City of Bloodstone
The City of Bloodstone (often called "The City" or just "Bloodstone") has a violent history and even in times of relative peace it is often at the center of violent events. A number of factors make it a generally dangerous place: it is the border between two nations that have frequently been at war. It is in a spot that comes extremely close to many important (and contested) areas of the Underdark. The Galenas are notoriously littered with rare resources that bring an endless train of resourceful (some would say desperate, or greedy) adventurers and workers to the area. The soil is dark and fertile, and even though the growing season is short the valley seems ideally suited to growing many types of foods and the immediate area surrounding the City and along the lake shore are entirely converted to farmland.
First constructed on a flat jut of land sitting where the river flows out of Lake Midai in (or around the year) 1050 DR, the City of Bloodstone has seen great growth in the post-war era almost doubling in size. As it grew, it quickly filled in the roughly two square miles that were easy to build upon and then hit the rocky ridges that rise up above the lake. The strange shale type of stone in those ridges (which Dwarves find undesirable to build in/on and is therefore unlucky) made building outward any further almost impossible. Instead, the city was built up, and also out onto the lake creating areas of the city with canals and wooden footbridges. Today, tall steep peaked roofs and more modern three-story buildings dominate. The buildings are tight and the alleys are narrow. There are numerous ale halls, locations that serve fine food, and varieties of lodging to fit almost any budget. The Mayoral Fort at the center of the City is an imposing four-story building of stone, metal and wood that has never been razed. The only structure with an equally impressive visage is the Tower of the Sage which sits across the fast river to the east.
The People of the City
The City's total population is around the 10,000 count consisting mainly of Humans, Dwarves and Halflings. Many buildings have specialized double handles, rails and small steps designed specifically to accommodate the short folk. Dragonborn, Elves, Half-Orcs, Gnomes and even the odd Centaur can been seen in the City. Tieflings, so prevalent during the wars are rare and are viewed with suspicion. The townspeople are variously farmers (or farmhands), specialists in a craft (metalsmiths, boat-wrights, fishers, carpenters, and stonemasons being the most common), or are part of or provide support for the adventuring class. The primary church of the City of Bloodstone is that of Ilmater. Though Torm and Tyr both have holy sites in the city frequented by Paladins, Clerics and other faithful who journey here. The chapel to Torm is kept clean by the Church of Ilmater as a recognition of the part that god played in helping his Paladin Llysander Garwin overcome the Witch King.
Bloodstone's current Mayor is Simquat Vlethe, the custodian ruler of the City and the Valley. Appointed by Queen Virdin, Simquat is a skilled merchant who believes that the power of Bloodstone is economic, not military. His general approval has recently taken a slight decline with his campaign to convince valley residents that it is time to reopen the Vaasa Gate and resume trade relations. He has at his disposal four columns of soldiers. These warriors are known as The Bloodstone Guard. Each column consists of 30 men, plus 2 to 5 elites consisting of Fighters, Clerics, or rarely a Wizard. One column is stationed at the Vaasa Gate fortress. The remaining three are responsible for keeping the peace in the City, in Battlecross, and in the settlements Virdin and Breaking Bluff. A few individuals are dispatched to minimally oversee Damara Gate. The Mayor of Bloodstone has license to hire adventurers and mercenaries on behalf of the Queen in times of need.
What are the Troubles?
The troubles that plague the Valley as a whole affect the City. In addition, Bloodstone City has a thriving black market, supported by a handful of gangs and thieves' guilds that engage in all manner of skirmishes. Though nobody talks of it, there are spies from Vaasa, and even the Queen's Court in Damara, who skulk around the City. As any city more than 3 centuries old there are catacombs below the city that produce infrequent trouble.
The City's total population is around the 10,000 count consisting mainly of Humans, Dwarves and Halflings. Many buildings have specialized double handles, rails and small steps designed specifically to accommodate the short folk. Dragonborn, Elves, Half-Orcs, Gnomes and even the odd Centaur can been seen in the City. Tieflings, so prevalent during the wars are rare and are viewed with suspicion. The townspeople are variously farmers (or farmhands), specialists in a craft (metalsmiths, boat-wrights, fishers, carpenters, and stonemasons being the most common), or are part of or provide support for the adventuring class. The primary church of the City of Bloodstone is that of Ilmater. Though Torm and Tyr both have holy sites in the city frequented by Paladins, Clerics and other faithful who journey here. The chapel to Torm is kept clean by the Church of Ilmater as a recognition of the part that god played in helping his Paladin Llysander Garwin overcome the Witch King.
The troubles that plague the Valley as a whole affect the City. In addition, Bloodstone City has a thriving black market, supported by a handful of gangs and thieves' guilds that engage in all manner of skirmishes. Though nobody talks of it, there are spies from Vaasa, and even the Queen's Court in Damara, who skulk around the City. As any city more than 3 centuries old there are catacombs below the city that produce infrequent trouble.
Demographics
Humans
Dwarves (Hammerhanded)
Halfings
Dwarves (Hammerhanded)
Halfings
Defences
Vaasa Gate (west)
Damara Gate (east)
The Bloodstone Guard
Damara Gate (east)
The Bloodstone Guard
Alternative Name(s)
The City
Type
City
Population
10,000
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
