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Non Fiction / Northfort Travel Guide
« on: August 28, 2017, 01:05:45 PM »
Northfort is the capital of East Moreland and it's largest city. It currently has a population of just under 1million people. Northfort is best known for being the seat of the Royal family and as such features many landmarks associated with Royalty. The city is a mixture of classical medieval architecture with more modern styles interlaced throughout. The city is also considered very "Green" both in terms of its environmental policies and the large number of parks, many dubbed "Royal" parks but now open to the public.
UNDERSTAND
HISTORY
Occupying the central space of the Kingdom the small town of Northfort controlled several key river crossings and as such the town became strategically important in the fight between King Robert I and his brother Niall. Once the war was over in the 7th Century the town became heavily fortified and began to grow into a larger settlement. In the 9th Century the limits of the town where surrounded by a large stone wall, this is still visible in some areas and forms a very popular tourist area known as the Medieval City.
The City though did not become the capital of East Moreland until 1180 when King Hugh (often referred to as Hugh of the White Horse) moved the capital to the city from Keepton. The city began to rapidly grow as Hugh encouraged trade with other nations. With the River Jennas being navigable by the larger ships of the day a variety of traders from around Mundus began setting up shop here which gave the city a rather cosmopolitan feel.
In the 14th Century however East Moreland began to follow a policy of isolationism. This saw the city grow in isolation from the rest of the world up until the 20th Century when King Sven I began opening East Moreland's doors to the outside world. This has seen renewed interest in the city from abroad and over the last two decades the city has again grown and become once more a cosmopolitan city.
PEOPLE
The citizens of Northfort are often referred to by the rest of East Moreland as Forters. The city tends to have a rather younger population with around 65% of citizens being under the age of 50. This is mainly because of the cultural norm of many retired people to move to the coast or the Alps where life tends to be at a slow pace. The city is home to people from a number of nationalities and there is seldom any tension between those from East Moreland and those elsewhere. Around 80% of the cities population are originally from East Moreland.
TALK
Like the rest of East Moreland speaking Morelandish is the norm, this is however a recent development and English is still widely known. Since the coronation of King David III in 2010 however Morelandish has become a part of lessons in school so it is not uncommon to hear this language as it appears to be making a come back. Learning a foreign language is compulsory at school between the ages of 7-15 with most schools choosing either German, French or Spanish.
ECONOMY
The main business of Northfort is that of government. As such the majority of people working in Northfort tend to be in jobs connected to the day to day running to the Kingdom. Beside that you can find the headquarters of the majority of East Moreland's biggest companies in the city. Since ending isolationism the city has also seen a big increase in tourism and education with many foreign students, especially from Cultural Exchange Treaty Organisation member states attending classes in Northfort. The average income of a "Forter" is thought to be around US$46,000.
ORIENTATION
The city has no regular street plan, being built along medieval lines means the city has many twisting streets and once off the main road these can be quiet narrow, so much in fact that in the Medieval City a strict one way system is enforced for all vehicles. It is recommended a visitor buy a good map, however all major sites are signposted. The city boasts an excellent public transport network however rather than use compass directions for direction of travel final destinations are used so it is best to familiarise yourself with a transit map.
GETTING IN
People travelling with a passport of a treaty nation need no visa to enter East Moreland. Those travelling from outside of East Moreland need to first obtain a visa. These are for casual tourists very easy to get and are completed online up to 48hours before travelling. You will usually be granted a tourist visa as long as you have a return ticket, plan to stay for less then 6 months, have no criminal history and your passport is valid for 6 months from the date of your return.
If you are travelling for business you will need a business visa. These are often easily obtainable through the East Moreland Department of Trade and Industry. The conditions are the same as for the tourist visa but in addition you must have proof of intent to do business with a company based in East Moreland.
Students can obtain visas by proving they have an offer of a place in principle at an East Moreland institute of education and that they can fund their studies. Student Visas are valid for 6 months beyond the completion date of the course and also entitle the student to work 20 hours a week. Since the formation of CETO these visas have become increasingly easy to get.
The final category is a work visa. This is given to people who have passed an interview at the embassy in their home nation and have proved that they have a good command of English, skills considered "necessary" in East Moreland and are of good character. In the first instance the visa is valid for 12 months once you are offered a job, this is reviewed after 12 months and is then often extended for 5 years.
