Helmstead
Overview
Helmstead is a bustling town located in South East Eskor. A trading hub, a seat of power and a diverse society, Helmstead is the Southern Heart of the Kingdom of Sodoria. The city is well protected and its laws are strict, crime gets dealt with swiftly and harshly, criminals are often humiliated in barbaric public displays of punishment.City Districts
The city is laid out in 8 districts:The Main district:
This district is located at the main entrance of the city. The city square is here, along with the justice hall, administrative buildings, barracks and The Arch. The Arch is a strong stone arch that is fifty 50 feet tall and 100 feet long. Criminals are held into holding cells that hang on the edge of the Arch. Inside this cell, their necks are tied with rope that is attached to the arch above. Each hour the cells move closer and closer to the middle, where eventually the bottom slides out and the prisoner is left to choke and die. After some time, the body is dislodged from the arch and falls down into an area called the pit. The pit is where body lie until they are cleaned up, sometimes creatures and criminals are thrown in there for sport or as unusual punishments.Midway
The largest district, home of the middle class of Helmstead.The Market district:
In the middle of the city lies a huge grid of stalls and warehouses. The Market boasts wares from all over Eskor. This area is open to all, but it is under close watch by Helmstead guards.Market Harbour:
Many ships make their way to the Helmstead Harbor, therefore it has grown so large that it eventually became its own district. Half of this district is warehouses and mercantile, the other is dedicated to shipwright.Bayside Harbor:
The Temple ward:
An area filled with churches and monastery, worshiping many of the Gods.The High district:
Government officials, politicians, wealthy and influential people all live in this district. This zone is walled off and access is limited.The Low district:
The biggest residential area, most Helmstead inhabitants live here. The slums are a subdivision of this district, there are no walls surrounding this area, it is located next to the main district and market district.The Slums
The poorest area of HelmsteadThe Stones
Crime syndicate from the low quarters of HelmsteadLaws
Laws are strict in Helmstead and crimes are dealth with harshly. There are Justicars who may skip the justice process and convey their own punishment to any criminal they see fit, other guards and lawmen must bring the criminal to the justice hall for judgment. Stealing and smuggling are tiered by monetary value, you could lose a finger, a hand, a limb or your head, depending on the cost of the stolen goods. Murder is an automatic death sentence unless it is out of self-defense. Racism and other minor crimes, such as assault or blasphemy will land you a trip across The Arch. The offenders will hang upside down and move across The arch from one end to the other, the trips takes about a day. Disorderly conduct and other petty crimes will land you a 3 days cleaning the pit. Crimes against aristocracy usually ends in lashes.Environment
Climate
Helmstead's weather is a little colder and and precipitation is more frequent than in the rest of Kolto. But generally it's quite temperate.Culture
Orcs
The fear of the neighboring orcs to the West makes Helmstead a cautious city. This proximity also brings diversity. Half-orcs are a common sight while orcs can be seen on occasion. Most inhabitants of Helmstead are wary of anyone with green skin. Most half-orcs are confined to a lower district which was eventually named Orc's End. While there are technically no laws against anyone of orcish descent to wander the city, it is culturally frowned upon to serve an orc or half-orc, let alone allow room and board.Shops
Tavern: Roger's Tavern
Owner: Roger Kendal, Male HumanLocation: In a temple ward. The street outside ominously quiet and empty and is full of market stalls.
Description: The tavern is a brick simple building, with a brown shingled roof and well-made wooden furniture. It contains a large open floor with pillars and shelves filled with random kooky crap.
Specials:
Turnip Pie with Rice and a Coffee (5 sp) Turnip Cake with Sharp Cheese and a Tankard of Bitter (5 sp) Sausage Ramen with Roasted Apple and a Tankard of Cider (5 sp) Other Patrons:
Conrad Thorpe, Male Human Conrad Deighton, Male Human Lance Ramsay, Male Human Lewis Windsor, Male Human
Tavern: The Black Meadery
Owner: Manfred Garrick, Male HumanLocation: In a major crossroads. The street outside contains a heroic monument and has a pickpocket looking for marks.
Description: The tavern is a brick two-storey building, with a green tile roof and a pillared curved-roof entryway. A number of hunting trophies line the walls. It contains an inviting hearth and a large stew pot over a fire.
Specials:
Veggies Cake with Egg and a Coffee (5 sp) Sausage Cake with Peas and a Glass of Wine (5 sp) Pork Steamed Bun with Rice and a Tankard of Beer (5 sp) Other Patrons:
Lewis Tinley, Male Human John Upton, Male Human Richard Oakes, Male Human Geoffrey Hayhurst, Male Human
Blacksmith: The Hammer's Sword
Owner: Roland Berkeley, Male HumanLocation: In a well-lit avenue with guard towers. The street outside has a beggar harassing passers-by.
Description: The blacksmith is a timber framed sprawling single storey building, with a gray shingled roof and simple furniture. It is well-lit by a few magical torches. It contains a large brass countertop and a forge in the shape of a dragon's mouth.
Specials:
Sword of Vengeance (dmg 206) (1,492 gp) Ammuntion, +2 (dmg 150) (91 gp) Dagger of Venom (dmg 161) (2,372 gp) Other Patrons:
Rosalind York, Female Human Charles Ainsley, Male Human Rohesia Hadlee, Female Human
Blacksmith: Firehilt Breastplate
Owner: Eva Ramsey, Female HumanLocation: In a side street near the entrance to the Market District. The street outside is filled with the smell of damp earth.
