Midtal

Midtal

Government
Bureaucracy
Organizations
Bruised But Not Broken, Sulla Arena, Rhes Haghed, Companions of Elric, Kasarian Embassy, Abjura Dolana, Buel Vitta Society, Resa's Rest
Temples
Ancev, Beory, Nerull, Pholtus, Ulaa, Zargos
Merchant Houses
Abraxis Combine, Bowman-Outersea Cereals & Commodities, House Ditta, Thal Lithel, Thal Sivale, Thûrash

The capital of Otteun is either the largest or the second largest city in the world, depending on who you ask. The inhabitants don't really care either way but are quick to point out that their bridge is the largest feat of engineering in the world.

The city was originally named Mitttal but over time the spelling changed to Midtal.

Locations

At first glance the city might look like an enormous garrison with fortresses and other reinforced buildings dominating the view. However, when you get into the neighborhoods ('zieks') of the city you'll find everything you'd expect to find in a metropolis.

The Old Town Ziek, known as Ul'Tun in the local accent, is the oldest part of the current city, the actual old town is long gone. The Eagles Ziek consists almost exclusively of army buildings including living quarters for the highest ranks. The Patriots Ziek also contains a lot of Ott buildings but is also home to expensive businesses and up-market shops.

Park Ziek contains Zent Gardens, the largest park in the city, the size of a small hamlet, but there are also quite a few buildings, some high-priced residential buildings, commerce, and inns and restaurants. Triumph Ziek is one of the latest additions; many mid-rank Ott personnel live here but you can also find plenty of shops and leisure time activities.

Udell Ziek is one of the older parts of the city and quite exclusive, those living here are known for looking down on those from other zieks. Pekkun Ziek can be seen as an extension of the harbor at the Riverfront Ziek and consists mostly of warehouses and ancillary services. Warei Ziek is firmly middle class. Pottpic and Darkvall are two of the poorer zieks of the city.

Anbu Ziek is what the small town that has sprung up on the western side of Nuratt Bridge is often referred to.

Arks Ximmer

This large fort in the Eagles Ziek is where the high command is housed. This is where the Council of Chiefs meet and all important Ott (army) plans are drawn up.

Bearstett Prison

This large building on the border of the Eagles and Old Town Zieks is both courthouse and jail. People aren't kept here long, justice is swift in Otteun and those sentenced to incarceration are almost always shipped off to penal camps.

ElaBOARate More

One of the most famous carveries in the city, and indeed the country, the chefs here have elevated pig roasting, and other forms of pork preparation, to an art form. Don't forget to try their pickled kale side dish and finish with their award winning cherry compote.

Exchange of the Gods

A typical example of Otteun humor; this colossal domed building in the Park Ziek used to be the temple of Rades, one of the gods from before the Collapse. Now it is the largest covered market in the city where just about anything can be bought.

Festull Base

While not technically a ziek, this army camp at the very southeastern part of the city is certainly the size of one. Most of the lower ranked soldiers are housed here and it is the main staging area for the center of the country.

Five Centuries Monument

This monument on the border of the Patriots and Park Zieks was built to celebrate five hundred years of peace in Otteun. The Ott spared no expense to erect the largest structure in the city, money which could have been used in more useful ways, many protested at the time. The monument consists of a number of large abutting arches flanked by two imposing obelisks. Larger than life statues of soldiers and officers circle the entire thing.

Horand Dog Track

The Otteun are quite enamored with (betting on) dog racing. Most larger cities have their own track but this is the largest by far and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Midtal. It is actually found just east of the city, the large complex holds many kennels and two oval tracks with sizeable stands. It is privately owned but the Ott tax gambling proceeds at no less than 50%.

Midtal Reformer

One of the largest newspapers in the world, it brings both local and international news. While it is owned by a consortium of investors from Otteun and Dolac (and House Ditta, it is rumored) they are more than careful when it comes to the government. It is very rare to find an article even a little critical of the Ott.

Mifora Way

One of the most expensive inns in town can be found in the Triumph Ziek. Here everything is done to make the visitor think they are in Mifora, GICOM, more specifically. Chefs and other staff have been brought over from the old republic and just about everything in the decor as well.

Nuratt Bridge

While Midtal was settled in a very strategic location, one thing had always been impossible; a bridge to the western shore. The River Tal is so wide and deep at this location that the two previous attempts at a bridge never even reached the other bank.

When the dwarves fled their homeland after the Collapse, a large contingent made it to the capital and immediately set out to prove their worth by building a bridge. It was a project of many years and lives were lost but now the thirteen-arches stone bridge is one of the prides of Otteun.

Otteun Academy of Engineering & Technology (OAET)

Founded soon after the Collapse, this university that is made up of many smaller colleges is seen as one of the best in its field. Though there is a small magic department, most of the studies at OAET focus on the use of applied physics and chemistry to create new technologies, many of them in the field of warfare.

