Niduin
- Ore. The lowest rank. Used to mean filthy or criminal, and strongly insulting.
- Bronze. The working class. Can also be used to mean a low-rank imposter.
- Copper. Acceptable working class.
- Silver. A rising merchant or artisan, or one with much potential.
- Gold. One whose wealth was inherited, or one who was wealthy without business sense.
- Platinum. The head of a mercantile house.
Government
Niduin is a monarchy led by the Dhinthas house, who first founded the city more than a century ago. The current ruler is Lythril Dhinthas.
Laws
Law in Niduin is based on the Golden Rule—those who have the gold make the rules. Actions that would be considered illegal or immoral in other lands are tolerated, providing the offenders are rich enough to pay the pre-determined fines. Lewd and licentious behavior are rampant in the city, slavery is common, and even the thieves within the city are permitted to operate provided they follow the terms of written contracts. The only real crime in Niduin—other than being poor—is the use of arcane magic within the city limits. In 82 ED, King Erdan Dhinthas granted the Aurelian Oracles complete oversight over spellcasters. As a result, only a handful of sorcerers are licensed to practice in Niduin, all exclusively under contract with the various High Houses. Enforcement of this ban on arcane magic is under the purview of the Aurelian Oracles, who administer brutal punishment on any who flout this law. Many of the High Houses now resent this arrangement, as they feel the Aurelian Oracles are little more than agents working on behalf of the monarch, but the dissenters lack the influence and resources to effectively oppose the status quo.Industry & Trade
Niduin largely trades in dyes, gemstones, lumber, and magical artifacts.
Root, Copper coin shaped like circular knotted roots, about the size of a thumbnail.
Branch, Silver coin shaped like a "Waterdeep Dragon" coin but depicting a tree trunk with roots and branches.
Galad, Electrum coin depicting the skyline with the lighthouse and the sea.
Maple, Gold coin shaped like a maple leaf, about 2 inches tall.
Spire, Platinum coin shaped like the Menel'Dath Spire.
Coinage
Districts
Rhunmeth Quarter
The outer district of Niduin where some visitors are allowed inside. Not much information about the inner city is spread through this district, as it is meant to keep quests away from the internal politics of the actual city.Menel'Dath Spire
The royal palace of Niduin and home of the Dhinthas house.Galad'Car
The grand lighthouse of Niduin shines its golden rays to guide incoming ships, however, the lighthouse has laid dormant for some time.Ar'Dhel Quarter
The trading hub of Niduin is known as the Ar'Dhel Quarter and is home to many artisans producing goods of incredible quality and quantity.Mal'Thelas Gardens
Prism Walk
Aurelian Ward
Iaroth Ward
Lum'el Markets
Malthem Grove
The Tar Pits
Debtford
Guilds and Factions
Knights of the Golden Leaf
The knights of the golden leaf are those who protect Niduin, or at least those in the city who can pay. Often wearing full- or half-plate armor decorated in gold and jewelry. The knights are highly trained in both spear and bow, using these weapons with deadly effectiveness, blessed by golden flames.Let me become the armament of pure gold that will burn away these tarnished alloys.
High Houses
The high houses are the families of distinguished merchants who have ruled the city for most of its existence, some of them from the beginning. Although they are not the direct governing force, that is the monarch, they are probably the people with the most power in the city, often rivaling or even exceeding that of the monarch. All heads of the families of the high houses belong to the platinum rank. Similarly, although the monarch is of the platinum rank, the Dhinthas house is not counted as part of the high houses.| Name | Importance - Tradegoods | Symbol / Heraldry |
|---|---|---|
| Serenadil | 1 - Gemstones and Gemcraft | White Opal |
| Dorindale | 1 - Magical Artifacts (Leader of the Aurelian Oracles) | Blue Eight-pointed Star |
| Felinial | 1 - Paintings | Swirl of color |
| Luthinen | 2 - Statues | Black Circle with a Yellow Square over it |
| Hindiel | 2 - Fighting Power (Most powerful member of the Knights) | Golden Maple leaf |
| Yendel | 3 - Woodscraft and Furniture | Golden Tree |
| Celithen | 3 - Entertainment and Song | Green Harp |
| Denivas | 3 - Alchemists | Purple Square with White Edges |
Prism Artisan Society
Perhaps the greatest bardic college of Taretza, the Prism Artisan Society is a place of learning for all those who wish to succeed in the ways of arts and crafts. Blending magic with art is the goal of the Prism Society.Aurelian Oracles
Since King Erdhan Dhinthas gave them rule over arcane magic in the city, the Aurelian Oracles have held a tight grip around spellcasting in Niduin. The Aurelian Oracles are a group of small arcane casters who control almost all spellcasting in the city. Many of them serve the different high houses and share an interest in the continued rule of the current monarch. This is because the high houses see the arrangement of the oracles with the monarch as restrictive and the oracles are aware of this, and therefore wish the Dhinthas family to continue their rule, as that would keep their arrangement active.Rust Monsters
Recently making headlines in the city are a group of ne'er-do-wells that have been breaking into and robbing smaller merchant houses in the city. Continuing to reach higher, the attacks have slowly but surely targeted the manors of those of higher status and importance. Most important to note is that the attacks have had no apparent pattern and simply seek to cause chaos and damage.History
One of the first major settlements in the region, the city was originally founded circa 16 ED by elven immigrants from Yith'il. The first half of the century that the city has existed featured great prosperity and development as the city quickly expanded due to its extraordinary views and natural resources. The rapid rise of the merchant traders led to a culture that valued economic success over all else. The obsession with profit and material wealth eventually became the defining characteristic of Niduin and its citizens.
