Sárbolszég, Hearthhome of the Dragon-Forge

Overview

• Government: Autocracy (with Divine support).
• Exports: Obsidian, igneous basalt, hickory timber, sártuz, legumes.
• Stereotypes: Hard-working and passionate smith-priest that is easily angered; poly-amorous young man in the prime of his life; gambler down on his luck; silver-tongued swindler; blindfolded priest who regularly visits the orphanage to tell stories; overworked and paranoid playwright known for his compelling tragedies; up-and-coming young theater actress; diviner with a few screws loose.

Foreign Relations

Allied Major Points: Szilavár (Trade Relationship), Béhegy Kolostor (Non-Aggression Pact).
Hostile Major Points: Harczikötö (War), Helorszég (War).
Vassal States (Minor Points): Maszlynőszég.

Origin

Sárbolc's hallow is a bit more out of the way, and it took some time before stumbled upon it. This particular group were nomadic cattle herders who fled into the mountains because they were being harassed by Füsters, fiend-like elementals that take the form of smoke to choke out their unfortunate victims. When the barely conscious Sárbolc noticed them, he approached them as a fiery-haired man of immense charm. The people were wary but would take any help they could get, and Sárbolc was happy to have people around him. So started the village, then town, now near-city of Sárbolszég.
But not all was well. While Sárbolc could easily swat the Füsters when he saw them, their ethereal nature and ability to hide in the smoke made looking out for them a major headache. He wanted to walk among the people and enjoy their passions, rather than constantly be on the look-out for these pests.
So he reasoned, he simply needed to give them the tools to fight back.
One of the nearby mountains was home to the Elden Wyrm known as Csártuzra. One of the oldest dragons, a haughty and arrogant figure who would rarely leave his roost unless provoked. And he was quick to anger, make no mistake. It is said that he once grew so irrationally angry at a joke a bird told him, that he burned the entire forest where the bird lived along with its nest, creating what is now known as the eternally burning Feketégés Forest.
The specifics of what happened between Sárbolc and the dragon have been altered many times in many retellings, but the version as told in the myth 'A Fire Bound', is generally considered the most faithful telling. Either way the result is more important than the method.
Sárbolc had now bound the great dragon to his will and set it to work. He created a great forge of a metal he infused with his own divine essence (creating essentially a miraculous object), and taught the people how to prod and control the dragon for the forging process. While the dragon's magical fire burns hotter than any flame and could melt most regular metals, they found a way around this by infusing the metal with blood from the dragon itself, which then allows it to withstand the heat and be forged into proper shape.
With the help of the Dragonforge as it has since been called, the people were able to create better weapons and tools, with slightly magical properties. These allowed their warriors to fight back against the Füsters and granted them safety. But these weapons also represent a military advantage, and the threat of this has both caused his own people to clamor for conquest, while the other divinities now look upon Sárbolc and his people with suspicion.
Conflict seems imminent...

Structure

The city has been built next to the mountain that contains the hallow of Sárbolc, which is also next to a crater lake that provides a vital water supply to the growing town. On the east side of the mountain lie the hot springs that the town is famous for, which have been hewn into the mountain side. Travel southwards is complicated by an ash flow that blocks land access here.
Over time they have also started building deeper into the mountain. In this hot volcanic mountain lies the Dragonforge and the smithing district. A few tunnels lead even further down to the lava streams, some of which have been redirected to form basalt by magically mixing it with water. Together with the several basalt quarries present, this means that the majority of the town's buildings are constructed from this igneous basalt. The necessary wood for the timber frames is obtained from the sparse nearby hickory and apricot trees, or from trade.

Culture

The sárbolszégi are a naturally outgoing and boisterous people, much like their god. They are quite open with their feelings, and consider it a bad thing to keep such things hidden. While they value a quick wit and a certain amount of trickery, your emotions should be openly displayed. They are the one thing you shouldn't lie about. Live your fleeting life with all your passion and pursue your most heartfelt desires, that is their motto. The idiom 'follow your heart' originates from this place. Of course such openness can be harmful in certain circumstances as well, as the truth may hurt others. But better to have been true to yourself, than to force your own empathy on another. So it is said at least.

