The Orovae
The Orovae is the cultural center of the Pantheon of Oros and the religion of Orosism, the most widespread religion since the Last War. It is home to the High Rector and serves as a hub for Archbishops and Bishops of the Pantheon, and for religious gatherings and events.
The Orovae is the third-largest city in Omeron with a residential population of around 18,000. Most are working class, with a handful of wealthy, powerful individuals. As a city reliant upon tourism as a primary means of revenue, there can be anywhere from 20,000-22,000 beings staying within the walls at any given time.
Structure
The Orosian Clergy
The hierarchical structure of the Orosian clergy is as follows:
High Rector
↓
Archbishops (one for each Elder God) → Inquisitors (uphold the law of the Gods of Oros)
↓
Bishops (one for each Descendent God)
↓
Priests (one for each temple)
↓
Pastors/Missionaries (Typically two for each temple plus hundreds of traveling missionaries)
↓
Brothers/Sisters (general worshippers around the world)
Culture
Sacred Site
At the center of the city sits an ancient tower known as the Tower of Oros. Historians estimate the tower is at least 3,000 years old. It is believed that Thadril herself created the Tower and used it as a sanctuary while she was dreaming up plans for the rest of the material plane. The Tower is made of materials alien to this world and is protected by an unbreakable divine magic. No hammer can break the stone that comprises its walls. Ancient, divine runes cover the inside of the tower walls, depicting all varieties of godly activities. Scholars of the pantheon flock to the site to study these runes. Parts of it can be loosely translated, but entire sections remain a complete mystery to even the brightest minds in Histaeria. It is free to visit the site surrounding the Tower today. One can pay to tour the inside of the Tower for a small fee of 2 copper (like most other tourist attractions in The Orovae). The revenue generated from tours goes towards general upkeep and preservation of the sacred site.The Festival of Oros
Once per year during the Festival of Oros (August 8 - 12), the population of the city more than triples for 5 days, attracting upwards of 50,000 Orosians. Worshippers squeeze into the city walls to celebrate the Pantheon and all its bounties. It is a vibrant celebration and a massive gathering of people, attracting all races and backgrounds. Most of the festivities take place in St. Duodin Square at the center of the city, but the Artisans and Harbor districts all become alive with celebration, tournaments, and all manners of worship. The Festival of Oros is singlehandedly the highest revenue-generating event for the Orovae. Merchants pay the city to park their carts full of their tchotchkes and trinkets to sell to tourists, mostly souvenirs depicting the gods, their heralds and saints, or other holy symbols. The famous Orovaean printers Breagart & Sons sell thousands of holy books every day of the festival. Music can be heard up and down the streets of the Temple, Artisans, and Harbor districts for 5 days straight.Assets
Lumber from the Red Woodlands and fish from the Sea of Serenae.
History
CE = Current Era (year 1 and beyond)
BO = Before Orovae (prior to year 1)
The Orovae was established in year 1 CE, marking the end of the Last War. Prior to that, the land upon which The Orovae currently sits was a sacred site known as Oros. It is marked by an ancient tower, described in greater detail in the next section.
Oros began as a small pilgrimage site as long as 2-3,000 years ago. Over centuries, ancient Orosians began to settle their families in the surrounding areas, establishing tiny villages and towns along the shores of the Sea of Serenae and amongst the forests of the Red Woodlands. Slowly, Oros became a known religious hub for followers of the Pantheon. A small port was developed along the shoreline. By the year 350 BO, a small city of Orosians had begun to form directly around the Tower of Oros. Orosians began to abandon their small neighboring settlements and move closer to the immediate vicinity of Oros.
By the year 300 BO, Oros had an estimated population of 500 humans and elves (mostly), and of course some half-elves. This is when the Last War began between the empirical Dregroth and the democratic Omeron. The Last War continued for 300 years - the longest war known in Histaeria’s history.
Throughout the Last War, Orosism was not yet a widespread religion. It is estimated to have had maybe 1,000 followers across the world at this time, most of whom lived in or near Oros itself. Those defending religious freedom and democracy fought for the protection of the sacred site, and won. In the year 5 BO, the Battle of Oros turned the tides of the war, tipping favor to the Omeronians.
By the year 1 CE, the war was officially over and Oros had been successfully protected by brave armies of Humans and Elves. That year, Oros was re-established as The Orovae. A hierarchical clergy was formed including the establishment of the first High Rector (see Hierarchy section).
For the next 1,000 years, Orosism would continue to grow throughout the world. Missionaries would spread the gospel of the Gods of Oros to the farthest corners of the world, eventually making it the most widespread religion in Histaeria with the most racially diverse following of any known religion to date.
When the Omeranian senators were established in year 1, The Orovae was ruled by one of the senators just like the rest of the large city-states in Omeran. This arrangement caused strife between senators and the High Rector. The senators tried to rule The Orovae as if it were an ordinary Histaerian city, but the High Rector insisted that The Orovae is anything but ordinary and should not be ruled as such. He argued that The Orovae is a sacred site of pilgrimage and needs to be protected in ways that other cities do not. In the year 23, the Treaty of Orovae was signed, passing rulership from the senators to the High Rector and his clergy. The Orovae continues to be ruled by the High Rector to this day as an independent city-state in the country of Omeran. Power is transferred upon death of one High Rector to the next in line, the most senior of the archbishops.
