the ship also came the agents of the Singing Dragon Trading Company, most of them Pentoshi and Braavosi.

[Xion]

A large carrack arrives to Duskendale's harbor, "The Gallant Bard". The ship has gold and black sails, its prow decorated by a roaring dragon with a chalice in its right claw, the flags bear Brightfyre's heraldry, a roaring golden dragon, breathing fire on a sable field, surrounded by black roses and holding a silver chalice. The ship desk is burstling with activity; Pentoshi mariners and sailors, with dyed beards manage the ship, presumptuous Tyroshi and Myrish traders walk up and down, wearing colorful robes. Stern and armored Westerosi, a few knights even, protect the carrack.

From the lavish aft castle appears a young man, handsome and thin, delicate, with lavish robes in a mix of Pentoshi and Westerosi fashion, his hair and small beard trimmed in the Essosi fashion. He's clearly the one in command of the ship and the crew.

Soon the harbor of Duskendale is flooded with exotic products; golden wood from the Summer Islands, scents from Asshai and Qarth, pelts from Ibben, rich embroidered silks from Myr, dark velvet cloaks in the Braavosi fashion, bronze armors from New Ghis, fearsome sculptures from Mereen (harpies and other monstrosities), dyes from Pentos... With the ship also came the agents of the Singing Dragon Trading Company, most of them Pentoshi and Braavosi.

The scene at the docks of Duskendale is one similar to any other port, merchants unloading their wares as black-longcoat wearing officials make their way around to inspect the cargo and deal with any tariffs the merchants have to pay, dockworkers lugging around various items, fishmongers raving about their catch while fishermen come and go, or can be see unloading their catch, after which men can be seen arguing over the price of fish. Ships flying the banner of multiple Crownlands lords and merchant companies, the guilds of Lannisport, Oldtown, and a few Stormlander ships make up the majority of the vessels present that do not call Duskendale their home port, but a decent portion of Essosi vessels are present as well.

What is unusual, is the large number of construction supplies being brought into the city by the dockworkers, several wagons laden with hardwoods from the North make their way through the crowds are visible to those aboard the Singing Dragon once it docks. Many artisans and craftsmen, having agreed to the request of Lady Darklyn, make their way through the hectic activity as well, sometimes with a sable-cloaked watchmen escort to begin setting up supports for later construction,demolition, or simply analyzing the area to find the most effective location for the foundation of a building. At the end of the port near the Dun Fort, a group of knights escorting several figures mill about while their charges discuss something to do with the docks in front of them.
--
"I understand mother. I shall head for the Vale at once." Rhae bows and leaves her mother's solar. Being the chief diplomat of Duskendale, it falls to her to acquire Vale stone for the construction to bolster the amount of local limestone being mined out from the mines of the Dusk Coast and what is brought in by the merchants. Along with allowing the construction to use some rarer types of stone found only in the Vale, such as what Highgarden was made from. She makes her way to the stables, and then rides out of the southern gate with a small escort before heading north.

[Xion]

While the foundation for much of the construction is being put in place by the craftsmen and artisans under the supervision of the respective guilds of Duskendale, and the warehouses filled with the plethora of supplies that had been brought into the city earlier in the year, Lady Darklyn begins another part of the renovations..

"Ser Darke." "Yes, my lady?" "As you have served as my Lord Commander of what passes for the City Watch for over two decades, I would like to hear your opinion on what the Watch should be turned into." Darke nods, taking a breath before beginning. "The City Watch as of now is suitable for patrols but it may require additional archers or crossbowmen along with heavier troops to effectively defend Duskendale should brigands appear. Or if there is skirmishes between guilds, criminals...and other parties. As of right now, we can deal with these skirmishes but not as effectively compared to other city watches due to most of the watchmen being part-time militiamen." "So you suggest reforming the Watch as a professional force or at least equipping it to be equal to a professional force." "Yes, my lady. With several barracks re-established along with the old headquarters building that was damaged in the fire, I can begin training the men if the equipment is available." Darklyn looks over a report on her desk, then nods. "There is a surplus of armor from Duskendale's trade with Storm's End that can be turned to this purpose."

