Montbrin
Montbrin is a very different city than what would be expected as the capital of the Roslin Duchy. Every other place in Roslin is dying, gasping for each breath, and losing both its population, and its soul, as the decaying rot of stagnation and bureaucracy saps the life from it. Montbrin is a city that would not look out of place in any other duchy, it is unimpressive and similar to others, but that by itself is enough to make a visitor feel a bit uneasy. As the bustling streets and pillars of smoke from hearths and industry fill ones vision, they would think back to the half-rotten Kottren, or the dozens of almost abandoned by the Empire hamlets, and wonder if the people and rulers of Montbrin here have even heard of these places.
Rest of the Duchy: To the people of Montbrin, the city is the duchy, and they refer to the city as “Roslin”, and the rest of the duchy as “the outside”. They view the rest of the Empire, and themselves, as cultured and pure, and "the outside", as corrupted, dirty and dangerous.
Criminal Elements: There is a significant criminal presence in Montbrin, which used to be led by Brennan Lazyn. He held a chokehold over the local Inquisition, and was in good terms with many members of the Nobility. In the latest ball however, he was arrested for unknown reasons, and has disapeared from then. The fractured remnants of his gang are squabbling for control, with his main successor being Jawbreaker, one of his bodyguards.
Imperial Churches: The churches of the Empire have very little presence in Montbrin, and do not hold significant sway in local politics. A small exception being the local Church of Vitaria, but even still they do not exert significant pressure in local politics.
Firelight Docks: Docks on the west side, named this way, because many suck shelter that night there, and the streets were lit by torches and improvised campfires. Their prices are a bit higher than the Mist Pier, but they also usually have better quality work.
Port of Montbrin: The main Imperial Port of the city, for ships affiliated with the Duchess,, nobility, or simply carrying very valuable cargo. It also houses the Temple of Artis and Cognitiosis (see below).
Tavern Market: Main market of the city, and surrounding area, renowned for its taverns with competing local cuisine, specializing in stews.
Rich Man's Lane: The heavily guarded main path from the Port of Montbrin to the Montbrin Castle. It is used by those wealthy, that do not wish to sully themselves by walking the other streets like a commoner, and only have business in the castle and port. It is always patrolled by many guards.
Armorers Ward: The main living district of the city, with plenty of tall houses owned by the nobility, a decent number of shops, which provide a decent standard of living in the context of the Empire. It also has the only decent line of forges and blacksmiths in the Duchy, earning it its name. It houses the joint Vindicta and Yiortis temple (see below).
Graveyard District: The very large graveyard used by the poppulation of Montbrin to house their dead. Being buried with rituals is very important to the people of Montbrin, because of the tales and myths of undead and curses that surround the rest of the duchy. It also houses the temple of Vitaria.
Temple of Cognitiosis : Used to be tended by Loremaster Sanson, and Keeper Tierri (male) and Marlien (female). After the unexpected death of the Loremaster, keeper Tierri quickly rose in rank and became the new main caretaker of the temple.
Temple of Vindicta: The temple is tended by Inquisitor Ramir, who is a very old man at the far ends of his life. He is known to be very frail, and needing help to walk or even fulfill his daily needs. He is a bit disoriented and has 4 scribes that tend to him and the church. The 4 scribes used to be thugs employed by Brennan Lazyn to make sure the inquisition does not have a significant presence, but after his disapearance, they have taken over and formed their own small gang.
Lord Alnor Roslin: The son of Duchess Philline, he is arrogant, and enjoys showcasing his power as duke-to-be. He was seen, enjoying the company of a tiefling named Iron at a recent ball.
Brennan Lazyn: The local crime boss who until recently ran the criminal empire on Montbrin. He was arrested in a recent ball for unknown reasons, and has not been seen since. It is thought that his disapearance may have had something to do with the unsolved murder of Lord Eldis Coutaren.
Sagan Ross: A local merchant, known associate of Lyric Synclair. He owns a large building in the city, where he is known to shelter those that need assistance. He has also made a name for his shrewd merchant deals, and long-shot bets.
Lady Asmin Rodal: A powerful noble, known to be the center of the local information gathering network. She is the most influential person outside the duchess. Her family also owns most of the houses and shops in Rich Man's Lane. She was also known to have some relationship with Brennan Lazyn before his dissapearance.
Lady Alvasa Rodal: The daughter of Lady Asmin Rodal, she does not involve herself too deeply in her mothers business, letting her parents deal with it instead. In social gatherings she is rarely seen, prefering her time spent in solitude, but she was seen in a recent ball to enjot the company of Thorrfinn, to whom she is said to have given a parting gift.
Jawbreaker: A very tough woman, known for her street-fighting abilities. She used to serve as one of Brennan's closest bodyguards before his disapearance. Since then, she has taken the mantle as the most powerful crime boss in the city, but is still far from dominant over all others.
Culture
Superstitions: The people of Montbrin are very superstitious when it comes to the dead, and corruption. They bury all their dead in a large cemetery at the edge of the city. Illegal species are tolerated somewhat, but only as long as they keep to themselves.Rest of the Duchy: To the people of Montbrin, the city is the duchy, and they refer to the city as “Roslin”, and the rest of the duchy as “the outside”. They view the rest of the Empire, and themselves, as cultured and pure, and "the outside", as corrupted, dirty and dangerous.
