Passage
A city aptly named, Passage is the home to House Orien and the operating base of the lightning rail. Found between the shores of Lake Galifer and the mountains separating Chult from the rest of Noyatu, Passage is at the edge of Aundair's control and the hub for couriers and transportation. This city is an outlier in Aundair's population density. Its relative relation to the undead jungles of Chult and being separated by the monstrous Droaam only by Lake Galifer has caused only the most courageous Aundairians to live in the distant city.
Cold Steel Leadership
Casey Jones is a name spoken in both reverence and fear within the city of Passage. Appointed by Queen Aurala herself, he serves as the city’s unyielding Zhareena, enforcing law and order with a level of precision akin to the well-oiled gears of the locomotives that power his domain. Jones is a man in his late 40s, his face weathered like an old railway map - etched with lines of experience and cold determination. His steel-gray eyes seem to measure everything they see, calculating risks and benefits like a ledger. Always dressed in a military-style long coat, adorned with the insignia of Aundair, he projects an air of rigid authority. His voice is clipped and direct, as if each word is another cog in the great machine of Passage’s prosperity. The Zhareena rules with an iron fist and an unshakable belief in efficiency and order. The lightning rails must run on time, the Starfire Ore must flow, and Passage must never falter. He sees himself as the backbone of the city, a necessary force to ensure that the workers, merchants, and artisans all contribute to the greater good. Laziness, disobedience, and corruption are not tolerated. Under his leadership, crime is at an all-time low, but so is personal freedom. Curfews are strictly enforced, guilds operate under heavy oversight, and dissenters find themselves swiftly exiled or imprisoned. Jones has created a strong rapport with House Orien and seeks to make Passage’s partnership with the Great House stronger than ever. The Zhareena has established a network of enforcers, a blend of Aundairian soldiers, warforged veterans, and arcane regulators, who keep the city running in perfect order.Significant Policies and Laws
- Lightning Rails First: The lightning rials, Passage’s pride and lifeblood, take priority over everything. Any disruption is met with swift, sometimes brutal, justice.
- Mandatory Work Assignments: Every citizen of Passage is expected to contribute. Whether in the mines, the forges, or the administration of the city, no one is exempt from duty. Members of House Orien must also provide consistent progress to Baron Kwanti d’Orien.
- Strict Magic Control: While Aundair is known for its magic, in Passage, all arcane practitioners must register with the Zhareena’s office. Unauthorized magic use, especially near the ore refineries or the lightning rails, is considered sabotage.
- Curfew Enforcement: No one is allowed on the streets after midnight without official authorization. This is to prevent smuggling, sabotage, and illicit activity that could hinder production.
Lightning and Starfire
House Orien
The Great House of Orien manages all of Noyatu’s land transportation, from caravans and carts to the awe-inspiring lightning rail. Led by the charismatic Baron Kwanti d’Orien, House Orien aims to expand its lightning rail into Chult to connect Port Nyanzaru with the rest of the continent. However, the undead of the jungles have caused many setbacks in this ambitious project and many believe the house’s goal of joining the First District to the lightning rail system has grown dim. As with any who hold power, House Orien has many who would see them fail. House Lyrander is the most brazen with their disdain as their skyships have undoubtedly ascended to new heights of popularity. The Starfire Corps also irk many Orien agents with their outrageous rates for Starfire Ore. House Orien has now set out to research alternatives to the magical metal inorder to boot out the greedy dwarven group.The Starfire Corps
