Catarvoss

Metropolis: Population 39,706 (73% vesperkin, 24% human, 3% other races)

History

Catarvoss is the second largest city in The Commonwealth, and is the spice capital of the world. The city sees more trade than any other city on Myr. It is home not only to spices native to Myr, but its markets have every single spice found in all of Aellorah. Catarvoss is also known for being the only city in all of Aellorah that was built around a Wellspring anomaly -- the Spicewind. The mesa that Catarvoss resides on is home to a unique variety of shrubs that produce a fragrant mist that smells like something that is sweet, fruity, and smokey. The mists themselves create a light blue haze in the city when they are active, which is usually for a few hours in the middle of the day when the sun is highest. This fragrant mist is pleasing to the residents, but has the added side effect of imparting a flavor on anything grown on the mesa that is the same as the scent itself. The mists spread all across the mesa and down its sides, affecting plants within about a mile of the mesa as well.

The city was founded at some point during the Upheaval, but the exact year has been lost to time. It is believed to have been founded somewhere around the second century of the Upheaval period. When the city was founded, the Vesperkin were expanding north and, with the help of a group of Humans, settled a small desert area along the coast. It was founded less than fifty miles from the coast, an ideal location for a trade city. The Vesperkin had been searching for a location to settle and smelled the scent of the Spicewind, drawing them to the plateau where the pleasing shrubs are located. Because of the unique crops grown on and around the mesa, a culture of flavor emerged, attracting merchants from all over the world, and it slowly became the number one destination for chefs looking to learn from the best in the world and wanting to use premium spices. One of the most unique spices found in the city is called Empyrean Zest, which is created from the Spicewind itself by growing roots infused with the flavor of the haze and then extracting the oils from them and mixing it with a binding agent and drying it. The resulting spice is a brilliant blue color and smells exactly like the Spicewind and can be used to add its flavor to any food. It is used in the city for everything from fish to baked goods.

Government

As part of the Commonwealth, Catarvoss has local chapters of each branch of its government. The Speakers hold their annual gatherings and proclamations in the Meridian, Catarvoss' event center, but their primary office, the Speaker's Bureau, is where the city's residents can go to air their grievances, deal with administrative issues, apply for permits, and talk to their representatives about changes they'd like to see made. There is no "leader" of the Speakers. Rather, there is a council of 7 Speakers in the city who employ a number of secretaries to assist them with their work.

The city also has a local chapter of the Legion, the Marshals, and the Arbiters. The Legion mostly occupies the city's outer outposts and watchtowers, but has a garrison beneath the city. The Marshals are responsible for day-to-day peacekeeping and bringing criminals to justice. However, the Arbiters work to enforce the law by bringing criminals to court for a fair trial and sentence them based on their crimes. Typically the Arbiters do not have to deal with petty disputes over administrative issues -- the Speakers handle administrative things like that. The Arbiters are largely responsible for sentencing those who have committed crimes such as murder, thievery, and other serious acts. Finally, they are responsible for holding elections when the Speakers' terms expire.

The Arbiters also work with the Speakers to inform the public about the local laws. While the Commonwealth has a set of laws that apply to every settlement within its borders, each settlement can have its own local statutes. Some of the local laws in Catarvoss can seem odd if you don't understand the history behind why they were passed. The law that most foreign visitors find strange is the local law banning gambling. Many foreigners are well aware of Vesperkin's love for games of chance -- but after years of dealing with foreigners cheating in their casinos and murders that resulted from games gone sour, Catarvoss' Speakers council made the decision to ban gambling altogether. This ban only narrowly passed the vote required to make it locally binding, and every year someone tries to get it repealed, but Catarvoss has gone more than 20 years since they made the decision and thus far the ban has not been lifted.

Another example of one of the odd local laws is that cats must remain indoors during the hours of the Spicewind, due to the strange side effect it has of making them inebriated -- a law which confused visiting foreign Lynoxi who wondered if this applied to them as well. There is also the law banning floating lanterns and any kind of open fire during the Spicewind, as when the bloom is particularly active, especially during the summer months, it can become flammable; instead, citizens rely on magical lights for most of the day. One that is less common, but understandable, is that it is illegal to possess Akronite in the city -- this is actually a common law in Myr due to the high degree of spiritual activity, because Akronite attracts Spirits.

