- **Location:** Lindum Colonia was strategically important due to its location at the intersection of two major Roman roads, the Fosse Way and Ermine Street, and its access to the River Witham.Lindum Colonia is a provincial city in the [[Eternal Republic]]. It is located in the British province of Brittania Minor. It is governed by dual Domviri who are elected by a colonial citizens. - - **Development:** The original fort was located on a hill, where the modern-day Lincoln Cathedral, Castle, and Bailgate are situated. As the town grew, it expanded down the hill towards the river and Brayford Pool. The Roman fortifications included walls around both the upper and lower parts of the town. - **Significance:** Lindum Colonia was a significant center for Roman life in Britain, with features like a forum, basilica, public baths, and a piped aqueduct. It also served as a communications hub and inland port for trade. - - **Development:** The original fort was located on a hill, where the modern-day Lincoln Cathedral, Castle, and Bailgate are situated. As the town grew, it expanded down the hill towards the river and Brayford Pool. The Roman fortifications included walls around both the upper and lower parts of the town. - **Significance:** Lindum Colonia was a significant center for Roman life in Britain, with features like a forum, basilica, public baths, and a piped aqueduct. It also served as a communications hub and inland port for trade.  **Key Roman Roads:** - **Ermine Street:** A major Roman road that ran through Lindum Colonia, connecting Londinium (London) to Eboracum (York). - **Fosse Way:** Another important Roman road stretching from Exeter to Lincoln. - **Intersection:** The Fosse Way met Ermine Street in Lincoln. - **Baths:** The site of the Roman baths was near where the aqueduct entered the city. The outline of the storage tank (castellum aquae) fed by the aqueduct is marked in a garden off East Bight, near a surviving section of the wall. - **Ermine Street:** The Newport Arch, a remaining part of the north gate to the Upper City, was the main entrance to Ermine Street. - **Fosse Way:** Remains of the Fosse Way are under protective glass in the foundations of St Mary's Guildhall on Lincoln High Street. The Fosse Way follows the line of the modern High Street and Newark Road (A46) near Lincoln. **Key Geographical Features:** - **Location:** The city was strategically built on a **limestone escarpment** overlooking the **River Witham** and the naturally formed **Brayford Pool**. - **River Witham & Brayford Pool:** This provided both a natural water source and access to the sea via The Wash, making it an important waterway for trade and transport. The Roman name "Lindum" itself may derive from a Celtic word meaning "marshy place," likely referring to this area. - **Road Nexus:** Lindum Colonia was located at the intersection of two major Roman roads: **Ermine Street** (connecting Londinium (London) to Eboracum (York)) and the **Fosse Way** (running from Exeter). This made it a vital hub for movement and commerce. - **Elevated Fortress Site:** The initial legionary fortress was built on the **highest ground** of the escarpment, providing a defensive advantage with views of the surrounding flatlands. - **Lower City Development:** As the settlement grew, it expanded down the hillside towards the River Witham and Brayford Pool, forming a Lower City. - **Waterways & Canals:** The Romans transformed the natural waterways to enhance trade, widening and deepening the River Witham and constructing canals like the **Foss Dyke**, perhaps the oldest canal in Britain. This linked Lindum to the River Trent and other settlements.  **Impact on Development:** - **Strategic Importance:** The confluence of roads and waterways made Lindum Colonia a significant military and trading center. - **Economic Hub:** The improved waterways, including the creation of an inland port at Brayford Pool, facilitated trade and contributed to the city's prosperity. - **Urban Planning:** The city developed with distinct areas - the administrative and military center on the higher ground and a commercial center on the lower ground by the river. - **Infrastructure:** The Roman engineers utilized the natural landscape and resources to create impressive infrastructure like a sophisticated sewerage system and an aqueduct, which brought fresh water to the city.  Essentially, the geography of Lindum Colonia provided the Romans with both defensive advantages and the opportunity to develop a thriving commercial and administrative center. Outside the city walls [[Lies]] the Sprawl — a dense and loosely-governed settlement of reclaimed stone, scrap, and ancestral shacks. Though officially outside civic jurisdiction, the Sprawl is home to the majority of Lindum’s working class, including Jasper and his childhood companions. Despite its lack of infrastructure, it pulses with cultural vitality and underground harmonic experimentation. Lindum Colonia has a cult presence with many subsidiary cult temples located in the city center: ### Major Local Deities - **[[Torquinus]]**: River god of *Flumen Torquinum*, formerly a Celtic deity, now head of the local [[Neptune]] cult. - **[[Camulinus]]**: Romanized form of Camulus, war god under [[Vulcan]]. Oversees forged weapons, civic metalwork, and enchanted metallurgy. - Said to have a **secret city**. - **[[Sancus & Fidius]]**: Twin oath-[[Gods]] posing as Minervan enforcers; secretly agents of **[[Sol Invictus]]**. - **[[Terminus]]**: Oversees legal boundaries, magical permits, and jurisdiction. Functions as a regional administrator under the [[Minerva]] cult but serves **[[Sol Invictus]]**. - **[[Rosmartia]]**: Romanized Rosmerta, aligned with [[Ceres]]. Governs crop enchantments, fertility rites, and seasonal logistics. Loyal to [[Ceres]]. ### Political Structure - **Shadow Governance:** Lindum is rumored to host covert members of the *Jovian Loyalists*, resisting both [[Sol Invictus]] and Mithran influence in secret. ### Magical Infrastructure - **[[Canon/Magic/Elemental/Velum Mentis|Velum Mentis]] Nodes:** Lindum supports only two public projection terminals, both heavily regulated. Unlicensed resonance activity — especially among Sprawl youths — remains a growing concern. ### Cult Nodes - The cult of [[Camulinus]] maintains a concealed logic node beneath the old forum, accessible only via oath-forged passage and harmonic key. ### Urban Infrastructure and Cultural Landscape - **Main Via:** The [[Via Occidentalis]] runs directly through Lindum, with **The Bac** as its central node — a repurposed amphitheater turned megaclub, cultural exchange point, and metaphysical risk zone. - **Founding Myth:** Established by retired legionaries post-Divine Convention, Lindum holds a rare autonomy clause allowing local governance free of external cult domination. - **Architecture:** A chaotic blend of druidic stone circles, Roman civic layouts, and modern harmonic conduits. Leylines are mapped and diverted around residential blocks to minimize magical bleed. - **Sprawl:** A semi-permanent shantytown outside the walls. Not officially recognized by the Domviri, but politically potent. Many key figures — including Jasper Wren — hail from the Sprawl.