Devonshire

Though mentioned in the first book, Devonshire doesn't really become important until the second book when Duncan and Elly find themselves there. This city is the protector of the only major pass through the Tsalagi Mountains, separating the West from the East, the Knights of Tridon from the Black Wizards. (A disclaimer, there are other passes that people on foot and those on horse can cross, but merchant caravans and large numbers of people would find them difficult to maneuver.)

The gates in the pass are always manned, closed at night and repaired and maintained every day. Mages and Knights, both, along with the common foot soldiers man the gate. Devonshire really didn't start to grow until the time of the Chosen when all the remaining Knights and their armies came here to defend the pass from the Black Wizards. Since then the place has grown. There is a huge market square, businesses of all sorts, and of course the support staff for the people who must maintain the pass.

Every House sends troops to help defend the pass, even Calabay who is the furthest from it. This pass is vital to keeping the Black Wizards out of Tridon and establishing some trade with the east. Mostly humans live here, but elves and half elves come in to trade and the dwarves like to look for minerals and the like in the nearby mountains. Minotaurs are also allowed in the city, though not greatly loved.

Most things can be found here, since it is a trading hub, but items which might be found on the coast cities will be far more expensive then say items from nearby Houses. Any time after the Chosen this city should be huge and bustling, and even before that time it was a very large city for not being the seat of a House. Items should be easy to find, though wait times for items being fixed and made may be longer if not a little more expensive.