The best way to get to East Moreland is by plane. Northfort is served by two airports. King Robert Airport (KAR) is situated around 5km north of the city and handles most international flights. Meanwhile Northfort Karinya Airport (NKA) is 5km to the south of the city and deals with flights mainly from within the continent of Alba Karinya. Public transport links from the airports to the city are excellent. Both have regular bus services that terminate at the Central Bus Station. A overland tram route exists between NKA and the city centre, while both tram and U-Train (Name for local underground services) runs regularly between the airport and the central stations. Taxi's are readily available, however in recent months a growing group of illegal mini-cabs have tried operating from the airports. It is recommended that you take only a licenced taxi which will be displaying a Red illuminated sign on its roof. They will also have a taxi-meter which they should use for all journeys.
An alternative way to get to Northfort is to arrive at Portworth and take a River Cruise to Northfort, many tour operators run this trip which generally takes four days with stops along the way to allow sight seeing.
GETTING AROUND
Northfort is too large to walk around and see all the sights. It is recommended to make use of the public transport system which is extensive and cheap. Should you be staying in a hotel within city limits for 3 nights or more ask about the "Tourist Token", this is a card given to tourists which allows free use of public transport within city limits, however you may be asked to show your hotel reservation so keep this on you in case challenged by ticket inspectors.
Northfort's public transport system is served by four methods, Bus, Tram, U-Train and O-Train. Buses run frequently and are relatively cheap, you can buy a ticket for all day travel for around US$3. Tickets are brought either from a machine at the bus stop or from the driver once you board the bus. The Trams run 24 hours a day along what is best described as an eight spoke wheel. This makes transit very simple as long as you know the terminating station. Trams are described by locals as "Outs" and "Rounds". An "Out" is a tram that just goes back and forth along one of the spokes, while a "Round" circles the city in a ring. By taking a combination of "Outs" and "Rounds" it is possible to get very close to all major sites. Tram tickets are a standard price of US$2 for a single journey but multiple journey tickets can be brought and tend to work out cheaper. The U-Train is the name given to the cities subway system. It can be awkward to navigate at first as the system uses terminal stations to indicate direction of travel. Tickets must be brought prior to boarding a train but can be used on both the U and O Trains.
Northfort is generally a very bike friendly city although the roads leading to the Royal Palace tend to be quiet steep and will seriously test your leg muscles. Most hotels have bikes that can be rented very cheaply by tourists and a host of Bike Rental stores exist. All provide padlocks to secure your bike and racks are found at most public buildings and attractions. More recently Segway's have become more common but are expected to remain within bike lanes.
SEE
Tourists should be aware of a scheme called the City Culture Scheme (CCS). This is a ticket you can buy for US$15 per person and gives discounts on entry fees and is also accepted in some restaurants and bars. They are available from all Tourist Information centres and many hotels.
MUSEUMS
Northfort is home to over 100 museums. These range from the giant Royal Museum which chronicles the history of the Royal family to the single room Museum of Egg Cups, which houses a collection of over 10,000 Egg Cups collected by a single person between 1922 and 1978. Museums fall into two categories, Public and Private. Public Museums are those operated by the government directly and these are free to enter, it is customary though to make a donation or buy a guide, these are usually around $US5. Private Museums are owned and operated by either private businesses or more often educational institutes, these are not free to enter but you should expect to never pay more than US$8 per adult. Many Private Museums are part of the City Culture Scheme and discounts can often be had.
The most visited museums are as follows;
The Royal Museum - located at the bottom end of Embassy Street the Royal Museum houses many artefacts of national importance. It chronicles the history of the monarchy of East Moreland from the time of King Robert I to modern day. The oldest artefact is houses is a decree from King Robert I establishing East Moreland while the most modern artefact is the sword used to coronate King David III. You should put aside a half day to see everything. The displays are arranged chronologically and many feature child friendly interactive elements.
The Military Museum - located on Canal Road the museum is owned and operated by the Veterans Trust and as such charges US$8 per adult but is a member of the CCS. The museum contains displays of the weapons and armours used by the East Moreland military from the 10th Century until modern day. The museum is very popular with younger people as it features many opportunities to try simulators, attend demonstrations and immerse yourself in East Moreland's rich military heritage. You should put aside half a day for this museum.
