Shenth - Free City in the Sea of Stones

One of the first cities I tried to create. It's an area that I have used in stories, but never long, as a starting point, a place to hire a ship or get their mission. Shenth has a long stories history but its also in the centre of trade, pirating and war in the Sea of Stones, in the between two major nations. 

Shenth - Free City in the Sea of Stones

Population: 300,000 (275,000 on the cliff-side) Distribution: Human 70%, Dwarf: 20%, Minotaur 4%, Various remainder

Official Rule: Towerocracy, Influenced by the High Nobility

Unofficial Rule: the Ring: a group of wealthy Tharon merchants who attempt to keep the city goods flowing freely to ports outside of Tharon control.

Current Mayor: Lord Alexander Valdreth (Human Noble, Known patronage to the Ring & church of Keran)

Well Known City Features: Barracks, Noble Estates, Bridge Arena, Docks, Lifts, Sanctuary of the Pains, Open Market, Old Districts, Silent Graveyard, Dwarven Baths, The Solomo Library, Unicorn’s Garden

Towers: Sorrow, Song-House, Stars, Seed, Law, Wyvern, Guild, Bell, Pleasure, Clock

Obelisks: Keran, Japeth, Quanna, Casna, Orelleo, Holon, Horned One, the Pains, Shi-Lo

Temples: Rosetti & Keran

Unofficial and Unsanctioned History

Rule: The six high noble families maintain control of much of the cities wealth and military. However, more than seventy years ago, in 956 AT, during an attack with the Tor’ecke charr tribe, the nobles once again faced with rebellion due to taxation. To stop civil war they gave each of the guilds (or towers) a seat at the counsel table. In return for their loyalty and fees, each of the major towers have a vote on city issues. The mayor is determined by the noble families, and it is he that determines his deputies as well as having veto power (anything less than 80% can be vetoed by the mayor.) While a tower-master may be voted as mayor, it is extremely unlikely. The current mayor is Alexander di Valdreth.

History: It is best known for a Plague spread by the water rats infecting all areas of the city. A small group of its citizens regularly patrol and kill the many rats or other small animals. It is also the primary reason why the city knights are permitted to deal with the Lower Citizens with brute force, for suspicion of carrying the Plague.

City Features

Noble Estates: lands to the west of the city, on a out crop that holds each of the high nobles estates. Each is a sprawling mansion with other buildings that are rigidly patrolled by the individual nobles private armies.  Only individuals with connections to the nobles are allowed entry, upon pain of arrest during the day. Those found wandering at night are killed or captured on sight. Each of these estates function as a small town, having almost all of the necessary requirements for daily life, except of course for certain luxuries and services. Five of the six noble families have their estates here, as well as four other recognized lesser nobles but still wealthy families.

Bridge Arena: In the shadows of the largest lifts, this arena was created during the epidemic as a way of proving their worth and health before enter Cliffside. Now it is used by gladiators to prove their prowess in battle. Each week on Sword Day (every 9th day in the 10th day week) , fantastic non-lethal battles occur to determine favour of the nobles, as well as to allow the common citizenry to gamble. The current champion is: Vuneros (Minotaur, 16th level fighter,) who has won more than twenty battles for House Xannos. Any kind of battle is allowed, including magical duels, but these are especially rare. Entry fee is 1sp.

Dockside: The lower area of the city. Twelve large wharves converge, allowing up to two hundred ships to dock at one time. Mostly dwarves, minotaurs and humans are in this section of town, but criminals and other unmentionables also inhabit this terrible place. There are few patrols that occur in this section of the city, as guardsmen are often ambushed. Most merchants have their own private mercenaries to ensure safe passage of goods. Anything illegal can be found here, if you know where to look. Only the bravest, most foolish or the most poor would dare stay at one of the lousy inns in this section of the city at night, knowing they could be stolen away or used in dark, esoteric rituals/

Lifts: cranes that lift merchandise and people the two thousand feet from the docks into the Cliffside. Minotaurs and ogres are the most common wheelmen, who physically turn the gigantic elevator cranks; however, there are also three magical lifts. The standard lift cost is 1sp per pound for merchandise or 3gp (flat) for living creatures. This is the most common form of taxation in the city. Nobles do not have to pay for their merchandise, as all own their personal or family lifts, also, many towers control their own lifts, so their members do not have to pay. There is usually a one to three hour wait for a lift. The crane guild runs 13 out of 16 lifts, but they do not own them.

