Oravine

Situated on the idyllic south eastern coast of Ylence, Oravine is not only the largest city on the continent but also the de facto capital. Within in its bustling expanse sits the Bienam Council.
Oravine is largely a port town, with ships coming and going, both up the river and around the coast. Due to this, it has a healthy market culture, with many of the continent's best merchants and craftsmen seeking to setup shops along its streets. The city prospers from this trade, the streets well maintained and highly decorated, all the better to attract the eye of any passing potential customers. Even the street lamps are ornate and elegant.
With money of course comes a well founded upper class, full of intrigue and drama. Court upon court of wealthy merchants all strive to expand their power, while others work to just secure a seat at the table. Yet not is all ballroom dances and flowing banquets. Underneath it all, criminal elements seek to grab hold of their own slice of the pie. An economy of cut-purses, burglars, and assassins have taken root, each belonging to a shadowy mirror of the merchant guilds above. Some even belong to the guilds themselves.
Should you find yourself with coin, and the desire to have a good time, there is hardly a better place on Ylence you could stand to spend it. Should you desire to rise amongst the social elite, make this your home and get ready your fine clothes. Or, should you want to get ahead at the edge of a dagger, here too you have ample opportunity. Oravine is after all, a city for all people.

The Calice (Port)

The thriving port of Oravine, known as the Calice , is ever a frantic hive of activity as merchants and more ply their trade. Situated in the grand cliff-sided bay on the southeast side of Oravine, a network of docks, ramps, and freight elevators festoon the cliffside, the latter of which is powered by large tortoises. At the apex of the bay a huge natural tunnel cuts into the cliffside, forming the inlet to the Dragonfly Run. The tunnel itself is well lit via a series of hanging enchanted lanterns that mimic the random splattering of a starscape. The inlet is equipped with a set of heavy iron gates that can drop down in a moment's notice to seal off the tunnel, this entire defensive point reinforced with bastion/towers to either side and 4 gunnery towers at various points around the bay, all equipped with enchanted ballista.

Palace du Pellucid

At the crest-top of the cliffs above the Cupola sits the magnificent green oxidized copper and glass structure of the Palace du Pellucid. The glass itself reflects much of the light from the sky, leaving it a glimmering crown jewel for the city, while at night the enchanted lanterns inside give off the sense of a jar full of fireflies twinkling away, acting as a reference point for anyone anywhere in the city.
The function of the Palace is to act as the seat of the Bienam Council.

Districts

• The Calice - the port and the surrounding cliffsides
• Gardenia Row - The area surrounding the Palace du Pellucid, known for its flowing walkways in the lavish gardens around the palace. Purposely kept bare of any other attractions as a safety measure for the Palace du Pellucid.
• District du Marchemine - the main market district, housing upper middle class and many of the higher end shops.
• Nuage Sanctaire - the district housing most of the temples and other religious structures, features middle-class housing.
• Maison Alimenter - workshops and other heavy industry, working class housing.
• Oriches - high end housing district for the noble and very wealthy.
• Cour Porvoyage - mixture caravan parking and very low end housing, guarded sporadically, but largely left to the influence of the Tribunal of Many Eyes.

Inns

The Crowned Knave Location: In a theater ward, surrounded by chaotic streets and noisy taverns. Its neighbors include a notorious brothel (Tuskers) and the workshop of a male human tanner named Dulfa.
Description: The inn is a two-storey half-timbered building, with a smooth stone floor. Accommodations consist of several small rooms with wooden cots. The focus of the building is its prodigious dance floor upon which performers from the surrounding theaters come to test their skills vs each other regularly. The rooms themselves mostly exist as a place to crash late in the evening, for those who are no longer sober enough to return to their own homes.
Innkeeper: The innkeeper is an impish male dwarf named Hori. He is a retired assassin, and keeps a pair of sharp daggers at his belt. Patrons

• Frinan: Female Dwarf Merchant, Neutral. Frinan is common in appearance, with thick silver hair and sharp green eyes. She wears well-made clothing and carries an ash staff. Frinan seeks opponents for a drinking contest.
• Johny Courte: Male Halfling Artist, Neutral. Johny is rugged in appearance, with black hair and brown eyes. He wears modest garments and an amulet of luminous crystal. Johny has a terrible sense of direction.
• Enged: Female Human Entertainer, Evil. Enged has matted white hair and hazel eyes. She wears expensive clothing and an amulet of luminous crystal. Enged seeks wealth and power at any cost.
• Avil: Male Elf Professional, Neutral. Avil has a narrow face, with gray hair and hazel eyes. He wears fine clothing and a dragonscale cloak. Avil seeks to free himself from an ancient curse.

