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
Bruised But Not Broken
Located a few miles outside the city ("just far enough for a walk to sober you up") lays Camp Thamnard. It is almost double the size of most camps as it is used to house Bruised that are being shipped anywhere around the Sarodin Sea.
Ductak (Major) Maini Bradur, instantly recognizable for her left arm made of cold iron, has recently taken command and begun to tighten the, in her eyes, lax discipline.
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.
Rhes Haghed
The busiest port city in the world was bound to attract the attention of the syndicate. Crime here is higher than average, especially in and around the docks. Most of the criminals are not Rhes Haghed but their presence keeps the Humtache busy and they are easily enough hired when necessary. The rank and file focus on getting things on and off of ships. The Rhes have some of their best fences here and control most of the drug trade.
It is unclear who the local don is. Margaret Morris is a local from a wealthy family who has never been involved with the law or seen with any criminals, yet her name keeps popping up. Jurin Fernel is a half-elf with a rather long criminal record in many countries who took residence here four years ago.
Companions of Elric
The branch operates out of one of the city's most beautiful buildings, Lertey House, a shining example of Empress Acilia architecture. Located on Diolkos, one of the town's majestic avenues in the Dawnbloom Heights neighborhood, the property was donated by one of their biggest benefactors, Helena Lertey. The Companions are very popular with those outside of the guilds. The branch also manages its own warehouses, distributing non-perishable goods to other branches.
It is run by Dyn Anuvien, a man of infectious enthusiasm who visits orphanages every week to entertain the children with his juggling and acrobatic skills. Shipping and all related matters are handled by Melui Coudoarluth, a half-elf former sailor and swashbuckler.
Kasarian Embassy
Through some creative law-making the Dolacs have made it very expensive for the Kasarians to keep an embassy but they apparently think it worth the cost. A century ago their new building was completed, located in the North of Grove Way neighborhood, near the waterfront. It was designed in the New Avale style, featuring light colored bricks and many horizontal elements.
A tiefling woman, Orixes Scoch, has been the ambassador here for a long time. Her skin is a light mauve and she has a band of small horns running around her neck, though she always keeps those covered. She's a Three-Dragon Ante fiend in desperate need of new opponents. Two people report to her; Kyreth Calinax, a forty-ish, gregarious human man who seems to frequent every tavern in town, and Oramyr Noxor, a tiefling woman of indeterminate age with a smoky black skin, it is unclear if this is her natural hue, and her pointed-teethed smile doesn't invite any questions.
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.
Buel Vitta Society
While Dolac food is nothing to write home about in most cases, there is a hardcore group of enthusiasts within this chapter that tries to celebrate the best of the country whenever given the chance. The other members are much more enchanted with foreign food and so there is a friendly competition between the two.
Meetings are held at the Scarlet Bonnet, the bi-weekly Sampler's Surprise is so popular that even though it's anything but cheap, there is a long waiting list.
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
Istus
Based out of a former weaver's mill, the Sanctuary of Serendipity in the Fabrics neighborhood has become very popular in a short amount of time. Many Dolac resonate with the message of stoicism and acceptance though this hasn't stopped them from asking for divinations.
The temple was founded by Blunt Grobi, a slight but outspoken man, former Master of the Weavers and Tailors Guild. He converted his building and left the guild, though he has not stopped trying to convert many of his old colleagues to worship the Colorless and All-Colored.
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.
Pholtus
The Basilica of the Blinding Light is one of the largest buildings in town, a grandiose structure built in the Ome style architecture that was popular in the centuries after the Collapse, found on Karmad Square in the Easttown neighborhood. Pholtus worship having fallen as much as it has, most of the building is now rented out to the Guild of Bookkeepers, Notaries & Scribes.
With Pholtus being the royal family's official religion, and thus the state religion, Cardinal Assessor Marius Limes keeps trying to bring his god to the forefront of any state affairs but without much success, even dispensing justice has been taken over by the guilds to a large degree. He is a confidant of Queen Helia and spends much time at her palace.