Museum of the Sword - One of the cities smaller museums it reflects the importance of the sword in East Moreland culture. The museum is privately operated but costs just US$4 to enter, it is a member of the CCS but only gives discount to children under 16, who get free entry. The museum is centred around a fully functioning blacksmith who still makes swords for use today. The museum houses collections of swords found throughout the Kingdom as well as those made for special occasions.
ART GALLERIES
The city is home to a number of classical and modern art galleries. Like with the museums of the city they are both Public and Privately owned. Public galleries are always free while Private ones will charge, not all are members of the CCS
David III Gallery Owned by the King this is technically a Private gallery however it is free to enter. Located towards the middle of Embassy Street the Gallery houses King David III own private collection of art work. It is well known that the King is an avid collector of Chinese style art work and the Gallery houses over 100 different examples of traditional paper cutting. The gallery also hosts portraits and sculptures of the Ironside family.
National Gallery This is a public gallery and is home to the Kingdoms works of art. Expect lots of paintings of Kings and Queens along with work of art by the nations most well known artists, Samuel Barlow and Hans Rehm.
TEMPLES
East Moreland is quiet a devout nation. The nation subscribes to the Cult of Helus and every city has a selection of temples to the various Gods and Goddesses venerated by the nation. Examples of temples can be found throughout the city but the largest are found in the Temple District just a few hundred meters away from the Embassy Street. Temples are open and welcoming of tourists except on days of festivals and prayer. There are a few things to remember when visiting a temple. Morelanders view the Temple as being the house of the God so it is important to be respectful, children should not be allowed to run around and everyone should be quiet as often people will be praying. Photography is permitted but out of respect it is no considered acceptable to photograph people in prayer or the Priests or Priestesses.
The largest Temple in Northfort is the Temple to Helus, which was completed in 1678 after being extended several times by various monarchs.
HISTORICAL LANDMARKS
The city is home to the Royal Palace. The Palace was built in the 17th Century by King Sebastian II and has been used ever since by the Royal Family. The Palace sits on top of a hill in the northern section of Northfort, the Palace is close to Embassy street and sits in its own private park of 200-hectare (490-acre) which contains a large lake and various "Summer Houses" these "Summer Houses" are self contained homes which are often used to accommodate foreign dignitaries, leading government members and other royals. The Palace is a fully functioning government building however tours can be arranged following a written request. Areas of the Palace gardens are free for tourists to wander at their leisure.
The Medieval City is an area within the old city walls. Here traditional buildings can be seen and you can walk along the walls. The area is home to many little bars, restaurants and arts and craft stores.
DO
Recreation
The City is home to many parks, once former Royal retreats these are now fully open to the public. The largest is The People's Park which covers 3.7 km2 and gives the public access to parkland for recreation including boating, horse riding, field sports and picnics. Many cultural events take place within the parks and these are well advertised in local newspapers, tourist information centres and hotels.
Cultural Events
22nd February - Feast of Helus. This day celebrates the Kingdoms chief God. It is a time when families spend the day at Temple and feasting. Expect most shops and attractions to be shut. It is not uncommon for there to be big parties in the parks which anyone is welcome to join as long as they bring an offering of food and drink.
19th March- Feast of Jekar - Feast held to honour the Warrior God. Services are held to remember soldiers who have died in defence of East Moreland. Often it is this day Sword Ceremonies are held. Parades are held in the city and Temples are often very busy. Expect to see lots of people in uniform.
27th April Feast of Melanor - Festival held to honour the Goddess of Life. Families hold get togethers and trees are planted in local parks.
23rd May - Greenflowers Day and King's birthday. National holiday to celebrate Kind Robert I victory over his brother Niall at the Battle of Greenflowers. People dress in national colours and street parties are held. The day is also the birthday of the current reigning monarch and a Birthday Ball is held at the Palace.
29th June - Feast of Rolaf - Day to remember the dead, prayers are said for those who have died in the previous year, often people will save any ashes from deceased relatives and scatter them on this day. Expect all businesses to be closed, temples to be busy and hotels to be run using a skeleton staff. Most people will be wearing black this day. Expect to see people scattering ashes in parks.
29th July - Festival of Thiban -God of the Skies and Seas. Parks will be full of kites as people take part in competitions ranging from kite fighting to childrens kite making. Often workshops are held letting people learn how to make their own.