The Hare and Bear Owner: Lostre, deep voice, gravely, french accent, Father was Tholes who now has a painting over the hearth Location: In a noble ward, southeast of a the exit of the Dragonfly Run on the northern end of town. The street outside is crowded with a procession of stray swans that have taken up residence. Description: The inn is a grand timber and brick building, with a blue tile roof and a large cellar. A collection of exotic drinking vessels rests upon a long shelf above the fireplace's mantle. Accommodations consist of several large rooms with beds and woolen mattresses. Innkeeper: The innkeeper is a trustworthy male halfling named Tholes. He seems to know something about every wizard within fifty leagues. Patrons

• Indimroth: Female Elf Servant, Neutral. Indimroth has brown hair and hazel eyes. She wears plain clothing and several small tools hang from her belt. Indimroth is dying and desperately seeks the secret of immortality.
• Cena: Female Elf Artist, Neutral. Cena is exceptionally beautiful, with blonde hair and gray eyes. She wears fine clothing and a leopard fur cape. Cena avoids eye contact.
• Gille: Male Elf Soldier, Good. Gille has thick red hair and blue eyes. He wears studded leather and wields a warhammer. Gille compulsively organizes things.
• Burgiua: Female Human Priest, Neutral. Burgiua has curly brown hair and hazel eyes, and wears glasses with iron rims. She wears tailored clothing and an amulet of luminous crystal. Burgiua is mourning her husband, who was drowned by a rogue water elemental.

The Fox's Cellar Owner: Alice Dalton, Female Human

• Description: She stands about 5'6" and dresses well, typically a more casual-formal manner. Her left leg appears badly burned and disfigured. She sports a flattop hair cut. She wears crescent spectacles with a black brim.
• Personality: She believes mankind has become decadent and spoiled by the march of civilization and an end should come to life as we know it. She is underhanded and not above using her wealth and body to get others to do her bidding.
• History: She was born at the edge of vast island. Her father was supposedly a charlatan fortune teller, but she insists her father was legitimate. She became a plane-shifter, and is stopping over on this plane for a brief visit.

Location: In a caravan quarter known for its wicked brothels. Its neighbors include a modest traveler's shrine and an abandoned leatherworker's workshop. Outside is a large pavilion with caravan camps waiting to set out for the remainder of the continent. The street outside has a pickpocket looking for marks and is adjacent to a small office. Description: The tavern is a plaster and wood framed and large single storey building, with a black shingled roof and simple furniture. It was once a barracks, and has a collection of arms and armor. It contains large persian rugs on the floor and a fire pit cooking food in the middle of the tavern.

Shops

Blacksmith: Guy's Weapons Owner: Guy Kinsley the 7th, Male Human.

• Description: This man wears clothing that is held on in multiple layers but all of it is in poor condition. He is muscular with a powerful set of arms. His auburn hair is drawn into a tight pony tail with a clover scrunchie. His otherwise smooth face is marked with small tiny scars.
• Personality: He barks his statements quickly and with little fuss. He prefers small words and is at his heart utilitarian. He is lazy, selfish, vain, and jealous. He is not an evil man, and he has not killed or seriously harmed anyone in any of his years, nor does he generally wish harm to others; he simply thinks the world revolves around him.
• History: Guy was raised in a hard working conservative environment. He was an apprentice working in his mother's forge. He has worked as a Blacksmith like his mother before him.
• Location: Near the temple of Bahamut
• Description: The blacksmith is a timber and brick two-story building, with a white shingled roof and simple furniture. It is well-lit by a few magical torches. It contains taxidermied birds hanging from the ceiling and a red hot sword sitting on the anvil.

