Ide Volcar

Ide Volcar

Government
Feudalism
Organizations
Companions of Elric, Kasarian Embassy, Abjura Dolana, Kashtin, Buel Vitta Society, Resa's Rest
Temples
Boccob, Lirr, Olidammara, Pholtus
Merchant Houses
House Ditta

The capital of Kolechia province is often referred to as the Jewel of the North, the city on the Ura river in Haza is one of the richest and most beautiful in the world. Built on top of a number of hills and surrounded by fields of rice and coffee, the ancient city exudes a history few can match.

Locations

There have been many changes to the city over time leading to a rather maze-like structure of its streets and buildings. All dwellings are made of stone and most of them are multistory. Due to the sloping nature of the terrain these buildings often lean towards each other and rooms have been built to connect both sides, leading to covered streets.

As new buildings have been built on top of older ones for centuries, a large 'undercity' exists where the light of day doesn't reach. This also complicates things that most people take for granted, such as the sewer system. It is said that Abjura Dolana has people working around the clock, casting spells to keep everything in good order.

Belegore Ateliers

This used to be a regular city block of shops and houses but over time more and more artists took up residence, walls were removed, and now the entire block consists of artist's studios and, frankly, quite filthy, living quarters for said artists. Their talent is undeniable though and many come here to learn from the masters.

Irati Park

Though most of the city is quite densely built, there are a few areas where this is not the case such as this popular spot for people to spend their free time, boating on the pond, playing games, or just lounging on the grass.

Ljudi Chambers

All government affairs for both the city and the province are seen to inside these buildings at the south end of Kotnik Plaza. While the king or queen's heir is technically the ruler of both the city and the province, most of the affairs of government are left to the civil servants, overseen by Lord Hruska Dalec.

Mausoleum of Grobnica

One of the best-preserved examples of classic Haza architecture. This imposing building has been the final resting place for all of House Meloi's members for centuries. It is not open to the public but the structure with its rising columns, gilded statuary, and huge, bronze, ever-burning braziers is not to be missed.

Namestie Circle

Built against the facade of the Green Guard headquarters is Krizovatka Fountain, known around the world for its beguiling statues of nereids and the crystal-clear water that is said to come from a mile below the city. The Zvonica bell tower with its distinctive gargoyles can also be found here.

Orlovca Castle

The ancestral home of House Meloi was rebuilt twice over the centuries and its different styles reflect the rulers that have lived here. It stands at the north end of Kotnik Plaza.

Preveri's

This old mansion is the home of the Hellfire Society, a members-only club known for those of a rather exuberant lifestyle. The restaurant within is open to the public but one is made to understood that eating here can have certain consequences that the restaurant cannot be held responsible for. These include temporary and more long-term side-effects; changes to one's body and waking up in another city with no memory of what happened.

Reka Harbor

The Ura river which empties into the Sarodin Sea flows through the vale next to the city and the large harbor that has been built onto it over the centuries is never without activity, work continues through the night to load and unload the many barges that ply the river. An ingenious system of wooden lifts transfers goods up and down from the city proper.

Serisa Library

Most of the more exhaustive libraries in the world belong to nobility, merchants, and churches, and the owners are quite selective about who gets to peruse their collection. But here anyone willing to pay the fees can get access to room after room full of books, some ancient, some more current.

Silver Tree Market

This large market in the undercity is where you can acquire things that are almost impossible to source anywhere else in the country or even the entire region. You'll see many exotic races that are usually not your typical city dwellers. The goods on offer reflect this; food especially ranges from goblin bugonuts to elven lettuce-craft and everything in between.

Organizations

Companions of Elric

Helping Hands Hall can be found on Ulica Street. The Companions have little presence in Haza, just the branches in Beljovac and Ide Volcar, and neither is particularly large. This might have something to do with national pride, the people of Haza believe they can take care of themselves.

In charge is the ever optimistic Camelia Cranwort, a halfling woman with the belly laugh of a dwarf and an appetite to match.

Kasarian Embassy

It was quite clear that the government did not want the Kasarians to establish an embassy here. While they had no legal reason to deny them, they certainly made things anything but easy. Eventually they managed to buy an old mansion on Cluj Street, at the north end of town.

The ambassador is Ghyn Yktulla, a gregarious human man in his fifties with a fondness for hunting. Kyra Xoxmur, a beautiful young woman is the second in command.

