Varistane

"The Great City of Luck..."

Varistane, "The Capital of Divine Luck," "The Shrine to Valimshae," the celestial lord of chance and prosperity. Situated near the heart of Golthien, and accessible via the policed waters of the Caruma River, many travel to Golthien only to visit the gambling halls of the greatest city of vice, Varistane, where games of chance aren’t the only way to lose it all.
Varistane is a neutral state, with no open allegiance to any other nation or lord. It is much safer than Charport, but visitors often leave with far less money than they arrived with.
The city employs a private army of sell-swords (called "The Jeweled Might") for its defenses. These men and women are of sufficient notoriety that few are brave enough to commit crimes in the open. Robbery is reserved for the "house" in games of chance.
One of the great wonders of the world is housed within Varistane. The floating keep called "The Sapphire Rose" is a magical fortress (serving as a casino) that quite literally floats above the city, held aloft by arcane magic. It is tended by a small conclave of mages (The Sapphire Order) who keep the gigantic building in the air. It is a private establishment, attended by invitation only, and gambling house to the utmost elite within Varistane's complex social hierarchy.

Demographics

Varistane is a melting pot where the only requirement for entry is money. It skews about 60% human, 10% gnome (many work as dealers and bankers), 5% elven (Solti) aristocracy, and 25% mixed other.

Government

A Plutocracy governed by the Game Masters of Varistane

Defences

Defended by a private army of 2,000 sell-swords, called the "Jeweled Might."

Industry & Trade

The import and exportation of goods via the Caruma is the only significant industry beyond gambling and associated entertainment. It is said that Varistane employs half the world's bards (a slight exaggeration, but less so than you might think).

Infrastructure

Varistane is a modern city in every major respect, and features a relatively clean sewage system and aqueducts. The city uses multiple watermills, all sourcing from the Caruma River.

Assets

Varistane's primary asset is money, and lots of it. The city does handle its share of import/export goods, using the wide Caruma as a pipeline, and it's known that all associated customs officials can be paid to look the other way with regards to black market items. As such, money isn't the only thing in excess within the city walls. Contraband and vice is king in Varistane.

Guilds and Factions

Every major crime syndicate worth their gold has a foothold in Varistane. From the Red Claws to the Death Birds, money gangs run aplenty.

History

Varistane existed as a small vassal city to Glointhal before the coming of the Lentokki. However once the conquerers arrived, the ruling class saw the writing on the wall and severed ties with "The City of Light." Now independent, they wisely decided to make themselves valuable to everyone in the region, thus allowing them to maintain a sense of neutrality. As Lentokki associates began to work and play within the newly minted "Capital of Divine Luck," it soon became harder and harder for Glointhal to make any active response to their vassal's "defection." Currently, the garrison city is simply boycotting Varistane, placing an embargo on any imports and exports associated with the city of vice. Thankfully for Varistane, they have many other "friends" willing to supply them with their basic necessities.

Architecture

Tall, opulent buildings made of the finest stone. Breathtaking facades, often marble, some even jewel encrusted. The city is built upwards as well as outwards, and the average building is at least two stories tall. Many are the size of towers.

Geography

Situated inland but along the route of the Caruma River, Varistane is nonetheless surrounded by mostly desolate lands. The plains and hills having been robbed of their greenery through the Lentokki and their rampant abuse of defiling blood magic. This makes Varistane reliant upon importation for most of its food needs. However, many noble houses within the city maintain private gardens.

Natural Resources

Varistane doesn't claim much in the way of natural resources, relying upon it's reputation and gold to keep the city flush.

Alternative Name(s)

The Capital of Divine Luck, Valimshae's Holy Shrine

Type

Large city

Population

120,000

Location under

Golthien

Owner/Ruler

The Game Masters of Varistane