Ulaa
The Tabernacle of Industry is a massive temple in the Jeoran Terrace neighborhood. The original building was severely damaged in a fire and then rebuilt only to suffer a collapse. It has been rebuilt twice more and three additions were added as the city grew, producing a building of no less than six architectural styles.
Foreman Kazrik Jadrerlig, a dwarf of advanced years, has spent most of his time spreading his faith throughout the country and is now teaching his successor, the half-orc Knaraugh Vodis. He can't stop telling anyone who'll listen that she is Ulaa personified.
Merchant Houses
Abraxis Combine
Headquartered in Scatterstrand Mansion, an Independence architecture building on Raykiss Boulevard in the Kalehaven neighborhood that used to belong to the playwright Justus Delvon. Abraxis is here in full force as they want to protect their access to the Tal river. They have numerous warehouses in the new port and even a few private piers.
Leading the large contingent is a former Ott general of the engineering and magic branch, Nera Holt. She surprised many when she started taking classes at the Avale School of Business, immediately after moving here.
Bowman-Outersea Cereals & Commodities
This was the first country the company expanded to, taking over the Radcliffe Flax Company. These days they are based out of Walachria Court in the Gill Gardens neighborhood. This building of early Miforan architecture was long in the possession of the Imperial family and many emperors used it to house their mistresses. The BOCC warehouse space in the port rivals that of their GICOM operation, of late they have been trialing a magical fire suppression system here.
Everything is overseen by Dolac-born Ken Rane, a man who prides himself on his appearance and is an ardent gakker player and philanthropist.
House Ditta
Gander & Empty Shipping was the first large acquisition done by House Ditta, giving them a stepping stone in Dolac and other countries south of the Sarodin Sea. Ever since they have been headquartered in Gander House, a late Miforan architectural style marvel on Talview Road in the Pell Point neighborhood. The place has been extended twice over, leaving it without its impressive gardens.
Officially in charge is Hazan Urska Pogas, a woman with a sharp nose for a deal, and host of weekly parties that everyone who is someone wants to be invited to. She leans heavily on local boy made good, Travis Newell, an orphan who started out as a pickpocket, joined the Guild of Stevedores, working his way up the ladder before joining House Ditta.
Hythe Maritime Services
The company is run from Sealy House on Rampart Street in the Clover Hill neighborhood, a very well preserved example of Empress Acilia architecture. They own a large number of warehouses in the new port and rent out many of them.
Nominally run by Gerrut 'Keeper' Hythe, this family scion can very rarely be found here. He travels on one of the company ships whenever he can get away with it. And when he is in town, he spends much time trying to innovate and improve Hythe's ships, warehouses, and other properties. He has a large workshop where he can be found most evenings. The actual paperwork is done by his good friend, Jer Lobs, she likes to paint whenever she's dictating letters.
Thal Lithel
Based out of Elassidil Villa, on Falanae Avenue in the Oakhurst neighborhood, a large, wooden building with not a single straight angle, designed two centuries ago by Meril Ilbenalu, the famed architect. This is the thal's largest operation and it runs quite a few manufactories, competing with a number of guilds, making them not very well loved by them but very much appreciated by their workers, who didn't join said guilds for one reason or another.
Very much in the thick of it all is their leader, Gweithiril Calear, a half-elf master artisan who visits her charges daily. She likes to spend time on the Tal estuary in her kayak; an elven, lightweight single-person canoe.
Thal Sivale
On their first arrival here, the thal had Quiver Hall built, some would classify it a small keep. It's located on Blue Feather Street in the Cegir Town neighborhood. Most of the inside of the building has never been seen by outsiders, it is rumored to contain a small jungle.
The half-elf Uidor Calaudra has recently been appointed to the top position. On his arrival he purchased a hunting lodge where he now fêtes all the movers and shakers in town.
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')