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Shan

Shan

Shan, Capital of the Alfan Confederation

  Shan is a lively and vibrant city, the beating heart of the Alfan Confederation. Situated along the banks of the waterway that connects the Dark Sea with the Sea of Thalassa, Shan is a crossroads of commerce and culture. Its streets, narrow and intricate, are crowded with merchants, adventurers, artists and travelers from every corner of Valenor.   The river port is the nerve center of the city and in its warehouses you can find goods from all parts of Valenor. Across the river lies the lower city, home to many refugees from lands ravaged by darkness.   The streets of Shan are alive with myriad activities: colorful markets, lively theaters, noisy inns and magical workshops. Casinos, elegant and seductive, attract gamblers with promises of luck and perdition.   But Shan is also a city of mysteries and secrets, with dark alleys and forgotten crypts hiding hidden treasures and deadly dangers. Within its walls, daring adventurers and truth-seekers venture into endless dungeons, seeking glory, wealth, and forbidden knowledge.   In the heart of the city, the palaces of noble families dominate the urban panorama, witnesses of the wealth and power accumulated over the centuries. But even within the walls of the most sumptuous palaces intrigues and betrayals are hidden, while the shadows of politics and diplomacy move silently.   In this city of contrasts and contradictions, the past and present intertwine in an intricate labyrinth of passions and ambitions, where every road leads to a new adventure and every corner hides a secret to discover.  

**Important Places of the City**

 
- **Holmer**:
Among the most important places in the city, the Holmer stands out majestically on the urban panorama. This ancient castle, seat of the Federation Council, is a symbol of power and governability. Its imposing walls enclose council chambers where laws and policies that shape the fate of the Alfan Confederation are debated. The castle walls are steeped in history and intrigue. It is said that in the most remote rooms of the castle lie secret passages and forgotten chambers, where ancient documents and hidden treasures can still be discovered by those who dare to explore them.  
- **President's Palace**:
The President's Palace, located near the Holmer, is another building of great political importance. Here resides the chief executive of the Confederation, the President, who oversees the activities of the Council and leads the federal government. Despite its majestic facade, the internal rooms are shrouded in an aura of secrecy. Rumors whisper that in the heart of the palace there are reserved rooms, accessible only to a few and which hold secrets that could upset the balance of power.  
- **Federal Court of Justice**:
The Federal Court of Justice, with its imposing structure and imposing columns, represents the pillar of the Confederation's judicial system. Here, highly qualified judges deal with the most important and controversial cases, ensuring the fair application of the law. Some say that the ground on which the Court was built is cursed, carrying a subtle aura of darkness. It is said that during full moon nights, mysterious shadows dance along the empty corridors, while echoes of ancient sentences can be heard in the desolate courtyards.  
- **High Tower**:
The High Tower, home of the enigmatic Gray Knights, is shrouded in an aura of mystery and charm. This secret order of investigators is tasked with maintaining order and security within the Confederacy, facing internal and external threats with firmness and determination. Surrounded by legends and superstitions, the High Tower is shrouded in an aura of mystery. It is said that ancient secrets are hidden inside, protected by powerful spells and arcane creatures. Only the bravest dare to venture inside, hoping to discover the truth hidden within its walls.  
- **Federal Troop Barracks**:
The Federal Troop Barracks, located just outside the city walls, are a constant reminder of the Confederacy's military presence. Here, trained and well-equipped soldiers prepare to defend the city and the surrounding territory from any threat. Despite their apparent grandeur, the barracks hide secrets that go beyond their military function. Some claim that beneath the foundations of the barracks lie ancient crypts, where the lost souls of fallen soldiers continue to march to the battlefields where they fell, for eternity, waiting to be liberated.  
- **Burgomaster's Palace**:
The Burgomaster's Palace, in the heart of the city, is the local administrative center that manages the daily affairs of Shan. This imposing building is the place where decisions crucial to the lives of citizens are made, from urban planning to resource management. Keeper of Shan's darkest secrets, the Burgomaster's Palace holds mysteries that date back centuries. The palace's basement is said to have been used for nefarious purposes in the past, and the walls have heard forbidden conversations between powerful lords and political intrigue.  
- **Black Tower**:
The Black Tower, with its high walls and dark spiers, is a symbol of authority and discipline. This impenetrable fortress houses the city guard and prisons, ensuring law enforcement and the incarceration of criminals. Known for its impenetrable walls and cold prisons, the Dark Tower is permeated by an atmosphere of desolation and despair. The deepest cells are said to house creatures of darkness, and the cries of doomed prisoners can still be heard today in the darkest hours of the night.  