Description: The blacksmith is a adobe two-storey building, with a gray tile roof and a row of flowers around the building. Several battered shields hang on the walls. It contains cobwebs in the corners and a large hot forge in the middle of the shop.
Specials:
Ring Mail (phb 145) (30 gp) Dwarven Plate (dmg 167) (8,628 gp) Javelin of Lightning (dmg 178) (1,395 gp) Other Patrons:
Henry Sutton, Male Human Norman Byron, Male Human Simon Coombs, Male Human Hadwisa Barney, Female Human
Alchemist: Toil and Potions
Owner: Juliana Lancaster, Female HumanLocation: In a temple ward. The street outside contains a heroic monument.
Description: The alchemist is a stucco sprawling single storey building, with a brown shingled roof and roughly hewn wooden furniture. It is well-lit by a few magical torches. It contains a suit of armor on the back wall and a large troll skull on a desk.
Specials:
Oil of Slipperiness (dmg 184) (461 gp) Potion of Healing (dmg 187) (49 gp) Philter of Love (dmg 184) (90 gp) Other Patrons:
Everard Coombs, Male Human Dondon Goodearth, Male Halfling Tim Upton, Male Human Maynild Hadlee, Female Human Emeny Walcott, Female Human Ridaro Xistsrith, Female Elf
Jeweler: The Sparkling Gems, Jewels, and Jade
Owner: Anne Springfield, Female HumanLocation: In a side street within the middle of the Market District. The street outside is lined with a low stone wall.
Description: The jeweler is a concrete rowhouse, with a black shingled roof and a large cellar. A parrot serves as a mascot and greets customers. It contains a number of pots and misc supplies hanging from the ceiling and a table with scattered lenses, clamps, and cutters.
Specials:
Ring of X-ray Vision (dmg 193) (5,912 gp) Ring of Free Action (dmg 191) (19,419 gp) Ring of Resistance (dmg 192) (5,821 gp) Other Patrons:
Herleva Tatum, Female Human Rosalind Addington, Female Human Aline Rutland, Female Human Isabella Lancaster, Female Human
Enchanter: Fortune's Visions
Owner: Margery Stafford, Female HumanLocation: In the Market distrct. The street outside is made of bricks and there is smell of brimstone.
Description: The enchanter is a plaster and wood framed sprawling single storey building, with several shuttered windows and tile flooring. It contains a large candelabra and a magical construct moving supplies between shelves.
Specials:
Pipes of the Sewers (dmg 185) (1,997 gp) Saddle of the Cavalier (dmg 199) (1,932 gp) Manual of Golems (dmg 180) (11,446 gp) Other Patrons:
Theobald Abram, Male Human Maynild Cornish, Female Human Hugh Beverly, Male Human William Tinley, Male Human
General Store: Odo's
Owner: Odo Walpole, Male HumanLocation: In the middle of Midway. The street outside is filled with the smell of damp earth.
Description: The general store is a plaster and wood framed cabin, with a yellow tile roof and dead hedges. It contains low ceilings and the walls are covered in paintings and advertisements. The street outside has drunken revelers.
Specials:
Potter's Tools (phb 154) (10 gp) Abacus (phb 150) (2 gp) Mirror, Steel (phb 150) (5 gp) Other Patrons:
Gnarsh Hanes, Male Half-Orc Bertram Chatham, Male Human
General Store: Jugs and Assortments
Owner: Nikki Wildheart, Female HalflingLocation: In a High district. The street outside is shaded by large trees and is adjacent to a small office.
Description: The general store is a plaster big orb-like building, with a black shingled roof and a pillared curved-roof entryway. A dog serves as a mascot and greets customers. It contains low ceilings and several shipment crates are sitting on the floor.
Specials:
Mason's Tools (phb 154) (10 gp) Barrel (phb 153) (2 gp) Potter's Tools (phb 154) (10 gp)
Housing
Small Cottage
Owner: Roger Brady, Male HumanThe house is a brick rowhouse, with a gray shingled roof and nicely trimmed hedges. It contains a single bachelor-style room with a bed and chest. In the middle of the room is a simple cooking pot over an enclosed flame. A small stockpile of boxes and barrels are messily crammed into a corner. Dried corn is strewn in a corner which a couple chickens peck at.
Demographics
The population is largely human (47%), with smaller numbers of half-orcs (15%), elves (13%), halflings (10%), dwarves (10%) and gnomes (5%).
Employment
Laborers 1000 - Slaves 600 - Servants 550 - Peddlers 400 - Sailors 300 - Guards 200 - Food 200 - Merchants 200 - Clergy 100 - Healthcare 80 - Craftsmen 80 - Government 60 - Nobility 50 - Guild 40 - Artisans 40 - Artists 30 - Finance 30 - Intellectuals 30
Buildings
General Goods Stores 60 - Taverns 40 - Weapons Shops 10 - Magic Shops 3
Architecture
Most buildings are made of wood and brick. Others are made of stone and clay, some of these building mimick the style of ancient architecture.
The ancient buildings that still stand are made of marble or stones, the roofs are spherical and they are unusually tall.
There is are many historical buildings and monuments and also an unusual amount of buildings that are falling apart, this is due to the city's restriction on demolishing buildings created before year 0.
Many of the buildings in the low district are made of packed mud and clay. Luckier inhabitants dwell in wooden homes.
Type
Large city
Population
70500
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Related Reports (Primary)
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