Population: 195,000 (55% Human, 15% Elves, 9% Gnomes, 4% Dwarves, 4% Halflings, 13% other races)
Government: The High Council governs the important affairs of Orialis and its surrounding territory with members from each recognized Coterie. However, they leave the day to day governing of the city to Arbiter Mindan and his individual Gaffers that govern each district in the city.
Defense: The Quill patrol all major streets, while large groups of Sentinels are stationed at Council's Rise, the Cathedral of St. Cia, and the Zofreus Academy. The Arasil maintains its own small guard of Stahls.
Commerce: Orialis is the second largest city in Northern Algonys, and they mostly trade in knowledge and information between each Coterie. However, the merchant guilds have recently gained a foothold in the city bring large volumes of trade. Most goods, services, and other business can be found in Orialis. It is the only city to boast shops to aid in the arcane. Most magical items are heavily regulated and not for sale however.
Organization: There are small places of worship throughout the city, but the Cathedral of St. Cia dominates the north eastern part of the city. Small stalls dot the city, but much of the artisan work and commerce eventually finds its way to Craftsman's Row. The Sly Few have recently gained a foothold in the city, fostering a black market of clandestine information and magical items.
Orialis is the oldest standing city in Northern Algonys, having been erected by Firbolg stone masons to support the building of the great wall of Ez'Orie'Al (The Gilded Wall in the old tongue) in 24 PI. The defensible location, as well as the rich resources of the surrounding valley made it so Orialis naturally began to grow. The scholar warriors known as The Augurists made their home here for several hundred years, and their presence drew many folk that sought enlightenment in their own way, as well as to help guard the prison of the Chained One. Soon the battle faded to myth, and the myth to legend, and over the next thousand years Orialis stood and became the center for knowledge and history in Northern Algonys.
The city is governed by the High Council from Council's Rise in the center of Orialis. They monitor outside threats as well as work for the betterment of all the citizens within they city. Each citizen is guaranteed a basic income as long as they contribute to the city in some form. This income is meager, and is enough to buy a small apartment as well as enough food to subsist on. The River Alz and the Firain River come together in the center of the city to form the Alfir River. Fisherman along the river provide salmon and trout for the city while merchants bring commerce throughout the city as well as to outlying villages in the region. Visitors entering the city from the south are greeted by Augur's Memorial, a series of 7 statues commemorating the founding members of the Augurists and their deeds. The cobblestone roads wind and spread through the city, lined with peddlers attempting to gain the attention of any passerby.
Newcomers are often surprised by the small arcane wonders that dot the city. Popular thoroughfares, and entrances to different wards are marked by lanterns filled with arcane light, in the winter constructs take to the street to clear it of snow, and it is a common sight to see a clockwork device flying through the air to take important parcels of mail about the city. Orialis is busy with life, and is heavily guarded. High above the city gryphon riders and Aarakocra skyguard can be seen patrolling the sky, mostly to keep away the wandering peryton pack or more rarely a hungry Roc. The peace is rarely broken and prison time is saved for heinous crimes. The punishment for most crime is community service projects throughout the city.
The Sryane stone structure of the Arasil Monastery stands on a plateau overlooking the western side of the city. Here citizens that join their ranks learn discipline and seek to bring peace to themselves through bringing peace to the world around them. The serene Catherdral of St. Cia dominates the northeastern section of the city. Those there venerate the "Lord of Light," as well as any other recognized primeval spirit that is good aligned. The priests here sometimes enter the world in search of relics from the time before, and seek to spread the word of St. Cia (or their chosen Primeval Spirit). The library at the cathedral is even greater than that that at the Zofreus Academy, and the two organizations work together when one needs knowledge from the other. Where the Cianists seek information on the time before and other technology, the mages of the Zofreus Academy seek to dive into the depths of Arcane knowledge. The colorful towers of the Zofreus Academy can be found in Wright's Boulevard in the southeastern portion of the city. Wright's Boulevard is home to the few wizards, sorcerers, and other practitioners of the arcane in Orialis. The main denizen if this ward is the Arcan Wright's Guild, a group of individuals with a small amount of arcane knowledge that maintain the arcane constructs and effects that are within the city.