"Thank you, my lady." Darke bows. "Is there anything else I can provide my opinion on?" "A single armory or several spread across the city located at the larger watch barracks. These will be used for the levy and watch." "I would suggest the several armories, my lady. So the watch is not reliant on the central armory in the headquarters building." Darklyn nods. "Thank you Ser Darke, that will be all for now." The old retainer bows and leaves, heading back to the Watch barracks to begin preparations for a training exercise for a test group of Watchmen.
--
At the harbor, timber imported from the North into Edgerton and then transported to Duskendale is used to begin construction on a new section of the docks, a small army of laborers recruited to clear some debris thrown there from the fire, rocks, and anything else that would impede construction. Two men oversee the process, the expansion of the docks which originally was intended to be a easy process has turned into one of the more challenging, the army of laborers having spent the past three months working at clearing the construction site, the remaining snow from the winter finally gone along with most of the rocks. The foundation for the first few docks is in being put in place, diverting most of the laborers and craftsmen to that while the rest continue clearing the rest of the site.

[Xion]

As the ships from Gulltown carrying various types of stone begin to arrive regularly, along with a few other merchants from Gulltown taking advantage of their lord's route with Duskendale to try and sell stone and other wares as well, the construction of multiple buildings begins in earnest. At the docks, the army of laborers have moved on from clearing the build site to actually building the docks, dockyard, and a fortified wall and gate that will be patrolled by some watchmen. The Arsenal of Duskendale is located at the southern edge of the port, with the walls and towers of the Dun Fort looming overheard on the hill the fortress was built on. The Arsenal's dockyards and equipped with armories and a forge to have most if not all the required laborers for ship production working in a secure location. A later expansion may see a path made from the Arsenal up to the Dun Fort and barracks being made to allow soldiers to be present to defend the Arsenal if it was ever assailed by a foe.

Across Duskendale, several teams of laborers and craftsmen being construction at mostly the barracks of the City Watch, but a few have been built elsewhere. At the barracks, several watchmen not on duty or training help with the construction of the armories. Being built onto the barracks or small keep/fortified building if present with a a door leading into the other building, the armories when completed will be stocked with quality armor from the Stormlands, locally produced armors and weapons, and the occasional import from Essos, such as Tyroshi armor, a Myrish crossbow, or Braavosi sword that may have been purchased from a merchant by an officer of the Watch. The armories are intended to serve two purposes, which is the reason most of them when completed will have a wall dividing the armory. To serve as storage for the weapons and armor of the City Watch, and surplus weapons or armor for the levy of Duskendale. Those not built at a Watch barracks are solely for the levy, and basic fortification is built at them along with quarters for at most four men to defend the armor and maintain the equipment. At the Headquarters of the Watch, their small keep is improved to accommodate a larger armory for similar purposes as those being built at the barracks.

At the Dun Fort, white stone from the Vale is placed to begin the construction on one of the additional buildings to the main keep, intended to serve as the center of the court while the Keep is the military nexus of the Dun Fort, with new armories and barracks replacing guest quarters and servant's quarters. A second new building is an additional barracks, built along the wall on the opposite side of the original barracks and stables. The construction is overseen by Lady Darklyn and Ser Darkwood until Darklyn's daughter returns from Gulltown. After a discussion, the Lady and her daughter leave via ship with a small retinue and some officers of the Watch, leaving Ser Darkwood and Gareth Darklyn to oversee the construction until their return. A doubled guard is stationed at the gates for the time being, with Darkwood ordering the gate not to be opened without his or Ser Darklyn's permission until the Lady's return. The laborers and craftsmen working on the Dun Fort are drawn from the Guilds of Duskendale or were hired experts from Westeros or Essos for this project. Several wagons full of exotic materials linger near the stables, the additional materials being prepared for the new Great Hall, solar, and quarters of House Darklyn.

Along with these three main projects of the Renovation, multiple smaller ones are ongoing as well. Several sections of the city still bearing damage from the great fire of a decade ago are being worked on replacing buildings and reorganizing the section to lower the risk of fire again. Roads are being repaired and replaced with fresh rocks mined in the Vale, Westerlands, or from the local limestone mines.

