Living ENWorld:Monemvassia

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Monemvassia

City details: Large city. Population, about 20,000
Location: On the coast, just South of the Northern Mountains.
Government: Monarchy, currently ruled by Crassus Jara (Hum Ari2/Sor2). Town Council, representing merchants, Landowners, Artisans, wizard guild and representatives from the dwarves runs many of the day-to-day affairs. King has total veto power. Exercise of royal power has varied by king. Crassus has ruled very firmly, often vetoing the council�s decisions.
Description: Monemvassia city is built onto a gigantic boulder, thrust out into the sea, and connected to the mainland by a thin strip of land, about half a mile long. The sea side of the city has a good port. The castle rests atop the boulder. It is well built and nigh-impregnable. Farms, orchards and mines in the area fall under the city�s fief.

City landmarks

Throne room

The most awe-inspiring room in the castle, the throne room presents two large gold thrones underneath the stuffed head of an enormous black dragon. This is the mortal remains of Asphetoon, the ancient huge black dragon that ruled this peninsula for 500 years.

Tavern of the One-eyed Owl

This seedy dive of a tavern in the docks area is a meeting place for many of the city�s criminal elements. A small rat-faced man named Drauer uses this sleazy tavern as a base. A small-time crook, Drauer was once hired by Jezibel and assisted in the capture and detention of Irene.

Funary Gates

Main city entrance. Guards led by huge half orc: Grindell. (Ftr3) Foul tempered and bribe taking.

The Monemvassia Thieves Guild

This organization is second in power and influence only to the Royal family and government. They are highly integrated into legitimate businesses. Their main priority is to make money, and depend on free trade. They undertake numerous illegal activities in order to evade taxes. They are very upset with the current government and are/were under attack by some unknown force via goblin raiders and a rogue named Jezibel.

NPC's

The Royal Family

King Crassus: This King is about 50. He was sick as a child, is small and ugly. He is no warrior, but has had military training, as all the men in the Jara family do. He is also an accomplished sorcerer. (at least Aristocrat 2/Sor 4)

Duke Antoine Jara: In his late 40s, the Duke is considered by many to be the true King. People hope he will take over. He has been a Naval man all his life, and is still in charge of the royal navy. He spends most of his time away from the city, particularly after the death of his father. (Ari2/Ftr4) _ Killed in M3

Duchess Sofia Maria Jara: Antoine�s wife. A retiring, prim woman who avoids politics, but hosts an exceptional tea party.

Prince Julian Jara: Tall, strong, and very hansom, the young prince was the hope of the future. Now in his early 20s, Julian is rumored to be alive and well, plotting the overthrow of the crown. He fled in the company of his gnome tutor, Knockbottle (Bard3), and in possession of the Sword of Truth. Julian himself could well have become more powerful during his years of exile. He is at least a ftr4. His current whereabouts are unknown.

Prince Ajax Jara: Ajax is a sickly and unambitious youth. Yet he is intelligent and capable. He is the palace accountant, and knows much of the city�s finances. He displays no desire for power, which is perhaps why he is allowed his responsibility and freedom. (Ari1/Exp 3)

Princess Esmerelda: Beautiful as Julian is handsome, Esmerelda was much loved by the citizens of the peninsula. Though women cannot become rulers, many hope she will marry well, and bring a more just king to the throne. Her beauty makes her a royal prize, and many princes came to court her, offering various diplomatic and financial advantages in exchange for her hand. Independent and headstrong, she spurned all suitors. Her current whereabouts are unknown.

Lady Justine: Daughter of Antoine�s wife, the attractive, but shy royal still makes her home in Monemvassia. She rarely comes out in public.

Prince Medius: Tall, thin, handsome and proud, this future king is very active in the government. He has been appointed commander and chief of the armed forces. Shrewd, paranoid, and cruel, he has been in the forefront of replacing former commanders and administrators with loyal followers of his person. Wears mithril chainshirt. (Ari2/Ftr1/Sor 1, or higher)

Others

Kim Tensil: A prominant merchant, recently in trouble with the law. Someone paid Jezibel to plant stolen silver in his warehouse. Although an adventuring party was able to recover much of the silver and demonstrate that the goblins had taken it, they weren�t able to rule out Kim�s involvement. Kim is free on probation but in danger in an unjust justice system

Grod: Ogre bodyguard of Kim Tensil�s.

