Kestor's Past
Kestor's Past, the sprawling coastal city situated in the northwest of the Qahir region, welcomes adventurers arriving in Al'Taj with its rich history, alchemical wonders, and a profound connection to the goddess Thassa. Founded over 600 years ago, the city's destiny changed when Kestor, guided by a vision from Thassa, transformed a small fishing village into a thriving metropolis. The city's unique history, crowned rulers, and the mysterious reliquary crown have shaped Kestor's Past into a haven for seekers of prosperity and safety.
Government
Kestor's Past operates under a unique monarchy. The ruler, irrespective of gender, is always referred to as Kestor, in honor of the city's founder. The crown, a relic gifted by an Emissary of Thassa, binds itself to the ruler until death, storing fragments of their soul. Successors inherit the crown, perpetuating the cycle. Currently led by Kestor 23rd, the city maintains stability through this ancient tradition despite the challenges posed by the crown's mystical nature.
Defences
Kestor's Past, overlooking the bay, relies on a combination of natural geography and strategic fortifications for defense. The Kestor Keep atop the hill serves as a significant defensive structure, while the Guard Captain Rakhul oversees the city's protection. The city is cautious but open, particularly during the recent awakening of the Amulet of the Eternal Sun, prompting heightened security measures.
Industry & Trade
The city's strategic location and welcoming policies have turned it into a bustling trade hub. The Docks facilitate maritime trade, and the Market of 1,000 Sands attracts merchants from across Al'Taj. The city's prosperity is tied to trade, with a diverse range of goods flowing through its markets.
Infrastructure
The city boasts diverse structures, from the Guild Hall catering to adventurers' needs to the sprawling Kestor Keep overseeing the entire city. The Blackstone Inn and Tavern offer refuge and revelry, while the Market of 1,000 Sands provides a vibrant bazaar experience. An Altar to Thassa, God of the Sea stands as a sacred place, divided into the altar for worship and a massive statue portraying the goddess. The Docks and Skiffyard cater to maritime activities, essential for a city with strong ties to the sea.
A large stone building, with statues of cockatrice with scorpian tails guarding over it like gargoyles. This building contains everything a low level adventurer could need, including a bunkhouse that is cheaper than the inn, but with much less privacy and security.
Kestor Keep
A sprawling keep atop the hill overlooking the city, the main features of this keep are the beautiful painted murals along the outside wall that Kestor commissions from the public every 6 months. While the keep is normally open, the recent awakening of the Amulet of Eternal Sun has spurred the whole continent into action, and the keep is closed to the public while the grounds are prepared for the festival/grand announcement of the Treasure hunt.
Blackstone Inn and Tavern
A large wood and stone inn, home to all adventurers with a love for alcohol and a bag of gold at their side. Traveling bards, magicians, and performers of all stripes come and try to win over the notoriously tough crowd. The Tavern is best known for its hard spirits, with its main ingredients a mystery to all but the Blackstones themselves.
The Market of 1,000 Sands
While Kestor’s Past does have individual shops and stalls, the real attraction is the Market of 1000 Sands; a beautiful and lively bazaar that has merchants setting up temporary stalls every day. The market is open from 6:30 AM until Midnight, but no merchant is allowed on the premises until 6 AM on the dot. Competition for the best spots is fierce, and the mad dash at 6 AM every day is a spectacle many locals enjoy watching while sipping their morning coffee.
Altar to Thassa
The altar to Kestor-Past's favored Thassa, God of the Sea is split in two parts. There is the altar where praise is done, and across the river, some distance to the south is the massive statue portraying Thassa: Thassa usually appears to mortals in the form of a female triton-like being with octopus-tentacle hair and a crown of crab legs.
The Docks
The docks of Kestor’s past are a small assembly of few piers holding mostly small fishing boats and few merchant vessels. They are located on the western side of Kestor’s Past. The Dockmaster Shal Al’Mir is responsible for the function of both the docks and the small shipyard and is usually used only for repairs of the small ships rather than building any new ones.
Skiffyard
A parking area and place to repair and sell skiffs in Kestor’s past. Located on its most northern side the skiffs have direct access to the vast sands of Al Taj.
List of Establishments
The Guild HallA large stone building, with statues of cockatrice with scorpian tails guarding over it like gargoyles. This building contains everything a low level adventurer could need, including a bunkhouse that is cheaper than the inn, but with much less privacy and security.
Kestor Keep
A sprawling keep atop the hill overlooking the city, the main features of this keep are the beautiful painted murals along the outside wall that Kestor commissions from the public every 6 months. While the keep is normally open, the recent awakening of the Amulet of Eternal Sun has spurred the whole continent into action, and the keep is closed to the public while the grounds are prepared for the festival/grand announcement of the Treasure hunt.
Blackstone Inn and Tavern
A large wood and stone inn, home to all adventurers with a love for alcohol and a bag of gold at their side. Traveling bards, magicians, and performers of all stripes come and try to win over the notoriously tough crowd. The Tavern is best known for its hard spirits, with its main ingredients a mystery to all but the Blackstones themselves.
The Market of 1,000 Sands
While Kestor’s Past does have individual shops and stalls, the real attraction is the Market of 1000 Sands; a beautiful and lively bazaar that has merchants setting up temporary stalls every day. The market is open from 6:30 AM until Midnight, but no merchant is allowed on the premises until 6 AM on the dot. Competition for the best spots is fierce, and the mad dash at 6 AM every day is a spectacle many locals enjoy watching while sipping their morning coffee.
Altar to Thassa
The altar to Kestor-Past's favored Thassa, God of the Sea is split in two parts. There is the altar where praise is done, and across the river, some distance to the south is the massive statue portraying Thassa: Thassa usually appears to mortals in the form of a female triton-like being with octopus-tentacle hair and a crown of crab legs.
The Docks
The docks of Kestor’s past are a small assembly of few piers holding mostly small fishing boats and few merchant vessels. They are located on the western side of Kestor’s Past. The Dockmaster Shal Al’Mir is responsible for the function of both the docks and the small shipyard and is usually used only for repairs of the small ships rather than building any new ones.
Skiffyard
A parking area and place to repair and sell skiffs in Kestor’s past. Located on its most northern side the skiffs have direct access to the vast sands of Al Taj.
Guilds and Factions
History
Over six centuries ago, Kestor's Past emerged as a humble fishing village. Inspired by a divine vision from Thassa, God of the Sea, Kestor transformed the village into a city of worship, marking the beginning of an enduring legacy. A mysterious crown, claimed to be a gift from Thassa, became a symbol of leadership. Passed down through rulers, the crown preserved the city's safety and prosperity at the cost of a fraction of each ruler's soul.
Despite challenges and the rise of new alliances, including one with Aecho, Kestor's Past evolved into a hub of trade, worship, and mysticism. With the recent awakening of the Amulet of the Eternal Sun, Kestor's Past positioned itself as a haven for newcomers from other continents. Kestor 23rd's initiatives brought both prosperity and controversy, sparking the emergence of factions like the Children of the Sand. As the city remains a dynamic force, the legacy of Kestor's Past continues to unfold in the cobbled streets and enduring structures, echoing the whispers of Thassa and the spirit of its resilient people.
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