Karpshyn (City)

Karpshyn is a port city on the Eastern tip of Waldermore, and is the Capital City of the Duchy of Karpshyn. Karpshyn was founded in 250 P.C. by Lisboan Settlers looking for settlements around Illac Bay with trading points towards the Countries along the Descon Ocean. Karpshyn is ruled by Duke Julian of House Emmanuel, a Cadet Branch of House Braganza. Karpshyn is known by the pejorative of "Devils Bay" based on shape of the inlet between two "horn shaped" peninsula's on each side of the city as well as the high influx of Tieflings after The Razing of the City of Brass. Despite this, many Karpshyn Citizens take great pride in the inclusiveness of their city. It is a place anyone could call home, or start a new life within, regardless of race, creed or personal history. Due to it's dense population however, it still suffers from large inequality and crime.

Demographics

40% Human 15% Elf/Half-Elf 15% Dwarf/Halfling 15% Tiefling 10% Gnome 5% Goblinoid

Government

Duke: Julian Emmanuel (Half-Elf)
Chancellor: Licentia Emmanuel (Tiefling)
Marshal: Henroq Dello Brutto (Half-Orc)
Steward: Clinton Magrack (Gnome)
Spymaster: Airen Craken (Human)
Court Chaplin: Quin Hei (Human)

Infrastructure

The Districts of the town

The Radiant Castle: Built on an island closest within the bay is the Castle where House Emmanuel resides. the Castle is built out of a Dark Stone and towers above the city, the main watchtower on the north side of the island acts as a lighthouse and is taller than the Cathedral of the Omnastic, a Church dedicated to all of the cults of Omnaism. The only land connection to the Castle is the Drawbridge leading toward Bloomridge

Lower City:

The Lower City of Karpshyn is shaped like a crescent that surrounded the city's Gray Harbor. Built atop sloping bluffs, the narrow cobblestone streets of the Lower City twisted around one another to form the regions city-blocks. The tight rows of conjoined, stone buildings featured common characteristics such as slate roofs and vibrantly-painted shutters that were firmly secured in the evening hours. Most of the Lower City was covered in a near-continued fog that rolled in from the White River. As a result the stone streets were damp and slippery and visibility was low, even during the daytime. The darkness and mist were abated, to an extent, by the number oil-and-wick street lamps that dotted many of the street corners, particularly those in the nice neighborhoods.
Bloomridge: Bloomridge was a wealthy district within the Lower City of Karpshyn located on the western half of Gray Harbor, south of the Old Wall. It was home to the wealthier citizens of the Lower City, the merchants, landowners and sea captains who sought a lifestyle that more closely resembled that of the wealthy patriar of the Upper City. Bloom Ridge is where the famous Bullfrog Tavern is located, near the drawbridge to The Water Queen's Castle By great feats of engineering, both structural and arcane, Bloomridge was partially built into the Old Wall that separated the Upper and Lower Cities. this is the one area where the Old Wall still remains standing.
Seatower: Seatower encompases the entire south-western area of Karpshyn, including the west-most docks of the harbor. Notable landmarks included the Candlekeep Chandlery and the great Seatower of Alfonso, a beacon of the Flaming Fist's statue within the city.
The Steeps: Located just south of the Wide, this neighborhood contained the western-most city blocks nestled between the Old Wall and the Gray Harbor. Within its streets was both the Counting House and a temple of Delios.
Heapside: With a rather eclectic selection of landmarks and establishments, Heapside was one of the more diverse districts of Karpshyn. From the rowdy and dangerous clientele of the Blushing Mermaid, to the pious Ilmatari of the Shrine of the Suffering, Karpagians from nearly all walks of life spent their time in Heapside. Heapside is Famous for being the region to house the many Tiefling immigrants fleeing from the destruction of the City of Brass from "The Blood War"
Eastway: The district of Eastway housed a number of famous Karpagian establishments, such as the Blade and Stars inn, the Elfsong Tavern and the Low Lantern festhall.
Brampton: The city blocks in the southeastern section of the city composed the district of Brampton.This is the DIstrict home to many sages and artificers, as it is closest to bothe the mines near tumbledown and holds the Mage College and Emmanuel School of Artificery and Alchemy

Upper City The Upper City was the exceedingly-wealthy region of Karpshyn, that lay north of the city's oldest wall and its namesake gate. Home to the city's noble patriar families, it was a wholly beautiful and nearly-entirely secure region of the port-metropolis. While the grand buildings and estate-houses of the Upper City were bustling with behind-the-scenes activity of personal retainers, lines of servants and skilled artisans, the streets outside were well-ordered and at times even serene. The regular hustle-and-bustle of city life was most strongly felt in the vast marketplace known as the Wide.

The Wide:

This vast expanse served as both an open-air market and a public civic plaza. During most days of the Calendar year, the Wide is lined with vendor stalls and merchant booths. On special occasions, such as Ver's Youth, it served as the venue for city-wide celebrations or private events, such as concerts and weddings. The Citadel:

The Citadel is the large building responsible for training and as a Headquarters for the Karpshyn Crowns Guard. The Citadel was overseen by Marshal Henroq Dello Brutto
Mannorborn:

This western district was home to grandest of the Upper City's patriar estates. These noble-born citizens of these old families, whose heritage dated back to founding of the City. Many nobles here pride themselves on being the "heirs to the city"
Temples District:

Many Clerics and worshippers reside here. With Temples to nearly every God and Goddess of the Omnaism. the main building is the "High House of Wonders," a Grand Cathedral to the God, Tethys. Many other Temples are in this region dedicated to Therendor, Kyraneth, Delios, Hermaya, Axuth, Dis pater, Histocritties, Merrikka and Ver. Some Cults of Vinestra are known to reside in this district as well, but most steer clear of them

Guilds and Factions

The Road: The codename for the Kingdom wide Thieves Guild, most knowledge of The Road is unknown
Kaprshyn Magic college: Largest Institution of Magic Schooling; Recent addition is the Emmanual School of Artificery and Alchemy funded by Duke Emmanuel

History

The city takes its name from the great seafaring hero "Karpshyn". Long ago, Karpshyn sailed to the fabled City of Brass and returned with great wealth which was used to build the wall around what became Karpshyn. He left the city again, presumably to return to The City of Brass, but never returned.
At the time, the growing town was controlled by local farmers who mercilessly taxed incoming shipments. This infuriated ship captains, who believed that since the harbor wasn't walled in, its traffic should not be taxed, On Captain, Captain Alfonso Braganza, Youngest Son of King Tierderach IV of Lisboa, lead an invasion of the City. In the Braganzan Conquest, Alfonso Usurped the City and claimed himself the Leader of a new Cadet Branch, House Emmanuel

Geography

The city's unique shape, curved around its harbor, gives it the appearance of a Devil's Horns. The docks and shipping facilities are among the most efficient along the coast and the city relies heavily on the ships that dock there. A large open marketplace, called The Wide, dominates the northeast portion of the walled city, and other large structures include The High Hall, seat of the city government, the High House of Wonders, a large temple to Tethys, and the Seatower of Alfonso, a small fortress in the center of the harbor.

Alternative Name(s)

Devils Bay

Type

City

Population

35,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Karpagian

Owner/Ruler

Duke Julian Emmanuel

Owning Organization

Waldermore