Pride of Work Armories

Owned by Naguk orcs but staffed by local Otteuns, they are the largest arms supplier to the Ott. Regular caravans bring weapons and armor into the city, most of what they carry is immediately brought to the Ott but their shop in the Pekkun Ziek is where they sell to everyone else and do repairs.

Quody & Rizoll - Spells and Schooling

These two notorious dwarven wizards run their 'academy' as a sweatshop or so their detractors claim. They certainly teach magic to the masses, most of those who graduate stay on and perform predominantly mundane tasks such a duplication and simple repairs.

Tallsite Citadel

This large structure of fortified buildings in the Old Town Ziek is the main center of government for the country and the city. This is where the Chief Council meets and where a veritable army of civil servants implements their edicts.

Wunnoper Auditorium

The largest indoor theater in the world can be found in the Triumph Ziek. Plays are staged daily, all of them written at the behest of the government and espousing the joys of life in Otteun.

Znell Stallions

A large complex of stables and pens a few hours south of the city, this company is the foremost seller of Otteun horses. Mainly focused on riding horses they have been breeding best-in-class mounts for centuries.

Organizations

Bruised But Not Broken

The Otteun army basically runs the country but that does not mean it is free of crime or monsters, there is still plenty of work for mercenaries. Nordakul, to the northwest of town, might not be the largest camp but it is a busy one.

Led by Quadok (Colonel) Ludwig von Bredow, one of the few human senior officers. He is assisted by Ductak (Major) Gurtrid Wodottir, a female dwarf with a fiery mane of auburn hair, a thin braided goatee, and a nasty scar running from her brow down the side of her nose stopping at her bottom lip. Although Quadok Bredow is in charge, most of the Bruised stationed here follow Ductak Wodottir's orders.

Sulla Arena

Here in the Pekkun Ziek is where it all began (well, actually across the street, they moved when the original building got too small). Prize fights are still organized weekly but they are no longer the focus. Fight training is the main business, with even the Ott sending some of their people here.

Everything is run by Hetman 'Porp' Grenlund, a descendant of Sulla's adjutant.

Rhes Haghed

Corruption is rife in this country, even though the Ott tries hard to stamp it out. Rhes Haghed has a large presence in the capital. They have their hands in all pies but are structured quite vertically; most criminals don't know any of their colleagues who are in a different line of work to them.

The suspected don is Heinrik Kessel, a prolific smuggler in his younger days, he now keeps his hands clean and owns a number of legit businesses, or so it would seem.

Companions of Elric

The Companions have been here since before Otteun existed as a country. Thus their building can be found in the Old Town Ziek on Elric Way. The government has attempted, on several occasions, to change the name of the street but had to backtrack after the many protests this caused. To say the authorities and the Companions are not on the best of terms would be an understatement; the government wants to keep up the pretense that everyone in the country is doing quite well but the Companions know better and their help is much valued by the citizens.

Trying to keep things running as smoothly as possible is the dwarf Kanuf Huldek, a former Bruised But Not Broken Quadok (Colonel) who has a pet bear named Ayen.

Kasarian Embassy

It will come as no surprise that this is the largest embassy Kasar keeps. While the Ott keep two wary eyes on its neighbor to the south, they are in their turn being scrutinized quite closely by their enemy of old. They are housed in a building that was created out of three town houses in the Old Town Ziek, on Freedom Avenue, the road's name was changed after they moved in.

The ambassador is a charming human woman in her sixties by the name of Vi Kriz, she has been here for over twenty years, much longer than postings normally last. It is said her vice is sweets from GICOM, which was her previous posting. Three people report directly to her. The first, and most senior, is a dwarven male of advanced years, Morek Votuth, rumored to be one of the original sorcerers. Second is a tiefling male, Yezu Cangor, who's single horn growing from the top of his dark ocher head is not his most striking feature, that would be the piercings covering every part of his skin. Third is a recent arrival; a striking young woman in her early twenties; Idior Xelm.

Abjura Dolana

The lodge building, a former army storehouse, can be found on Corporal Court in the Patriots Ziek.

The Magister here is Catindra Eriach, a middle-aged woman with a hawk's nose and one blue and one green eye, She's a recent appointee from Dolac and has Otteun roots. Two Sentinels are posted here; Otso Galgurn, a dwarven man from Loveria with a metal leg who does most of the public facing work, and Kara Salvere, a young Miforan woman with outlandish tastes.

Buel Vitta Society

The Otteun are not necessarily known for their great appreciation of art or their refined cuisine. But that is not to say there aren't any connoisseurs among them, the chapter here is quite sizeable and their feasts very popular. Meetings are usually held at the Exchange of the Gods, the large covered market. They are well known for their monthly Festival of Fruits where whichever fruit is in season is celebrated with outlandish creations.