Sanctuary of the Pains: While many other areas of the Sea of Stones have suffered from the De'Sh Plague, no other location has had to deal with the disease like this city. It has found peace, and this is
a monument and hospice to the sacrifices and torments of the plague victims. Up to 100 infected can wait here until their symptoms are cured; this usually takes anywhere from 1-3 months. The cost is free, but it is also mandatory on order of the city counsel. There is always between 10-20 plague carriers here, waiting to help the infected, share their knowledge as well as destroy any rats or any other animal carrier.  Sorkasin (Male Dwarf  Monk / Rogue) is the current leader of this group. He also acts as the unofficial speaker of the dockside to the counsel.

Open Market: An area outside of the gates on the Cliffside, where trade is brisk and rumored as brutal. Officially since the market is outside the city, it is also outside of the city control. Anything goes here, at least in theory, and the City Knights continuously warn those who do use the market of buyer beware. Unofficially, the trade is cheaper, of a higher quality, and safer than anything found inside the gates. The merchants want to build the trade, and go out of their way to ensure quality and repeat business. While they should be left alone by the City Knights, they are harassed continuously. The city resents this growing form of trade done outside of their hands.

Tower of Sorrow: There is no graveyard in the city rather one enormous mortuary called the Sorrow Tower serves the purpose. It is just inside the western gate, very near the noble estates. It is run by the Sorrow Guild, who are professional morticians, mourners & undead slayers. Typical burial costs 1sp, but the services range up to 500 gp, depending upon the status of the individuals involved. Most of the guild are 3rd to 5th level experts (morticians) but up to 10% of the guild are adventuring classes, who actively hunt undead. It is the only known Sorrow Guild that do not have Jackalla serving there, visitors from away find it highly suspicious, but they suffer from the vile plague in the city.
  The current speaker of this guild is Morven Kul-lutho (Human Male, 11th level Rogue, CE) a quiet, insensitive, bald man who was once a famous slayer. He demands absolute loyalty from the undead slayers in his command, and he meets his followers in absolute darkness to hear their reports and speaks only when he has to.
  His current lover, Rebbinna de Fluer (Female Half-Elf, 7th level Bard, NG) is known to many of the noble classes as a dirge singer and her services are well sought out by mourning familes. She is respected by the city guards, nobility and undead slayers alike. Some believed she must be charmed to willingly stay with this unkind, unsophisticated bastard.

City Tower: Beside the obelisk of Japeth, this is the building that holds a majority of both the knights and weaponry. While not over-imposing, what few citizens realize is that the majority is underground, in caverns that were once home to lizardith lands. Patrols are organized on the sea, in the sky, on land and below it. Specialists serve five days a month, in order to avoid paying taxes. Bureaucrats also work here, but jammed into rooms and many are forced to change on a monthly basis - records are never a priority.

Solomo Library: This is an arcane library, one of the oldest in the Sea of Stones. This guild has unsurpassed danger and certainly not a safe place for beginning students. While there are many rumours of what goes on here, there is one thing that is understood by the wizards, the city nobles are to remain unharmed. What research or trade happens here is unimportant to the nobles, as long as they remain in the seat of power. Wizard wraiths apparently watch all activities and do not hesitate to kill those who break this one law. Spell-casters of all manner come here, if they can either gain the attention of another wizard of their exploits, or simply find one to bribe. There are known celestials and demonic figures who inhabit the tower, neither able to exit by any typically known means. All outsiders who find their way here are controlled via a powerful geas to serve as teachers and guides for a quota of their time. Another item of great mystery is how the wizards choose a speaker to represent their interests, some say it is done by intrigue and murder, while others say it is done by chance. Either way, their speakers rarely hold their job for more than three years before they are replaced by another. The current speaker, or Solomo as they call themselves, is Vule-Anne (Female Elf) who is remarkable for her beauty as well as a pink pseudodragon familiar who travels with her and seems to know dirty limericks that amuses everyone who hears it. The library itself does not sell magical items, however, individuals may sometimes accept commissions to create scrolls or potions.