Economy

Much of Catarvoss' wealth comes from having the most renowned spice market in Aellorah. The Myriad Plaza produces an enormous amount of income, as Aellorah's inhabitants are very fond of spices. Many of the merchants doing trade in Catarvoss come from Arak, as Arakian cuisine is the most potent in the world. However, Myr and Reshyk have very flavorful dishes as well. While Arakian cuisine focuses on spice and heat, Myrian cuisine focuses on a little bit of everything, and Reshyki cuisine uses a wide variety of aromatic herbs and spices. The inhabitants of Gothir eat mostly bland food, though this is more out of necessity because they cannot afford luxuries like spices.

Besides conventional herbs and spices, some of the more popular exotic spices available would be Sirocco Spice from the Yzerid Desert, Elysian Pepper, Galegrass, and Moonberry Clove from various parts of Myr, and of course, Empyrean Zest, produced from the Spicewind itself. Although it is fairly affordable, the sheer amount that is exported and consumed results in a very lucrative economy for the city. Many cities will have a market stall or two where you can buy your everyday spice needs, but nearly all of them get their supply from Catarvoss, and no other city can compare to their selection.

As a result of the culinary culture, Catarvoss is also home to many fine dining establishments and street food, which makes up most of the rest of their income.

Notable Locations

1. The Meridian - Used as an event center and a public forum when The Speakers of the Commonwealth meet to discuss legislation. It is a large amphitheater recessed into the mesa, with an area carved into the mesa used for decorations and props. During most of the year, it is used for various shows, plays, operas, and more.
2. Myriad Plaza - This sprawling marketplace is home to every spice you could ever hope to find on Aellorah. Catarvoss has built itself on the spice trade, and no other city can hope to compete. There is a large square plaza in the center of the city with countless market stalls with merchants displaying large piles of many-colored spices. The smell is overwhelming, and foreign visitors often find themselves choking and gagging. However, once you get used to it, the smell can be quite pleasant, if indistinct. When the Spicewind is blooming, the smell intensifies here twofold, and many have to wear a wet cloth over their face to protect themselves.
3. The Nightingale - Easily the largest tavern in all of Myr, the Nightingale is a restaurant, tavern, and inn all in one. The restaurant only opens once the sun goes down, and its owner, a Vesperkin man named Ponto Slygrass, is older than he appears. He has never given his age, but most residents agree that he is well beyond the age most Vesperkin live until, and yet looks like he is only in his 40s. Many that frequent the restaurant like to try to solve the mystery of Ponto's unexplained youth, and he has even gotten a few visits over the years from Bloodsealers of the Sorcerer's Cabal who were suspicious of him, but as of yet, none have an answer. The inn has a wonderful reputation and is immaculately maintained. The restaurant has a variety of food options catering to people of various levels of wealth, but Ponto's specialty is his stuffed breads. He serves a long thick bread that has been hollowed out and filled with an aromatic green sauce, cheese, and roasted sweet peppers. Another favorite is stuffed with a mixture of butter, cream, cinnamon, and peaches.
4. Imagi-knit - A local favorite tailoring service and supplier of fancy patterned cloth that makes a killing selling designer Astrite masks. The owner, a flamboyant Human man named Killian Blackwell, puts forth his best effort to give everyone an outfit that is uniquely theirs and an Astrite mask to match. He finds adventurers in their dirty leathers and smelly tunics to be distasteful and insists his customers leave if they have not at least had a bath in the last week. He also has a small stock of knitted shawls and other fashion accessories.
5. The Bassment - Located underground, this store sells all manner of musical instruments, with a particular focus on instruments favored by the Vesperkin and Humans of Myr. Although not specifically catering to it, you may even find a few that have enchantments on them. The owner, a Human man by the name of Fenton Bramford, is an accomplished lyrist and enjoys putting on shows around the Myriad Plaza at night after his shop closes.
6. Midnight Melange - Producing the most popular ales and ciders in all of Catarvoss, the Midnight Melange brewery makes good use of the wide variety of spices available in the city in their flavor profiles. Some drinks are popular enough to remain on-hand year-round, but most drinks will only be produced for a year, and then cycled out to try something new and experimental. Owned by a Vesperkin man named Hob Mudletter, their most popular brew, which has remarkably remained for over 150 years is Chillshade, a mead made with 3 kinds of honey, mashed blueberries, and a special black tea mixture from Steeped in Mystery. Additionally, they add a small amount of Umbraberries to the batch to give it its signature dark navy, almost black appearance. It is quite sweet and has a mild bitter aftertaste as a result of the Umbraberries.
7. Steeped in Mystery - Nowhere in Aellorah will you find a more varied or tantalizing selection of teas than in Steeped in Mystery. The owner, a Human woman named Emilie Kincade, has spent two decades of her adult life cultivating and collecting every known variety of tea leaves and has made use of the city's vast spice selection to create some truly special teas. Her most popular brew is undoubtedly one not found anywhere else, the Empyrean Blue tea, which uses Empyrean Zest to give it its signature blue color and a mixture of hibiscus, dried blueberries, dried apricots, and a subtle strain of green tea. Her teas provide not only comfort, but they have some medicinal purposes as well -- while they may not cure a disease, some blends she carries are known to ward them off if you do not already have one.
8. Creature Comforts - One of the noisiest shops in the city, Creature Comforts offers a selection of exotic animals that you can adopt as pets. The owner, a Vesperkin woman named Shannon Goodwort, is rather strict about who can adopt, as she is very fond of her animals. Most of the animals she carries are from Myr, though she has some from Arak and Gothir as well. The residents unfortunate enough to live near her shop have made plenty of noise complaints over the years, but Shannon is very active in the community, so the Marshals don't do much about it. Shannon is never seen without her pet stoat, named Benny, which sits on her shoulder.
9. The Silent Cloister - This shrine to the goddess Umos can be found in a secluded area of the mesa a good distance from the city. It is kept immaculately clean and consists of an altar draped with a navy blue cloth with silver embroidery and a 10 ft. polished black granite obelisk. Vesperkin and some other races leave offerings on the altar throughout the day for Umos, though there is an understanding that they are aware Umos herself has no use for these, and instead they are left for those in need, mostly in the form of coin. The cloister has a strict code of silence, and you are expected to come and go without a word. Those who do not adhere to this custom may be escorted away, by force if necessary.

