Springwater
Springwater, officially the Principality of New Bekkalos, is an oasis and resort town in southern Qamenkas. Despite attempted coaxing into joining the Baokish Territories, Springwater’s culture is ardently Tyfilian and Ardulese influenced.
Government and Defences
Springwater is a monarchy, ruled by a sovereign prince. In emulation of Arduli, the prince sometimes refers to themself as a Praetor. The current ruling dynasty is the House of Ruso, descended from the male Tyfilian dwarf governor of Bekkalos, Tytharim Ruso. The current ruler of Springwater is Princess Ashoka Ruso, a female Rathin-Jaar human with minor dwarven heritage. Nassora Ruso, the dwarf princess who founded Springwater on the surface of the desert, is still alive and advises Ashoka. Ashoka’s mother and father, the humans Archana Ruso and Isidor Ruso respectively, also help her with matters of state. Springwater’s militia is known as the Sulfurous Guard. Many of the settlement’s firenewt residents are part of the guard. Springwater is currently constructing a wall around Eosath to defend against a possible incursion from the Baokish Territories. There are four watchtowers that defend Phykalah against caverns leading into the Underdark.Commerce
Most of Springwater’s economy is based around the hot spring resorts the settlement provides. A smaller part of its economy comes from the nearby iron mines. Springwater does not produce enough food to provide for its citizens. Even in this case, much of the food is Underdark crops produced in Phykalah. As such, Springwater’s main import is food. The female gnome druid Lilianorye Silvergem also uses a nearby circle called the Gentle Woodland as a farm to help produce nourishment for the town.Geography
Springwater is in central-southeastern Qamenkas, located next to the Great Vectallan Spring. The settlement is divided into two main portions: Eosath (which means “the surface” in Tyfilian Infernal, on the surface of the desert, and Phykalah, underneath the ground. The Geyser Corridor is the staircase that connects these two areas. In Eosath are the districts of Ruso Village and the Druid’s Market. Within Phykalah are the Kamikon Ward, the Works, and the Firenewt Quarter.Ruso Village
Named after the ruling house of the principality, Ruso Village is the primary residential area of Eosath, as well as the administrative district of Springwater. It was the first area to be constructed after the residents of the town began settling on the surface. Landmarks in Ruso Village include:- Prince’s Palace - the royal palace of Springwater. It is from here that Princess Ashoka Ruso resides and rules from. Other members of the royal family, such as Nassora, Isidor, and Archana, also reside here. The palace has extra rooms in case diplomats from other states are visiting.
- The Verdant Lantern - an inn and bathhouse run by the female Khiravi tiefling Amara Sepasi. Unlike many of the other resorts in Springwater, it is not built over or near a hot spring, but instead a pool created from a previous eruption. This makes it cheaper than the other inns, but still quite pricey.
- Complex of the Spring - a temple complex built over the remains of the temple district of Bekkalos. Most of the shrines within the temple are devoted to Niranist deities - both part of the Court and the Minor Pantheon - associated with hot springs and healing, such as Erathis and Zhalita. A shrine to the primary deity of the Firenewts, Sirrion, has also been installed there, despite the fact that Sirrion is not a member of the Minor Pantheon. The complex is managed by Chunora, a female Sandswimmer and Low Court affiliated Niranist priest.
Druid's Market
The Druid’s Market, named for the Gachikki gnome Lillianoyre Silvergem that started it, is a large bazaar region of Eosath. Most of its wares are food, which was either harvested from farms underground, harvested from the Circle that Lillianoyre uses, or imported from other settlements. Landmarks in the Druid’s Market include:- Aticex Glassworks - one of the few shops in the Druid’s Market not dedicated to the sale of food, Aticex Glassworks is a glassblowers established by the male firenewt Aticex.
The Geyser Corridor
To the north of Eosath and to the south of Phykalah is the Geyser Corridor. In 1245 MT, a massive underground geyser eruption broke through to the surface of the Qamenkas desert, signifying to the residents of Phykalah that aboveground was once again safe to settle. In the modern day, the Geyser Corridor is a spiral staircase carved around the Great Vectallan Spring, connecting Phykalah and Eosath. The staircase, as well as Phykalah, is protected from the boiling geyser eruptions by a translucent yet strong barrier of a metal-like substance. Created by the human trasmutation wizard Athena Duskstone after the first flooding of New Bekkalos, the barrier is theorized to be made of either Mithral or Xiuh. The generous male Cyclops Ykir can be found there during the day, offering rides on his howdah to any who might be disabled or elderly. If one is not but still wishes to ride, he will do so at the cost of one silver piece.Kamikon Ward
The Kamikon Ward is a district of Phykalah. It is named for the many kamikons, or Tyfilian-style hot springs, there. The oldest district in Springwater, it was the former centre of the settlement before the geyser eruption of 1245 MT, after which the royal family moved to the new district of Ruso Village. However, many prestigious establishments still reside in the Kamikon Ward. Landmarks of the Kamikon Ward include:- Paradise Spa and Inn - famously the best spa in Springwater, the Paradise Spa and Inn is an expensive hot springs resort. It is run by Cadence of Water Lost Wave, a female Tabaxi of the Qamenkasian Lost Wave tribe.