Resa's Rest

The Rose Garden on Cerulean Court in the Park Ziek is a large building with a beautiful inner garden. The brothel is very busy every hour of the day, more so than in any other city. While prostitution is technically illegal in Otteun, there is a lot of it. Resa's Rest makes it clear to all customers that they are paying for companionship, not sex. They have never had any trouble with the government here, but that might also be because of the tunnels that are rumored to exist just for senior Ott officials to enter the building.

Leian 'Cheeks' Reppi, a beautiful, late-thirties woman from Mifora with quite the singing voice is the manager here.

Temples

Ancev

The arrival of this new god put the government in something of a bind; they did not want to offer any room to an interloper but they could hardly deny an actual god. They certainly weren't happy to see Ancev's popularity soar, potentially upsetting the fine balance they had created. In the end they decided to help out, finding a suitable building for a new temple, and even offering many volunteers to help out wherever was needed.

The Chapel of Conviction is housed in a former warehouse on Zonolite Road in the Pekkun Ziek.

The founder and head priest is Elgur Boarsund, a famous musician who incorporates music into the many services.

Nerull

An actual temple was found in the sewers about a century ago and destroyed, the high priest was executed. Unfortunately this hasn't stopped the cult from growing again, someone is bound to have declared themselves high priest again and a new temple might have been built.

Pholtus

The Cathedral of the Radiant Sun stands proudly in the Old Town Ziek. It is not quite as high as Tallsite Citadel but its bright white walls (novices spend quite some time every week to keep it clean) make it the most recognizable building in the neighborhood. Inside it is filled with candles (another job for the novices; replacing any candle before it burns itself out). The floors are marble and the lofty ceiling is painted with scenes of Pholtus dispensing justice. The large, gaudy altar is made of gold, reflecting the thousands of burning candles.

Cardinal Assessor Lunessa Rhalls spends more of her time negotiating and arguing with the Ott than she would like.

Ulaa

Many shrines and small houses of worship can be found throughout the city. The Pride of Labor is a newly built, massive, stone building of four floors in the Triumph Ziek. The bottom floor is one enormous space where mass services are held.

In charge is Foreman Alton Kersker, a former Ott general staff colonel. He likes to start services with some impressive spell-work, showing all that Ulaa, and her followers, are capable of.

Zargos

Persistent rumors say that soon after the Kasarian Conflict the Kasarians brought Zargos worship to the capital, creating a network of loyal spies to infiltrate all layers of Otteun society. A temple has never been found, but the stories remain.

Merchant Houses

Abraxis Combine

Their main offices can be found in the Eagles Ziek, unsurprisingly not far from where the Ott logistics branch has their HQ. By the same token, the current Chief Executive Officer of the merchant house is the former head of Ott logistics, retired general Selva Witt. She runs a weekly card game that is regularly attended by most of the Ott Council of Chiefs.

Their warehouses can be found on the Riverfront and the Pekunn Ziek which is also where the office for the local branch can be found, much to the chagrin of the man in charge; Muirdor Turred, a dwarf without an Ott background but with a burning ambition.

Bowman-Outersea Cereals & Commodities

Their warehouses on the Riverfront are easy to spot as they employ huge windscreens in an effort to keep any loose grains from being blown away. The offices can be found on Huss Way in the Old Town Ziek, a lot closer to the levers of power.

A canny political operator, Miforan Maureen Pruitt, runs the operation.

House Ditta

They own a number of large warehouses on the Riverfront, permanently guarded by a Bruised But Not Broken detail. Most of their goods are shipped to and from Avale on their own boats with further distribution via caravans to Fir Lanear and the Godfall. The offices can be found in the Old Town Ziek, on Cherry Tree Lane.

A tall and thin Dolac woman with a voracious reading appetite, Joss Zeld, runs this venture with remarkable efficiency.

Thal Lithel

Since they don't do much business in Otteun they own only two modest warehouses in the Pekkun Ziek on Kwell Way. Their office is here as well.

It is run by a half-elf who is more well known for her paintings than anything else; Imizael Faerion.

Thal Sivale

They have been growing their business here a lot and as a result their warehouses can be found all over the Pekkun Ziek. Their offices are right on the border of the Udell and Eagles Zieks.

In charge is Tayon Orthryn, a half-elf who is a mainstay at any social gatherings in town. It seems he leaves the actual running of the enterprise to a former Ott special forces colonel by the name of Kethra Siegynn.

Thûrash

Thûrash keeps just a single warehouse here, dwarfed (pun most certainly not intended) by their competitors. The office can be found of the second floor of said warehouse, on Kommer Way in the Pekkun Ziek.

It is run by an ever-complaining, ancient dwarven woman; Meri Sargred. Her home is so filled with books that she no longer has space to receive visitors or cook.

Notable People

• General Walter Tapp (one of the more outspoken members of the Council of Chiefs)
• Colonel Lod Runk (in charge of local military police)
• Lusse Bertel (human female, steward [mayor])
• Tuuli Dalmor (dwarf female, sage, monsters)
• Hermuk Brightpond (actor)
• Reino Valgok (dwarf male, mercenary)