Oathstone City
The vast city known as Oathstone was initially built as a fortress city by an unknown people, long before the rise of current civilisation.
100 years ago, explorers from the Veracity guild discovered the city. At the centre, they found oaths and pacts inscribed on obelisks, concerning landmasses and nations, and it became clear that the oaths related to the state of the nations at that point. The oaths spoke heavily of preventing the nations from going to war again, so they could join together. Once these oaths had been discovered and people found out about them, they came to hold power; the more people that heard about them, the more power the oaths took on.
One of the oaths required each nation to supply champions to form the Sentinels, those who guard and defend Oathstone. The Sentinels have their own set of oaths, which are kept secret from those outside. Once a champion takes up service as a Sentinel, they do not return again to their nation; it is a duty for life.
Oathstone is neutral territory, and each nation owns a portion of the city. But no one nation rules Oathstone; the Sentinels have ultimate jurisdiction, whilst needing to be mindful of the politics of offending one nation or another.
Demographics
Within the walls of Oathstone, different nations have their own distinct settlements in different parts of the cities. Each settlement maintains that nations cultural look and feel, and there is little mixing or intermingling between national groups.
Government
Sentinels are the law enforcers and peace-keepers within Oathstone, and are regularly seen patrolling all national settlements within the city.
The church of Hardine also maintains a strong presence within Oathstone, and their paladins are always close at hand in case of any disputes.
Defences
Oathstone is a high-walled ancient city, which includes the heavily fortified Keep where the Sentinels are based. As well as the physical defence the wall provides, magical defences are also very much in use.
Outside the walls, there are settlements in the wasteland made up of travellers in search of all that Oathstone has to offer (mainly riches).
Industry & Trade
The waygates generate a lot of income for Oathstone, as all gates lead to the city and a tax is paid for transit. So far, no gates that don't lead to or go from Oathstone have been discovered.
The waygate tax is used to fund the Sentinels.
The waygate tax is used to fund the Sentinels.
Infrastructure
New civilisation is building on the rubble of an ancient, fallen city, including vast underground caverns and tunnels. Maze-like, no more than 20 per cent of the original city has been explored and discovered, and even less is understood. New discoveries are still happening, and finding new resources or spells is a cause for great celebration.
The city includes natural defences that aren't truly understood by the current inhabitants.
Assets
- Fortress headquarters of the sentinels (the Keep)
- Waygates
- Numerous resources sourced from the ancient city
Guilds and Factions
Areas of the city are claimed by different nations, but within these quadrants there are safer and more dangerous areas. Internal features such as gates, rivers, locks and canals segment these different spaces.
There are also areas where no one has settled because of the danger of doing so - most often, people who try to settle in these places quickly disappear.
Other areas are the city are the domain of Aeona Solus's primary guilds, and there are certain areas where there's no clear claim of ownership - home to people who claim no particular loyalty to any one guild or nation.
History
Oathstone wad discovered 100 years ago, and the oaths in the city's centre have been known for the last 80.
The Sentinels started when the oaths were found; there's been a Sentinel presence in Oathstone for the past 80 years.
Tourism
Tourism to Oathstone is common. Some people come seeking riches, or hoping to uncover a mystery amid the unexplored ruins. Many more just want to come and see the city - and the oaths - for themselves.
Architecture
The discovery and creation of a new city on top of a fallen one has led to a a mix of styles and ages all mashed together, made more vivid by the different national quadrants that have been built up in the style of their homeland.
Shrines and temples to Aeona Solus' various gods are a common sight, particularly those dedicated to Hardine and Rekini.
The high walls that surround the city share something in common with the silver walls of Solis Orien; however, Oathstone's walls are a brilliant, clean white.
Geography
Oathstone is surrounded by inhospitable wasteland, near to an inland sea that is controlled by pirate factions. Up until the discovery of Oathstone by Veracity, this was bandit country.
Now, city states have built up around Oathstone, composed of people from many different nations, all fearing missing out on further discoveries in and around Oathstone.
Natural Resources
Produce is provided mainly through the waygates; the inhospitable land around Oathstone is now suitable for farming and agriculture.
Massive underground springs provide the city with water, although the springs themselves are yet another mystery of the city.
Port city states from the inland sea also bring in goods to trade. These city states were built before Oathstone was discovered - and they have prospered since.
Type
Large city
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