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

Often referred to as the Jewel of the North, this 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 this 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.

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.

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.

Ljudi Chambers

Ide Volcar is the capital of Kolechia province and all government affairs for both the city and the province take place at 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.

The Law of the Sun

The local temple of Pholtus is a gaudy building on the eastern side of Kotnik Plaza. Nominally they are the state church and involved in dispensing justice though in practice this doesn't happen as often as one might think.

Ditta Square

This 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.

Hedon Hall

This 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.

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 many 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.

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.

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.

Helping Hands Hall

The local branch of the Companions of Elric 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 the past the Companions have had a few run-ins with the Kurbak (secret police) as well.

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.

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 religions, and they 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.

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)
• Lieutenant Verum (investigator organized crime)

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 the only one. 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