Unicorn’s Garden: A glade of tremendous beauty and solace; it is the circling garden surrounding most of the cliff side city.  This is one of the few places of comfort to the citizens, and many peoples come here to find comfort among the chaos. The small forest was once home to a wondrous unicorn druid that helped the citizens during the early Cliffside years. This place is a favorite among the nobles, children and workers alike who come here to cavort. There is believed to be a fey gate located here, although, it’s location seems to change on a weekly basis. A small group of rangers meet here daily to discuss issues of the outside world. Patrols in and around the garden were once common, but they have learned to stay clear of the place since many city knights have become permanently lost if they harass some of the fey or other visitors. Rumors abound of a healing fountain that can heal anything short of a death and this is why the nobles vigorously help to defend it from development. Abby-Gail (Female Charity) is a bard and generous benefactor who spends much of her time among the fey and others here. She is an excellent source of knowledge, and helps good aligned adventurers willing to help the poor in the city.

 Local Terms:

Push-Off: *&$#-off, or jump in a lake would be the equivalent; meaning, leave me alone or I’ll push you off the cliff
 Hares: Widows who reside in the city
The Mazes: somewhere you don’t want to be i.e. the plague mazes at port-side

 Local Organizations
The Ring: a group of Tharon merchants who throw around coin to keep slaves & drugs running into their home bases. They maintain a strong pirate tradition that is officially illegal – unofficially, they control the waters so the Shenth merchants don’t have to.

Merchants of Flesh: Necromantic organization based in the port-side, who create fleshings (lesser golems) to sell to the highest bidders. While not illegal, it is distateful and nobody readily admits to using these beings in their crypts. Yet many nobles and merchants alike use them as they are incredibly loyal and you don't have to feed or pay them.

4th Finger: A strong mercenary group that hires mostly Minotaurs for protection work (some say extortion) to help defend Tharon and other visitors to the city. They are a big hit at the arenas. They are named after a Sea of Stones faerie tale about only needing a giants’ 4th finger to accomplish a task.

The Grey: A wizard organization that helps promote magic outside of Tharon, or, that is what they claim. They have often raised small groups of soldiers to help rescue each other. They have a small tower in the edge-side, where they can look down at two of the magical lifts that they control.

Sons of Honour: Tharon and Lazell men of stature who are pushing for union of the two nations. They are good aligned, and have loose connections with the good aligned churches.

Greater Noble Families
House Xannos: A family of wizards & warlocks, known for their brutal slayings of the father (per Tharon tradition.) Their grey-black cloaked wizards have long been seen cavorting in the darkness of the Solomo Library, and most years they have at least one of their members in the seat of honour there. They have worked with many faiths over the years, but work with Keran only when the money pays well. It is unknown if they have a primary business anymore, as they are fabulously wealthy and do not seem to need to work to maintain their power. The current speaker for this house is Thalos di Xannos, a powerful wizard who specializes in force magics.

House Lothan: There was a time whenever anybody thought of the port-side, they thought of the Lothan. These were the ultimate sailors and traders that took a terrible beating during the last plague. Just as they have always done, they have emerged in a great spectacle, as they sponsored several large expeditions to Zale in Phastia. The current leader is Lemm di Lothan (Human Male, 12th lev Rogue, CE) – a fat, lazy man who seems to have the knack for knowing which boats to sponsor and which ones to turn down. But there might be more to this dullard than appears, as he was mugged more than a year ago and took out four assailants himself, before going back to drinking his shum.

House Vadash: This family has long been the whispered threat that would attempt to take over the city. While the other families have their area of interest, the Vadash has theirs in a little bit of everything. Their soldiers guard four of the major gates, and having 3 of the current four generals of the city, they essentially control the barracks as well. Yet, they also have a string of wizards and priests under the family banner, let alone the monks and thieves. This family openly deals with the Keranic faith and is not afraid to make demands of the church. Evelynn dem Vadash, (Priest of Keran, Female Tiefling) has lead this group within the city for over 100 years, and doesn’t look like she has aged a day. Rumours abound of her fathers heritage, but her mother was the last speaker who groomed Evelynn for her position.

