Graywall

Graywall is a small city that sits near the eastern border of Droaam, on the Orien trade road through the Graywall Mountains. For someone entering Droaam by road from Breland, Graywall is usually the first location they visit.
Graywall is the second largest settlement in Droaam, after the capital Great Crag, and was one of the first settlements to be built after the Daughters of Sora Kell declared their sovereignty. It is built around the ruins of the Dhakaani fortress Korash Khaar, which was overrun by the Daelkyr during the conflict that laid the Dhakaani empire low.
When the Daughters of Sora Kell formed the nation of Droaam, they placed the mind flayer Xor'chylic in charge of the region surrounding Korash Khaar, and tasked it with creating a thriving city. It took to this task with zeal, and arguably it has succeeded.
Xor'chylic maintains order in the city with the Flayer Guard, a military force composed of various monstrous forces from Droaam, supplemented by war trolls from Maenya's Fist and backed up by a contingent of gnolls from the Znir Pact. That said, Droaam, and by extension Graywall, are not subject to the Code of Galifar or it's laws, and Graywall has become a haven for those who are fleeing, or don't care for, those laws. Substances which are illegal in most of Khorvaire can be found in Graywall, and it largely runs on a system of frontier justice. Xor'chylic and the Flayer Guard rarely get involved in cases of petty crime unless those crimes resulted in serious injury or death.
Whilst Graywall may seem like a frontier town, it is also a military outpost and stands ready to defend Droaam from it's neighbours to the east. The workers in the Stone Pits are all given militia training by the Flayer Guard, allowing the city to muster a substantial force in a short period of time if it comes under threat.

Locations within Graywall

The layout of Graywall was designed by it's enigmatic governor, Xor'chylic, and is split into four districts, which two other regions of note that aren't actually part of the city.

Sorghun (Bloodstone)

Sorghun, or Bloodstone in Common, is the largest district in the city. The buildings in Sorghun are constructed from crimson coloured stone, from which the district gets it's name, recovered from the ruins of Korash Khaar. Sorghun is home to the Arena, which serves as both a source of entertainment for the people of Graywall, and also as a punishment for those who disturb the peace.
The Arena. Droaamites loves their blood sports, and the arena in Sorghun is active every day. All kinds of challenges happen there, from formal settling of grudges, open melees, and gladiatorial battles against monsters. Criminals are often sentenced to fight in the Arena for a given period of time, with their freedom at the end if they survive, and fighting in the arena is also a part of the training process for the Flayer Guard.
The Broken Sword is a tavern that caters to ex-soldiers from the nations to the east of Droaam, and counts war criminals and revolutionaries amongst its clientele. It's run by a warforged from Cyre named Maul, who acts as both its bartender and also its bouncer, though it's uncertain if Maul actually owns it. Much like in Shamukaar in Khyber's Gate in Sharn, patrons of the Broken Sword are expected to leave their feuds at the door. If anybody starts a fight within the tavern, they'll have to fight everyone within the tavern.
The Street of Shadows. Shrines to the Dark Six can be found scattered all over Graywall, but the Street of Shadows in Sorghun is lined with them. Droaam has little religious solidarity, and so the street has shrines reflecting the diverse faiths of the citizens of Graywall, and is lined on both sides with icons and altars. The street ends at a small, windowless black stone temple that is covered in eye iconography, the Eye of the Shadow, where the medusa oracle Zerasha holds court.
Tooth and Steel. Whilst the Flayer Guard are outfitted by the Karda Forge in Korash Khaar, most of the denizens of Graywall don't have access to that facility. Instead, the majority of the blacksmithing is done by Tooth and Steel, a large forge run primarily by minotaurs and shifters. Tooth and Steel produces weapons, armour, and tools for creatures of all sizes, with a quality that matches equipment produced in Cannith forges. The forge is owned and run by an Oni named Szala Jal, who is a capable artificer and creator of masterwork magical items.

Calabas (The Kennels)

The district of Calabas, or "The Kennels" in Common, is where the non-native denizens of Droaam reside when staying in the city. Any dragonmarked house presence in the city is limited to Calabas, and the district is effectively run by House Tharashk. Calabas is also the only place in Graywall where one can find a temple to the Sovereign Host in The House of the Nine, which also serves as an inn.
The Roar. The centerpiece of Calabas is a vast plaza named The Roar, which gets its name from the Liondrake statue in it's center, roaring at the sky. The liondrake is the symbol of House Tharashk, and the statue is a symbol of their power and influence within the district. During the day, the plaza is a pleasant place to walk around in and just take in the sights. At night, it is home to the Goblin Market, where the citizens of Graywall come to peddle their wares to the foreigners staying in the Calabas. Anything could be found in the Goblin Market of Graywall.
The Twilight Palace is a joint venture between Houses Ghallanda and Phiarlan. It's a wondrous grand hotel, with luxurious accomodations and staff that are well versed in the customs of every nation on Khorvaire. It stands out in an otherwise fairly frontier city, and within its walls it's easy to forget where you are. Entertainment is provided by Phiarlan performers and the Ghallanda chefs spare no expence to provide a taste of home to its clientele.
The Merry Marcher is a friendly tavern tucked along the edge of the Roar, and caters to travelers who want something a little less routine than the Gold Dragon Inn but don't fancy braving the lawlessness of Sorghun. It's owned by a half-orc named Durad Taash from the Shadow Marches, and has a menu filled with food from his homeland.

Sar Kuraath

Sar Kuraath, or "Little Graywall" in Common, is a district dedicated to the smaller denizens of Droaam. It is largely a residential district, and is purpose built for smaller folk such as goblins and kobolds.

Karda

The district of Karda, or "The Throne" in Common, surrounds the ruins of Korash Khaar and serves as the seat of power within Graywall. The Flayer Guard are stationed here, amongst the renovated walls of the fortress, and it also contains the courthouse and the home of the mayor Xor'chylic. Karda also serves as the garrison for the Znir Pact within Graywall.

Khyras

Khyras, or the Deep Doors, is an elaborate network of tunnels that lie beneath the city. They aren't really settled, but some of Graywall's inhabitants use them to travel around the city. The tunnels sometimes emerge into the subterranean sections of Korash Khaar, which are heavily guarded by the Flayer Guard.

The Stone Pits

East of Graywall, on the outskirts of the city, are huge quarries that provide most of the stone used in the city's construction. Many of the labourers live in and around the quarries themselves, and there is a massive tent city clinging to the eastern side of Graywall, spanning the gap between the city and the quarries that fuel it.

Type

City

Owning Organization

Droaam