Organizations
Nobility: The nobility of Montbrin is the most dominant force in the city. The rich nobles own every property, the ports, and hold dominion over the trade done within the duchy. They can afford to keep taxes low, and funnel money in their pockets, by enforcing extortionary taxes onto the rest of the duchy.Criminal Elements: There is a significant criminal presence in Montbrin, which used to be led by Brennan Lazyn. He held a chokehold over the local Inquisition, and was in good terms with many members of the Nobility. In the latest ball however, he was arrested for unknown reasons, and has disapeared from then. The fractured remnants of his gang are squabbling for control, with his main successor being Jawbreaker, one of his bodyguards.
Imperial Churches: The churches of the Empire have very little presence in Montbrin, and do not hold significant sway in local politics. A small exception being the local Church of Vitaria, but even still they do not exert significant pressure in local politics.
Districts
Mist Pier: The docks on the east side, they are named after a terrifying mist some years ago that led to dozens of disappearances in a few nights. It is usually avoided by travellers familiar with Montbrin, but there does not appear to be anything wrong with it, besides perhaps quality of workers.Firelight Docks: Docks on the west side, named this way, because many suck shelter that night there, and the streets were lit by torches and improvised campfires. Their prices are a bit higher than the Mist Pier, but they also usually have better quality work.
Port of Montbrin: The main Imperial Port of the city, for ships affiliated with the Duchess,, nobility, or simply carrying very valuable cargo. It also houses the Temple of Artis and Cognitiosis (see below).
Tavern Market: Main market of the city, and surrounding area, renowned for its taverns with competing local cuisine, specializing in stews.
Rich Man's Lane: The heavily guarded main path from the Port of Montbrin to the Montbrin Castle. It is used by those wealthy, that do not wish to sully themselves by walking the other streets like a commoner, and only have business in the castle and port. It is always patrolled by many guards.
Armorers Ward: The main living district of the city, with plenty of tall houses owned by the nobility, a decent number of shops, which provide a decent standard of living in the context of the Empire. It also has the only decent line of forges and blacksmiths in the Duchy, earning it its name. It houses the joint Vindicta and Yiortis temple (see below).
Graveyard District: The very large graveyard used by the poppulation of Montbrin to house their dead. Being buried with rituals is very important to the people of Montbrin, because of the tales and myths of undead and curses that surround the rest of the duchy. It also houses the temple of Vitaria.
Buildings / Areas
The Silent Hill: A series of tunnels dug under the hill on the graveyard district, houses the Unwanted, a group of tieflings, half-orcs, half-elves, and others. They are known to be secretive with their dealings, but welcome any who wish to join them. The Unwanted are known to take care of one another, and try to make sure none of them are taken advantage of or abused by the rest of the city.Temple of Cognitiosis : Used to be tended by Loremaster Sanson, and Keeper Tierri (male) and Marlien (female). After the unexpected death of the Loremaster, keeper Tierri quickly rose in rank and became the new main caretaker of the temple.
Temple of Vindicta: The temple is tended by Inquisitor Ramir, who is a very old man at the far ends of his life. He is known to be very frail, and needing help to walk or even fulfill his daily needs. He is a bit disoriented and has 4 scribes that tend to him and the church. The 4 scribes used to be thugs employed by Brennan Lazyn to make sure the inquisition does not have a significant presence, but after his disapearance, they have taken over and formed their own small gang.
Important People
Duchess Philline Roslin VII: The ruler of Montbrin, she is known to be generally aloof about her duchy, but very knowledgeable about the broad politics and trade of the Empire. She holds close relationships with many important figures in Exelnar and the Richelieu Duchy, which ensure that her rule is unopposed.Lord Alnor Roslin: The son of Duchess Philline, he is arrogant, and enjoys showcasing his power as duke-to-be. He was seen, enjoying the company of a tiefling named Iron at a recent ball.
Brennan Lazyn: The local crime boss who until recently ran the criminal empire on Montbrin. He was arrested in a recent ball for unknown reasons, and has not been seen since. It is thought that his disapearance may have had something to do with the unsolved murder of Lord Eldis Coutaren.
Sagan Ross: A local merchant, known associate of Lyric Synclair. He owns a large building in the city, where he is known to shelter those that need assistance. He has also made a name for his shrewd merchant deals, and long-shot bets.
Lady Asmin Rodal: A powerful noble, known to be the center of the local information gathering network. She is the most influential person outside the duchess. Her family also owns most of the houses and shops in Rich Man's Lane. She was also known to have some relationship with Brennan Lazyn before his dissapearance.
Lady Alvasa Rodal: The daughter of Lady Asmin Rodal, she does not involve herself too deeply in her mothers business, letting her parents deal with it instead. In social gatherings she is rarely seen, prefering her time spent in solitude, but she was seen in a recent ball to enjot the company of Thorrfinn, to whom she is said to have given a parting gift.
Jawbreaker: A very tough woman, known for her street-fighting abilities. She used to serve as one of Brennan's closest bodyguards before his disapearance. Since then, she has taken the mantle as the most powerful crime boss in the city, but is still far from dominant over all others.
Header Art Credit: 달 봉이
Type
City
Population
100,000
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
