Avale - Neighborhoods
An alphabetical listing of all the neighborhoods of Avale with a short description and all points of interest and businesses to be found there, partly transcluded.
Abrinol
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Happy Soles
Dolac is well-known for its shoemakers and this is the most popular shoe shop in the city. They promise to provide you with better footwear than you have ever worn, and they usually deliver. It can be found in the Abrinol neighborhood on Provender Way.
Bordering Sparrow Hawk Square in the Abrinol neighborhood, Ashy Arena is more popular than the Dolac character might suggest, weekly prize fights draw large crowds. Though the locals might not want to admit it, they can be a bloodthirsty bunch. The expansive training grounds are full of hopefuls who have come from near and far.
The Otteun Hetwoman, Mera Tellmacher, is short and squat but quick as water, she spent many decades honing her skills at the original Sulla Arena in Midtal.
PoIs
Shrine - Ehlonna
Inn - The Steaming Pot
Bow Valley
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Vulpine Count
Even though this newspaper proudly proclaims in its masthead to be many centuries old, in reality it was resurrected from centuries of inactivity only twelve years ago. The rights to it were bought by businessman Bert Ursa whose parents immigrated here from Haza. The paper focuses mostly on national news and is well known for its shouty headlines and cheap price. The latter is due to the fact that the Guilds sponsor it to make sure it publishes only the news they want to see. The offices are found above their printing presses on New Rampart Street in the Bow Valley neighborhood.
PoIs
Inn - Grey Minstrel Inn
Cegir Town
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On their first arrival here, the thal had Quiver Hall built, some would classify it a small keep. It's located on Blue Feather Street in the Cegir Town neighborhood. Most of the inside of the building has never been seen by outsiders, it is rumored to contain a small jungle.
The half-elf Uidor Calaudra has recently been appointed to the top position. On his arrival he purchased a hunting lodge where he now fêtes all the movers and shakers in town.
PoIs
Barber - Hair Me Out
Center City
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State Museum
Even though the name suggests otherwise this museum is almost completely funded by the guilds. Entry is free and there are many different exhibits ranging from art to science. There are also impressive botanical gardens. Find this expansive building in the Center City neighborhood.
Clover Hill
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The company is run from Sealy House on Rampart Street in the Clover Hill neighborhood, a very well preserved example of Empress Acilia architecture. They own a large number of warehouses in the new port and rent out many of them.
Nominally run by Gerrut 'Keeper' Hythe, this family scion can very rarely be found here. He travels on one of the company ships whenever he can get away with it. And when he is in town, he spends much time trying to innovate and improve Hythe's ships, warehouses, and other properties. He has a large workshop where he can be found most evenings. The actual paperwork is done by his good friend, Jer Lobs, she likes to paint whenever she's dictating letters.
Dawnbloom Heights
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The branch operates out of one of the city's most beautiful buildings, Lertey House, a shining example of Empress Acilia architecture. Located on Diolkos, one of the town's majestic avenues in the Dawnbloom Heights neighborhood, the property was donated by one of their biggest benefactors, Helena Lertey. The Companions are very popular with those outside of the guilds. The branch also manages its own warehouses, distributing non-perishable goods to other branches.
It is run by Dyn Anuvien, a man of infectious enthusiasm who visits orphanages every week to entertain the children with his juggling and acrobatic skills. Shipping and all related matters are handled by Melui Coudoarluth, a half-elf former sailor and swashbuckler.
Downpark
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Halls
Pronounced 'Hawls', this is the center of city government. Found on the Skirtin in the Downpark neighborhood, this former marketplace is now a warren of buildings where the city Elders and a corps of civil servants run the city. There are nine Elders who are elected every four years by all official guild-members in the city from a list put forward by the guilds.
The Lore Repository, located on the corner of the Skirtin and Mint Plaza in the Downpark neighborhood, is a massive building of early Miforan architecture. However, over the years style elements of the prevailing tastes have been added. The outside now includes sweeping pilasters, gargoyles reading books, and carved pages that look to float down to earth.
Inside there is little room for frivolous decoration as bookcases fill nearly all rooms floor to ceiling. The exceptions are the four reading rooms, each decorated to evoke a different season.
Overseeing the smooth operation of the church is High Priestess Sarah Cockrell who also runs various business interests and thus relies a lot on her assistant, Priest George Bannerman.
Fabrics
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Based out of a former weaver's mill, the Sanctuary of Serendipity in the Fabrics neighborhood has become very popular in a short amount of time. Many Dolac resonate with the message of stoicism and acceptance though this hasn't stopped them from asking for divinations.