In 134 a series of trade wars began as various factions tried to exert control over the city. In 138 all trade in or out of the city was halted.
The ongoing rivalries are between two factions known as the Golden Houses and Prism Houses. The Golden houses consist of the Dorindale, Hindiel, and Denivas families, and want to keep the current ruling family of Niduin. Conversely, the Prism houses consist of the Felinial, Luthinen, Yendel, and Celithen houses, and they want to remove the current ruling family of Dhinthas from Niduin.
Points of interest
Rhunmeth Quarter
The Circle Square
A comfortable housing rental found in the north end of the district.The White Blade
A decent blacksmith run by an expert elven smith. The old smith, Velkas Osoas, has a request for someone to help him deal find out what has happened in a mine with Cold Iron in the Espel Woods.Blue Sky Bakery
A bakery for those who seek to sample the delicacies of the city. The bakery is owned by Torlee Caeuseus Wright and her husband Luke Caeuseus Wright, an ex-lieutenant of the Shadow Corp. Of the Corelus Legion.Goldwind Monastery
A temple found in the north of the district for the faith of Corellon Larethian, The Wind Dancer.Spellcloak Tower
A strange tower believed to be home to a wizard that deserted the Aurelian Oracles and to protect themselves put a strange enchantment on the tower, causing its real location to be difficult to discern. To reach the true Cloakspell Tower, one must first approach and touch a symbol on the central tower of the district. After doing so, all other towers in the district change to look like the Cloakspell Tower, except that each tower has statue of a cat made from different materials. By following a specific order on the materials of these statues, one can find the true tower.Solution: {granite > marble > marble > basalt > alabaster > limestone > basalt > granite > sandstone}
House of the lady of Masks
Owned by lady Bellasdreia, this used to be a temple to Daia, The True but is now a store for extravangant clothing and masks.Shadowgates House
A private club catering mostly to noble-born women and provides drinks and company. It is owned by Lady Riendil, who has a weak connection to the Serenadil house. In order to enter, one must get an invite that cannot be bought at the house. Rumours in the club speak of a group called the Rust Monsters have been wreaking havoc in the inner city, attacking many nobles. They have recently burned and destroyed a manor belonging to a underfamily of one of the high houses, as well as killed the members of the underfamily. Otherwise, the dynasty seems to have recently sided with the prism houses, giving them more authority.Ar'Dhel Square
The place to purchase anything that one could desire, from dyes to jewelry, to fine silks, to houses. Anything can be found here.Den of the Seven Vales
Probably the finest inn and tavern in the whole of Niduin, the den prides itself on its quality, both when it comes to residences and food. It is decorated on the inside to depict scenery reminiscent of the feywild with luminiscent plants glowing bright green, blue, and purple.Aurelian Ward
Goldwalk Park
A calming park of beautiful golden sceneries.Aurelian School of the Arcane
The prestigous school of magic is the center of the Aurelian Oracles' activities.Mal'Thelas Gardens
Golden Seas Bathhouse
An expensive bathhouse that infuses its waters with the golden sap from the trees of the city. A bath costs 5 gp for a day.Prism Walk
Prism Artisan Society
The famed school and society of artisans and bards alike have their seat here.Lum'El Markets
The Black Frog's Wonderous Goods
This smuggling shop for magical items is owned by a tiny grung named Bo'ob [Bo-ob].Dancing Dolphin's House
Although many would disagree, this might be the least seedy tavern and inn in the whole undercity. If there is information you want, this is the place for you.The Tar Pits
The Tar Prisons
The prisons of lower Niduin, where in recent times, many of those incarcerated here have dissappeared to never return to the surface.Debtford
The Spider's Sting
A tavern known for their strong alcohol, owned by a drow called Nendra Toavé.Architecture
The level of detail in the architecture is largely dependent to where in the city you are. The more rich disctrict feature classical high-elven styles with arched bows and intricate details. Much of the city is either made from beige sandstone or combinations of both light and dark woods, all decorated with banners and flyers of extravagant colors.
Maps
-
Niduin
There was a problem in the copying of the layered maps, so one is slightly offset. (Sorry)
Founding Date
16 ED
Alternative Name(s)
City of Golden Leaves
Type
City
Population
19 350 (82% elves, 8% humans, 6% dwarves, 4% others)
Related Reports (Primary)
- Session 52: The Golden Road Report
- Session 53: City of Golden Leaves Report
- Session 54: Below the Gold Report
- Session 55: Roots and Baths Report
- Session 56: Black and White Report
- Session 57: Prison Break Report
- Session 58: Escape the Tar Prisons Report
- Session 59: Breakout in Niduin Report
- Session 60: Rusted Omens Report
- Session 61: The Excursionists: Civil War Report
- Session 62: Denivas Drama Report
- Session 63: Breaking and Entering Report
- Session 64: Poisoned Ideals Report
- Session 65: Puppet Master Report
- Session 66: Fall from Grace Report
- Session 68: Accumulation Report
- Session 69: Soul of Magic Report
- Session 70: Golden Dawn Report
Comments