Maravento

Scourged Lands of Valenor    The Land    Country & Kingdoms      Principalities of Hansa      La Magna Contea      Maravento

### The City of Maravento

### History of the City

Maravento, one of the oldest and most fascinating ports of the Magna Contea, is a place steeped in history and legend. The city was born around a natural inlet, a safe harbor that offered protection from storms and marine incursions. The strategic position and the fishing waters of the area attracted merchants, fishermen and settlers from the beginning, who found a perfect refuge for their activities. However, the real peculiarity of Maravento lies in its mysterious origins: under the city, in fact, there is an enormous necropolis of unknown era, probably belonging to a very ancient and now forgotten civilization.

The ruins above and below the city were incorporated into its urban growth, giving Maravento its unique appearance: a tangle of cyclopean walls, ruined towers and decadent architecture. It is said that the inhabitants used the stones of the ruins to build the walls and buildings, bringing with them fragments of a distant past.

During its heyday, Maravento was a thriving port, the hub of maritime trade in the region. Its streets were crowded with merchants from all over Valenor, and the central market overflowed with exotic goods. However, internal conflicts, the decline of fishing and growing political corruption led to the gradual decline of the city, transforming it into a place of contrasts: a city full of potential, but suffocated by poverty and injustice.

### Current Situation

Today Maravento is a city balanced between the charm of its antiquity and the social and economic degradation that afflicts it. The city is divided between two souls: the lively one, represented by its clandestine markets and the port, and the dark one, made of labyrinthine streets and dangerous suburbs.

• Economy and Trade: Fishing remains one of the few stable sources of income for its inhabitants. Most of the fish is salted and exported, although the fishermen are exploited by Baron Ennio Parrino, who monopolizes production and sells the best fish at high prices. Recent attempts by fishermen to organize and sell their products directly have led to tensions and even violence. Meanwhile, smuggling and clandestine activities thrive thanks to the city's location: its wild coasts and countless nearby islands offer refuge to pirates and bandits, who use Maravento as a center for illicit trade. Every night, many crates of material are brought to the city by small boats, the smuggled material is then resold illegally in the city and throughout the County. Pirates also exploit these channels of sale to resell the proceeds of their raids. The Baron has tried to stop these traffics several times, but without success; pirate ships quickly disappear into the many ravines along the coast.
• The People: The citizens of Maravento live a hard life, caught between poverty and the corruption of the local authorities. Many survive thanks to precarious jobs or illegal activities. Devotion to the cult of Thalassa, the goddess of the sea, is one of the few constants in the lives of the Maraventans, who find comfort in religion and tradition.
• The Local Government: Baron Ennio Parrino rules the city with an iron fist, exploiting the population to enrich himself and maintain control. His guards, corrupt and brutal, are feared as much as the brigands that infest the region. However, the Baron is unpopular and increasingly isolated, with growing rumors of rebellion spreading among the population.

### Important Characters

• Baron Ennio Parrino
The ruler of Maravento, Baron Parrino, is a cunning and unscrupulous man. Although he maintains a facade of loyalty to Viscount Enea, his personal interests take precedence. The Baron exploits the city's fishermen and merchants, imposing oppressive taxes and controlling the fish market. However, his inability to stop pirates has undermined his authority, and many consider him a weak and corrupt leader.

• Priestess Calia Fumiina
An envoy of Viscount Enea Prisco, the priestess of the temple of the Virgin of the Abyss is an ambiguous figure. Officially charged with guarding the temple's riches and ensuring the purity of the cult of Thalassa, she is known for her austere character and lack of empathy towards the populace.

• Michele Tremiseri
Young and idealistic, the rector of the church of Melethis is one of the few figures truly devoted to the well-being of the people. Together with the Paladins of his temple, he leads a relentless fight against injustice and corruption, often openly clashing with the Baron's guards.

• The Consecrated Virgin
Every year, a young woman from Maravento is chosen to become the Consecrated Virgin of Thalassa. During her year of service, the Virgin resides in the main temple, dispensing oracles and blessings. The current Virgin, Irena Calare, is a young woman of humble origins, much loved by the population.

### Locations and Resources

• The Port
Divided into two main areas, the merchant port and the fishing port, it is the beating heart of the city. While the merchant port is nominally under the control of the Baron, the fishing port is in the hands of pirates and smugglers. The fish salting plant, one of the largest buildings in the harbor, where fishermen are forced to sell their best catch at starvation prices, is both an economic resource and a symbol of the exploitation of fishermen.

• The Underground Necropolis
Beneath the city lies a network of ancient tunnels and tombs, many of which are still unexplored. Local legends speak of restless spirits and hidden treasures, and only the bravest (or most desperate) dare to venture into its depths.

• The Baron's Castle
Located in the Upper District, the castle is a decaying structure that reflects the decline of the Baron's power. Its underground, known for being used as a prison, is feared by all citizens.

• The Temple of the Virgin of the Abyss
This majestic temple dedicated to Thalassa dominates the old city. It is both a place of worship and a symbol of hope for the Maraventans, and every year it hosts the procession of the Calata della Vergine, one of the most important celebrations of the city. Named after a priestess of Thalassa who gave her life to save the city from a tsunami. The temple of the Virgin is a place of pilgrimage for sailors who survive dangerous events while at sea. The rich donations that the temple receives are "guarded" by an envoy of Viscount Prisco, the Priestess Calia Fumiina.

• The churches of Danu and Melethis are not very frequented but both do their best to look after the population of the city. The cult of Melethis has a young rector Michele Tremiseri is perpetually at war with the Baron's guards, and the Paladins of the temple lead a hopeless fight against the injustices inflicted on the population. It is said that sometimes the Paladins of the church of Melethis disguise themselves as merchants or fishermen, to discover injustices and corruption to expose and bring to justice.
• The Dragonfall Gate Market
Born as an attempt by fishermen to rebel against the Baron's monopoly, the fishermen organized themselves and opened a market near the port, in the Dragonfall Gate area, where they try to sell the remaining fish (of inferior quality) directly. The market has become a point of reference for the poorest citizens. Although often the victim of sabotage, the market continues to thrive, representing a hope for the population. This market has already burned twice and stubbornly rebuilt.

### Folklore and Details

• The Descent of the Virgin: This ancient celebration is the most important crossroads of Maravento. It is said that the blessing of the consecrated Virgin guarantees a year of abundant fishing and divine protection for the city.
• The Feast of the Cornucopia: Celebrated in the surrounding countryside, this holiday unites the citizens and farmers of the area in a day of prayer and thanksgiving in which they pray for a bountiful harvest from the crops in the hinterland of the city and from the livestock. It is tradition for women who are expecting a child to bring offerings to the goddess during the procession.
• Legends of the Necropolis: According to the tales, the necropolis under Maravento is inhabited by guardian spirits who protect an ancient secret. Some say that its heart hides a portal to another dimension.
• The Pirates of the Islands: The islands off the coast of Maravento are home to pirate gangs, some of which boast a sort of secret alliance with influential members of the city. Despite the tensions, the pirates also represent a source of income for the local smugglers.

Maps

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  City of Maravento

Type

City

Location under

The Dark Sea

Owning Organization

La Magna Contea

Characters in Location

• Bernardo Altomonte