Banak
| Government |
|---|
| Democracy |
| Organizations |
| Bruised But Not Broken, Companions of Elric, Kasarian Embassy, Abjura Dolana, Tipatshimun, Order of Saint Rabban |
| Temples |
| Heironeous, Pholtus, Ulaa |
| Merchant Houses |
| Abraxis Combine, House Ditta, Thal Lithel, Thal Sivale, Thûrash |
The second largest city of the Godfall is well known for its tall walls and the huge 'sails' that are raised over the city at night to collect moisture.
This is the main trade hub for the country, caravans leave multiple times a week to go north to Fir Lanear, Otteun, Dolac, and Mifora. Warehouses have been dug out under the entire city to store all the commodities going in and out.
About half a day outside the city is a large settlement of Kenku; Fussuluant. This is the only Kenku community as far as is known.
Locations
Assuagion Academy
The Companions of Elric buildings take up an entire city quarter. This is because in Banak they are not only a support organisation (with quite impressive storehouses) but they also run the major center of learning in town, teaching both beginner courses and some quite esoteric subjects.
Cathedral of Bravery
Heironeous' temple is a tall stone structure, with long vertical stained glass windows depicting scenes of Heironeous triumphant over his enemies. The building is rectangular, with a cylindrical structure near the back, the roof is slanted with blue tiles. The interior is a long corridor with a blue rug, lined with statues of Heironeous fighting foes. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling. At the end of the corridor is a large circular chancel. The chancel has rows of wooden benches with a middle aisle that leads to a central dais. Several steps lead up to the dais where a beautiful engraved altar rests.
The senior cleric at the cathedral is Knight Champion Chethri the Bulwark (dwarven female). A number of the priests here are also in the employ of Bruised But Not Broken.
Dubanôn
This magic college has roots going all the way back to Baltur. Unsurprisingly, a portion of its faculty and students are staunch Tipatshimun members. The college is housed in a very large, thick walled building on the Road of the Builders. It probably won't come as a shock to learn that the local lodge of Abjura Dolana is housed in a building across the street; they are keeping more than one wary eye peeled.
Fane of the Workers
This temple to Ulaa is housed in one of the warehouses under the city. A soft blue light radiates from the ceiling of the large hall and beautifully crafted columns and stone statues are randomly dispersed throughout. As befits its purpose and location, the temple is open all hours, every day of the year, services are not scheduled but there are always priests on hand when worshipers congregate.
Just last year a new forewoman was appointed; a half-orc woman by the name of Neske Sormuzhik now leads this temple. Though there was some grumbling at the start, she quickly showed to be the best high cleric that anyone can remember.
Ganâd Salt Mines
About an hour out of town you can find the Ganâd complex, salt has been dug from the earth here for at least fifteen centuries. It is said that this is the largest underground structure in the world. These days no one is quite sure how deep and wide the mines run, walking through all of them would take years.
House of Light
Pholtus' temple is a single story structure built of white stone bricks. The entrance is flanked by two white statues of regal knights wearing full platemail. The large double doors lead to a meticulous chancel with rows of stone pews. Evenly placed column line the walls, with candelabra's placed inbetween each. A large white stone altar stands near the back wall. White banners with gold trim on the sides hang from the ceiling and feature Pholtus' symbol.
Shining Bishop Assessor Immar Chessar (dwarven male) leads the congregation. In charge of the Order of Saint Rabban, who are also housed here, is High-Inquisitor Morias Hawkwinter (human male).
Jade Winehouse
Named for a tavern from the days of Baltur, this drinking establishment is actually less than a century old. It is, however, one of the most popular in town. They don't sell any wine but plenty of distilled spirits and have a full floor catering to all kinds of games. During evening hours they have various entertainers on stage, the quality is rather hit or miss, which makes it even more popular.
Târlaz Place
This square at the center of the city is its pride of place; filled with magnificent statues that survived the Collapse or were in good enough state to be expertly repaired. Discussions on whether or not more contemporary statuary should be displayed here as well, has been raging for centuries.
Tharkathol
This is one of Bruised But Not Broken's largest army camps, mostly used to train up new personnel. The barracks are all located in one large, fortress-like, compound inside the city. Outside the city the organization has a large exercise field where they put the recruits through their paces.
Water Worx
Before the Collapse, magic was used to bring water to the city, but when that stopped working other alternatives had to be found. At some depth below the city a well of clean water was found. A magnificent contraption was built to transport the water to the surface, but then it turned out the water source was the elemental plane of water. Creatures native to that plane started to appear and interfere with the supply. Ever since it has been necessary to send parties down below for repairs and/or to fight or bribe the mephits and other water elementals.
For this reason a new construction was started; huge sails are now raised over the city at night to capture moisture from the air and funnel it into large cisterns. It's not all that much but it's usually enough to tide the town over when the underground source has been sabotaged and needs to be taken care of.
Notable People
- Jessra Throndor (dwarven burgomeister)
- Hallasa Thar (dwarven captain of the citizens brigade)
- Cyrag Zirak (dwarven wizard, 'archmage', lives in a tower near the east wall)
- Ambrul Othul (dwarven sage, nature)
- Sirane Eyriendor (half-elf sage, Baltur)
- Thirig Barzuk (dwarven playwright)