The temple was founded by Blunt Grobi, a slight but outspoken man, former Master of the Weavers and Tailors Guild. He converted his building and left the guild, though he has not stopped trying to convert many of his old colleagues to worship the Colorless and All-Colored.
Farmhold Hamlet
As the capital grew it, subsumed a number of villages near it, including this one. Over the centuries this neighborhood has changed completely and is now a bohemian hotbed, very much looked down upon by all the other inhabitants as it is as far from the 'proper' Dolac lifestyle as one can get.
Fort Read
Fractures
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Avale School of Business (ASB)
While many of the larger guilds prefer to train their people in-house and keep their trade secrets to themselves, business in all its forms is the lifeblood of the country. It should come as no surprise that this university was founded here and attracts the best teachers and eager students. It is located on Nusreds Way in the Fractures neighborhood.
Gill Gardens
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Resa's Rest on Witter Street in the Gill Gardens neighborhood was the first brothel opened by the mysterious Resa. It took a few years before it became successful but once it did, they expanded to other cities at a rapid pace. Over the years they bought both neighboring buildings and the current place is as luxurious as they come, quite the opposite of the Dolac national character.
These days it is managed by Minoa Axel, an mid-thirties woman of classic beauty who used to work for Thal Lithel.
Hookville
Jeoran Terrace
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The Tabernacle of Industry is a massive temple in the Jeoran Terrace neighborhood. The original building was severely damaged in a fire and then rebuilt only to suffer a collapse. It has been rebuilt twice more and three additions were added as the city grew, producing a building of no less than six architectural styles.
Foreman Kazrik Jadrerlig, a dwarf of advanced years, has spent most of his time spreading his faith throughout the country and is now teaching his successor, the half-orc Knaraugh Vodis. He can't stop telling anyone who'll listen that she is Ulaa personified.
Kalehaven
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Headquartered in Scatterstrand Mansion, an Independence architecture building on Raykiss Boulevard in the Kalehaven neighborhood that used to belong to the playwright Justus Delvon. Abraxis is here in full force as they want to protect their access to the Tal river. They have numerous warehouses in the new port and even a few private piers.
Leading the large contingent is a former Ott general of the engineering and magic branch, Nera Holt. She surprised many when she started taking classes at the Avale School of Business, immediately after moving here.
Kesslia
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Venture Hall
These somewhat ramshackle premises on Freddis Avenue in the Kesslia neighborhood is where the Adventurers Association is run from. The association managed to create a near total monopoly on adventuring contracts in the capital but in doing so have created a fair playing field for both clients and contractors.
Kipfield
Little Perches
Longsee
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Pheld Ceramics
Started by the Pheld family many centuries ago, these artisans are still at the top of their field. Quality comes first in every aspect and the prices reflect this. Still, demand for original Pheld far outstrips production. They are based in the Longsee neighborhood, next to Prosper Park.
Lost Bay
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Abyss Annex
The unofficial name for the Old Yards and Lost Bay neighborhoods that house the poorest of the poor, most not originally from Dolac. Crime is high here but so is ingenuity. It is bisected by the Sito Road which runs north through the Kalehaven and Jeoran Terrace neighborhoods.
Mimico
Narrow Park
Manicured to an inch, this park is full of water features and paths for a gentle stroll whilst discussing matters of import.
New Dunum
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This was the first country the company expanded to, taking over the Radcliffe Flax Company. These days they are based out of Walachria Court in the New Dunum neighborhood. This building of early Miforan architecture was long in the possession of the Imperial family and many emperors used it to house their mistresses. The BOCC warehouse space in the port rivals that of their GICOM operation, of late they have been trialing a magical fire suppression system here.
Everything is overseen by Dolac-born Ken Rane, a man who prides himself on his appearance and is an ardent gakker player and philanthropist.
New Prospect
Nogway
The short name for North of Grove Way is known
Through some creative law-making the Dolacs have made it very expensive for the Kasarians to keep an embassy but they apparently think it worth the cost. A century ago their new building was completed, located in the North of Grove Way (also known as NoGWay) neighborhood, near the waterfront. It was designed in the New Avale style, featuring light colored bricks and many horizontal elements.
A tiefling woman, Orixes Scoch, has been the ambassador here for a long time. Her skin is a light mauve and she has a band of small horns running around her neck, though she always keeps those covered. She's a Three-Dragon Ante fiend in desperate need of new opponents. Two people report to her; Kyreth Calinax, a forty-ish, gregarious human man who seems to frequent every tavern in town, and Oramyr Noxor, a tiefling woman of indeterminate age with a smoky black skin, it is unclear if this is her natural hue, and her pointed-teethed smile doesn't invite any questions.