Specials:

• Javelin of Lightning (dmg 178) (1500 gp)
• Weapon, +2 (dmg 213) (3650 gp)
• Mithral Armor (dmg 182) (750 gp)
• Sword of Wounding (dmg 207) (2000 gp)
• Adamantine Armor (dmg 150) (1000 gp)
• Arrow of Slaying (Fey) (dmg 152) (600 gp)
• Nine Lives Stealer (dmg 183) (8000 gp)

Alchemist: Ill Fortune Owner: Vani Underfoot, Female human, giggly witchy, mildly insane, happy

• Description: A middle-aged woman, she is wearing a long, white, dusty cloak, and is not the most attractive woman. Her red hair is wavy and long. Her eyes are gray and catlike.
• Personality: She is inclined to make off color jokes and interpret anything that could be construed as such as innuendo. She is skeptical of what others tell her and is slow to trust.
• History: Vani lived on a farm with her father, near the main road leading to a nearby town. She struck it rich when she found rare goods in large quantities. She spent several years traveling with her friend, before both settled down to enjoy the fruits of their adventures.

Location: Near the port, overlooking the bay. The street outside has a town crier with the latest news and gossip and is adjacent to a small office. Description: The alchemist is a stone-walled and sprawling single story building, with a tanned wooden roof and a large cellar. It contains an old-looking telescope and rolled up recipes scattered on the floor. Specials:

• Potion of Healing (dmg 187) (120 gp)
• Potion of Greater Healing (dmg 187) (300 gp)
• Potion of Heroism (dmg 188) (175 gp)
• Potion of Poison (dmg 188) (100 gp)
• Potion of Dark Vision - next time

Jeweler: The Sapphire Sigil Owner: Solomon Tickle, Male Human, normal voice, a little fed up

• Description: He is lean but muscular and has the majority of his body covered in plate. His auburn hair is heavily combed to the left. He wears round tiny glasses practically rammed into his face.
• Personality: He does not care much for physical appearances. Nor does he care much for other people. He does however care about what he wants and getting it. More though he will beg to come along on any journeys. He will attempt to stowaway on any ship he can in the hopes that it will get him further away.
• History: He was born into a rich family. He struck it rich when he found rare goods in large quantities. He then took over the family business and is one of the better Jeweler for hire.

Location: In a small alley. The street outside is shaded by large trees. Description: The jeweler is a timber framed rowhouse, with a tanned wooden roof and nicely trimmed hedges. Several battered shields hang on the walls. It contains several paintings on the wall and arrangements of roses in the corners. Owner tends to run up prices for outsiders. Specials:

• Ring of Resistance (dmg 192) (5850 gp)
• Ring of Jumping (dmg 191) (2500 gp)
• Crystal Arcane Focus (phb 151) (100 gp)
• Ring of Water Walking (dmg 193) (1,500 gp)
• Ring of Free Action (dmg 191) (19,200 gp)

Enchanter: Mirelurk's Power Owner: Aerdeth Nailo, Male Elf, normal voice, a little deep

• Description: He wears a brown costume with the symbols of luck on his torso. His hair, while still mostly black, has prominent grey streaks. His eyes are likewise brown. His teeth are white and perfect.
• Personality: Calm and collected, he is a well trained Enchanter. He has a cruel streak; something he gained from his previous mentor. He harbors resentment against his former mentor.
• History: His parents moved while he was still in utero so he is the first generation to be born here. He dropped out of school before completing his studies. He has achieved small success as a Enchanter.

Location: In District Du Marchemine. The street outside has a crowd watching performers. Description: The enchanter is a wooden and large single story building, with a white tile roof and a smooth stone floor. A small dragon's skull hangs over the hearth. It contains a deck with chairs and a brass statue of many intertwining dragon serpents. Specials:

• Cloak of Protection (dmg 159) (3,500 gp)
• Boots of Striding and Springing (dmg 156) (4,800gp)
• Pearl of Power (dmg 184) (5,750 gp)
• Saddle of the Cavalier (dmg 199) (1,900 gp)
• Belt of Frost Giant Strength (dmg 155) (10,000 gp)
• Shield +1 Enchanting - (5 wks, 2,000 gp)
• Silvered Longsword (750 gp)
• Return Enchantment (800 gp, 12 days)
• Silvered Weapon (300 gp, 10 days)

General Store: Ceaseless Pitcher Owner: Sylby Alby, Female Human

• Description: A well shaped woman just over fifty, she wears a worn and beaten armor. Her hair is black and curly. Her blue eyes dart from person to person to random spaces in the air.
• Personality: She does not believe in betrayal or weakness as things to be tolerated. She invented a lineage for herself and claims to be descended from several legendary heroes.
• History: Sybil was born with her father's beautiful face. From her teen years she was always beautiful and desirable, so people have always doted on her. She has never given up on her music dream.

