Mystemere

She sits upon the mirrored waters of the sea and is glorious in her stature and power. When I first laid eyes upon this city, I saw the potential for something great. She was a seed waiting to flower. I've done my best to bring about that greatness. I've made her walls stronger, her bay well appointed, her streets clean and her people happy. Mystemere is the jewel of the Duchy and has become an example of what greatness can be obtained, not just in these untamed lands, but in all of Reluria.

- Duke Julian Kadmos I speaking to an old comrade from Theos

Demographics

Mystemere is the most culturally diverse city in the Duchy. Like most settlements in Kadmos, the largest population of the city is Dorian but a great many Theosian merchants, nobles and bureaucrats make home in the city or surrounding settlements. In addition, the port city sees plenty of foreigners who have joined the city as it grew including dwarven laborers, merchants from the Five Shires, Elven  craftsmen and women, Sakasta entertainers, Anubine traders and Lizardfolk hunters.

Government

Ruled by Duke Julian Kadmos I . The city is run by an assigned Steward of Mystemere.

Defences

Walled city with round towers at regular intervals. A full garrison of imperial trained troops keeps order in the city at all times. It also houses the main hall for the Order of the Griffon. The bay is protected by the Duke's navy.

Industry & Trade

The following are commonly found for shipping out of Mystemere:

• Common wood - 3
• Common metals - 2
• Livestock -2 
• Furs and skins - 3

Infrastructure

The city lies at the intersection of several roads. From the north come the North Road as well as the Dukes Road. From the west is the Westron Road and the Farmer's Road. The south has the Coastal Road. 
The eastern side of the city rests on the delta of the HighReach river as it empties into Sea of Dread. The Sea Gate allows access to Mirror Bay where most ships and trading vessels dock in Mystemere.
The city is surrounded by two walls. The inner wall is the older one built during the establishment from the Theosian Empire. The Outer wall is newer, established but the Duke. Between the walls are where the poorer sections and foreigners live, as well as the Duke's Park. 
The Dukes stronghold lies on a hill in the western part of the city offering a specacular view of mirror bay.

Assets

The following districts are located in Mystemere.

District Name	Description	Notes
The Blessed Way	Straddles the Sea Gate and houses the temples and clergy of the city. The House of the Great Protector (or the Grand Temple) can be found here. Smaller temples to Kor, Yeno and even a Chapel of Three are in this area.	Southern Blessing houses the temples. Northern Blessing holds the residences for the clergy and their staff.
Bricktop	Affluent but not noble area resting to the east of the Castle. Most inhabitants are wealthy merchants, ministerial aides and well paid persons.	Named after the wide brick street that winds around the Castle. Bricktop is also slang for something of good quality.
Duke's Park	Forrested park between the old and new walls on the eastern side of the city. The Duke and his family treat it as a personal game preserve and hunting grounds.	The Duke's cousin, Lady Florentia and her Green Guard maintain the grounds.
The Castle	Castle Mystemere is the Duke's personal residence. It also houses the Great Hall where the Duke holds court.	Steward of Mystemere, Damastor Leonitus has his office on the premises.
Foreign Quarter	Lies between the old and new walls on the northern side of the city. Most humans from other lands that work in the city live here. Many demi-humans also reside here.	City watch doesn't really hang out here too much. People watch out for each other
The Hill	The posh area of the city located on the western side of the city, right up against the hill where the Castle rests. Nobles have their walled estates here, including many of the old Dorian families.	Very secure area, and security doubles when anyone one the Dukes family travels to the park through this district.
The Spice Market	A smaller district of shops and markets located south of the Foreign District. Exotic foods and crafts of all kinds can be found here. Prices range from a few coppers to very expensive and exotic goods.	Officially the Lesser Merchant District
Merchant District	The hub of Mystemere, lying in the center of the city. inns, taverns and brothels catering to travelers are found here. Shops carry just about any kind of gear, armor, weapons and hired hands you could want.
The Nest	The slums of the city, a mess of twisted alleyways and poverty. The city guard avoid the area if they can.
North End	A residential area that houses laborers and servants who work in or around the city.	The Hall of the Griffin is located here where the Bricktop and Merchant District meet.
Old Quarter	Oldest part of the city, where most Dorian's live. Certainly not as bad as the slums, but a poorer part of the city.	Fortune tellers and soothsayers can be found here on the "Street of Dreams".
South End	A residential area for laborers and servants who work in or around the city.	The Blue Tower (Arcanum Tower) lies on the northeastern corner near the bricktop and Hill districts.
Trader's Corridor	Located on a strip of land north of the sea gate and outside the city walls proper. This is where shipping is arranged and ship building carried out. The best fish market in the city is located here as well as shipping offices to arrange travel and passage.	A river fort lies on an island not far from the corridor.

Guilds and Factions

The Order of the Griffon has its headquarters in the city. The Knights of the The Arcanum of Kadmoshas a large chapter in the city. The head of the church of Ashtyr within the The Grand Duchy of Kadmos is here at the House of the Great Protector.

History

This great port city was formerly called Marnev by the Doric people, and was the primary city state of the Doric baronies before the conquest.

Tourism

All tourism and trade is welcome in the great city of Mystemere. Visitors are expected to do the following:

• Gate fee to enter the city is 8 silver pieces
• All weapons must be tied to their sheathes or stowed securely. Daggers are exceptions. Breaking the rule will result in a fine.
• The Duke's Law is in full effect in the city: fighting with weapons is considered attempted murder and punishable by severe fines or a visit to the headsman's block.
• All users of magic must be Arcanum certified and be accompanied by an arcanum knight at all times. No exceptions.
• Theft is punishable by fines, a day in the stocks, banishment or death (depending on what was stolen from whom.

Architecture

Castle Mystemere lies within the city itself and is the primary residence for the Duke and his family. The Great Hall is the main audience chamber for the Duke. The House of the Great Protector, the largest structure dedicated to Ashtyr can be found here.

Geography

Built where the Highreach river meets the sea. Farmlands surround the city, and are held by the old Marnev family.

Maps

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  Mystemere City

  Map of Mystemere, the capital city of the Grand Duchy of Kadmos.

Alternative Name(s)

Marnev

Type

Large city

Included Locations

• Foreign Quarter
• Merchant District
• The Blessed Way
• The Spice Market
• Trader's Corridor

Characters in Location

• Sir Rufus Reginald Thurgostadt