Orphium

The grand gnomish capital city: Orphium, the City of Rock and Illusion. It was founded centuries ago by the rock gnomes who inhabited the surrounding mountains. It started as a massive theater for them to gather for musical concerts, and the surrounded city grew from there, drawing in the gnomes of the southern forest, and even the deep gnomes from far underground. Since then, it has grown to be quite the tourist attraction.
The city is a unique and wondrous site to behold. Set against the mountain, equal parts buildings carved into rock, built into enormous mushrooms, or built stand-alone, the city is lit with the glow of the mysterious mushrooms and numerous light fixtures emitting light of an array of colors. If you look up as you enter the city, you’ll see that the city is bubbled under an amazing enchantment giving the illusion of being surrounded by the universe. The entire area feels alien, likely unlike anything you’ve seen before. It’s half the creation of gnomish artificers and half natural. It’s a sprawling metropolosis, lit even in the shadow of the mountain, and is one of the liveliest cities to exist. Many of those darting around the streets are gnomes, with a wide variety of other races there to visit. A majority of the inhabitants of the city are gnomes.
There are lots of things to do in this fine city, which is split into 5 primary sections: the Central Plaza, Luckstone Lane, Street of Illusions, Bluebottle BLVD, and the Orpheum.

The Central Plaza

Across the wide stone bridge which crosses the river that weaves north from the forest is the central plaza. Here you’ll find lots of great shops. In the center are quite a few identical large circular stalls with signs indicating they are for “Tourist Help and Ticket Sales.” Stalls around the edge of the plaza, and the buildings along the side are all various interesting shops, all striving to have the attention of the numerous people walking around, with their brightly lit and colorful signs and entertainers walking around, trying to bring people into specific businesses.
Some Central Plaza Businesses:
Pocket Protector’s Stall - For 100 gp, buy a pocket protector, which protects all of your belongings with Alarm and a Paralysis Charm so long as you’re in Orphium. A “MUST HAVE” according to the sign.
Another stall sells Beetle Shishkabobs for 25 cp.
“Garments and Glitter - a clothing and clothing alteration shop for those who want to bling bling like the true locals of the city.
“Orphium Museum of Music and Magic” - 2 gp to go through an ornate local museum.
“Naked Necks?” A necklace and amulet store.
“Cursemaster Charlie’s”
“The Gnome Experience” - for 20 gp, step onto the transmorgriphication rune and experience life as a gnome! The truest Orphium experience, to be sure.

Luckstone Lane

The Northwest path from the Central Plaza leads to Luckstone Lane, where the gamblers gather to risk their coin to win big. The head honcho here is a whily gnome named Lucky Lazuli. Some of the attractions here include: The Luckstone Shop - Guaranteed UNCURSED stones of good luck; Blackstone’s Blackjack Portabella; Cards of Fate; Jasper’s Jackpot Joint; and many more places to gamble your coin for a chance to win a pile of gold, or other prizes!

Street of Illusions

The Southwest path off of the Central Plaza leads to the Street of Illusions, where you can catch lots of shows and magic acts. Some of the acts and businesses one could find here include: the Dungeon of Illusions; Magic Mark’s, featuring a variety of races; and The Topaz Tophat, where the third day = rookie day! There are many shows and experiences to enjoy here.

Bluebottle BLVD

To the east of the Central Plaza is Bluebottle BLVD, which the forest gnomes have cultivated into a sort of immersive garden and menagerie. The woman in charge is the headstrong gnome named Blue Berryboots. Some animals one might find in the menagerie are constrictor snakes, deep rothes, lions, and flying monkeys! The animals are often changing, but the ones that are here are cared for very well, and enjoy pleasant lives - even those which would not normally tolerate capitivity. There is a lot of rare plantlife here as well, such as gnome eating plants kept under careful watch, and less dangerous and more beautiful plants as well.

The Orpheum

Straight through the Central Plaza and to the north end of the city is the Orpheum, sometimes called the Central Theater. This outdoor theater is the oldest part of the city and is where the biggest, most impressive shows take place. Anyone in showbusinesses dreams of someday playing on that stage. Some notable acts that have played at this theater include Don Juan Kovi, Delvis Quartzly, Biggy Stardust, Jimi Gemdrix, The Beat Bugs, Joanna Jett, The Rockettes, Buns and Loafses, Obsidian Blimp, Dink 951, Whipping Mary, Ragtag Bunch, Stevie Nixstone, and many more.

Related Reports (Primary)

• 16: Concert at Orphium