The Starfire Corps’ history in Passage runs as deep as the mines they control. Founded by the Everbright Clan, the corps discovered the rare and vital material of Starfire Ore beneath the, at the time, village of Passage. When House Orien began their experiments with elemental travel the dwarves brought them the metal and the two have been co-existing since. The dwarves of the Starfire Corps rely on the steady business of the great house to fund their mining operations and House Orien relies on the elemental materials that the Everbright Clan produces. The corps hopes to secure all Starfire Ore veins in the vicinity from those who would challenge the great clan. They also wish to gain knowledge in earthen magic which may help with the productivity of their mines. The overreliance of Starfire Ore by House Orien and House Lyrander worries some within the corps. The dwarves know that any alternative the Great Houses find will make their mines a thing of the past, so propaganda has been made to advertise the essentialness of Starfire Ore. There is also strife among the dwarves about how the metal should be distributed and to whom. Despite these issues, the dwarves of the Starfire Corps hold more power now than ever before.The Sparkwielders
The gnomes of the Sparkwielders are masters of techno-magic and provide an additional outlet for the mandatory work assignments of Passage. Though the guild is primarily gnomish, there are also humans and dwarves that get involved. The Sparkwielders hope to gain popularity through the realm for their techo-magical devices and creative use of Starfire Ore. They have worked tirelessly to establish a small network of sanctuaries across Aundair as an outlet for creative engineering minds. However, friction has arisen between the gnomish group and the Starfire Corps about the access to Starfire Ore. Its elemental properties make it a hot commodity that the gnomes wish to have freer access to. Elder Podri Sternobock is in talks with the Everbright Clan to allow select Sparkielders to delve into the mine themselves, rather than broker and bargain with the corps.Starfire Trade
Passage’s biggest material export is Starfire Ore from the Everbright Mines. This rare material is what makes travel by lightning rail or sky ship possible. The orange and blue metal is infused with primordial elemental energy and can be forged into a containment cell for elemental powers. Starfire Ore is used by House Orien and House Lyrander almost exclusively, and the little left goes to the Sparkwielders or Aundairian research centers. Given its rarity in the mines below Passage, the Starfire Corp quickly gained control of its excavation and distribution, creating a monopoly around the metal. Techno-magical devices are Passage’s bread and butter. The lightning rails of House Orien originated here in Passage and a percentage of all lightning rail fees go back to the city. This has led Passage to grow quite large despite its fringe location in the kingdom. The Sparkwielders also contribute to the city’s reputation for techo-magic. They create, in conjunction with House Orien, improvements to the interiors of lightning rail cabins. Other devices designed by the gnomes are sold for a profit to outside buyers. In addition to Starfire Ore and Techo-magic, Passage is still a fishing port. With a prime location on the shore of Lake Galifer, the city brings in quite a bit of fish and sealife found in the lake. Some trade with Droa towns on the opposite side of the lake occurs, but is heavily regulated by Econospeaker Grayson and Zhareena Jones.Population: 75,200 (80% humans, 10% gnomes, 5% dwarves, 5% other races)
Government: Zharena Casey Jones
Defense: City guard protects the inner city and magical defenses are located just off the coast of Lake Galifer.
Hallmarks: Lightning rail maintenance, gnome and dwarf influences.
Passages in Passage
- Orien’s Workshop - Warehouse district of the city as well as the location of House Orien’s administrative building. Silver Stallion Station (the first lightning rail station) is a large tourist attraction as well. Orien’s Workshop also houses the maintenance station for the lightning rails.
- Unicorn Heights - This is Passage’s wealthiest station. It is where many nobles and House Orien agents live and holds many of the higher-end merchants.
- Galifer’s Edge - The civic center of Passage is actually on the shore of Lake Galifer. Most administrative buildings and inns are located in this district. Galifer’s edge also acts as the city's docks.
- The Everbright Mines - Starfire Corps controls the mines in Passage and the surrounding area.
Type
City
Owning Organization
Passage People
- Guardians of Starfire - The dwarven council that runs the Starfire Corps
- Elderspark Podri Sternobok of the Sparkwielders
- Zhareena Casey Jones
- Baron Kwanti d’Orien, Head of House Orien
- Lord Isidorus d’Orien, Head of Orien Engineering
- Lord Vincentius d’Orien, Head of Orien Planning
- Lady Aquillia d’Orien, Head of Orien Amenities
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