Flavius: Caravan guard who befriended the adventuring party in M1.

Antagra: court wizard. Human wizard (8?) About 60 years old. Academy graduate (Conjuration) blue trimmed cloak. Killed in M3.

Wimpell Frump � Court wizard. Previously employed by The Viscount Claudious Causticus to pose as KaziKazi and keep the gnolls of the southern swamps in check, Frump was defeated by the adventurers, betrayed them, escaped, and was captured by Monemvassian troops. He then took the job with the crown.

Artemis Trent: Another merchant, who runs frequent caravans to Orussus.

Edgar Vossinvinger: major domo for Prince Medius (like a chief of staff)

Graybane: one eyed ranger. Head of militia. Has mighty Silver-reinforced darkwood long composite bow and red-fletched arrows. Ran6.
- Stats: S 14 D 15 C 14 I 12 W 14 Ch 10, HP: 50, AC: 15 (MW Studded leather, dex), Abilities: Track, archery combat style (rapid shot and multi shot), endurance, animal empathy +8, Favored enemies (Goblins +4; gnolls +2) Feats: PBS, TWF, Precise shot, Far shot Skill(rank): Handle animal(5), Survival(9), Hide(9), Move Silently(9), Search(5), Heal(5), Spot(9), Listen(9), Knowledge nature(5), Climb (3), Jump(3), swim(3)
- Attacks: bow: rapid shot: +7/+7/+2 1d8+2 (for beyond 30 feet)
- Items: MW Darkwood Mighty +2 composite longbow. +1 returning throwing axe, MW longsword, Under the patch of his missing eye is a green eye-shaped stone which is set in his empty socket. It is known to some that this gives him True Seeing. It's origin and other powers are unknown. (To be developed later by Manzanita)

Knights

The Royal family of Monemvassia has accumulated a number of holdings in the area. These include such things as vinyards, orchards, merchant ships, theaters, water powered mills, farms and shops. Some of these were gained by dubious means, but others are the legitimate result of generations in power. These properties are turned over to honored individuals to manage. These individuals are expected to pay a modest portion of their revenue to the crown, but are expected to make a profit themselves. These individuals are known as Knights, an honor bestowed directly by the royal family. Knights are also sometimes given largely honory commissions in the military.

As usual, I am open to suggestions on how this would be handled. Once knighted, the character is given an adamantine dagger inscribed with their name, and a commission or piece of property. Given the mercantile nature of the city, Knighthood, once given, can be sold. Price would be approximately 1000 gps, but may depend upon level. If you are interested in retaining the property or commission, it would yield an annual payment, perhaps 100 gps, paid once a calendar year, since there�s no in-game calendar. Beyond this, it would give certain advantages when working in Monemvassia, and perhaps advantages elsewhere (DM�s discretion). You could choose what your property or commission is, within reason. This might add some good character depth.

Knight of Monemvassia

Knighthood is an honor reserved for those who have done a great service to the state. It is represented by an adamantine dagger, inscribed with the Knight�s name. This dagger opens doors in Monemvassia, and can be quite useful in other places, by demonstrating the holder�s abilities and importance.

Currently, Tenebrynn and Ashnar own a wizard tower/library, Eanos owns a courier service, Nurlan owns an amphitheaters, and Rinaldo owns a magic shop.

History

Monemvassia is a city on an immense boulder protruding from the coast. This small peninsula occupies a key strategic point along trading routes, and its natural defensibility makes it an important city.