Oakhurst
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Based out of Elassidil Villa, on Falanae Avenue in the Oakhurst neighborhood, a large, wooden building with not a single straight angle, designed two centuries ago by Meril Ilbenalu, the famed architect. This is the thal's largest operation and it runs quite a few manufactories, competing with a number of guilds, making them not very well loved by them but very much appreciated by their workers, who didn't join said guilds for one reason or another.
Very much in the thick of it all is their leader, Gweithiril Calear, a half-elf master artisan who visits her charges daily. She likes to spend time on the Tal estuary in her kayak; an elven, lightweight single-person canoe.
Old Yards
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Abyss Annex
Parade Fields
Pell Point
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Bajakian Ferry
This ferry is powered by horses who run in a treadmill on the ship which powers two paddle wheels, one at each side. The ferry departs from the Pell Point neighborhood, travels to Sevso Island, from there to Klara Island, then doing the same trip in reverse.
Gander & Empty Shipping was the first large acquisition done by House Ditta, giving them a stepping stone in Dolac and other countries south of the Sarodin Sea. Ever since they have been headquartered in Gander House, a late Miforan architectural style marvel on Talview Road in the Pell Point neighborhood. The place has been extended twice over, leaving it without its impressive gardens.
Officially in charge is Hazan Urska Pogas, a woman with a sharp nose for a deal, and host of weekly parties that everyone who is someone wants to be invited to. She leans heavily on local boy made good, Travis Newell, an orphan who started out as a pickpocket, joined the Guild of Stevedores, working his way up the ladder before joining House Ditta.
Prester
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Admiralty House
This imposing building on Anchor Avenue in the Prester neighborhood couldn't be more mid- Miforan architecture. As the name would suggest, it houses the Admiralty, who have been fighting for relevancy more and more over the years. Budget cuts have meant they haven't just lost ships but even had to cede a wing of the building to the Docami Budget Office. The navy are frantically looking for threats, real or imagined, to prove their worth in a time of peace.
Proviso Place
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Scarlet Bonnet
This former warehouse on Culvert Street in the Proviso Place neighborhood is now a meeting hall and restaurant. It's many halls and rooms are in great demand for guild meetings and other commercial endeavors.
Uppark
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Domicile of Diligence
Found on Torch Way in the Uppark neighborhood, this colossal building of stone and glass is a new addition to the city and is the seat of the national government. The Council of Torchbearers meets here weekly and most of the building is home to the hard-working civil servants, the Docami, who are tasked with executing the wishes of the council.
Inner Court Arcade
Found in the Uppark neighborhood on Lock Street, this is one of the most exclusive malls in the entire country. Built in the days of Empire, the marbled floors reflect the glass ceiling in this two-story shopping paradise. Marble statuary flank the expensive stores that can be found here.
In the city of trade there is a higher than average demand for spellcasters and the lodge here is a sizeable one. They are housed in a monumental, stone building on the corner of Karmad Square and Grocer Street in the Uppark neighborhood, a typical example of early Miforan architecture.
A half-elf originally from Sormark, Maeras Shaeremae, is the Magister. She has a weak spot for bards and there are few nights she can't be found in one or more of the city's taverns. Three Sentinels serve under her. Phiceli Zercoderes is a gnome who has worked at every single lodge in the organization during her long career, she has decided to retire here. Knut "the Cute" Culler is from Loveria, which will not come as a surprise, and no one, except him, uses the ridiculous nickname he gave himself. However, no one can deny his skill at transmutation magic. Linca Rozic hails from Haza and she has an interest in dreams and oneiromancy.
The Basilica of the Blinding Light is one of the largest buildings in town, a grandiose structure built in the Ome style architecture that was popular in the centuries after the Collapse, found on Karmad Square in the Uppark neighborhood. Pholtus worship having fallen as much as it has, most of the building is now rented out to the Guild of Bookkeepers, Notaries & Scribes.
With Pholtus being the royal family's official religion, and thus the state religion, Cardinal Assessor Marius Limes keeps trying to bring his god to the forefront of any state affairs but without much success, even dispensing justice has been taken over by the guilds and the Docami to a large degree. He is a confidant of Queen Helia and spends much time at her palace.
Woodfall
This neighborhood is known for its many migrants from the Hundred Mile Islands, Ogren, Tilgay, and other exotic places. Numerous woodshops line the streets here. On Langspelme Road stands the recently built Endorn Theatre, named for the former boss of the Guild of Woodworkers who was instrumental in its construction. Promise Fields is filled with people at all hours and gakker is played here, the local team is called the Bolters.