Fortress City

[RavenX13]

Last month when I finished the Thieves Guild questline, I thought, " Which city would I use as my capital if I was king?" Unfortunately, the internal debate resulted in a 4-way tie, with the winner being decided by dice. I was checking out the forum and began to wonder where other people would set up. So here are the questions;

-What city would you use as your capital? Why?

-Would you make any changes to the city? If so what?

This is pretty much asking if you would make the wall bigger if it has a wall, renovate/build buildings, ect. The changes must be reasonable considering the resources available in the hold.

 

So please vote and, if you want to, comment with your answer to these questions. If you choose a minor city, I definitely want to hear why and what you would do.

Edited July 11, 2012 by RavenX13

[RavenX13]

Between the final 2, Whiterun and Solitude, I chose Whiterun because it is, supposedly, a trade center, which would bring in a lot of money. I would also have plenty of room to expand the city and place guard posts and the plains allow one to see large invading forces so that you know what your dealing with.

[Psiberzerker]

I'd start in Morthal, for the central location, and build my own Palace/Fortress on the high ground overlooking it. Why? Central Location. One of the things I hate is how there's no Player Home there, nor a lot of nice services like a General Store, or Blacksmith. While I was there, I'd expand it a lot to offer those. Whiterun's another good choice, almost as central, everthing you could possibly need, and a dang fine castle to live in. (None of the others have a Dragon Yoke, for instance.) I just spent so much time there, I'm already sick of it. Or, even better, I already cleaned out Labrynthian, so why not buld a new capital on that? Lots of catacombs, increadibly defensive location, and not too far from anywhere.

 

I don't really want to rule Skyrim, sound like too much responsibility. I'd be perfectly happy with a Jarldom, like Hjaalmarch, or carve a new one out of the plains between Whiterun, and the Reach. I even got a spot picked out, just east of Serpent's Bluff Redoubt for a nice Motte, and Bailey fort. Plenty of hunting, and trade to tax, probly run it as a renegade bandit HQ.

Edited July 11, 2012 by Psiberzerker

[Glhadiator]

Since Whiterun would require lots of work to bring it's defenses up to par I would have to go with Solitude. It can be defended as it is now. Besides it's not always a good idea to mix government and trade in the same room.

 

However, as a base for government operations Riften is a great candidate since all the crooked people could run for office without having to relocate.:tongue:

[Patrick2me]

I voted Markarth. It would be the most easy to defend in my opinion. The entrance to the city is in a valley like area so it seems like it would be easy to set up archers and pick off enemy troops in case of a siege. Plus the Reach is very mountainous so it would be hard for enemies to move large amounts of troops. Solitude also seems logical because its the already the capital and it can only be attacked from the front. But in the event of an attack and the city was being overrun it would almost impossible to get out. The only way out is through the front.

 

I would improve upon the dwarven ruins; adding many tunnels to evacuate the city. Also I would use these tunnels as trade routes so merchants don't have to deal with the mountainous terrain and the forsworn.

[JanusForbeare]

Markarth, because:

 

A) As Patrick2me mentioned, it is the most defensible of the capitals, being a stone city built into the mountainside by the Dwemer, whom, most would agree, knew what they were doing when it came to building things to last. Also, mountain passes make for ideal battlegrounds for a defending force (a la Battle of Themopylae, aka the battle from "300").

 

B) It sits on top of vast mineral deposits that ensure the city's continued strategic and economic importance.

 

C) The ruler of Markarth knows who his enemies are. Unlike most other cities, there is only one family of any importance. A lord who could find a way to subdue, control, or eliminate the Silver-Bloods would have free reign to operate against the Forsworn, and then be able to project the city's power beyond its own borders.

[RavenX13]

A day later and we have some pretty well thought out replies. Markarth was another of my finalists, but I eliminated two choices via coin toss and Markarth lost to Solitude. As it was said, Markarth is a very good location. As a side note, does Whiterun remind anyone else of Edoras, capital of Rohan, from Lord of the Rings. I watched the trilogy today and I realized that, with its plains, horse emblem, and Herot-like hall, they are similar. If you don't know what Herot is, read Beowulf because it's awsome and if you don't know what Rohan is, then you need to watch/read the LotR trilogy, because it rocks.

As I expected, Whiterun, Solitude, and Markarth are in the lead. I want to hear a reason why Winterhold got a vote. It isn't really the best place for a capitol. It is to small and the only thing going for it is the College, which has the same issues as Solitude but with less defensibility.

Edited July 12, 2012 by RavenX13

[Georgiegril]

Markarth, because:

 

A) As Patrick2me mentioned, it is the most defensible of the capitals, being a stone city built into the mountainside by the Dwemer, whom, most would agree, knew what they were doing when it came to building things to last. Also, mountain passes make for ideal battlegrounds for a defending force (a la Battle of Themopylae, aka the battle from "300").

 

B) It sits on top of vast mineral deposits that ensure the city's continued strategic and economic importance.

 

C) The ruler of Markarth knows who his enemies are. Unlike most other cities, there is only one family of any importance. A lord who could find a way to subdue, control, or eliminate the Silver-Bloods would have free reign to operate against the Forsworn, and then be able to project the city's power beyond its own borders.

 

After reading this, I want to change my vote! :facepalm: I said Whiterun, but it's just my crush on Balgruuf talking.

[ledmack]

I like the central location of Whiterun. The Dragons Reach is also epic.

[Kraeten]

Solitude, is by far most ideal capitol imo. It's already a highly fortified and well maintained stronghold with excellent access to the sea for trade. If I was going to improve the defenses, then all I'd add are large platforms for catapults and other medieval artillery to aid in the city's defense. Outside of Solitude, the rest of Skyrim's holds are pathetically protected. Windhelm isn't much more than a old ruin, Whiterun's walls are likewise crumbing relics and three of the other holds don't even have walls. Markarth is probably the only other city outside of Solitude that is really equipped to handle a siege...and that's thanks to the dwarves not the ignorant Nords who rule over it.