Fortitude
From A Players Primer to the Outlands (2e)
THE TOWN: Some planars call Fortitude "The Egg," because the town sits inside a wall that curves to make a perfect oval. Near one end is the Gate to Arcadia, and near the other is a large stadium called the Confessional (see "Local Sites"). The two main entrances to the city are at either end, but plenty of smaller entryways dot the whole length of the town wall. The streets of Fortitude are broad boulevards, spanning beautiful parks and orchards. Fact is, a good half of the land's filled with groves, parks, and fountains, and the other half with buildings. The blocks are all clean and well kept, each offering a body a good mix of different shops. Most buildings in this version of Fortitude have first stories of stone and upper floors of wood and mud, topped off by thatched roofs. Two prominent stone buildings in the area are the Gate to Arcadia and the Confessional. THE GATE: The Gate to Arcadia sits on top of a low, circular step-pyramid made of seven stacked tiers, with staircases climbing it from four different directions. The gate itself appears as a large greenish flame, and travellers going to Arcadia just step through it, unharmed. Local chant has it that evil berks are purified by passing through the flame, but other legends say they don't get off that easily. LOCAL SITES: Besides the Gate to Arcadia, the most important site in Fortitude is the Confessional. A great arena sunk into the ground, it balances the stacked pyramid found at the other end of town. The Confessional's well built, too — any cutter who stands on the low stage and rattles her bone-box can still be heard in the far edges of the arena. The Confessional is used for admitting fault and handing out punishment. Several times a week, natives fill up the arena (travellers seeking good seats should arrive early), and anybody can take the stage to confess her crimes or flaws. The crowd then passes judgment, which, depending on its mood, ranges from simple verbal abuse to putting the poor sod in the dead-book. Refusing to accept her punishment gets a berk in the dead-book instantly - the mob will execute her on the spot. Usually, the Hardhead guards drag criminals and suspects in for judgment, but a body'd be surprised how many folks volunteer to spill their sins. Some just seem to have a need to cleanse themselves. Fortitude's got several excellent inns, but the most popular is Tears of Tyr, which offers a traveller a great view of the Confessional. Its owner, Gladola DeFarge, is a supposedly repentant priestess of Loviatar. CURRENT CHANT: In the past few weeks, the air in Fortitude's been electric. The Secret Conclave has determined that the town is nearly worthy enough to join Arcadia. 'Course, this means the Confessional's been extra busy, both with volunteers and travellers scragged by Hardheads. Fact is, some folks say the town's already slipped into Arcadia, and that another copy's just taken its place on the Outlands.
THE TOWN: Some planars call Fortitude "The Egg," because the town sits inside a wall that curves to make a perfect oval. Near one end is the Gate to Arcadia, and near the other is a large stadium called the Confessional (see "Local Sites"). The two main entrances to the city are at either end, but plenty of smaller entryways dot the whole length of the town wall. The streets of Fortitude are broad boulevards, spanning beautiful parks and orchards. Fact is, a good half of the land's filled with groves, parks, and fountains, and the other half with buildings. The blocks are all clean and well kept, each offering a body a good mix of different shops. Most buildings in this version of Fortitude have first stories of stone and upper floors of wood and mud, topped off by thatched roofs. Two prominent stone buildings in the area are the Gate to Arcadia and the Confessional. THE GATE: The Gate to Arcadia sits on top of a low, circular step-pyramid made of seven stacked tiers, with staircases climbing it from four different directions. The gate itself appears as a large greenish flame, and travellers going to Arcadia just step through it, unharmed. Local chant has it that evil berks are purified by passing through the flame, but other legends say they don't get off that easily. LOCAL SITES: Besides the Gate to Arcadia, the most important site in Fortitude is the Confessional. A great arena sunk into the ground, it balances the stacked pyramid found at the other end of town. The Confessional's well built, too — any cutter who stands on the low stage and rattles her bone-box can still be heard in the far edges of the arena. The Confessional is used for admitting fault and handing out punishment. Several times a week, natives fill up the arena (travellers seeking good seats should arrive early), and anybody can take the stage to confess her crimes or flaws. The crowd then passes judgment, which, depending on its mood, ranges from simple verbal abuse to putting the poor sod in the dead-book. Refusing to accept her punishment gets a berk in the dead-book instantly - the mob will execute her on the spot. Usually, the Hardhead guards drag criminals and suspects in for judgment, but a body'd be surprised how many folks volunteer to spill their sins. Some just seem to have a need to cleanse themselves. Fortitude's got several excellent inns, but the most popular is Tears of Tyr, which offers a traveller a great view of the Confessional. Its owner, Gladola DeFarge, is a supposedly repentant priestess of Loviatar. CURRENT CHANT: In the past few weeks, the air in Fortitude's been electric. The Secret Conclave has determined that the town is nearly worthy enough to join Arcadia. 'Course, this means the Confessional's been extra busy, both with volunteers and travellers scragged by Hardheads. Fact is, some folks say the town's already slipped into Arcadia, and that another copy's just taken its place on the Outlands.
Demographics
THE POPULACE: If it weren't for the citizens, Fortitude would be a nice place to visit. The townspeople here are a dangerous lot, a combination of primes, faction members, and petitioners of Arcadia. The petitioners have the ability to know alignment. Other natives of the plane (except for petitioners) are immune to both illusions and phantasms. All in all, the natives make sure that the town's well run - or else. Liars, peelers, and evil-doers give this place a wide berth.
Government
THE HOI POLLOI: The high-ups in Fortitude are the seven members of the Secret Conclave, elected by all those in town who're both good and lawful in alignment. A new election is held every time the Modron Procession passes through the city. When the horde comes through, the voters pick seven citizens for Conclave positions. The list of winners is meant to stay dark from the general populace. However, one known member of the current group is Skylar Mendacin, a powerful human male fighter in the service of the Hardheads.
Guilds and Factions
And Fortitude's a popular place with the Hardheads (bashers of the Harmonium faction). They can cast a charm person spell once per day.
Alternative Name(s)
The Egg
Type
Town
Population
5,000
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Comments