Selgaunt (pronounced: /ˈsɛlgɒnt/ SELL-gont), formerly known as Chancelgaunt, is a large merchant port on the
Sea of Fallen Stars and the capital of the nation of
Sembia following the destruction of Ordulin in the late
14th century DR.
The city earned its newer name following the death of the great Sembian merchant-king Selgar, who had been interred beneath an ornate sepulcher within the city
Society
Possibly the wealthiest city on all of Sembia, Selgaunt is an exciting metropolis that featured the high fashions, pageantry and brashness that is so often found in the Eastern Heartlands. The Selgauntans view themselves as the epicenter of sophistication, and see their city as the heart of civilization in all the planes of existence.
Culture
Selgaunt has a rich and active community of artists, dancers, and musicians. New performances of plays, highlighted by choreographed dances and choral arrangements are regularly put on within the city. Paintings, sculptures, carved statues are readily available throughout the city, are highly prized and often exported in trade with other cities.
Music is especially prevalent throughout the city, as most Selgauntans can artfully sing or at least whistle complex melodies. Live performances are often be found in taverns, inns, and the houses of noble families. Glaurs, zulkoons and thelarrs are popular instruments during the 14th century.
Relations
The citizens of Selgaunt see those from the Sword Coast in the west, northerners from the Dalelands and North Faerûn and those southern-folk from the Dragon Coast down to the Lands of Intrigue as filthy, barbarous savages. They think worse of the people of Calimshan, as they are "pretentious on top of everything else." They view the kingdom of Cormyr as adorable country bumpkins who, despite their "royal" family, lacked proper breeding and sophistication. They even look down on the other cities of Sembia as disadvantaged, depressing collectives; Ordulin is unfortunately insignificant, full of small-time merchants who were too busy counting their meager coins and Saerloon is a tired, apathetic city well past its prime.
Government
Selgaunt has been led by an appointed merchant-prince known as the
The Hulorn since it's founding. The current Hulorn (
Sachtek Chadhar ) has been in power for hundreds of years despite his human ancestry. His time in the seat of power has been fraught with his own illness and until his nearly 50 years in private, hidden away from the public eye. Since his return the city has prospered under his guiding hand.
Armed Forces
The combined city guard/armed forces are known as the Scepters. 9,000 strong and maintain a strong fleet of three dozen wars ships.
One of the two competing thieves guilds headquartered in Selguant. They have a friendly rivalry in the region with the other thieves guild in the region the Eyeless Mask of Saerloon.
Hefty bribes keep the guild in good standing with the law so long as their deeds fly under the radar.
Organizations
Selgaunt has two prominent thieves' groups operating within its walls, the
Night Knives and
The Eyeless Mask of Searloon.. The adventuring company known as
The Hunt are also based in the city.
Notable Locations
Dragon's Quay
The docks on the south side of Selgaunt’s harbor. Two large ships from Sembia’s Navy are docked here at the moment. Near the docks is a pub called the Crow’s Nest, catering to seafarer’s and dock workers. This is the south-east corner of the city.
Points of Interest: Ye Olde Map Shoppe, The Crow’s Nest, Sebastian’s, The Excelsior, Stonehammer Tower and Forge, Docks, [Petros Workshop and Warehouse](https://merchants-of-selgaunt.obsidianportal.com/wikis/workshop)
-----
Arkhen Quay
The docks on the north side of Selgaunt’s harbor and home to the Green Gauntlet Inn. This district is the north-east corner of the city and is located at the mouth of the River Arkhen where it empties into sea.
Points of Interest: The Green Gauntlet Inn, Docks
-----
Shipwright Lanes
Located to the south of the Inner Harbor, this district houses craftsmen and shipbuilders and has a few warehouses as well.
Points of Interest:
-----
Hulorn's Ward
This section of the city is home to the Palace of the Hulorn (the city's mayor) and a large walled off forest and garden area called The Hunting Garden. It's use is restricted to the Hulorn and his guests and is rumored to be stocked routinely with all manners of creatures to hunt for the amusement of the Hulorn.
Points of Interest: The Hunting Gardens, Hulorn's Palace
-----
Raven Gardens
Home to nobles, councilors, and wealthy merchants, Raven Gardens is filled with large houses and estates and has an increased presence of the Scepters to help keep out the 'riff-raff'. A few of the city's larger temples are here.
Points of Interest: Twelve Oaks Park, Temple of Sune, Temple of Oghma, Shrine of Lliira, The Great Library, Mage College, House of Elion, the Overlook, Gladomain Estate, Northern Gate
-----
Kozakura District
This area, home to merchants, laborers, artisans, and residents from far away Kozakura in the lands of Kara-Tur, was sponsored by a consortium of wealthy merchants from Kara-Tur seeking to establish a base of trading in the western lands. They paid, and indeed are still paying a substantial sum to the city and the Hulorn for the privlege, and the Hulorn seems happy to oblige them. Many exotic foods, spices, silkls, and other goods from the lands of Kara-Tur can be obtained here
Points of Interest:[Hsiang Lu's](https://merchants-of-selgaunt.obsidianportal.com/wikis/hsiang-lus), [The Dojo](https://merchants-of-selgaunt.obsidianportal.com/wikis/the-dojo), Temple of Lathander,
Silver Lion
-----
Chancelgaunt Quarter
This district in the south-west corner of the city is home to The Black Stag (Inn and Tavern), one of the few inns taking in adventurers. Some of the city's oldest buildings are in this district.
Points of Interest: Stormweather Towers, Sarntrumpet Towers, The Fletcher's,
The Black Stag , Tower of Thay
-----
Selgar's Market
It is said, "when you look into the Sembian's eyes, you can see coins being counted in his mind." In no place is that more true than in Selgar's Market - the marketplace district at the west gate of the city.
Points of Interest: West Gate, Merchant Council, Marketplace, Tanners, Shrine of Milil, Shrine of Tymora, Iron throne Guildhall, Golden Sun Tavern
-----
Copper Alleys
This poorer section of the city is at the north-west corner and houses brothels, dives, slums and other dens of depravity.
Points of Interest: The Arena, The Orchid
-----
Outer West Gate
This is the main entry gate to Selgaunt. The gates are closed at night.
Points of Interest: The Outlook Tavern, Silver Moon Tavern, Stables
Temples & Shrines
Selgaunt has the largest
Sharran temple in all of Sembia.
Firehair's House: This holy house of Sune is served by Aumraeya Ulmdrin and over two dozen priestesses.
Hallowed House of High Achievement: A notable temple of Deneir.
House of Song: Dedicated to the Lord of Song Milil, this church is led by High Songmaster Ansril Ammhaddan.
Palace of Holy Festivals: A large temple of Lliira overseen by High Revelmistress Chalanna Asjros.
Sanctum of the Scroll: This temple of Oghma has a large library of magical scrolls, some of which are for sale on occasion.
Residences
Stormweather Towers: The manor of the
House Uskevren.
Sarntrumpet Towers: The manor of the
Soargyl family
Whitebirch Manor: The manor of
House Isterin.
Comments