[Xion]

Having returned to Duskendale after the trip to Oldtown, which in her mind was relatively successful, Lady Darklyn looks around the docks, noting with approval the new structures. She then turns to look at the Dun Fort, the partial construction of the additional buildings visible over the wall ringing the fort, one of the buildings rivaling the keep in height. Slightly below that, and attached to the port is the new military port and dockyard for Duskendale. A fortified wall that has workers still on it masks the port from view. She then moves to the main Sept of Duskendale, where the Septon is watching the construction of his new house of worship complete. What is not known to Lady Darklyn is the weeks of him complaining to Ser Darkwood while she was gone over the "defilement" of the Sept by some of the builders after an accident during the initial phases of the construction damaged a relic. The Septon turns to Lady Darklyn and her escort, then bows. "I see construction of the sept is progressing well, Septon Brandon." "Yes, Lady Darklyn. After a few earlier mishaps..the Smith has surely blessed the workers and soon the people of Duskendale will be able to pray to the Seven from here once again." She nods in response, watching a stained glass window brought over from Myr along with the windows for her new solar is being installed by two Myrmen and a handful of Crownlanders, a third Myrmen shouting orders at the group to which one of the other Myrmen has to translate for the Crownlanders.

After remaining to talk to the Septon about some other matters, Elizabel makes her way to the Dun Fort, observing the large amount of construction still ongoing as she does, and seeing some of the completed buildings. Most of the smaller projects, such as the armories, some new houses and renovations to one of the market squares have been completed, while the larger ones are in varying degrees of completion. Reaching the Dun Fort, she witnesses the chaotic scene that her seat has become during the construction. Knights and soldiers stand watch as a army of laborers move wood, stone, and other supplies to and from construction sites, the overseers arguing over a portion of the design, and servants or courtiers cleaning up debris or moving furniture, artwork, weapons, and more out of one building and into another.

"My lady." "Ser Darkwood."She gestures for him and the other retainers to rise. "Is the old keep's Great Hall still usable as it would appear the new one is still incomplete." "Yes, my lady. The builders ran into some difficultly with the foundation of the new one, but they believe it should be done within a fortnight. Your new Solar will be done by the end of the week." Elizabel nods. "Divert supplies from the other projects so the Dun Fort may be completed with all haste." "Yes, my lady." Ser Darkwood leaves to carry out her order, while she observes the construction for a while. "Perhaps finally Duskendale will reclaim it's rightful position as the main port of the Crownlands that the capital took from it." she quietly muses to herself as she makes her way to the old throne of the Darklyns, waiting to hear multiple petitioners and reports on the construction progress along with giving her opinion on which projects besides the Dun Fort to prioritize, or deal with problems that have arisen.
--
After returning from Oldtown, the command of the City Watch sit down in the headquarters of the Watch for hours to discuss the division of Duskendale into sections. The result, partially a compromise is five sections with a sixth section for the reserve based at the headquarters. The port and surrounding districts, each of the three gates and surrounding parts of the city, and the center of the city divided between the reserve squadron and the fifth squadron. Out of the roughly 1,600 men who comprise the watch now, including the part-time militia paid for by Lady Darklyn to bolster the watch after the original watch was nearly destroyed in the Spring Sickness, each squadron would consist of around two hundred and fifty men, while the reserve has an additional hundred. Over half of these men would remain similar to the current watch, with spears, maces, and a shield. The difference would be their armor being brigandine instead of the boiled leather they have now. Two select groups however would be trained to be specialized groups of Watchmen. The first one would be equal to a heavy footmen, equipped with quality Stormlands armor imported from Storm's End, a halberd or spear with a tower shield, and a mace. The second would be crossbowmen, selected after an additional meeting due to the weapon being easier to train a man to use effectively than a bow. These watchmen would have a mace, a small buckler shield, and brigandine armor.

Selection for these groups would take at least two weeks, the officers appointed to each section subjecting their men who wish to attempt to be part of one of these forces to a series of tests along with observing them during drills and training. Once a section of the watch have made their selection, a wagon of quality armor, new weapons, and crossbows is brought to the ranking officer's barracks or fortified watchpost to distribute to the men and begin their advanced training. At the training grounds of the stone keep, Lord Commander Darke watches both groups train with Ser Darkwood and Lady Darklyn. "As you can see, my lady, the training appears to be going well. By the end of the year they should be ready.""We shall see, Ser Darke." Elizabel states in reply, a degree of uncertainty present in her tone as she watches some men fail to hit the mark or show apparent difficult moving in the heavier armor.