Capital of Volhowe
Volhowe's capital Altenmark is (according to tradition) the oldest city on Mereval. Certainly it looks it, with faded stone bearing faintly readable inscriptions in archaic Qhalur.
The city is built into the side of Mt Lyrgann, with the Tirlum - the royal palace of King Ethilend - at the top, and the rest of the city's buildings descending the slopes as their inhabitants descend in importance.
The Upper City, bisected by the Bucor Spur, occupies a flat area under the cliff bearing the Tirlum. All themost important buildings in the city are here, and the residences of the most well-to-do. A wall surrounds the edge of the plateau, marking the division between the Upper and Middle city.
The Middle city is where most of the merchant classes live, and the more respectable craftsmen have their businesses. Unlike the Upper and Lower cities, the Middle slopes quite steeply, forming a downward tumble into poverty or a tough climb to fortune depending on one's perspective. The angle of the streets forms a constant sharp reminder to the middle classes of what they might achieve and what awaits if they fail.
At the bottom is the Lower City. To the west is the Trade District, where the more day-to-day business of commerce goes on; four major marketplaces make this a lively place. As one goes east, however, the districts deteriorate, and are collectively known as Downside.
The eastern end of the Lower City is where the dregs end up, in the dangerous and hard-bitten district called the Slighted. Those unable to survive the deadly harshness of life there drift further east, outside the walls, to the beggars' shanty of Eastwall.
Jutting out of the slopes between the Upper City and the Tirlum, the single finger-like tower of the Academy Tarasmor occupies an ambivalent position in the city's hierarchy. A school of magic and learning, very selective about its' trainees, it adds an aura of mystery to the mountainside.
Rumours persist of limitless tunnels under the city, with some source of dark and ancient power hidden within.