It was once occupied by the dwarves of the Northern Mountains who mined its precious minerals and used its vast underground caves for storage and audience chambers. Their productive world was shattered by the sudden arrival of Asphetoon, a huge black dragon who shattered their defenses and slaughtered all who got in his way. The dwarves retreated and bided their time, never forgetting their humiliation at the claws of that dragon. They forged mighty weapons and planned their revenge. Their opportunity seemed to come at the hands of a mighty eldritch knight. The human Nolan Jara appeared and offered his services. In return he and his descendents would be granted eternal control of the Monemvassian peninsula. The dwarves, intrigued, agreed, and offered him their most powerful creation. The Sword of Truth. Forged to help a leader build and control an army, as well as slay a dragon, this sword was a great gift. With it, Jara killed Ashpetoon, claimed a lion�s share of his vast hoard for his treasury, and built a beautiful city. He established peaceful and productive trade agreements with the dwarves, gifted them all the treasure taken by the dragon, and signed treaties of mutual defense. His descendents rule to this day.

Five years ago, Nolan�s great great great grandson, Dorian Jara, died, and left the throne to his eldest son Crassus. Although Crassus was oldest, most people thought Jara would skip over him & pass the throne to his second son, Antoine. Antoine was the father of Esmerelda & her two brothers, Julian and Ajax. Crassus was violent and cruel, making himself very unpopular. More damning was that he no longer used the ancestral weapon, The Sword of Truth, in public. This sword, among other things, would glow yellow when a lie was told in its presence. This made it very useful for adjudicating disputes. Julian was convinced it wouldn�t work for Crassus due to his evil nature. Julian was always hot-tempered. He was the eldest, and a talented warrior. Ajax had been sick as a child, and was not suited for war. He worked as an accountant in the King�s treasury.

Recently Crassus� son Medius was accused of raping another noble, the lady Justine. Crassus finally used the sword in a public hearing to investigate the matter. To the shock of most present, the sword glowed yellow during Justine�s testimony. Medius was declared innocent. Yet most present remembered the yellow glow to be different, more subtle & suffused in the days of Jara. Julian was convinced Antagra, Crassus� court wizard had cast some sort of a light spell to get that effect.

Crassus also arranged for his niece, the beautiful Esmerelda, to be married to the wizard Philip, who rules a small province South of Monemvassia. This town, Three Rings, is said to be the home of the infamous Black Hand assassin guild. Philip is an old man, who dabbles in strange breeding programs, creating hideous monsters. Philip was going to trade a number of these monsters, winged apes called Clakars, for Esmerelda's hand.

At this, both Prince Julian and Princess Esmerelda fled Monemvassia. Rumor has it that Julian took with him the Sword of Truth. Esmerelda has disappeared, and the clakars promised the crown have not been delivered.

The city is in an economic decline. King Crassus has gotten rid of many of the competent administrators that ran the city in Dorian�s day, in favor of his sycophantic cronies. Bribes are common. Merchants have started to avoid the city�s corruption and increasing taxes. Residents fear the now-arbitrary justice. Discontent is rising, though it has no legal outlet.

Bandit attacks, evidently organized by some intelligent force, temporarily stifled land trade, until they were wiped out by a brave adventuring group.

Geography

North along the coast are a range of mountains, home of the dwarves, and their goblin enemies. South along the coast is the small town of Three Rings. Beyond that jungles.

Monemvassia has never been threatened by land, but pirates and sahaugins make the sea a dangerous place. Many small volcanic islands dot the area around Monemvassia. Some of these serve as pirate bases, and worse! Traditionally, Monemvassia�s strong navy keep these threats at bay, but the deterioration of the armed services through corruption and nepotism has contributed to increased pirate activity in the area. Some say other factors influence this, and that the pirates are becoming increasingly organized and united.

Regional Locations of Interest

The Jungles and Swamps

[knowledge history DC 10] The jungles above were once home to a mighty human civilization, in culture and appearance, somewhat akin to the Aztecs of Mezoamerica. Many adventurers over the centuries have cut their teeth exploring the vast ruins buried in the swamps and jungle.

[knowledge(local) or bardic knowledge DC 15] It is said that the adventurers who killed the great dragon which inhabited the Monemvassia peninsula, and who founded the human city there found items of great power in the jungle ruins of this region. It is said some of them returned to this area later and tried to set up a settlement, which was ultimately unsuccessful

Miller

There is a miller on Sutton Creek, about an hour north of the city.