The first printing press was invented by H.G. Smarth in the year 560, causing the missionary efforts to soar exponentially. The Book of Oros (among other religious texts) was now being printed by the hundreds and distributed to libraries and homes around the world. By the year 600, Orosism was officially the most established religion in Histaeria, and remains so today. Printing remains a primary industry in the city.
Demography and Population
The total population is 18,000 individuals.
Most common races: humans, elves, dwarves, half-elves and half-orcs.
Semi-common races: halflings, tieflings, goliaths, dragonborn and orcs.
Uncommon races: gnomes, goblins, aasimar, lizardfolk, kobold, tabaxi, triton and satyrs.
Vary rare races: kenku, tortles, kalashtar, changelings, shifters, gith, yuan-ti and genasi.
All other races are extremely rare in The Orovae, but almost every race known to the material plane has been seen within the city walls at one point or another. The Orovae is one of the most diverse cities in Histaeria.
Territories
The Orovae is a mostly flat, coastal city, settled upon the plains northwest of the Sea of Serenae and south of the Red Woodlands. It falls in a temperate climate with four distinct seasons each year. Summer is the high season for tourism, but Autumn attracts a fair number of visitors as well. Winters are mild and relatively short, and Springtime is rainy.
Agriculture & Industry
Primary industries: printing and tourism.
Secondary industries: lumber, fishing and entertainment.
Secondary industries: lumber, fishing and entertainment.
Trade & Transport
The economy of the Orovae is mostly sustained by donations to the church of Oros, as well as revenue generated from the sale of holy books and Orosian souvenirs, museum admission, lumber sales, fisheries, and entertainment.
Infrastructure
The Holy City
The city is protected by walls on three sides and a harbor on the southeastern side. There are 5 ways to enter the city: eastern gate, northern gate, western gate, southern gate, and the harbor. There are 8 defined districts in The Orovae.
Temple District
The Temple District is in the exact center of the city. It is bordered by all 7 of the other districts. It is situated around a large square, St. Duodin’s square, in the center of which lies the Tower of Oros. Within the Temple District is a temple for each deity of the Pantheon of Oros. There is also a Temple of Oros (for general Orosian worship of all deities) and The Museum of the Gods. It is free to the general public to enter any of the 25 temples, but the Museum collects a small fee of 10 copper per head for a day of exploring the divine exhibits. Revenue generated from these fees and from the museum gift shop is put towards general upkeep and preservation of the temples and the museum.
Harbor District
The Harbor District lies along the Sea of Serenae and stretches from wall to wall. It is bordered by the Artisans West, Temple, and Artisans East districts. Used mostly for fishing and as a port of entry for tourists, the Harbor is a lively district. There is a fish market and a long row of merchant carts ready to welcome all who enter The Orovae by sea. Several inns varying in caliber from humble to luxurious stretch along the shore. There is a small section of residential housing for about 1,000 people in the Harbor District, mostly occupied by fishermen and their families.
Printers District
The Printers District is an industrial area on the northern side of the city. It is bordered by the Artisans East, Temple, Paupers, and Walled districts. The Printers District consists of a large printing press, a lumber mill, and a paper mill, all of which are owned and managed by Braegart & Sons. Hundreds of holy books are produced here daily and distributed across the world. The northern gate provides easy access to and from the Red Woodlands to the north, where trees are harvested to create paper. Braegart & Sons operates the world’s largest commercial printing operation.
Paupers District
The Paupers District is a poor residential area situated directly to the west of the Printers District. Almost all families who live in this area work in the Printers district, operating the press, working the mills, or harvesting lumber. About 3,000 people reside here, many of whom are extremely poor.
Prince District
The Dives district is the elite, wealthy residential area directly west of the Paupers District. It is bordered by the Paupers, Temple, and Artisans West districts. A large wall and a small grove of trees separates the Paupers from the Dives. The High Rector resides here, as well as many of the archbishops and other key figures of the city.
Artisans West and East
The Artisans West and Artisans East districts the two lively entertainment districts on either end of the city. Artisans West is bordered by the Dives, Temple, and Harbor districts and contains both the western and southern gates to the city along its walls. Artisans East is bordered by the Industrial, Walled, Temple, and Harbor districts and contains the eastern gate to the city. Within these districts one can find all manners of entertainment: restaurants, inns, pubs, breweries, wineries, theaters, artisan shops, and more. The nightlife of Artisans West is legendary, while Artisans East is a bit more of a daytime attraction containing gardens and tea shops and the like - better for one with more refined tastes, shall we say.
Walled District
The Walled District lies on the northern side of the city but does not touch any of the city walls. It is the newest and smallest district in the city and is quite mysterious in nature. It is bordered by the Printers, Temple, and Dives districts. It is situated directly behind the Museum of the Gods and is the only district that is walled on all sides, making it completely separate and private. The walls are 40 feet high and are heavily guarded all hours of the day and night. It is known to be utilized by the Orosian clergy in some way, but its exact operations are unknown to the general public. One must have express clearance from a bishop, archbishop, or the High Rector himself in order to be granted entry.
May the Light of Oros guide you
Founding Date
January 1st, Year 1
Type
Geopolitical, City-state
Demonym
Orovaean
Government System
Theocracy
Power Structure
Autonomous area
Economic System
Mixed economy
Legislative Body
The Orovae is an independent city-state within the Republic of Omeran. Unlike the rest of Omeran there is no senator assigned to rule The Orovae, but rather the High Rector himself rules over the city.
Official State Religion
Parent Organization
Neighboring Nations