Belief is Power
The priests of St. Cia expect all within the wall of Orialis to follow some sort of deity for they believe that the soul is lacking if it is bereft of belief. They care not for what each citizen believes but their priests can be found in each district of the city calling for citizens to go to their local temples. The more citizens that attend the temples the more the church brings in in tithes allowing them more resources within the city. Many within the cloister are honest folk and seek to truly aid the citizenry of Orialis, and though they are cautioned against it, many can become overzealous in their duty to bring people to the light. The higher ups within the faith push this so adamantly since they understand that the more that someone believes in a deity, the more powerful that deity becomes. This overzealousness ruffles the feathers of some citizenry, causing them to keep away from the walls of any temple. Within the walls of the Cathedral, those that are imbued with the flame are trained to become clerics of the faith. High Chronicler Manismyr guides these pupils to find rare artifacts or information on the world before. They do this since they believe to understand where they are, their place in the universe, they must understand the past.
Arcane Seals
Much of the comforts found in Orialis are due to the magical wonders that come out of Wright's Boulevard. The Zofreus Academy teaches any arcane aspirant with the slightest touch of the spark, and pupils come from all parts of the land and walks of life. It also trains the army of Arcan Wrights that maintain the magical effects around the city. The head of the Academy is none other that Deacon Zinlen, though he is often absent, either seeking a new artifact or promising pupil for the Academy. Due to the pervasive magic in the city and how it has helped the citizenry, public opinion of mages is very high among the Orialis populace. The Arcan Wright guild holds a great deal of sway in the city, since if they were to go on strike for any reason then the arcane seals and help around the city would begin to fail.
Militant Monks
The monks within the Arasil Monastery kept to themselves for the majority of the last hundred years. They were only seen but a few times a month when they come through the city to aid in menial tasks, such as cleaning streets or other public places. Though their constant training can be heard all through the Ki'ren Alley. They only seem to stir if they believe war is on the horizon. Hearing of reports in the land that the orc hordes are stirring in the badlands and rumors of the Chained One visiting people in their nightmares, they believe it is time for Orialis to raise a true army. On the High Council they push for creating stronger military ties with Andora and Orgra Vale, but the rest of the council does not share their view. Their views are beginning to turn more dire as the threat rises. Some within the Arasil Monastery even suggest annexing the two other city states to create a nation that can work together to stand against the Chained One and his armies. The masters on the council convey these views with the calm knowing that vexes the other members, however the younger members are not necessarily so versed in the art of inner calm.
Money Makes Right
The greedy merchant guild has recently secured a place on the High Council. Guildmaster Corey Gutte is the leader of the merchant guild and he seeks to push Orialis to expand out and create ever more trade routes with the other city states. All shops with a building are required to register with the bureaucracy of Orialis, and join the appropriate guild. The Guildmaster continually pushes for higher guild fees in the city, and when the High Council does acquiesce to his ideas it results in the shops not only paying higher fees to be a part of the guild, it causes the cost of goods to go up for everyone else. The populace groans whenever these price hikes take place, those that subsist mainly on the guaranteed income worry that eventually they wont be able to afford to live, even with help from the council.
Government
The High Council is made up of 9 members, two Priests from The Cathedral of St. Cia, two Monks from the Arasil Monastery, two Mages from the Zofreus Academy, two merchants from the guild, and one member from the general citizenry. Each council member is appointed for a period of two years before their representing Coterie chooses different representatives. The representative from the citizenry however is chosen at random every year, so that each class may be represented more evenly. This council governs the large issues and outside threats that concern Orialis. The day to day affairs of the city are left to Arbiter Mindan, who oversees the Gaffers that collect taxes, and see to it that the government amenities are functioning smoothly. The Arbiter is chosen every 5 years, appointed by the High Council of the time. Additionally Arbiter Mindan oversees the legal aspects with the city and works with Guildmaster Corey Gutte in commerce affairs, though he does not like the man very much. The Arbiter also brings all serious matters of the city before the council.
