Ossia: The Port City of the Principality of the Wolf
Ossia City
History of the City
Ossia, located on the eastern coast of the
The Dark Sea, is one of the oldest and most dynamic cities in the
Principato della Lupa. Its strategic location along the main shipping routes of the Dark Sea has made it the most important landing point for pilgrims heading to the holy city of
Cordelia, home to the
Cattedrale del Pantheon, a sacred complex dedicated to the ten deities of the pantheon of Valenor. Founded over 800 years ago as a simple fishing village, Ossia quickly grew through trade and religious devotion.
Throughout its history, Ossia has been contested by several kingdoms and powers, including the oppressive
Almighty Empire domination and the
Republic of the Smoky Isles, until it was finally annexed by the Principality of the Wolf approximately two centuries ago. Its rise as the Principality’s principal port coincided with the establishment of the
Melethis Path, a spiritual route requiring pilgrims to walk across the vast plains and hills to Cordelia, beginning their journey at the
Pilgrim’s Gate. This tradition, born out of an ancient religious decree, has since taken hold and transformed Ossia from a mere trading port to a hub of spiritual pilgrimage.
However, the constant influx of pilgrims and merchants has also brought with it corruption and disorder. In an effort to keep the city under control, the
Prince of Cordelia Gabriel XVI of Lupa has imposed a rigid division between the
Port Quarter, purposely left without an official presence of the
Prince’s Lances, and the rest of the city, which is more closely guarded.
Current Situation
Ossia is a vibrant and chaotic city, inhabited by approximately
50,000 people, a mix of permanent residents, merchants, pilgrims and adventurers. Every day its port bustles with activity, welcoming ships loaded with food, luxury goods, and pilgrims from all over the world. The city is divided between splendor and decadence, faith and deception, order and anarchy.
Economy: Ossia is the main trading center of the Principality of the Wolf. Not only pilgrims pass through its port, but also tons of goods destined for the holy city of Cordelia and the rest of the Principality. Foodstuffs, spices, wine and fabrics are among the main exports. However, the economy is tainted by illicit activities, such as smuggling, gambling and clandestine prostitution.
Religion: Pilgrims arriving in Ossia find solace in the many temples dedicated to the major deities, including Danu, Melethis, Thalassa, Arva, Sardar, and Brumbarr. Each temple offers services to pilgrims, from purification rituals to blessings for the long journey to Cordelia. The Sisters of Purity, a female monastic order, keep constant watch against the influences of the Dark, while maintaining a low profile.
Order and Security: While the rest of the city is guarded by the city guards and Prince's Spears, the Dock Quarter is purposely left unsupervised. This has made the area a breeding ground for smuggling, scams, and other crimes. At night, the city is transformed: prostitutes appear at the windows of their homes, calling their clients to come inside, where they can practice their profession without fear of being arrested, while gambling and clandestine betting quickly spread through the dark streets thanks to small gaming tables, which appear and disappear when the guards arrive.
Important Characters
Prefect Marcus Vellani
Role: City prefect and head of security
Description: Marcus is a pragmatic and disillusioned man, aware of the limits of his power to maintain order. He manages the city with a certain tolerance towards illicit activities, as long as they do not disturb pilgrims or trade.
Gerolamo Vanvitelli
Role: Port Captain and responsible for goods in transit
Description: Gerolamo is a hyperactive gnome, always ready to exploit any economic opportunity for his own personal gain. Gerolamo is also deeply honest and has always opposed all the illicit activities that take place in "his" port. This has led him to an open conflict with Gherardo the Red, who Gerolamo knows is the head of the illicit activities, but has never been able to prove it.
Mother Elara of the Sisters of Purity
Role: Convent Guide
Description: An austere and respected figure, Mother Elara firmly leads the Sisters of Purity. She is responsible for reporting cases of corruption and protecting pilgrims from malign influences.
Gherardo the Red
Role: Head of the Port District
Description: This former sailor is the unofficial leader of the Port District. Gherardo is respected and feared, ruling over criminal activities with an iron fist and ensuring that violence never gets out of hand. Gherardo is annoyed by Captain Vanvitelli's activities interfering in his shady dealings, but has always preferred to keep a low profile and not attract the attention of the guards.
Father Oric of Thalassa
Role: High Priest of the Temple of Thalassa
Description: Oric is a central figure in the religious life of Ossia. The Temple of Thalassa is the first place visited by pilgrims upon their arrival, and the last place visited before the return journey, where they receive blessings for a safe journey.
Lenya Volkar
Role: Head of the Ossia Merchant Guild
Description: Lenya is an ambitious and intelligent woman who oversees the operations of the powerful Merchant Guild bank. It is rumored that she is involved in shady dealings, but nothing has ever been proven.
Locations and Resources
1.
Ossia Seaport
The beating heart of the city, the port is a place of constant activity. Here, merchants, sailors, and pilgrims mingle in orderly chaos. The docks are dotted with inns and taverns, including the infamous Black Gull Inn, known for its nightly brawls.
2.
Ossia Docking Tower
Accommodating up to 15 Windships at a time and dotted with cranes and winches to allow for the loading and unloading of goods, it is a place of frenetic activity. The Port Captain, a gnome named Gerolamo Vanvitelli, maintains a tight control over the access and status of goods, a task that is essential to the well-being of the entire Principality.
3.
Municipal Warehouses
Unlike other cities, Ossia has built many warehouses with public money and can provide a safe place (guarded by the Prince's Lances day and night) to store goods and other materials at a modest price. Every day, tons and tons of goods enter and leave these warehouses, under the watchful eye of the Port Captain.
4.
Pilgrim's Gate
The imposing city gate from which pilgrims begin their journey to Cordelia. Decorated with mosaics depicting the life of Melethis, it is a place full of spiritual symbolism.
5.
Temples of the Deities
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Temple of Thalassa: Located near the port, it offers purifications to pilgrims who have just disembarked.
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Melethis Temple: The largest in the city, it houses sacred relics and is a central place of prayer.
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Convent of the Sisters of Purity: An austere building where nuns watch over the spiritual purity of the city.
6.
Dock District
A chaotic and vibrant place, known for smuggling and illegal trade. Most of the seedy taverns are located here.
7.
Merchant Guild
Located in the center of the city, the Guild Bank is one of the most imposing buildings. It handles huge flows of money and offers loans to merchants.
8.
Pilgrim's Hostels
Two large structures located near the Pilgrim's Gate, where less wealthy travelers can find lodging at reasonable prices.
9.
Adventurer's Guild
A modest and rarely visited building, a remnant of a time when Ossia attracted explorers in search of ancient ruins.
Folklore and Details
The Blessing of the Tide: A monthly seafaring tradition held at the temple of Thalassa, where sailors offer gifts to the goddess to ensure a safe journey.
The Path of Melethis: Pilgrims who choose to walk the road to Cordelia receive a special blessing at the Pilgrim's Gate.
The Night of Shadows: A holiday where the city lights are turned off for an hour, symbolizing the fight against the Darkness. Many take advantage of the darkness for illicit activities.
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