Lookshy

Lookshy rises in tiers into the sky. Colossal statues of a figure in war gear and a figure holding an abacus with a money purse tied to its belt guard the main gates. The city like all Kasr cities and towns are built for military defense should invaders breach the outer walls. Districts are isolated by interior walls as the city rises. Access to the inner districts requires passing through checkpoints, and foreigners require transit passes to pass beyond the Foreign Quarter and the Lower City. Wide clean paved streets are lined with sturdy austere buildings with minimal decoration. Ancient construction of a bygone era is scattered among the functional modern buildings, a relic of Lookshy's past during The Age of Glory. The city of Lookshy stands at the crossroads of two major highways that enable trade and travel between the northern and southern edges of the south eastern boarder of Kasr. The city exists for commerce, and it has grown to its current size as an extension of the Country of Namine supporting many of its ambassadors on their journey out west.

ARCHITECTURE

The major structures of Lookshy are large and impressive, yet lack any single unifying style. The city’s architects are torn between the conflicting desires of impressing merchants and dignitaries from distant lands and avoiding the appearance of bias toward any one culture. As a result, public buildings reach for a grandiosity they fail to attain, conveying a sense of pomposity without any real majesty. They appear to be based on descriptions of other great structures never actually seen by residents of the city. Unimportant buildings, such as small shops and the private homes of less prominent citizens, are simple, built of inexpensive wood. Most are plain and unadorned, but some feature gaudy decor in a feeble effort to appear more important than they are.

LAYOUT

Lookshy is surrounded by a single defensive wall, 20 feet tall and 10 feet thick. The wall is wide enough for guards to patrol and strong enough to withstand at least a brief siege (hardness 8, 450 hp, break DC 55). Yet a trading hub cannot afford to make access difficult, and the city has never needed to repulse invaders. Thus, vast gates pierce the wall at four points on each of the four main roads. Though they normally stand open day and night, the gates are solid and defensible, constructed of heavy wood (hardness 5, 20 hp, break DC 23). Each gate has a standing guard of two city watch soldiers (5th-level human warriors). The city government spares no expense in road maintenance, even when cutting costs in other services. The cobblestone streets are built to accommodate feet, hooves, and wheels. The main roads are abnormally wide, allowing even the largest wagon to pass unhindered. Intersections have clearly marked street names, and most major thoroughfares are lit at night by lanterns or—in the richest portions of town—by continual flame effects. The layout of the minor streets is a simple grid, so visitors can easily find their way around. Smaller roads and alleys are hidden from the main roads behind buildings, ensuring that merchants are not inconvenienced by trash or beggars.

Persona

Ironically, Lookshy ’ attempts to remain culturally neutral have produced a unique personality. Styles and fashions from nearby kingdoms and farther lands blend to create a riot of colors, garish to visitors but considered the height of taste by the inhabitants. Foods, music, games, and languages from the world over are equally mingled—Lookshy has a scent and an accent all its own. The people of Lookshy have an overdeveloped sense of their own importance to the region, but they try to hide that attitude from travelers. Citizens believe themselves to be cosmopolitan and declare their tolerance of others, but they actually hold fairly provincial attitudes. They scoff at unfamiliar beliefs and often mock the dress and behavior of foreigners—but only out of earshot, since they want visitors to feel comfortable and thus be willing spend money in the city. This facade manifests as a sense of brittle politeness, a pseudo-friendliness that visitors notice. Merchants flock to Lookshy to trade—or at least to stop over on their journeys to other markets—but few foreigners stay long. In order to make merchants feel safe and secure, the city government makes a show of rigidly enforcing the law. In truth, Lookshy has an exceptionally high crime rate, but so long as miscreants limit their activities to picking pockets and other petty thefts, the guard grants them some latitude in the name of maintaining the peace. Should a foreign merchant be harmed or murdered, however, the guard turns Lookshy upside-down in the search for the perpetrator. Region Kasr Size Large city Population 300,00 (80% human, 8% dwarf, 4% Leonin, 3% gnome, 3% elf, 1% Genasi, 1% Trrollkin, 1% Forgeborn) Assets 56,040,000 Gp Demographics 240,000 humans, 821 kobolds, 24000 dwarves, 9000 elves, 9000 gnomes, 12000 Leonin, 3000 Trollkin, 3000 Genasi, 3000 Forgeborn Government Autocracy (lord-mayor) Alignment Neutral Demonym Lookshyans Adjective Lookshyan Leader Lord-Mayor Haldmeer Grobaras

Locations

L1. Defensive wall

L2. City gate

Platinum Gate (South East) Northern Gate( North East) Southern Gate ( South West) Field Gate ( North West)

L3. Civic district/Lord’s Manor (combined)

L4. Embassy district

Lorwyin Sintharia Namine Foronis

L5. Fine shops

Jeweler: The Blue Gems Owner: Paegan Brigh-hill, Male Halfling Location: In a side street near the town gate. The street outside ominously quiet and empty. Description: The jeweler is a timber framed rowhouse, with a yellow tile roof and elf-wrought furniture. It contains a small wood oven and containers of chemicals stacked in the corner. Specials:

Ring of Warmth (dmg 193) (969 gp)

Ring of Swimming (dmg 193) (2,970 gp)

Ring of Jumping (dmg 191) (2,418 gp)

Other Patrons: Juliamund Andreaf, Female Human Rohes Tealeaf, Female Human Katha Smith, Female Human

L6. Magic district

Alchemist: Shrooms & Whisper Owner: Julian Ryōma, Female Human Location: In a major crossroads. The street outside has drunken revelers. Description: The alchemist is a timber framed single storey building, with a brown shingled roof and a big brick chimney. It contains curtains draped over the walls and dozens of glowing bulbs hanging from the ceiling. Specials:

Potion of Speed (dmg 188) (396 gp)

Potion of Resistance (dmg 188) (288 gp)

Potion of Fire Breath (dmg 187) (144 gp)

Other Patrons: Godfrey Dukakis, Male Human Guntert Hart, Male Human Robert Osav, Male Human Geva Dmitriyev, Female Human Theoffrey Dmitrid, Male Human Rosalind Remein, Female Human Enchanter: Rosanor's Wonders Owner: Rosanor Tealean, Female Human Location: In a civic quarter. The street outside is covered in fallen leaves. Description: The enchanter is a brick tower, with a brown tile roof and nicely trimmed hedges. It contains an inviting hearth and stained glass windows. Specials: Figurine of Wondrous Power, Ebony Fly (dmg 169) (5,734 gp) Deck of Illusions (dmg 161) (5,931 gp) Boots of the Winterlands (dmg 156) (9,959 gp) Other Patrons: Richolas Tealeaf, Male Human Jacoba Klein, Female Human Ermina Sane, Female Human

L7. Noble estates

L8. Wealthy residential district

L9. Average residential district

L10. Garrison

L11. Guildhall district

L12. Marketplace

General Store: Everey's Owner: Everey Smitris, Male Human Location: In a major crossroads. The street outside is next to a grand hall. Description: The general store is a plaster tower, with a heather-thatched roof and elf-wrought furniture. It contains a large candelabra and sacks full of fruit cover the floor. Specials: Rope, Silk (50 feet) (phb 153) (10 gp) Glassblower's Tools (phb 154) (29 gp) Cook's Utensils (phb 154) (48 gp) Other Patrons: Theobald Maler, Male Human Joan Franklin, Female Human Emma Azzo, Female Human Housing Small Cottage Owner: Susaliamina Mundy, Female Human The house is a wooden big orb-like building, with a red tile roof and dwarven-crafted iron furniture. It contains a single bachelor-style room with a bed and dresser. In one corner is a hearth with a cauldron over the fire. Cured meats are hung in bundles from the rafters. A couple sheep are grazing at a hay bale in the corner.

L13. Temple district

L14. Caravan district

L15. Inn/Tavern district

Inn: The Banderhobb's Stallion Owner: Gernard Fahrean, Male Human Location: In the main street near the town gate. The street outside is crowded with shoppers. Description: The tavern is a concrete cabin, with a reinforced wooden door and a small enclosed deck. Several battered shields hang on the walls. It contains a taxidermied bear near the entrance and very few tables and chairs. Specials: Boar Steamed Bun (3 sp) Meatballs Steamed Bun and a Glass of Brandy (4 sp) Goose Burger and a Tankard of Cider (4 sp) Other Patrons: Lance Ray, Male Human Ida Zhanini, Female Human Giler Osav, Male Human Rosande Andy, Female Human Hadwisa Smitris, Female Human Hewis Chane, Male Human Tavern: The Angry Oak Owner: Peren Galanodel, Male Elf [Details] Location: In an arcane quarter. The street outside contains a heroic monument. Description: The tavern is a brick simple building, with an orange shingled roof and a pillared curved-roof entryway. A small dragon's skull hangs over the hearth. It contains a crossbow sitting on the counter and cured meats and cheeses hanging from the ceiling. Quests and Rumors Specials: Octopus Ramen with Rice and a Mug of Perry (5 sp) Owlbear Soup with Egg (4 sp) Lamb Sandwich and a Glass of Vodka (4 sp) Other Patrons: Pearl Shadowquick, Female Halfling [Details] Riardon Erenaeth, Male Elf [Details] Verna TellPenny, Female Halfling [Details] Arnold Home, Male Human [Details]

L16. Red-Light district

Blacksmith: Bella's Arsenal Owner: Bella Rael, Female Human Location: In an adventurer's district of taverns and rogues. The street outside is adjacent to a large home. Description: The blacksmith is a two-store timber framed rowhouse, with a heather-thatched roof and moss-covered walls and roof. It contains several paintings on the wall and an unfinished set of armor on a stand near the forge. The air is filled with motes of golden light. Specials: Arrow-catching Shield (dmg 152) (5,898 gp) Shield, +1 (dmg 200) (1,480 gp) Elven Chain (dmg 168) (3,806 gp) +1 Armor (leather) (rare, dmg 152) This finely crafted armor is said to compel its wearer to defend the Kingdom of Eriand. +1 Shield (uncommon, dmg 200) A masterwork shield, engraved with runes of protection. +2 Armor (breastplate) (very rare, dmg 152) A masterwork armor, painted with an unknown coat of arms. Adamantine Armor (chain shirt) (uncommon, dmg 150) A masterwork armor, engraved with the holy symbol of a war god. Adamantine Armor (ring mail) (uncommon, dmg 150) A distinctive armor, engraved with runes of invulnerability. Adamantine Armor (splint) (uncommon, dmg 150) This masterwork armor once belonged to the halfling fighter Wilco Bophill, who fell in the Siege of Sefalls. Elven Chain (rare, dmg 168) This masterwork armor is said to grant its wearer immortal life. Mithral Armor (splint) (uncommon, dmg 182) This battered armor is said to grant its wearer immortal life. Shield of Missile Attraction (rare, dmg 200) A masterwork shield, inlaid with platinum Other Patrons: Guy Mallan, Male Human Gerar Burrida, Male Human Miles Larps, Male Human Hugh Zhenkin, Male Human Bertrar Sandoval, Male Human Hugolina Callan, Female Human

L17. Shantytown

L18. Slum/Tenement district

L19. Warehouse district

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