Helorszég, the City in White

Overview

• Government: Absolute Theocracy.
• Exports: Marble, amber, iron, cotton, grains, wool.
• Stereotypes: The harsh but fair arbiter; droning bureaucrat; overzealous law official; obsessed Rune-Seeker archaeologist; repentant former criminal trying to redeem themselves; rich merchant obsessed with etiquette; bitter spinster always present for public punishments.

Foreign Relations

Allied Major Points:Harczikötö (Military Alliance), Szilavár (Trade Relationship), Béhegy Kolostor (Non-Aggression Pact, Trade Relationship).
Hostile Major Points: Sárbolszég (War).
Vassal States (Minor Points): Bíkaldoszég.

Origin

The throne of Helőre is an imposing sight, and one that easily stood out in the region. Thus she was one of the first divinities to be discovered in the Tukhamu Magas region. When people approached the sleeping Goddess they were frightened, and tired from their long journey through the ashen-covered mountains. But they were fortunate, for Helőre was eager to see people. She promised that as long as they would stick to the law as she dictated it, she would protect them, and she has.
With her divine help they first developed a small hill fort surrounding her throne, but this fort was transformed into a temple complex later on with the place expanding into a moderately sized town. Some of these structural elements can still be seen in the city's structure, as it has three layers of ramparts circling outwards from the temple complex at the center.

Vasrúna

The greatest mystery of the city however, lies underneath it. For this is where the iron mines lie, and always have. Because even when they first met Helőre, the entrance to the mines, as well as many of its tunnels, were already there. Even the All-Witness herself claims she does not know how these were created and when, so it must have been before she gained her consciousness. Whatever the case, the tunnel system is expansive and the walls are marked with unfamiliar runic inscriptions. There is no sign of the creators or former inhabitants however. Some miners have reported spotting small, hunched-over creatures or moving shadows but the existence of any intelligent creatures has not been confirmed. The deeper it goes, the place also seems to more filled with deadly creatures. Occasionally a disoriented miner whose party went too far will come wandering out, babbling nonsensical things about oversized bugs and tiny men.

Structure

The city is structured in a circular fashion, radiating outwards from the Seat of Judgement where Helőre gives her verdicts. Buildings are mostly made from marble and limestone. The mountain on which Helőrszég is located is home to the largest marble quarry in the area, which is why it is the most common building material. Three layers of ramparts protect the city, and further north there is even a natural lava trench. To the south is a field full of amber-encased creatures, many of which have been transported back to the city, where they now serve as decoration.
Since punishment and public shaming is a cornerstone of Helőre's dogma, the city is home to many stocks, pillories, scaffolds and other podiums specifically for this purpose. Public punishments for even minor infractions (with an accompanying minor punishment of course) are quite common, and some manner of scaffold or stock can be found on nearly every street corner and more. The city is also nicknamed the City of a Thousand Scaffolds for this exact reason.

The Last Stop

On the east end of town lies the Végállomás, the Last Stop. It is a special prison made to contain insane mages and heretical cultists whose offenses warrant the death penalty, but can also potentially provide important information. The area is cut off from the source of magic, and the prisoners are deprived of their senses and any magical tattoos and the like are scarred over. They are left helpless and unable to see anything around them, slowly going mad until they give in. When they break they are forced to write down their magical secrets in exchange for a merciful end.

Culture

Helorszégians pride themselves on them and their laws being (in their opinion) both strict and fair. Most have been taught the dogma of Helőre from a young age and truly believe that it leads to the greatest good for society. As such, they are also a welcoming people, even to those of a questionable background. After all, you are innocent until proven guilty. This welcoming attitude makes the heel turn when you commit a crime, no matter how small, quite painful. But there's always a chance to redeem yourself, once your shaming is over and you are released from the stocks, you are once again treated as a regular person. And if you improve yourself you may even be celebrated. All in all though, such high expectations can cause those who struggle to stay within the rules to feel a ton of social pressure. But it is rather taboo to discuss that aspect.

Fashion and Food

Their attitude can also be seen in the way they dress, which is usually a simple cotton tunic, with (occasionally) a woolen cloak. Cotton is the most common fabric within the city, and designs are generally kept simple with little variation. The different sects of Helőre's faith have their own particular uniforms or styles unique to them, but that's about it. Colorful clothing is looked upon strangely, and an easy way to identify an outsider.
The most commonly cultivated crops on the terrace farms adjacent to the city are: buckwheat, spelt and cotton. Buckwheat noodles, porridge and spelt bread are thus the most common dishes. The acidic soil up here means little in the way of vegetables can be cultivated, so their diet is more based around these grains. In terms of lifestock they mostly keep sheep, who can provide meat and cheese to accompany the otherwise bland noodles and breads.

Organizations

Helőre's faith is tightly interwoven with the city's legislature, and effectively a state religion. As such pretty much any government institution is also a branch of her church. This also leaves little room for private organizations to obtain much influence.

Eyes of the Witness

The Szemtanú, or Eyes of the Witness, are the most influential group by far. They are both the highest ranking members within her church, as well as the judges and arbiters who handle the cases that the divinity herself doesn't. The lower ranking members handle arbitration of more minor cases, while the higher ranking members handle the more difficult cases as judges. The five highest ranking members function as the justices of the High Court, and they also form the city council that operates under the direct command of Lady Truthseer herself.

The Stone Hand

The Kőkéz, or Stone Hand, is the local security formation and law enforcement within the city. They also form a significant portion of her church. In essence it is a religiously oriented city watch which doubles as a policing force and a military force in times of need. They also oversee the many stocks, scaffolds and pillories in the city, and ensure that everyone spends exactly their allotted time in them.

Stoneheart Legion

The Kősziv, or Stoneheart, Legion is a splinter faction of the Kőkéz that split off due to internal disagreements on the way they executed their charge in the pursuit of justice. Their leader, the Saint Boldiszár Kovács, decided to confer with Helőre who surprisingly gave them special permission to set up a separate faction dedicated to hunting down criminals on the loose. Now they hunt down those who are the run, regardless of even borders and extenuating circumstances. Most others view them as extremists with a few screws loose, but it cannot be called wrong within the view of the dogma, and they have the support of the divinity herself so most keep their thoughts to themselves.

The Rune-Seekers

Runakeresők, the Rune-Seekers, are an institution dedicated to uncovering the secrets of the mines located below the western edge of the city. They study the runes and other remnants of this unknown civilization that they find, trying to uncover what it was that made their home here and why they disappeared. They work together with the miners, providing funds in exchange for escorts down into the tunnels, and material from newly uncovered sites. They have been able to piece together the rough meaning of some runes, but the greater whole is still a mystery to them.

Equality Under Equal Rules.

Alternative Names

City of a Thousand Scaffolds, The White City

Demonym

Helorszégian

Location

Tukhamu Magas

Notable Members

• Helőre