12th September - Feast of Marissa - Many weddings take place on this day as Marissa is the Goddess of Love. She is also the Goddess of Health and as such many people also take gifts to local hospitals as a thank you to Doctors and Nurses.
28th September - Honey Badger Day - Marks the anniversary of when King Richard I introduced the now national animal to the country in 1790. It is thought that the Honey Badgers bravery, intelligence and ferociousness in battle was meant to be an example to the military. People dress as Honey Badgers or wear Red and take to the streets to party in what has become a day to just celebrate being a Morelander.
22nd and 23rd October - Feast of Grasa - On the 22nd people fast only drinking water. This is to make them appreciate the food and drink the Goddess gives. The 23rd however is a day to eat yourself silly. Quiet often communities hold big feasts where each family brings a selection of home-made food and everyone shares food with each other. Expect to find many restaurants closed on this day.
Sound and Vision
The city hosts a number of theatres, concert halls and other such attractions
THEATRES
Royal Concert Hall - This seats 45,000 people and hosts events ranging from ballet, opera to orchestras. Tends to host what would be considered more traditional events.
EMAC Arena - A 70,000 capacity venue on the edge of Northfort which hosts lots of large scale concerts and events. Quiet often live music events are hosted here. It has a retractable roof so is ideal all year round.
Theatre of Modern Art - A 11,000 seat venue that hosts smaller and more modern events such as stand up comedy, smaller bands, modern plays etc.
During the summer many open air plays and concerts take place in the various parks.
CINEMA
Like any modern city cinema's are spread thoughout the city run by major multi-national companies, however the city has a few hidden gems that cater to a specialist audience.
The Starlight - This cinema specialises in sci-fi films and shows a different classic everyday alongside a major current film. The venue is packed full of film memorabilia and has a themed café bar next door where drinks are named after films and charectors.
The Mobus- A small cinema that shows films from 20 years ago. The cinema has four screens and shows only films that would have been at cinemas exactly 20 years on that day. Prior to the screening they show EMTV's news coverage from that day. A real trip back in time.
The Winding Wheel - A traditional 1960's drive in that provides the car. It shows a major retro classic each night and customers can pick the throwback car of their dreams to watch it in. Food and drink is served by roller skating waiting staff.
SPORT
The city is home to two major football teams and two rugby teams. The King Robert Arena is the rugby teams home stadium and seats around 75,000 people.
Northfort United and the Kings Men are Premier Division teams that play in the city. United are situated in the North of the city and maintain a fierce rivalry with the Kings Men who are based more towards the city centre. The city also is home to the Northfort Harlequins and Northfort Blues rugby teams who share the record for league championships. The 'Quins play at Holmewood Stadium which is next to the King Robert Arena while the Blues share a ground with the Northfort Royals.
LEARN
The city is home to three major universities
The East Moreland University of Leadership - This University is a specialist in subjects considered necessary for the future government leaders, so subjects such as Politics, History, Economics etc are considered a specialism of the University. The University has traditionally been the institute attended by the future monarchs, in fact King David III graduated with his degree in History and Law in 2002.
Northfort Royal University - Considered Northforts best University it is also home to East Moreland's CETO offices and as such as gained a reputation for Humanities subjects.
Capital University - Was opened in 2007 to give the city a University that was more scientific and technical in focus. The University does not offer any Humanities subjects and has connections with many big businesses.
SHOPPING
Northfort has several large shopping complexes. The largest of these is the Northfort Fair. Despite its traditional sounding name it was built in 2007 on the site of an old warehouse and today features over 200 stores. More traditional stores can be found dotted around the city and craft stores can be found extensively through the old Medieval City. The usual large range of goods you would expect to find in any large city are to be found easily. If your after something uniquely Morelandish though you may be interested in the following.
Swords In East Moreland the sword is a sign of honour and pride. It is not uncommon to see more traditionally minded folk carrying small ceremonial swords in public. A wide range of styles and designs can be found in sword shops in the city. Souveniors designed specially for tourists quiet often feature swords, such as key rings, t-shirts etc. Swords are easy enough to buy even for tourists, a valid ID such as a passport must be shown. A cheap decrotive sword starts at around US$80. For people with more cash to splash you can have a made to measure one off sword made for around US$4,000 depending on the work. For a one off sword expect it to take at least two weeks. Check with your local customs laws on bringing the item back
Whiksey East Moreland's Alpine regions are home to several distilleries. You can find varieties of whiskey ranging from mass produced Moreland Gold to vintage 40 year old oak conditioned Morekey.