Crime
For the longest time the only crime that plagued was petty thefts and fighting pits, but now Chainlings have begun to crop up causing trouble and harm to the citizens of the city. Not to mention The Sly Few have recently gained a foothold within the city, seeking to free power hungry individuals of the knowledge they have long hoarded and bring it back to the people. Plasand is completed several small heists of the cathedral and some lesser mages to test the groups wings in the City. Now he plots a large job targeting the Zofreus Academy, seeking a powerful magic item, hoping to secret it away into the new black market of Orialis. Fist fighting rings have long been a staple in the back alleys of Orialis, the populace needing ways to take out their pent up aggression due to the stuffy laws of the city.
Geography
The city sits in the northern part of the Boril Wood hugged by the Longbar Mountain Range on either side of it, and to the north lies Ez'Orie'Al, the great wall to protect the north from the return of The Chained One and his minions. To the south lie many farms that provide food for the city, and a myriad of small communities that find their homes in the surrounding forest. At the center of the city lies Council's Rise, where the High Council meets and countless government officials govern the city and outlying lands. Within the walls of the city are five major districts: Canik's Run, Cerenon Heights, Craftsman's Row, Ki'ren Alley, and Wright's Boulevard; and five important locations: The Arasil Monastery, The Cathedral of St. Cia, Council's Rise, and The Zofreus Academy.
Canik's Run: The northern district of the city is home to the working class of the city. Its myriad colored buildings reach skyward, hoping to house the growing population in its many apartments. Here the cobblestone street is noticeably cracked and in disrepair from the constant traffic about the district. Many of the citizens that work here make their way to work in the various parks, and shops found throughout the city. Being so close to the cathedral, this district sees the most of the proselytizers, and is also home to the Temple of Tyial the worker.
Cerenon Heights: The central district is home to affluent and pseudo intellectual among the populace. The upper class that live here often turn their nose up at those of lower class, and often look forward to serving on the high council. Their streets include extravagant inns, restaurants, tailors, and more. It seems that every night there is a gathering or party at some individuals abode. At these parties, music, dancing, and revelry are all present. However, the most important spectacle of any good party is a bout of words, and these debate contests between these wannabe nobles plague the inner ring.
Craftsman's Row: The artisans of the city all gather here to advertise their work. All manner of trades can be found in this district including smithy's, leatherworkers, tailors, architects and more. Artists also make their home here, mostly selling paintings of the city and the surrounding countryside. Sometimes painters brave the journey to Ez'Orie'Al and get grand paintings of the wall. The district is also home to the Gilded Goblet, the most popular inn on the eastern side of the city, and run by a capricious halfling that goes by the name of Hiron Mugsbane. Grumblings can be heard in the district from the different artisans, they are not pleased that their guild dues rise every few years, and now it is starting to become worse.
Ki'ren Alley: This is the seediest part of the city, being home to the various dock workers, in-city farm hands, and other hard laborers. Fighting gangs plague the back alleys here, no doubt started since they can hear the training of the monastery that overlooks the Alley. These gangs have become deft at hiding their locations from The Quill, and any individual who wants to become a part of the fighting pits needs to have a contact within the alley. There is a new fighting pit that recently opened, and the rumor is that it is allowing the use of magic and other weapons and armor. Most shrines and temples in the area are not frequented, excepting the temple to Litore, who watches over those that travel on the water and sailors. The merchants and dock hands that travel the Alfir River sometimes will not come back due to the dangers found on the river and in the wilderness in between each settlement.
Wright's Boulevard: The renowned Zofreus Academy calls Wright's Boulevard its home, as well as a few shops that provide supplies to the students of the Academy. The Impatient Pupil, run by a hyper rock gnome by the name of Nigel, provides parchment, fine inks, and at rare times spell scrolls. Morgain's Reagents claims access to any reagent a student of the Arcane might need (most supply are reagents up to 100gp, but she has a limited stock of supplies up to 500gp). Morgain is a plump woman with long curly black hair. There is also Tantalizing Tinctures, run by Gurian a sly changeling, they sell a myriad of potions and other such tonics. This district also house the army of Arcan Wrights that can be seen travelling through the city. At the southern end of the district a small grove, known as Leaf's Respite, stands as a temple to the Verdian One.
