Od Pholix
Demographics
- 40% Human (Vaylian lin.)
- 30% Dwarf (Vaylian lin.)
- 13% Vampire
- 12% Demon
- 5% Other
Government
Given the pension for magic the founders had, it should come as no surprise that after the revolution the government was reorganized into a system of parliaments and courts. Any citizen who receives universal basic income (UBI) can be selected at random to serve on a jury or as a member of parliament. To do this, the citizen is provided with an enchanted mask that causes them to forget their identity but they retain all knowledge about the world, Od Pholix, its history, etc. This removes any form of bias and allows laws to be passed without special interest groups exerting influence easily and prevents prejudicial jury selection in criminal trials.
Laws are still proposed by private citizens (often the few remaining nobles or even the crime families) and can still be deceptively written, so the flaws inherent to any system of government were not fully side-stepped by the Parliaments of Ignorance.
Industry & Trade
A large section of the population deals in vice. Od Pholix is known as the gambling capital of the world for a reason. The drug trade is also incredibly rice thanks to the city's lax laws in substance control. The cities greatest exports are undoubtedly Taggoth wine, onyx spice, and crippling amounts of gambling debt.
Guilds and Factions
Though the Parliaments of Ignorance determine the laws of the commons, the day-to-day operation of the city is left in the hands of other organizations, most of which are not strictly loyal the the government.
The Bleak Knights' history dates back to the founding of the city. Several accomplished spell-scribes were faced with the problem of protecting their burgeoning city from attacks from Karstland locals and other dangers. During their experimentations they made a discovery that with enough practice and preparation, they could raise their dead soldiers and citizens to fight for them, thus birthing the school of necromancy. To quell the cries of disgust and outrage from the masses, the necromancers promised that every citizen of Od Pholix would receive 300 golden marks a month in income and then upon occasion of their death their family may either repay this debt in full or the Bleak Knights would claim another soldier for their ranks. The Bleak Knights are organized into 3 orders which perform different duties. The Order of the Skull is composed of the undead and the necromancers responsible for them, the Order of Coin is responsible for dispensing UBI to citizens, and the Order of the Crypt collects the bodies and prepares them for internment.
Known collectively as "the Families", these are the remnants of demons that have adapted to live in Harrow that took up refuge in the only place that would have them. Over time, three distinct families came to prominence controlling the thriving gambling scene in the city. Thanks to them, Od Pholix is today known as the casino capital of the world. The Taggath family controls the illegal (and legal) drug trades in the city. Several of the hanging gardens are actually owned by them and used to grow these substances. The Asmodius family, the strongest of the families, controls the casinos directly and acts as the diplomatic branch of the organization, rubbing elbows with powerful foreigners and locals alike. Finally, the Screwtape family are the enforcers and famously rather unhinged. They serve as enforcers for the families and offer private security or "protection" at a steep price.
The Hunt is a group of fighters that acts as the domestic militia, focused primarily around solving murders and finding fugitives. They were originally founded to keep a close eye on the Families but now act as criminal law enforcement. Generally, they are not regarded well considering they operate with as much cloak and dagger as the very criminals they are hunting. Bryn Paling was famously extremely critical of the group and campaigned for their abolition in his life.
Les Pompiers were founded by Bryn Paling in the last year of his life and act as first responders to disasters. They were founded directly to aid against the Harpers’ casualties and act as a team of firefighters, field medics, and in accordance with Bryn’s desires “to act only in defense of the common people and never to pursue enemies like common hounds.” Obviously this group has a lot of friction with the much older Hunt but is overwhelmingly popular amongst the common folk and is deputized by the Councils of Ignorance.
Already a powerful force in the neighboring Cays, the Principi have finally managed to gain a foothold in the city. They’re filling a void in the market for smuggling goods out of Od Pholix, especially powerful scrolls and artifacts from the early years of the city. This has been mastermind by “Handsome Leila”, the fifth star of the Principi sen Patrina and a fierce supporter of the New Blood movement, making Od Pholix the unofficial home base of the faction much to the chagrin to law enforcement.