Culture

It goes without saying that food is very important to Catarvoss, and the diversity of different cuisines offered here allows the city's residents to taste every dish the world has to offer without ever having to leave. There are numerous cooking competitions held in the city throughout the year, including the annual "Vesperfes" on the 7th of Umen, where chefs around the city prepare their best dishes to be judged by the crowds of hungry attendees. The festival's patrons try each dish and then at the end of the night line up next to the stall of their favorite dish. The winner, chosen by popular vote, receives a medal and a hefty sum of gold.

However, even the locals can find it difficult to navigate the city without some sort of protection from the overwhelming smells that permeate the air. Most locals wear face protection in the form of cloths over the nose and mouth that are treated with a solution made from Astrite powder, a porous stone-like material found in the mountains of Myr which absorbs scents, negating the powerful smells throughout the city. These masks are inexpensive and are very useful to protect your sense of smell. Although vagrants are not abundant in the Commonwealth, those that cannot afford these special masks often lose their sense of smell after only a month spent in the city and must leave for an extended period to recover.

Like many cities in Myr, due to the warm, dry weather, the city's buildings have many windows and large open entrances, allowing air to circulate. This also affects the local fashion, with brightly-colored, open, and breathable clothing being common. Many Humans choose to not even wear clothing on their upper bodies. The wealthy will have doors and window shutters that can be locked and even make use of materials like Rimestone or Glacierium to cool their homes. Many homes are designed around the shrubs that produce the Spicewind, which resemble large rosemary bushes with a blue-green color.

But Catarvoss is not just about spice and food. There are a number of sports and activities the residents participate in. One particular game, called "Cragshot" involves players hanging from long ropes off of the mesa's cliffs, and doing target practice on hoops hanging from the cliff faces. It varies what is used in these games, from bows, to slings, to discuses. Some place simple enchantments on the hoops to give off bursts of fireworks when a target is hit. More recently a spring-loaded target was created that allows you to strike a target, and it will pop back up after a time. There are also activities for visitors and locals alike where simple paragliders can be rented and flown off the side of the mesa. Some residents have set up obstacles to fly through, though this is discouraged, as several people have died attempting to pass through them.