The Arasil Monastery: Led by Charana Gebrel Hunaron, the Arasil Monastery was erected shortly after the cathedral. It sits atop a large mesa that overlooks the city. All citizens are welcome into its grounds to find peace and meditate, as long as they keep the peace. Martial training can be heard day and night from the monastery, and this way of life attracts many youths from around the city. Most buildings on the mesa are modest and made of thin wood, and thatch roofs. However higher still stands the Arasil Monastery proper, made from sand colored Sryane stone, imported from the badlands and meant to last millennia. Inside the Sryane building there lie several different sanctums that hold ancient practices, and specialized teachings.
The Cathedral of St. Cia: The Cathedral of St. Cia was erected by the first Cianists as a library and place of worship for those that helped guard Ez'Orie'Al. All faiths were welcome, and spaces were made for each deity pilgrims brought into the cathedral. Above all though they venerate the one who made the universe, known by many monikers such as, "The Maker," "Lord of Light," "The Great Builder," and ever more. They refuse to give their prime god a name for they believe that he is too great to be named. Currently High Chronicler Manismyr leads the Cianists, and has continued the tradition of seeking remnants of the time before The Flash, in order to further understand their place in the world, and how not to repeat past mistakes. With the multitude of faiths under the guidance of the Cianists, rivalries and plots sometimes crop op between the followers of different deities, especially if they compete over a similar principles. These rivalries are quickly stamped out when discovered.
Directly to the east of the cathedral lies Traveler's Rest, the massive graveyard that houses the dead of Orialis. The priests here provide rights of the deceased according to the deities they followed. Many consider the graveyard an unlucky place, and try to avoid it, despite the priests making the area as beautiful as possible. Cianists only allow the rights of good or at least neutral aligned deities to be performed at the cemetery. The rights that are most commonly performed include those of, The Raven Queen, Levemoor, and Nubias.
Council's Rise: In the central mesa that the city is built around lies a small keep. It serves as the council chambers for the High Council, and the home of the Arbiter. Everyday countless workers make their way up the staircase to work for the good of Orialis. The bureaucracy of Orialis is thorough but not quick. Citizens find their way to see various government officials each day to claim government benefits, as well as settle disputes.
The Zofreus Academy: Within Wright's Boulevard lies the Zofreus Academy. A sprawling campus where all forms of magic are taught, but only one student in a hundred have any hope of becoming more than a mere Arcan Wright. Deacon Zinlen peruses the land for rare talent and brings the few back to Orialis to study. Sometimes he will keep them from the academy however and take them on as his personal apprentice. Those that study here rarely leave Orialis, and will often take on positions within the Academy teaching Arcan Wrights or becoming seekers of arcane knowledge themselves. Arrogant mages often get into friendly (and not so friendly) bouts in the academy that often need to be stopped by the professors. Many experiments also take place within the academy's walls, and the surrounding city folk are often nervous that a stray arcane experiment will ravage the city one day.
Orialis Adventures
Strain Against the Chain (Low-Level). Bad dreams have been reported all through out Orialis, the sound of chains heard in all of them, and strange cloaked figures skulk in the night. Citizens around Ki'ren Alley have gone missing and the city guard, known as The Quills hire the players to investigate. Through questioning different citizens, and finding the last locations of those that were missing they players begin to discover that the Chainlings, Cultists of the Chained one, have come out of the shadows and are sacrificing individuals for profane rituals to the Chained One, to hasten his return.
Arcane Larceny (Any Level). Plasand has noticed your shady dealings within Orialis. A familiar face to the group approaches them with a letter for their eyes only. The Sly Few wants a meeting with them in a secret part of the city. The characters are hired to steal a magical item, be it a scroll, weapon, ring, or other unique item, from a high ranking Arcan Wright. The level of defense, and the item are your choice.
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