Though often spoken only in soft whispers, the Lavender Society is a group of vampyrs that work in secret as assassins and spies. Often they’re embedded into even the best guarded groups and influence group decisions and leak information. It’s impossible to be certain who is and isn’t a member so people in power are always rather guarded when it comes to this. Rice by doorways, garlic in every room, etc. Most are unaware that these are ineffective against vampyrs, the exception being the Families.
One of the most prominent gangs in Od Pholix and is composed of Karstlanders who make elaborate demonstrations of their attacks. They channel their magic through music and cause extreme problems in the city. Bryn managed to broker a deal with this gang to ensure that they keep their targets away from peoples homes as much as possible. When his life ended though, the Harpers began to be less discerning in their targets once again. The Harpers are led by their lead-singer and bassist, Vantokiyo.
History
In 388, the peninsula that would become Od Pholix was magically severed from the rest of Karstland. Karstland is a difficult place to live, especially in a permanent settlement, because of its strange geography. Around two dozen or so spellscribes concocted a way to bind the land in place so that they may begin to build something more stable. These spellscribes would become the first noble houses of Od Pholix: Harvester, Paling, Hemlock, Grimm, and Vorlesh.
Over the next three hundred years the Bleak Knights would be established and Od Pholix would welcome a great number of vampyres as they came to Harrow. In 650, the common people had finally had enough with the greater and lesser houses of Od Pholix who had long since begun to abuse their station. Nearly every member of the nobility had become a lich, their servants were not dismissed even after death, and necrophilia was rampant. The last great colony of the Vaylian Empire fell into a bloody revolution. The Lich Lords were all slain, their entire lines eradicated save one—house Paling. Very early in the conflict, the lord Paling of the time had either the moral conscious or the strategic foresight to devote Bleak Knights bound to him to protecting the common people from those of other lords. This lead to the revolutionary forces approaching him and a bargain being struck that secured the war for the revolutionaries and promised a future for house Paling.
Over the next three hundred years the Bleak Knights would be established and Od Pholix would welcome a great number of vampyres as they came to Harrow. In 650, the common people had finally had enough with the greater and lesser houses of Od Pholix who had long since begun to abuse their station. Nearly every member of the nobility had become a lich, their servants were not dismissed even after death, and necrophilia was rampant. The last great colony of the Vaylian Empire fell into a bloody revolution. The Lich Lords were all slain, their entire lines eradicated save one—house Paling. Very early in the conflict, the lord Paling of the time had either the moral conscious or the strategic foresight to devote Bleak Knights bound to him to protecting the common people from those of other lords. This lead to the revolutionary forces approaching him and a bargain being struck that secured the war for the revolutionaries and promised a future for house Paling.
Points of interest
- The Marrow Cathedral: The oldest still standing monument to Tazrix in all of Harrow, this exquisite building is often the primary reason people travel to Od Pholix. It's not known exactly when construction began on the cathedral but it wasn't finished until 1050, many years after Pope Zaphrina I was made Speaker.
- Casino Way: Near the Vaylian embassies you will find a long line of luxurious casinos, brothels, drug dens, and all manner of other vice houses operated by the demon families. Any kind of fun you're looking for can be found here in abundance.
- The Under City: During the revolution, entire sections of the city were buried beneath the earth and built on top of. Some areas are still traversable for those with an adventurous spirit inclined to explore.
- Hanging Gardens: Because the earth of Od Pholix is blighted and unable to grow crops, large chunks of earth were removed from the mainland and suspended by magical means above the ground in the city. This is where the grains, fruit, and even livestock of Od Pholix are raised. Much of this overseen by the Taggoth family who offer tours of their vinyards a few times a year.
Climate
Od Pholix' severance from the mainland has served to, if not temper the climate, make it very predictable. Rare is the day it's not overcast or raining in the city and in the summer months the citizens can even expect monsoons or tropical storms. But the temperature is always rather pleasantly floating between 60 and 70 degrees, even during the winter.
Important Note: Some of this information may be outdated if your game is taking place after 2 Deturam 1090. See the notes for the campaign Legacy for more details.
Founding Date
388
Alternative Name(s)
the Dead City
Type
Ecumenopolis
Population
3 billion
Inhabitant Demonym
Pholixite
Location under
Owning Organization
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