Doheag, Sacred Inner City

The sacred inner city is one of the oldest continuously inhabited locations in Sycharia. In the century following the Gloom, as the age of Ash Fall began, the survivors of the southern cities fled north to escape the brutal cold and growing numbers of predators and vile races such as bugbears, orcs, and trolls. Their cities either destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Vylnilninyr or blanketed in the years of ash and acid rain, the refugees banded together in a small cavern near the site of the present city. Led by a band of dwarves, they excavated to find water. Over the next 300 years, the Underneath was constructed. How deep they excavated is lost in history, but what is below the city now is know as the Prison of St. Ablon.  
As the forces of civilization slowly fought the dark ages of necromancy, the people of the Underneath moved above ground and founded a city originally named Marsden, after a Doheagan monk who helped defend the city during the Necromatic Wars of 755 AF. Marsden was razed during the Arcane Purge of 1533 AF, but the citizens returned and rebuilt.  During this time period, Marsden was home to the twelve orders of the Doheaga and where the Order of the Gauntlet was founded to serve the independent Duchies of Northern Sycharia.  

The above ground city was mostly destroyed again by the World Dragon, Mortinirious in 1709 AF.  Although several buildings survived, it was at this time that the Granite Hill dwarves of the Tri-Barony of Tidestone lent their considerable aid to the people of the Northern Kingdom.  Together with the followers of the Doheaga religion, they rebuilt what would become the Sacred Inner City of Doheaga. Fifty foot High granite dwarven designed walls surround the city. The granite and marble carved streets guide visitors to the twelve sanctums of the Doheaga gods. Each sanctum houses 36 acolytes as well as several leaders of the sanctums. Today, the Doheaga religion provides the blessings of peace and protection for the people of the Northern Kingdom. There are fewer than 500 persons living behind the walls which are always open to visitors.  However, the surrounding town numbers approximately 35,000.  The city is know for its scholarship, as the home to the honored bishops of the Doheaga, as as the training ground for soldiers, hunters, and map makers.  The Sacred Inner City is also home to the highest courts in the land where any person, royal or low-born can seek justice.  

Note: Arcane magic use is illegal in the Northern Kingdom.  Arcanists caught using magic or practicing the arcane arts are imprisoned or put to death.  Recently, some leaders of the Doheaga Religion have begun to argue against this harsh prohibition, but it is still illegal in the city itself.

A Partial and Incomplete History of Sycharia by Shrewd McShales