Location: In a side street near the town gate. The street outside has a crowd watching performers. Description: The general store is a wooden single story building, with a gray shingled roof and tile flooring. It contains a taxidermized bear near the entrance and shelves full of souveneirs.

Enchanter: Darrak's Magnifications - HIDDEN Owner: Darrak Fallack, Male Dwarf

• Description: This northern man's face is deformed and paralyzed on one side. As such, he slurs his words together. He typically wears tan cloth garments or leather armor. He has no hair, including eyebrows. He is baby faced.
• Personality: He loves justice and goodness and right action. Anyone who does not fulfill this criteria perfectly will no doubt get a lecture from him. He is the most sanctimonious self-righteous Dwarf in existence. He is however greedy and will demand payment and proof of collateral's value and will produce a merchant's scale to make sure he is not cheated out of a speck.
• History: His martial talent manifested at a young age. Aiming to upstage a rival house, his parents had him trained. His martial abilities were realized during a raid on his village. He was always very intelligent and has formed a secret society of philosophers.

Location: In the middle of the slums. The street outside is shaded by colorful trees. Description: The enchanter is a concrete tower, with a blue tile roof and a big brick chimney. It contains antique cabinets filled with oddities and a brass statue of many intertwining dragon serpents. It's unusually noisy. Specials:

• Dust of Dryness (dmg 166) (120 gp)
• Sending Stones (dmg 199) (1,950 gp)
• Dust of Sneezing and Choking (dmg 166) (475 gp)
• Eyes of Charming (dmg 168) (3000 gp)
• Cloak of Protection (dmg 159) (2500 gp)

Temples

Oratory Achromia - dedicated to the platinum dragon, Bahamut. This temple is a high gothic cathedral-like structure with deep red shingles on its roof and raised silver pointed caps on the tips of its spires. The very tips of the caps form statuary of dragons in various poses. Inside, a huge platinum statue to bahamut stand center of the cross-like layout, with 7 golden canaries suspended in mid flight circling the statue. Each of the arms of the cross contain many pews in rows for parishioners. Hupri, head priestess, female elf with long silver flowing hair, very delicate and gentle.

The Red Carnival - The Raven Queen, as only Oravine could do it. A large wooden circular structure, resembling a coliseum, in place of walls on the sides curtains can be hung so as to honor whatever ceremony is going on, defaulting to deep crimson red. Unusually the practitioners of the Raven Queen here create a celebratory atmosphere for the passing ceremonies, rather than spooky and somber. However, the sense of the macabre is still very much in present as many raven skulls festoon the woodwork. Underneath, an elaborate catacomb structure houses the bones of those interred here, and deep deep below a pool of undrying blood allows priestesses to commune with Nera directly. High priestess: She Who Speaks

Sundown Abbey - a large abbey with a golden dome at its top. The dome features a large ocular to allow sunlight down into the amphitheater below. Said amphitheater features escalating rows of white marble ledges for devotees to sit upon during ceremonies. Head priestess: Wendelite Solkem, human man, mid 40s, balding heavily

Ironbrook Tree - a vast tree stands beside the Oratory Achromia, in fact a temple dedicated to the Great Horned Mother. Acting as one part orphanage, one part school, and one part temple, the Ironbrook Tree was founded by Saint Tavertine and stands both as one of the Great Horned Mother's most holy sites, but also a monument to that order's relationship with those dedicated to the Twin Platinum Dragons. The head priest is currently an elderly half-elven man named Gareth Clearwater.

Location under

Ylence

Included Organizations

• Bienam Council

Owning Organization

Bienam Council