House Honour-Heart: The honours are perhaps the only saving grace this city has had in the eyes of the good aligned. They have remained to the ideals of Quanna, despite living in one of the bleakest places in the Sea of Stones. While others might see their position as hopeless, they have won many battles versus evil and corruption in the city, and just the fact that the city hasn’t become a province of Tharon shows this to be true. Their speakers are chosen for a five year period, and then are elected among their kin – the only family to chose their leader in this way. The current speaker is Corven Honour Heart (Paladin, Knight of the Gold Sash / City Knight, Human Male) who is an elderly devout man who spends as much of his time at the obelisk of Quanna as he can, neglecting family business to be among the faithful. Nobody questions him, as he has earned this in his long quest for both his city, his faith and his family.

De Fluer (Flower): Powerful merchant family based in Shenth. They are nationalists who resent Tharon intrusion, although they stop short of calling for violent action. They are calling for the city to look into making allies with the Chavon elves, others call this too dangerous and a way to aggravate the Tharons. Cuzzel de Fleur has recently come to his post as leader of the clan, as his father was killed in defense of their merchant dealings.

Lesser Nobles  (17 families of wealth or distintion)
Di Fitzens: Notorious land-owners who at one time controlled up to 40% of the property of the city. They have a strong allegiance to the Shion Cult (Thief guild.) The current leader, a notorious pirate in his earlier years is Troi di Fitzens and is known to be ruthless in all his dealings.

Di Corrovel: House of Dwarven merchants, well connected in the Tharon Empire

Di Neicht: Human Tharon exiles, who are openly promoting building the Shenth dominion, unlike most of their kind who believe that Shenth should remain as-is.

De Butelle: Merchants who have connections with several aquatic races. Many of their kind have mated with sea elves. Lasai de Butelle (Sea-kin) is known for her famous songs about the tragedy of war and the harshness of the sea.

 Religious Groups

People all over the realm worship the same deities, some by different names, but the portfolios and basic principles remain the same. The most typical religious structure is an obelisk, which is devoted to a deity or in rare cases an ideal such as freedom or prosperity. Not just symbolic, obelisks are literally the source of all magical energy in the domain - if no obelisks stood no magic energy would be available, for clerics. wizards or any classes.

There is often no official group that holds services at obelisks, rather recognized people of good standing give a sermon or speech every ten-day / week. Followers need to go to an obelisk or give offerings on a specific basis but not necessarily attend service. Most people are pagan, showing respect to a deity if an issue or problem they face falls under their portfolio. Many clerics can worship one or many deities, paladins worship only one and the majority follow Japeth.

Temples are the largest religious structures, and these have followers that serve the deity in set manners and customs. These do have a set organization dedicated to running their daily and weekly activities unlike the obelisks.

This is the only Rosetti temple in the sea of Stones and one of the largest Keranic temples. Those who serve or pay tithing to Keran, do so to alleviate cursing or potential evil prospects. Many widows, prostitutes and unwed mothers offer gifts of service to Lady Love (Rosetti), but always discretely at night. Officially any widows from city sanctioned battles may reside here free of charge if they have children.

Keran, LE God of Night and Fright, Evil - Sacrifice to alleviate fear & Nightmares
Japeth: LG, God of Bravery, Patron of Paladins - To plan strategy and for personal courage
Quanna: LG, Goddess of Light - Followers look to for guidance in fealty and matters of conscious
Casna: LN, Lord of Laws - Enforce rigid laws and organization, or to help change persecution
Orelleo: CN, Lord of Travel and Trade, Patron of Businessmen and Sailors- To plan trips, especially long voyages
Holon: N, Sacred One, Druid Patron  For fertility, sicknesses, grow plants and animal health
Horned One: LE, Minotaur God of Strength, Battle and Fertility - Before Battle, especially duels
The Pains: NE, Goddesses of Suffering, Torture and Sickness - Offer to alleviate symptoms
Shi-Lo: LN, God of Contemplation, Patron of Martial Arts - Monks are his faithful
Rosetti: N, Goddess of Love, Romance and Beauty - personal matters or issues of infidelity