Fashion and Food

There isn't as much uniformity in clothing here as in some other places such as Helorszég, but still there are a few consistent patterns. Due to the relatively high temperatures, people generally prefer thinner clothing that walks a fine balance between protection and breeziness. People also try to cover plenty of skin and especially their heads to prevent the constant ashfall from dirtying their skin and hair. The springs are consistently filled, so it is not unusual for people to have to go a day or two-three without bathing. Dyes are somewhat rare, but for those who can afford it, they will frequently dye their clothes in colorful patterns. Shades of red, yellow and orange are particularly common.
The most common crops within the city's direct surroundings are lentil, celery, quinoa and a plant called 'sártuz', which is quite spicy and named after the Elden Wyrm for this reason. It is also sometimes nicknamed "Dragon's Breath". In terms of lifestock people keep braekel chickens and cattle. The former provides eggs and meat, while the latter supplies them with milk and meat. The most common dishes here are lentil and celery curies, or spiced lentil on flatbread. In some cases these curries are supplied with meat. A traditional dish is 'curkány', which is a mixture of lentil, various cuts of meat and heavy spices served on sártuz leaves. Overall, their dishes exhibit strong aromatic flavors and are supplied with a variety of (hot) spices.

Politics

Currently the city is ruled by a form of autocracy, with most authoritative power being vested in the Queen Consort. Being the chosen partner of the Lord of Dragonfire himself has granted her a sort of divine right to rule, with many people believing her to be destined for greatness. That being said, like any ruler she needs a power structure to rule. She depends heavily on the priesthood and the smiths, while also having to deal with the other existing noble houses that need to be kept appeased. Still, her word is absolute and carries the full weight of the law.

The Arts

Artists are highly respected within the city, and creating art is considered a goal on its own, rather than a means to an end. But no art form tops the popularity of theater here. This place is home to the oldest theater, a simple basalt stage in front of a semicircular stand where many a play has been enacted.
The sárbolszégians truly love a good story, especially a tragedy. Their greatest heroes are those who spurned the expectations of others to follow their heart and overcome the odds, even if it ended up resulting in tragedy. They love it when fate conspires against the protagonist to deny him his true passion, but they love it even more when said protagonist manages to overcome these hurdles. It reinforces their belief that everyone can get on top, if they simply play their cards right. But they do not shy away from violent or depressing depictions either. They know life can be tough, and that is simply part of the charm. Overcoming those difficulties can even be glorious, much like winning a tough battle. But dying in battle is not glorious. A glorious death is a dramatic one, and a solo act.

Organizations

Sárbolc may be impulsive and not too directly involved with the rule of his own city, but his popularity is immense and by extension that of the official institutions tied to him. While the Queen Consort holds absolute power, her control presides on her ability to navigate relations with these institutions.

Heart of the Ember

This is the largest faction of the church of Sárbolc, the smith-priests who keep the Dragonforge running and also man the other smithies in the city. Also called the Parászív, they are well-respected and revered for they are the sole reason the city can defend itself against some of the supernatural threats that stalk the highlands. They maintain the equipment, organize the distribution lines, ensure quality control and even take care of the Elden Wyrm. The district of the city built deepest into the mountain is their domain, where they forge weapons and arms and train the next generation to do the same.

The Coal-Eyes

The Szénszem, or the Coal-Eyes is a rather informal name for a sect of Sárbolc's faith that consists of diviners, philosophers, strategists and researchers that study the world around them to determine what the best course of action would be to remain free and powerful. They truly believe that all should be able to pursue their passions, but that requires of society to give that freedom, but also to have the strength to resist outside forces that would hinder this. They form an advisory council for the Queen Consort so she is properly informed of all circumstances and possible outcomes. Some doubt has been cast over them once it was revealed that they often use venting gases to provide them with prophetic visions, but they claim these are the gift of Sárbolc. Part of why they have received the name they have, is that the upper ranks remove one of their eyes to mimic their god, and allow him to walk among them without the blindfold that lesser priests wear.

The Warlike

Another informal name, the Hátüze or the Warlike, are a relatively young splinter cell of Sárbolc's faith that have sprung up in response to the increasing tension between the various Points of Radiance in the Tukhamu Magas. They openly advocate for war, pointing to the military advantage they have with the Dragonforge. And they argue that their superior ideals of freedom and passion should be spread to the other divine cities, and in particular to the uptight helorszégians. They push against the control of some of the older, more powerful factions who have tried to rein them in, but they are rapidly gaining in popularity.

With Fire In Our Hearts.

Demonym

Sárbolszégians

Location

Tukhamu Magas

Notable Members

• Sárbolc

Related Myths

• A Fire Bound - Sárbolc's Trickery