Jewellry As a nation of skilled metal workers it comes as no surprise that you will find many small one off stores selling pieces made on the premises. Many will even customise what you take them or make items from scratch.
NIGHT LIFE
Northfort is a true 24 hour city. Expect to see people sat enjoying a sociable drink after work. It is practically possible to find something to drink or eat nearly any time of the day.
On A Budget
For those after a good night out but not wanting to spend big look for bars owned by the Rampant HoneyBadger chain. These are a no frills bar that serve good quality basic food. Drinks are locally sourced and as such are relatively cheap. They remain open til 3am Wed-Sat and til midnight at other times. They also serve breakfast.
For a meal out you will find many street food vendors come out once the offices begin to empty. You can get a decent meal in a box for around US$5 and this ranges from traditional Moreland cuisine to foreign and fusion dishes.
Those looking to dance the night away should look to the Parks. Often free concerts and parties are thrown there and are a good way to mix with the locals. Also worth checking out is the Freeman District. This is an area of former industrial units that can be hired out by entertainment entrapuners to host parties. These often are very varied but offer a wide choice of vibe, anything from South American tango to modern Electronic Rave music. Expect to pay around US$ 5 entrance and then drinks inside are usually quiet cheap as they are locally produced.
Middle Budget
The city has a wide variety of reasonably priced eating places. The Runnymede Crescent is a trendy up and coming area where several unique restaurants can be found offering a three course meal with drinks for around US$30 per person. One of the most well known is the Moreland BBQ where a variety of succulent meat dishes can be found cooked in a stone lined BBQ pit. It is definatly not a place for vegetarians.
In the streets leading to the Crescent you can find several Brewhouses. These are independently owned bars that more often than not brew their own drinks on the premisies. It is not unusual to be given a table with strangers and this is a great way to meet the locals who often have a great knowledge of their local Brewhouse. Rivallry between these Brewhouses is quiet strong and is friendly. Expect to be accosted by the neighbouring Brewhouse keen to prove their beer is better.
To finish the night there are a host of clubs that are open to the early hours. One of the most well known is Greedo. This three floor nightclub is open from 10pm - 5am Wed - Sun. Expect to pay around US$10 for entry. The club features a floor of modern chart classics, one of indie and rock music and a more laid back "Chill out" room. A roof terrace is open in summer giving great views across the city.
Money to Burn
Drinks down by the river are an excellent way to start the night. A variety of Whiskey Bars can be found serving cocktails and wine. The pace is rather lesuirely and most venues have strict dress codes. One of the most well known bars is "The Classic" which serves over 200 different cocktails on its riverside terrace.
Riverside View is a street known locally to feature the very best restaurants in town. Expect to pay at least US$100 per person for three courses and then extra for drinks. Many of the restaurants are owned by celebrities and it is not uncommon to see the elite of East Moreland dining at places like Mama Greens a traditional East Moreland style BBQ and Grill with over 200 years of history. The steaks here are considered to be amongst the best on the planet. Quiet often a table is needed to be booked months in advance.
The area around Royal Bridge is home to several Casinos where black tie is required for entry. In amongst these is the very exclusive Blue Blood Bar, open 7 days a week 7pm - 7am. It is an old Army Officers mess that retains much of its original décor with a modern twist.
STAY SAFE
Northfort is generally a safe city. The awareness of crime is the same as in any large city and it is advised you don't leave valuables unattended. East Moreland has a strict moral code followed by the vast majority of citizens. This features a belief that you must "protect those in need" so it is not uncommon for citizens to intervene if a stranger is in trouble. Locals are usually very welcoming and open towards foreigners and gatherings in parks are considered open to all as long as you show willingness to share what you bring in terms of food and drink.
There have been an increased threat of terrorist attack by Borlanders who in recent months have been increasingly violent. The capital though is considered safe but expect to see armed police patrolling the streets. The Police are very approachable.
You will see large numbers of people in military uniform. This is not something to be alarmed by. East Moreland has a long military tradition and everyone serves some kind of national service. People are very proud of their military and its traditions. It is recommended to avoid saying anything even vaguely supporting of Borland Seperatism.
