King's Bay
King's Bay? Now that's a place every person in Alturis should visit. Most regard it as a key point in their adventures and personal pilgrimages and I'm yet to meet someone that hasn't looked upon the heroic statues and incredible temples and not been touched in some way by them. Not forgetting what happened is so important in Alturis and it's important to remember both the villains and the heroes.King's Bay is easily the jewel of the Elected Crown cities. It lacks the wealth of the other cities and has the smallest population but the history and culture of King's Bay have left it to being seen as the most important city in Alturis... it's cultural hub. Whenever festival season is not in full swing in the town then it is a quiet abode for those living there. Notably historians, scholars, nobles and other professionals. It also acts as the departure point for Alturis' worst prisoners... the ones that can't be killed through normal means... before they are transported to the island of Grim Hollow. It was built in such a way that if the prisoners were to look back from a distance they would merely see the tip of the victory spire, the hard walls of King's Bay and the heroic statues staring down on them in judgement. Though during festival season King's Bay becomes a hub of activity with music, trade and joy permeating the city holding tournaments and events all within the ever rotating shadow of the victory spire. Organisation At the city's four cardinal points and its center, five colossal golden statues rise majestically into the sky, each one a masterful representation of the city's storied heritage and divine protection. These statues, known collectively as "The True Heroes," serve as both symbols of the city's eternal glory and as potent magical guardians. 1. The Eastern Guardian - Drahz, The Vengeful Blade: Positioned at the East Gate, Drahz is depicted in brutal glory, wielding a flaming greataxe that seems to capture and reflect the first light of dawn. His presence is a reminder of the city's brutal ability to always survive and overcome... his eastern quadrant is for competitions, military events and the inquisitor base, including the home of King's Bay's arch-inquisitor Temptation. 2. The Western Guardian - Coll, the Green Sage: Overlooking the Western Gate, Coll stands in serene contemplation, holding a flower in one hand and a longbow in the other. His statue embodies wisdom and knowledge, ensuring that as the sun sets, the city remains enlightened by the accumulated wisdom of its ancestors... his western quadrant is for housing, natural growth, farmland and members of the springsteps faction. 3. The Northern Guardian - Proto, The Watching Sentinel: Towering over the North Gate, Proto is carved in the likeness of a mighty warforged with sleek features and a built up and sturdy design, his shield adorned with divine motifs. Representing endurance and fortitude, he protects the city from any threats that lie beyond... his northern quadrant is where the factories and spaces of industry are found as well as crafting spaces such as blacksmith forges. 4. The Southern Guardian - Ardeth, The Curse Wielder: Guarding the South Gate, Ardeth is depicted as a majestic and powerful figure in heavy armour and with a blade made of pure onyx (juxtaposing the gold), her hands cradling a flckering spark of electricity. Her statue symbolizes warmth, passion, and hope.. the southern quadrant contains housing for the populace. 5. The Central Guardian - Allea, The Drunken Master: At the heart of King's Bay, within the grand plaza, stands Allea. She is relaxed in her gait and holds a staff that radiates golden light. Allea represents unity, comfort, and the divine right of the city to shine as a guiding light for the entire kingdom... her quadrant contains the shops, taverns bars of the city, including an Allea owned winery. As dusk falls, the golden statues emit a soft, ethereal glow, illuminating the city with a warm, golden hue that can be seen from miles away. The streets of King's Bayare paved with cobblestones and lined with vibrant markets, elegant buildings, and lush gardens, all flourishing under the watchful eyes of the Guardians. However, just outside the walls of King's Bay, seemingly exposed and left to the elements, is the once owned spire of the dread king, a black shard on the landscape and surrounded by fields of vibrant green, it has since been renamed the spire of victory.
- Arch-Inquisitor Fellblade offering his insights to locals in a recruitment scheme.
Demographics
King's Bay consists of mostly humans and Elves but also acts as a home for a variety of nobility and those looking to retire and live there... it also houses many mages as there is a MAGUS centre there who naturally accepts all spellcasters for at least a short stint to license them and ensure the relevant authorities are aware of them.
Government
King's Bay rules and regulations are overseen by the Speaker. The unseen mysterious creature that resides in the Victory Spire. Their words are passed onto the populace by Archmagus Derelict Chalemet, an elderly human born after the battle of the bastion (around 70 years old) who is an incredibly talented mage and shrewd political figure.
The Crownsguard also have a heavy presence in King's Bay as they do throughout the elected crown cities. They are a mix of humanoid and automaton guards and are led by Crown Jewel Wilhelm who has held the post for over a decade... a former inquisitor who has carried his hatred for all spellcasters (Aist mage or otherwise) into his new employment.
Architecture
King's Bay's architecture takes on alot of what the Bastion had. They use the shelled houses and refitted and repurposed them for general housing giving it a post-apocalypse vibe for the city and a stark reminder of what once was.
It has also utilised the underground tunnels throughout the Bastion to give the city a second layer that is mostly used for factory work as they make the most of the in-built war trenches to build a water flow from the nearby oceans to their underground factories and forges so that the steam and smog do not jeopardize the surface above the city.
The newer builds are set deeper into King's Bay and reflect the more traditional thatching of the time.
Alternative Name(s)
The Crown. The elected City
Type
Large city
Population
13,000
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
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