- The Lioness - a brothel, where one can stay for the night. Since Springwater is mostly made up of devout Niranists, the Lioness is a hidden establishment; the only thing that differentiates it from the surrounding homes is the wood carving of a lioness on their door. A few of the workers also have day jobs.
The Works
The industrial heart of Springwater, the Works gets its name from the slang term for the Heatworks, the primary forge of the settlement. Springwater’s few iron mines are also near this area. Landmarks in the Works include:- The Heatworks - the geothermally-powered forge of Springwater. The head of the smithy is the male Povula human Sisa Chanca Pumacaja.
- Twisted Iron - a wand shop. All of Twisted Iron’s products are made from the iron extracted from the local mines. The shop is co-owned by the male Skorelser dwarf Kramrik Fallack and the male Kobold Diggs. Assisting them is their apprentice, the young male firenewt Mertind.
The Firenewt Quarter
The Firenewt Quarter is the residential area of most of Springwater’s large Firenewt population. The most recently established district in Springwater, much of the town’s poorer residents reside here. However, it is known for its strong community. Landmarks in the Firenewt Quarter include:- La’s House - the house of the chieftess of the firenewts, La. The firenewts of Springwater use it as a religious and community center.
- Ykir’s House - house of Springwater’s resident cyclops, Ykir. Knowing how expensive staying in Springwater can be, Ykir has set up his domicile as a very cheap hostel.
- The Rumshakle - the only apparent tavern in Springwater, run by the male Duergar dwarf Grygis Gravepass. Springwater is devoutly Niranist, and as such, few of its residents drink. Locals joke that Grygis probably consumes about half of his monthly stock of alcohol.
History
Springwater is built on the site of Vectallan, a kamikon, or Tyfilian-style hot springs, resort. Vectallan was established in the 700s MT, during Tyfilion's Imperial Era. Over time, linguistic drift made the name of the settlement Bekkalos. During the summoning of the Great Charybdis, the residents of Bekkalos fled underground. Here, they established a small settlement known as Phykalah, with the governor of Bekkalos, Tytharim Ruso, becoming its first prince. In 1117 MT, an eruption of the Great Vectallan Spring caused a massive flood in Phykalah, killing many. This included Prince Tytharim Ruso. After the town regathered, the human wizard Athena Duststone created a protective, translucent barrier around the geyser’s spout so future flooding would not occur. Tytharim’s nephew, Malkom, was installed as the new prince. In 1245 MT, a massive eruption of the Great Vectallan Spring burst through to the surface of the desert. This signified to the residents of Phykalah that the area was now safe to settle, and many, including the royal family, moved up there. The royal family renamed the town New Bekkalos, but it became more known by its colloquial name, Springwater. In 1277 MT, the female tiefling priest-cenobite Kali Maniake travelled to Springwater. She had been run out of Haven - where she had gone on pilgrimage to see the ruins of Castrava - after it was discovered that she was a Niranist. In Springwater, she converted many of the settlement’s population to the Court of Niran. Beforehand, residents of the town mostly practiced the old Tyfilian religions. In the modern day, Kali is venerated as a saint of the Minor Pantheon, though she has not been accepted as such by the Court. In 1332 MT, a tribe of Firenewts attacked Springwater, looking to claim the hot springs for their own. The town was able to defeat the firenewts by cutting off the access to the volcanic chambers that the firenewts needed to survive. After the firenewts were greatly weakened, the royal family showed them mercy, and offered to allow them access to the hot springs, provided they bolster the settlement’s defence. The fire newts agreed to this, and the Firenewt Quarter was constructed. As of 1365 MT, Springwater is in the process of building a protective wall around Eosath.
Founding Date
1080 MT
Founders
Alternative Name(s)
Principality of New Bekkalos, Praetorate of New Bekkalos, New Bekkalos, Phykalah, Vectallan
Type
Large town
Inhabitant Demonym
Bekkalian
Location under
Owner/Ruler
