The city of Surmia was one of the most prosperous in the Kingdom of Ascalon, along with Ascalon City, the Nolani Academy, Drascir and Rin. Surmia was a fairly young city. It was built approximately 50 years ago, after the end of the second Guild War. The Charr weren't considered a strong threat at that time, and the people of Ascalon made the mistake of building Surmia beyond the protection of The Great Northern Wall. Later they would regret that; when the Charr attacked Ascalon during The Searing, the city was destroyed completely.