Lepidstadt, Capital City of Ustavia

Lepidstadt

Map Ustavia 
Lepidstadt is the largest city of Ustavia and its capital. The city is famed for its University University of Lepidstadt, which is probably the greatest institute of learning in the North outside of Tranquility. The city is home to more than 20,000 people, mostly humans, but likely has a thousand visitors or so on any given day. The city has five districts inside the wall and a small, but growing urban area outside the walls.
The three gates of Lepidstadt are closed at 8 pm every night and reopen at 5 am. Each is manned by a small group of city guards and an assessor. Assessors are unpopular fellows who are in charge of collecting a small tax on all goods brought into the city. For a small bribe they will fail to look to closely to any specific cargo. The assessors role is to fleece money for the city (and themselves) from foreign merchants and adventurers, not to ruin the day of the average farmer.
Districts:

• Crown District
• University District
• Waterfront District
• Market District
• Hill District

Crown District is at the top of the large hill that makes up much of the city. Richer folks and the remains of the Ustavian nobility reside here. The roads are in good repair and there are numerous great views of the lake. In Lepidstadt there is the saying, "everything sparkles from the Crown". There are a few specialty shops in the area. This area is very well patrolled, especially at night.
University District: This area is well patrolled and contains several business, the University of Lepidstadt, and several taverns. There is also housing for students and University staff.
Waterfront District: This area contains the docks, warehouses, a number of businesses, some unsavory taverns and inns, ramshackle housing and less legal businesses. Prostitution, Ruin Dens, and other criminal enterprises can be found here. Several "thieves' guilds" operate here, but they are more gangs than guilds. This area is poorly patrolled.
Market District: This area includes mainly businesses, guildhalls, warehouses, storefronts, and a large open air market. There are many residences here as well, mainly above storefronts. The Market district is well patrolled. The majority of the cities temples are in this area.
Hill District: This area really has two parts:

• On the Hill: This is largely middle class residences and small businesses.
• Down the Hill: As the district approaches the waterfront, it gets rougher and poorer.
This gives rises to a series of popular sayings around, "Moving up the hill" and "Falling down the hill".

"Dunvale's rolling down the hill just fast as the bottles take him"- Unknown

Important Locations: "Torch Hall"- Temple of Pelor. The staff here are mostly transplanted Timbalese peasants looking for new opportunities. They are very definitely part of the Church of the Three Divinities. They put on a good show but it's relatively bare bones behind the scenes. In general, they are trying to be like the main church in Timbal by being very merchant-like. They have a good group of worshippers, but the local clergy find their is a lack of fervor for their deity like they found in Timbal. They find this irritating and are working overtime to create a more intense faith. The current leader, Radiant Pater Runvuld Sunson, is looking to make a name for himself and his church. He feels very strongly that the Church of Pelor should be a separate entity from the Church of the Three Divinities. There is a thinly veiled disdain for the worship of Tyr and Madriel here. That said, the Radiant Pater is a man of law and goodness. He just also wants some fame and wealth to along with his faith. Torch Hall has a number of minor magical items for sale. The Temple's staff include their leader, four lesser clerics, and two paladins. Its located in Market District.


"The Thankful Harvest"- Temple of Yondalla: Located in the "Down Hill District". This modest temple of stone and wood is very popular. There is a steady flow of the faithful entering and exiting the Temple all day long. Run by the unassuming but very charismatic Mother Helon Trailspotter, an elderly halfling lady. It's the cultural center of the halfling population and of the less to do families of the Dock District and Hill Districts. The temple collects resources including coins and food and distributes them to the needy. Mother Helon is one of the most popular persons in Lepidstadt although few of the rich on the Crown have ever heard of her. She is served by a dozen lesser priests and hundreds of volunteers. They have few magical items for sale, but do a brisk trade in healing and other spell casting.
"House of Law"- Temple of Tyr. An unadorned granite structure on the edge of the University District. As much an institution of law than a place of worship. The temple is not interested in making or selling magic items. It does sometimes have auctions for items it has confiscated. The temple works closely with the city guard to investigate and prosecute crimes.

Curios, Elixirs, and Charms….by Cursak This small shop sells both real and fake enchanted items. If the buyer looks experienced or tough, they get a straight deal. Otherwise, they get a smooth talking con artist trying to sell them junk for top coin. The shop has almost no items on hand. They are hidden in various secret spots elsewhere to thwart thieves and such. With a days notice any potion can be gotten. Misc items of value 1500 gp and less are available. All sales over 500 gps are finished at the Temple of Tyr. Its run by Master Cursak, a surprisingly capable wizard who enjoys the show and interaction of the sale as much as magic. He is served by several apprentice and journeymen wizards (levels 1-5).
Manfred’s Weaponry and Armor: This retired soldier and adventurer is a local icon. His shop is huge and dusty. Its part museum, part store, and part tavern. Its THE hang out spot and drinking place of many retired adventure and soldier. They sit around telling stories, drinking, throwing knives or whatever. The place is well respected if not feared. Manfred has friends in the temples, university, government, watch, and with the local rogue’s guild. He is a powerful man who is not interested in using his influence in anyway other than enjoying a quiet retirement. His stock is impressive and includes rarities and oddities he has collected over the years.
"Sage’s Guild", This store front is really just the "for profit" part of the University of Lepidstadt. All of its staff are faculty members or students. They create, buy, and sell magical items and perform spellcasting and research for those willing to pay. No items are kept on the premises. Prices are fair but items, for the most part, are average at best.
Golbert's Madness Menagerie: Simple called Golbert's or The Zoo. Duke Golbert was a powerful noble who ruled over Lepidstadt at the time of the Plowman's rebellion. Quite eccentric, he was a dabbler in nearly everything, including the occult, the sciences, and arcane studies. He had, what he calls, his "collection", which was a vast array of specimens, both living and deceased of animals and creatures from around the world. Duke Gobert was one of the few nobles who did not take part in the conflict, seemingly relieved to not rule, he famously said, "to not rule my people is the greatest gift my people have ever given me". He remained in Lepidstadt for many more years before leaving on "expeditions". He made arrangements for the University, to which he was a major contributor to take possession of his collections should he not return. When this came to be, the University was amazed at what the old Duke had accomplished. Few details are known, but it was said the University was busy cataloging it for the next generation. Part of that collection became the "zoo" of Lepidstadt University. Open to the public, this walled section of the school houses a great many animals from around the world including some magical beasts. There are many dark stories (as their always are in Ustavia) about the contents of Golbert's collection and how he came to possess some of those items and creatures.
Hellhounds; Ustavian elite agents have a few members always in Lepidstadt. Its unclear who they answer too or why they get involved when they do.
Important Persons:

• Judge Embreth Daramid: A respected head judge and secret member of the Order of the Palpatine Eye.
• Count Alpeon Caromac: A very rich man with a sad family life. His forefathers kept their noble rank after the Plowman's Revolution, but has stepped far away from any role in governing in Ustavia. Count Caromac is a powerful wizard who is mostly concerned with his various researches. Friendly but distant, he lost his wife when he was young and has no children. He lives a day's travel from Lepidstadt in an impressive castle (Shloss Caromac) built into the side of some rugged hills.
• Grand Dean Accarri Vicarri: The very competent and influencial leader of the University, he has his eye on every aspect of Ustavian life.

University of Lepidstadt Grand Dean Accarri Vicarri: Dean Vicarri is another in what has been a remarkable line of incredible competent Grand Deans. Each Grand Dean usually handpicks their success, usually from the College Deans but sometimes someone completely outside the University. Dean Vicarri must navigate the political landscape of a massive University, the political landscape of the nation of Ustavia, keep the institution economically feasible, and keep its Professors and students, known for their high risk behaviors and research safe. The University charges a sizable tuition for each student, paid upfront. There are a number of scholarships available for those unable to pay but who show great promise. The University's alumni, who include a great many adventurers and world leaders, donate large amounts of wealth. The University also creates magical items and sells them to generate income. The University also possesses several secret contacts with the Ustavian government for different services, including magical defenses and magical investigations.

Bridgefront (Waterfront District): Locations and Individuals:

Night Market- Set up against the Old Wall, this open area sees very little daylight. During the day its home to both regular and black market commerce. At night, it has even more secretive dealings.
Breakwater Pier- A "city improvement project" that has been largely abandoned. Includes several piers and warehouses.
Greeley's Den- A hideout for a local criminals and Ruin dealers.
Winding Way- A well to do bookshop and occultist shop in a bad part of time. The charming and well read Diogorgio owns and operates it.
Ledbetter's Apothecary- An older and heavy set propriator provides healing services, potions, and such at a reduce cost to the locals, who hold him in high regard. His shop is protected by a flesh golem that is a widely known secret. Ledbetter is a very large man who seldom gets out of his rocking chair. He has two talented apprentice, whom he rescued from life on the streets, who do all the work (under his instruction). Ledbetter is a retired adventurer and a powerful wizard, but allows no one to know this, as he wants to avoid the attention. He is running from some past but has come to greatly enjoy his new "cover" life.
The Lamplighters- Residents leave out copper coins at night, which are picked up by local orphans who hand lit lanters around the area. They work for the mysterious Lamplighter, a man seldom seen, but who is said to be able to spy on anything that happens within the light of his lanterns.
Rook's Roast- infamous Ruin den. Those who die are fed to the hogs.
Soiled Sow- The second most infamous Ruin Den in the district.
Magistrate Drune- Overworked and possibly crooked oversee of the district. Does not have a good relationship with the local Judges or the temple of Tyr.
Captain Cora Cranstone- Head of the local guard, daughter of local female Hell Hound.
Kestral Lathar- A very young and enterprising lad who has come to manage a "thieve's guild" in the district. Barely organized, Kestral's guild is really a collection of street gangs, fences, and criminal whom he holds together with his wit and charm. Well connected, smart, and cautious, he has done well for himself. Taking the name of a giant spider, whose cult he helped destroy (and whom took his parents from him), he has a bit of a "robin hood" philosophy that has endeared him to many of the locals. Even the district's law enforcement seems to like him.

Demographics

90% human, 1% elf, 6% halfling, 2% dwarf, 1% half elf and half orc,
10% "Noble class" although the system of Nobility has been done away with, this refers to the rich families who maintain their wealth over generations 25% middle class: professors, craftsment, merchants, 50% Working people: laborers, farmers 15% Very Poor

Government

Legal System: Ustavia's legal system has two distinct halves. There is a primitive system of traveling magistrates who hold court in rule areas where cases are presented by the local sheriff and the burden of proof is dubious at best. The second half of the system is a series of courts in Lepidstadt that require a high level of proof and are burdened with a complex system of laws and procedures and ruled over by a hierarchy of lawyers, magistrates, clerks, and judges. Generally speaking, the rich face trial in Lepidstadt and the poor take their chances with a traveling magistrate. Lepidstadt's legal system includes some progressive elements such as appointing defense lawyers for those who would not otherwise have representation and requiring a high level of proof before a conviction. It also has some less progressive elements, such as locally elected judges and an entire menu of execution options.

Assets

Lepidstadt contains a high level of relative wealth, as it contains the great majority of assets of the entire nation.
The University makes it a cultural center for art objects, historic artifacts, the arts, and magical research.

Population

20000 persons

Inhabitant Demonym

Lepidstadters