Nov Ostoya
Demographics
The primary inhabitants of Nov Ostoya, are of the human species. Though vampiric thralls, and enslaved undead lurk about in the dark corners of this city of shadows.
Government
Soma's is a closed aristocracy, and most of its
citizens live in grinding poverty.
The Crimson Court rules every aspect of Soma.
Even the local branch of the criminal Ebon Syndicate
does not operate without the Court’s
tacit approval, and take great care not to bite the
hand that feeds.
The Crimson Court is composed of the seven leading
nobles of Soma. While they are allies, no true
loyalty exists among the vampiric ruling class. Each
noble vies to sit at the head of the table, employing
schemes that can take decades to bear fruit.
Currently, the Court is ruled by Grand Duke Drago Koshevek.
Defences
The Chiropteran Behemoth — The Grand
Duke’s secret weapon, this bat-like humanoid
monstrosity is the size of an adult dragon. During
the day, it sleeps in the dome of the desecrated
Vonsantra Cathedral. It possesses a limited
intelligence and a fanatical loyalty to its creator,
Koshevek—when called for, it will fly unerringly
to Koshevek’s location. It is capable of unleashing
an ear-splitting scream that can paralyse victims
and can create a sphere of darkness to blind them.
Even without these powers, its mighty jaws and
sharp claws are a match for many a foe.
Industry & Trade
Soma is a feudal society. The vampire nobility
who hold Soma’s wealth have divided control
of the mines, the lumber, the craftsmen, and
the fisheries amongst themselves. Meanwhile
the human peasantry makes their living as best
they can by fishing, mining, or farming. Trade
typically flows through shipping lanes to distant
lands, though of late there has been trouble with
Bürach naval blockades.
Each day, the goods from farms, workshops, forges, and fishing
boats wind up here, as do taxes from all provincial towns. An
underground economy does exist—the Ebon Syndicate does
brisk business here when it comes to smuggling and human
trafficking, but even they are obligated to pay a cut to the nobility.
A warning to all travellers in Ostoya: Bürach crowns are not welcome in either the province of Soma or Raevo. Likewise, the Ostoyan gold currency, leura, is not welcome anywhere in the Empire. One must clandestinely trade with underground dealers like the Ebon Syndicate in order to obtain the right currency before entering or leaving Ostoya.
Guilds and Factions
The Crimson Court and the Ebon Syndicate.
Points of interest
The tallest structure, Blackharbour,
is the fortress stronghold of Grand Duke Drago
Koshevek. The Karstein Market serves a central hub
for goods and services, but one will be hard-pressed
to find weapons and armor of quality—most of these
have been co-opted by the nobles for their own armies.
Other places of note are the docks, where a local unit
of the Ebon Syndicate operates, and a small temple
devoted to Solyma, goddess of righteous vengeance.
Newcomers are warned to avoid the now-desecrated
Vosantra Cathedral. Apart from being haunted, the
Ostoya
The Cathedral houses the Grand Duke’s greatest weapon, a
monstrous bat known as the Chiropteran Behemoth. The
Behemoth’s presence has long deterred the Bürach navy
from attempting an assault by sea on Nov Ostoya.
Architecture
Nov Ostoya is a walled city, known for its tall
spires, stained glass windows, pointed arches, and
stone gargoyles.
Nov Ostoya is known as the City of Gargoyles.
Geography
Nov Ostoya sits at the southeastern end of the
province. A natural harbor, it was once a popular port
for trade ships. However, an Empire blockade currently
prevents most trade to and from the city, so Nov
Ostoya must do with what raw materials the outlying
towns can extract from their mountains and forests.
Beneath the surface of the land
lies a vast sunken metropolis, the City Below, through
which untold hordes of undead roam and often reach
the surface. The wilds of Ostoya still teem with
undead that boil up from the City Below. Its necrotic power
has covered the skies with black clouds that block sunlight.
And after sunset, Ostoya is even more dangerous.
Alternative Name(s)
The City of Garygoyles, The Blight Scar, City of Leeches, The Black Capitol.
Type
Capital
Population
25,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Ostoyans
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
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