**Other interesting places**

  Shan's elegant and sophisticated casinos, frequented by gamblers from all walks of life, provide an oasis of fun and entertainment in the city. Here, visitors can try their luck and immerse themselves in the lively and fascinating atmosphere of gambling.   The Endless Dungeon, an underground labyrinth full of danger and mystery, attracts brave adventurers from every corner of Valenor. In this dark labyrinth, hidden treasures and terrifying creatures await those who dare to challenge its darkest recesses. The labyrinth has the characteristic of changing every 24 hours, modifying the monsters that inhabit it and the treasures that can be found. No one has yet discovered how and why this happens, as the Dungeon appears to be so old that it dates back to before the foundation of the city. This gives rise to the theory that the city was formed due to the presence of the dungeon and that this dates back to millennia preceding documented history.  
Population: 28,923, Size: 288 acres
Demographics: Humans (71%), Kerak Goblins (9%), Arborean Sun Elves (5%), Sindran Green Elves (3%), Gelmundzecht Dwarves (3%), Touranian Gnomes (2%), Cheara Felines (2%) Velshadir Shadow Elves (1%), Ugruk Orcs (1%), First People / Rake Drakonic (1%), Satiraxys Satyr (1%), Garowian Leonid (1%)
Extra Details
Nearby Points of Interest:
Wealth: 17,846,000 gp. Max value for sale: 12,945 gp. Max pawn value: 25,615 gp
Detailed Demographics

Shan have a strong smell, known for its gambling and having exotic spices. There is some tension between the races.

Defenses: The city is surrounded by a brick wall. 590 trained warriors serve in the city's guard, and a militia of 7430 can be mustered in case of attack. The sheriff is Leonard Lionpride, Male Human.

 

Shops

 

Tavern: The Gorgeous Mountain
The Gorgeous Mountain Tavern


Blacksmith: Banded Breastplate

Owner: Aldous Spaulding, Male Sarlerian Human
Location: In an arcane quarter. The street outside is next to a grand hall. A group of stray dogs are fighting over meat (or an arm).
Description: The blacksmith is a timber and brick tower, with large windows and a small enclosed deck. It contains a large bookshelf filled with books and large pillars covered in weaponry.
Specials:
  • Trident of Fish Command (dmg 209) (760 gp)
  • Sword of Vengeance (dmg 206) (1,454 gp)
  • Splint Armor (phb 145) (193 gp)


Alchemist: Prismatic Concoctions

Owner: Thea Brightmoon, Female Touranian Gnomes
Location: In a residential area known for its rude residents. The street outside is watched by a squad of the town guard.
Description: The alchemist is a plaster and wood framed and large single storey building, with several shuttered windows and vines covering the walls and roof. It contains a suit of armor on the back wall and a corner table with herbs and unfinished brews.
Map
Specials:
  • Potion of Healing (dmg 187) (48 gp)
  • Oil of Slipperiness (dmg 184) (464 gp)
  • Potion of Mind Reading (dmg 188) (177 gp)


Jeweler: The Night's Gems

Owner: Eiravel Selevarun, Male Velshadir
Location: In a market district. The street outside contains a heroic monument. A magical mirror in a locked room opens a portal.
Description: The jeweler is a adobe rowhouse, with large windows and finely-crafted furniture. It contains an old-looking telescope and containers of chemicals stacked in the corner.
Map
Specials:
  • Ring of Feather Falling (dmg 191) (1,992 gp)
  • Ring of Water Walking (dmg 193) (1,449 gp)
  • Crystal Arcane Focus (phb 151) (10 gp)


Enchanter: Fate and Sanctuary

Owner: Osco High-hill, Male Touranian Gnome
Location: In a major crossroads. The street outside has a crowd watching performers.
Description: The enchanter is a stucco simple building, with a white shingled roof and tile flooring. A small dragon's skull hangs over the hearth. It contains an inviting hearth and a floating glass pyramid.
Map
Specials:
  • Dust of Dryness (dmg 166) (118 gp)
  • Saddle of the Cavalier (dmg 199) (1,983 gp)
  • Dust of Dryness (dmg 166) (115 gp)


General Store: Jugs and Marketplace

Owner: Lance Shelley, Male Dail Human
Location: In a market quarter. The street outside is adjacent to a large home.
Description: The general store is a plaster simple building, with a heather-thatched roof and moss-covered walls. A parrot serves as a mascot and greets customers. It contains a large open floor with pillars and closely packed shelves of goods.
Map
Specials:
  • Leatherworker's Tools +1 (phb 154) (5 gp)
  • Rope, Hempen (50 feet) of Strenght (phb 153) (1 gp)
  • Lock +2 (phb 152) (10 gp)


Type
Capital
Additional Rulers/Owners
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization

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