Slew

The Fragrant City

Slew belongs to no king. In fact, the people of the Fragrant City reject the notion of royal sovereignty all together in favor of the simple rule of gold. Established in the southern reach of the Greenwold, Slew wasn't just built on a natural harbor - it was built in one! Built in the largest harbor in the Greenwold, Slew is a literal floating city - its numerous neighborhoods and wards divided by canals, kept above water level by omnipresent magic runestone.The sprawling port city sits at the conflux where the mighty Windy River turns brackish, as it mingles with the Starless Mire at the edge of the Great Sea. A hub for refugees, exotic travelers, traders, and adventurers, Slew is the busiest trade destination in the Greenwold.
A busy trade hub since its inception, gold has kept the city afloat. As it expanded from the shacks of the first pioneering traders - magical wards were erected that kept the city high and dry as it grew larger and larger in step with its rising fortunes. A city of waterways and canals, elegant bridges and fantastic merchant houses, there's no city in the Greenwold that matches Slew for grandeur and glamor. With the flow of gold serving as the engine for the city's growth, and no real land for the nobility to claim, power remains concentrated with its elite circle of merchant princes.
In the relatively insular realm of the Greenwold, Slew is a riot of multiculturalism. This great city on the edge of the swamp brings together merchants and peoples of all stripes, for better or worse. No city in the realm matches Slew for culture, food and music - and none matches it for greed or corruption. All are welcome in the merchant city as long as their gold is good. As a result, races found "odd" or "unsavory" in other cities (even drow) can be found running storefronts alongside their human and halfling neighbors. As they say, if you can think of it, you can buy it in Slew.
Known as “The Fragrant City” by some, even the crisp, salty air of the ocean cannot overcome the wafting winds from the Starless Mire that blow north year-round. Port fees and commerce taxes keep the wealthy oligarchs in power, an unofficial group referred to as the “Merchant Princes,” while poorer communities struggle to survive. Mystics from the lush swamps surrounding the low riverlands congregate in town, fueling the talismonger trade. The variety of cultures here create a varied blend of art and music - troubadours from all corners of the globe can be found in many of the drinking halls and dining tents of the city, and revelry is always the order of the day.
Ostentatious wealth and abject poverty, outpouring hospitality and stultifying corruption, bog stench and perfume - Slew is a city of opposite extremes, and one of the liveliest locations in the Greenwold.

Industry & Trade

Situated at the end of the Windy River and providing the only passage between the granges and the barrens, Slew is primarily a city of trade, with little industry of its own. The Merchant Princes of Slew keep a tight lock on what passes through their city.
Due to the traffic through the city, Slew has many inns as well as large bazaars, including blacksmiths, cartwrights, and cobblers. Traveling troupe visit often along with a constant rotation of entertainers, merchants, and even con artists.

Type

City

Location under

The Greenwold

Characters in Location

• Hal Catapult

Reference

Shops
Treasure Generators
Downtime Activities
Guard Reactions
The Guild (cutthroats)

Stat Blocks

Merchant
Guard
Guard Captain
Druid
Noble

Encoutners

Lord's District Encounters
Docks & River District Encounters
Starless District Encounters
Encounters on the Road

Magic Items

Cap of Water Breathing
Helm of Underwater Action
Ring of Water Walking
Cloak of Many Fashions
Chest of Preserving
Heward's Handy Spice Pouch
Orb of Direction