Toriel
Beyond the Porval Swamps, in the furthest corner of Veridia where the Empire does not dare tread, lies a young city draped in everlasting night. Only about 100 years old, the town of Toriel was established by Drow who escaped the harsh lifestyle of the underdark and the evil clutches of their god Lolith. After a long and enduring pilgrimage, and being rejected by the other cities of the continent, the Drow came across a suitable land for their new home, far from the influence of the other nations, and founded the city of Toriel where they could practice their new religion and magic in peace.
Toriel has accepted all Drow who reject their evil goddess and all matter of outcasts not welcome in the Empire or the Sultanate. Today, Toriel is home to not just Drow, but all matter of goblinoids, minotaurs, and even gnolls who have broken free of their Lord's influence. Their presence, however, has raised suspicion in the Empire though, who try to stop all travel through the swamps.
Demographics
The city is home to a massive majority of Drow, most of whom originated from the Underdark. Not all were part of the original settlers of the city, and the city also accepted other outcasts and formerly nomadic humanoids that wandered the region. This includes tieflings, tabaxi, goblins, bugbears, minotaurs, and even gnolls.
Government
Toriel is governed by a triumvirate of matrons: the Matron of Society, the Matron of War, and the Matron of Arcana, each with responsibilities respective to their title. The Matron of Society acts as the political leader and creates the laws. The Matron of War is in charge of the defense of Toriel and its citizens. The Matron of Arcana is responsible for the management of magic and religious practices.
History
In the year 1336, a sect of about 200 Drow broke free from Lolth's influence and embraced an entity known as The Luxon. Led by Larynda Tin'lyr, Gwendolyn Faertala, and Zar'aya Dhunnyl, the Drow managed to revolt against their evil brethren in a bloody clash and found their way to the surface world of Veridia. Though Zar'aya and a number of drow were slain in the carnage, the surviving drow began traveling around the continent, looking for a new home. They were rejected hospitality by the Empire in Felwinter, so they traveled south. They were treated poorly by the dwarves of Stahlmill, so they moved on to the Osmad Desert. In Bekilk, they were not trusted and told to leave, so they headed east. The last place they visited was Oxfront, and once again they were denied refuge. With no other option, the drow were forced to traverse the precarious Porval Swamp. After a grueling pilgrimage, the Drow found a clearing past the swamp, unclaimed by anyone. There, they founded the city of Toriel, with Larynda and Gwendolyn as leaders, leaving a position for Zar'aya, in case her reincarnation returns.
100 years later, Toriel is a flourishing melting pot for the less common races. The idea of the Luxon brought many together and the city continues to grow, though this has brought the ire of not just the other nations of the world, but the Spider Queen who once lorded over them. Lolth constantly attempts to undermine the city, sending demonic incursions to try and subjugate the traitors who broke from her influence. She recently sent the Demon Lord Yeenoghu to attack the city, but he was repelled by the gnoll hero known as Scav. With his defeat, the hundreds of gnolls who followed in Yeenoghu's wake were left without a leader. With Scav's help, the gnolls were accepted into Toriel's society and slowly, they are becoming civilized members of society. Inspired, by this, Scav, along with his lover Sabel, founded the Chronicle Academy of Toriel to help educate all on the subjects of time, race, and the effects of evil deities on the world.
Architecture
The Drow were mostly familiar with construction in the Underdark's caverns - surface world construction was unknown to them. However, in their pilgrimage across the continent, they picked up inspiration from visiting the various nations and incorporated some of that into their own city.
Geography
The city is built on the edge of a swamp and surrounded on all other sides by rocky terrain or ocean, making it suitable for the drow who wish not to be disturbed.
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