Sargus

Sargus is a rugged and austere city, cradled by the Sapphire Sea on three sides and protected by a massive mountain to the east. The city's architecture reflects this balance between sea and stone, with robust stone buildings that contrast starkly with the vivid blues of the ocean. The city is built in ascending tiers, rising from the busy docks and crowded fish markets at sea level up to the fortified city center. The Lord Mayor's residence, an imposing stone structure, sits at the highest point, overlooking the city and the sea beyond.
To the city's southeast, the tranquil Lake Serene offers a contrast to the bustling port, its peaceful waters reflecting the beauty of the mountain range that towers over the landscape. Despite the city's hardened exterior, Sargus has a certain rugged charm. The air is filled with the smell of brine and the bustling sounds of commerce from the harbor, mixed with the distant echoes of miners' picks striking stone in the city's outskirts. But underneath its productive veneer, Sargus is a city with shadows in its corners, a place where prosperity comes hand in hand with danger, and where the sea's bounty is matched by its threats.

Government

Sargus is governed by a council, composed of representatives from the most influential guilds, headed by a Lord Mayor. The current Lord Mayor is a shrewd and enigmatic figure named Thrusk, whose ascent to power is shrouded in rumors.

Defences

Sargus's defense is bolstered by its geographical location; the sea serves as a natural barrier to potential invaders, and the city's fortress, built into the side of Sentinel Peak, provides a strategic vantage point. Infrastructure is robust, with cobblestone streets, sturdy stone buildings, and an extensive port facility for sea trade.

Industry & Trade

The port of Sargus is bustling and filled with goods from all over Arendor. Major industries include fishing, shipbuilding, and mining of rare minerals from Sentinel Peak. The city's close trade relations with Aegis Port has led to a thriving maritime trade, as well as a certain level of cultural exchange.

Districts

Sargus is divided into several districts, each with its distinct character. The Dockside is lively and chaotic, the Market District is always buzzing with trade, the Sea Ward houses the nobility with sea-facing villas, the Peakside District is for miners and artisans, while the ominous Underpeak is a network of tunnels in the mountain, reputedly the haunt of thieves and worse.

Assets

Besides its natural resources, Sargus's primary asset is its port, an indispensable hub of maritime trade. Furthermore, the city is famous for its unique and highly sought 'Sea-Glass Jewelry,' crafted from glass polished by the sea and found on local beaches.

Guilds and Factions

Numerous guilds operate in Sargus, such as the influential Shipwrights Guild and the Miners Consortium. The city is also home to the secretive Shadowhand Guild, rumored to control the city's underworld from the shadows of Underpeak.

History

Sargus has a dark history, with rumors of ancient rituals that appease the sea and tales of ghost ships seen in the dead of night. The city also endured several pirate sieges in its early years, contributing to its defensive infrastructure.

Points of interest

Sentinel Peak and its fortress are landmarks of the city, as well as the Lighthouse of Lhoris, a beacon for sailors. In the heart of the city is the hauntingly beautiful Seaglass Square, made entirely of polished sea glass.

Tourism

While not a typical tourist destination, visitors are drawn to the city's unique sea-glass crafts, maritime cuisine, and haunted sea tales. Adventurous souls might dare to explore Underpeak or the mysterious mountain.

Architecture

Sargus's architecture blends functional maritime aesthetics with grandeur. Buildings are usually made of local stone, and many older structures feature intricate carvings depicting sea monsters and maritime battles.

Geography

Located on a peninsula, Sargus is a city blessed with a remarkable natural landscape, surrounded by the Sapphire Sea and backed by the solitary mountain named Sentinel Peak to its east. The climate is largely maritime, with mild winters and warm summers, influenced by the winds coming off the sea.

Natural Resources

Sargus is rich in marine resources due to its coastal location. Sentinel Peak provides rare minerals and metals, and the city's southeastern lake supplies fresh water, supports a small fishing industry, and is rumored to house a water spirit.

Settlement Level

10

Type

Metropolis

Population

~28,000 (Humans - 68%, Elven - 14%, Gnome - 8%, Dwarf - 4%, Lizardfolk - 3%, Kobold - 2%, Other - 1%)

Inhabitant Demonym

Sargite

Owning Organization

Aethoria

Brief Description

A seemingly bright port city with a dark underbelly.

Government

Lord Mayor (Appointed)

Languages

High Common, Common, Elven, Gnomish, Dwarven, Draconic

Religion

Valduren, Zephyros, Vaeloria, Xythera

Threats

Eastern trolls, rogue alchemy, Underpeak shadows, piracy

Trader's Haven

Items of up to level 15 are available here, including many uncommon and potentially rare items.

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Lord Mayor Thrusk

(Neutral, Male, Human, Lord Mayor): A shrewd and enigmatic man with a knack for politics and a secretive past, Thrusk rose to power in the wake of a political scandal and has been guiding Sargus ever since.

Ossara

(Lawful Neutral, Female, Lizardfolk, Head of Dockside Security): As the first Lizardfolk to hold a position of authority in Sargus, Ossara is determined and unyielding, often seen patrolling the docks and ensuring the safety of its workers.

Ebril Silverhook

(Chaotic Good, Male, Half-Elf, Captain of the "Wave Dancer"): Ebril is a charismatic and daring seafarer known for his daring exploits on the Sapphire Sea and his vehement opposition to the pirates of Aegis Port.

Halla Underpeak

(Neutral, Female, Dwarf, Leader of the Miner's Consortium): A gruff and strong-willed dwarf with a heart of gold, Halla tirelessly advocates for the rights and safety of miners in Sargus.