Avale

Avale

Government
Plutocracy
Organizations
Bruised But Not Broken, Sulla Arena, Rhes Haghed, Companions of Elric, Kasarian Embassy, Abjura Dolana, Buel Vitta Society, Resa's Rest
Temples
Istus, Osprem, Pholtus, Ulaa
Merchant Houses
Abraxis Combine, Bowman-Outersea Cereals & Commodities, House Ditta, Hythe Maritime Services, Thal Lithel, Thal Sivale

Formerly known as Hegio, the capital of Dolac lays at the estuary of the Tal river, where it empties into the Sarodin Sea.

You'll find the largest port in the world here, though most of it is now north of the city proper, many old warehouses have been converted to living spaces as the city grew.

The shipyards that Dolac is known for, are almost all to be found down the Tal river, one or more days away from the city.

Locations

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.

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.

Beehold Palace

A small castle that used to be outside of the city and was used mainly for hunting trips, with the city at its current size it is now considered to be on the outskirts of town. It is the royal residence ever since Sevso Palace was destroyed during the split of the Miforan Empire.

Domicile of Diligence

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.

Ducts

The city has been raised numerous times and this has left enough room for canals under the city. There are three in total, each in the shape of a half circle, entering and exiting the city, referred to as the outer, middle, and inner ducts. Flat-bottomed boats are used to supply warehouses and business deeper into the city. The canals don't surface anywhere inside the city; buildings situated above them have trapdoors that open on to them and any goods are then hoisted up or down. In rare cases of a spring tide the water will rise to the very top of these ducts.

Farmhold Hamlet

As the capital grew it, subsumed a number of small villages near it, including this one. Over the centuries this ward has changed completely and is now a bohemian hotbed, and very much looked down upon by all the other inhabitants as it is as far from the 'proper' Dolac lifestyle as one can imagine.

Halls

Pronounced 'Hawls', this is the center of city government. 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.

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 keep their word. It can be found on Provender Way.

Inner Court Arcade

Found in the center of town 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.

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.

Scarlet Bonnet

This former warehouse on Culvert Street is now a meeting hall and restaurant. It's many halls and rooms are in use most weeks for guild meetings and other commercial endeavors.

Sevso Island

This island was reclaimed from the river at great expense shortly after Avale was conquered by Avale Sevso. It was the first of a number of islands that were connected with boat bridges to the western bank of the estuary. These days the island is a large residential area with low to middle income households and one of the few locations in the city where the imperial name remained. It is connected to the city by the White Bridge.

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.

White Bridge

This large, grey stone bridge connects the rest of Avale with Sevso Island. The large span is full of shops and eateries built on either side of the roadway. The middle of the bridge has a semi-permanent wooden covering that can be removed when a sea-going ship needs to pass.

Woodfall

This neighborhood is known for its many migrants from the Hundred Mile Islands, Ogren, Tilgay, and other exotic places. Many 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.

Organizations

Sulla Arena

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.

Abjura Dolana

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 Easttown 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.

Resa's Rest

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.

Temples

Osprem

At the north end of town in Pell Point neighborhood, stands the Temple of Tidal Tranquility, overlooking the Sarodin Sea. The entrance is a grand archway carved in the likeness of a majestic seashell. The main sanctuary is bathed in a soft, ethereal glow emanating from shimmering crystal formations embedded in the walls. The sacred pool can be found at the heart of the building.

Master of the Waves Kaelen Canos is a charismatic diplomat and mediator. His silver tongue and pragmatic nature make him a respected figure.

Notable People

• Edward Mint (provost [mayor])
• Jan Fluaris (human female, chief commissioner of the Humtache)
• Xalryn Heliot (male gnome, wizard)
• Alexander Hurst (sage, Miforan Empire)
• Bert Ursa (businessman, publisher)
• Sani Kasgret (dwarven female, renowned ship captain)
• Antus Sharrer (half-elf, 'night life connoisseur')