When the Meridian is not being used by The Speakers, it hosts all manner of shows including live music, plays, and displays of skill. The Orators make use of the amphitheater to gather locals and visiting merchants alike to tell stories, complete with illusion magic to enhance the experience. The Sparrows also put on concerts here, which are always wildly popular, and when the amphitheater overflows, you can find many sitting atop the surrounding rocks and propped up around the outside to be able to hear.

Defenses

Despite the city not having walls around it, it is very well defended. The city sits atop a large mesa, giving them a high ground position to defend against attackers, which is one of the reasons the Rathmore Empire has not yet captured it, despite several attempts. There are two paths up the mesa, and there are archways carved out of the mesa itself along the paths that can be sealed by gates. Additionally, the rock facing along the wall up the mesa has numerous lookouts carved into it, allowing archers to attack invaders from above while being very difficult to see due to the difference in light levels between the inside of the lookouts and the outside, as even during the night, the lack of dense foliage and tree canopies in the surrounding area makes the desert fairly well lit.

Catarvoss' local chapter of the Legion is made up overwhelmingly of archers and those using other ranged weapons, such as boomerangs. Those who can afford it can even purchase thrown weapons that return to your hand magically. Given the number of lookouts surrounding the mesa, it would be foolish to attempt a direct approach up to the summit. They also have a number of Marshals who keep the peace. Because all members of The Commonwealth must serve in the Legion, they all receive the same amount of basic training -- however, the Marshals do not continue to receive specialized training after their mandatory service period, so they are not as disciplined and formidable as the Legion.

There are some tunnels and bunkers carved into the mesa itself, with entrances throughout the city, where residents can take shelter during wartime. There are several tunnels leading to secret exits throughout the surrounding canyons. The locations of the exits are hidden well, using natural camouflage as well as illusions to mask them. These tunnels are guarded at both the entrance and exit to ensure nobody accidentally stumbles upon their locations. The guard is changed every hour so that if one of the exit guards were to be killed by intruders, it would soon be discovered. The exit tunnels are laden with traps to collapse them if necessary.

Additionally, there are some deep ravines in the landscape surrounding the city which makes direct travel to the city difficult. Catarvoss has a series of large drawbridges that allow merchants to approach the city. In an emergency, they can be retracted to slow down, if not halt invaders entirely. With the Rathmore Empire's laws against the usage of magic, this makes such simple deterrents particularly effective.

Crime

Crime is relatively low in Catarvoss, though that is not to say that it doesn't happen. There are those who steal, just as any other place, though thieves are not as common as other cities. The Vesperkin have an odd sense of justice in that thievery itself is not frowned upon among them -- it's getting caught that is unacceptable. The Vesperkin's connection to Umos gives them a thrill when they are able to do something they shouldn't be doing without getting caught. However, many enjoy expressing this by simply taking things, just to prove to themselves that they can do so without getting caught, and then putting them back. So when something goes missing in Catarvoss, maybe 80% of the time, it will turn up the next day. Those who do get caught, however, are subject to prison time.

The murder rate in Catarvoss is relatively low as well, though when they do occur, they are very scarcely random. Victims are often the targets of assassination rather than random robbing or serial killers. It is well-known that there are groups of assassins in the city willing to take a life for the right price. There are even rumors that The Unseen, a mythical group of undetectable assassins which most believe to simply be a folk tale, have a presence here. Murderers who are caught are hung from the side of the mesa above the path leading up the cliff facing.

One of the biggest threats facing Catarvoss, and what its Marshals are constantly on the lookout for, is spies. The Rathmore Empire has been attempting to claim Catarvoss for a very long time, and long ago reached the conclusion that a direct assault would be foolish. As a result, they have been known to send spies into Catarvoss to gather intelligence about their defenses and try to dismantle the city from within. Fortunately, it is rare that one of them actually makes it inside the city, as The Commonwealth does not share the Rathmore Empire's disdain for magic and has employed Truthseekers to guard the main path so that travelers entering the city cannot masquerade as simple merchants. But the empire has not given up and continues to try new, clever methods of getting into the city.

Although many enjoy playing various games around the city, Catarvoss has a strict ban on gambling in the city, even on casual games between friends. At one time, Catarvoss had its own casino, as Vesperkin are fond of such games of chance, but foreign visitors ruined this by cheating frequently -- something which no Vesperkin would dare to do. As a result, the casino was shut down and now lies an empty shell waiting to be repurposed.

Type

City