Abjura Dolana

The lodge can be found on on Ducas Way, just off Namestie Circle. It is larger than most, having somewhere around two dozen wizards and numerous apprentices on the premises. Stories claim the premises sprawl deep into the undercity.

Their leader is a raven-haired woman of fair complexion, Magister Cara Hysel, a career administrator who managed to land this position at the tender age of 43. She has a quite pleasant demeanor but brooks no nonsense. Most day-to-day activities fall under the supervision of Sentinel Hull Nurian, a garrulous Loverian man, and Sentinel Brenna Rendask, an entrancing woman from Dolac.

Buel Vitta Society

With so many excellent restaurants in town, the chapter doesn't have a set meeting place, they select a new eatery every time, competition to be so honored is fierce. At these gatherings there is always a fine arts contest attached, with the grand prize being a yearly stipend for the winner. A tradition is for the winner to create small objets d'art for all members, to be handed out at a next gathering.

Temples

Boccob

The Hall of the All-Seeing Eye is a large building in the classical style that can be found opposite the Mausoleum of Grobnica. Boccob worship is very popular in Ide Volcar and people are coming and going from the building at all hours. The wizards and priests here are said to be heavily involved in fundamental research.

Nifan Drabek, a gnome man with a large collection of feather tokens and fondness for picking locks, is the High Administrator.

Lirr

The Sanctum of Understanding is four-storey building at the corner of Irati Park. At its entrance, a grand archway features a mesmerizing mural of Lirr herself, with dark blue eyes that seem to hold the wisdom of countless tales and long black hair cascading like the flowing ink of an endless quill.

All its floors and the five (sub)basements are filled with books and scrolls, leaving little room for the priests who work there. They are in something of a friendly competition with Serisa Library.

High Priest Gral Serevic, a quite outspoken man who is a staple at all high society functions, is an accomplished scribe and illuminated manuscript artist.

Olidammara

Hedon Hall is the largest place of worship to Olidammara in the entire world, by far. This enormous building is a recent addition, replacing half a city block. The structure contains numerous auditoriums where plays and musical performances are staged every day. At the center of the complex you can find a large, covered market surrounded by many eateries. Small shrines for private worship are dotted around the place and it is said that there is even more to find for those in the know.

Master of Revels is Tarthilmor Ujrol, a half-elven man of indeterminate age who just showed up one day and never left.

Pholtus

The Law of the Sun is a gaudy building on the eastern side of Kotnik Plaza. The exterior is adorned with carvings showing battles where Pholtus smites his enemies. Nominally they are the state church and involved in dispensing justice though in practice this doesn't happen as often as one might think.

Cardinal Assessor Mitro Vaduc spends most of his time fighting with his counterpart in Beljovac over which of their churches is the pre-eminent one in the country.

Merchant Houses

House Ditta

Ditta Square used to be just one of the numerous squares in the city but then House Ditta was founded here and named for the square. Over time they grew to expand to all the buildings on the square, even spilling out into the streets beyond. Other than most merchant houses, House Ditta believes in paperwork so many of the buildings are mostly filled with cabinets containing shipping forms and reports.

While Princ Zorl Meloi is in charge of the entire company, the Ide Volcar office is run by his good friend Peto Nagas, a daredevil who likes to run along the rooftops of the city.

Notable People

• Zorl Meloi (ruler)
• Commander Gorac (head of the Green Guard)
• Yanta Uresh (wizard)
• Finan Jipeck (sage, heraldry)
• Malxaxa (crime lord)
• Marita Numac (gnome sage, history)

In the papers

Meet Ide Volcar's Undercity Denizens

There are few places in the civilized world where one is able to come across races such as lizardfolk or bugbears and live to tell the tale. The vast undercity that exists under the picturesque city of Ide Volcar might be one of those. That is not to say that it is a completely safe experience, but then any time you leave your house you run certain risks. Having an experienced guide helps a lot, of course, and I found myself a unique individual, dear readers.

On my trips through the undercity I saw things that will defy description, but rest assured, I will try! I saw much more exotic species than the ones mentioned above and yet all this without any risk to life and limb. The most violence I saw during all this time was some fisticuffs, and most of the participants of that particular kerfuffle were humans. Curious? Then read on!

- Excerpt from an article in the Mifora Bulletin