The Hill
This wealthy district is located on the west side of the city and includes several estates and larger homes. There are few merchants or shops here, though the district is home to some of Westden’s most notable inns.
Infrastructure
The Lower Ring
The streets and buildings surrounding the base of the Hill are known as the Lower Ring. Most of the districts shops and taverns are located here, with the higher slopes of the hill reserved for residences.The Middle Ring
The middle slopes of the hill are surrounded by a wrought-iron fence with gates that are under constant observation from the Hill Watch. The gates are kept open during the day, but after nightfall, only residents and their guests can enter or leave.The Upper Ring
A stone wall with wrought-iron gates surrounds the highest elevations of the district, likewise closed at night and observed by the Hill Watch.Brelliar the Conjurer
At first glance, this structure seems to be a pleasant cottage surrounded by gardens and flowerbeds. On closer inspection, the place seems to be somewhat run-down, and the gardens overgrown with weeds. Crashes and muffled curses often echo from inside. This is the home of Brelliar, a somewhat absent-minded conjurer who has lived in Westden for the past decade. An outwardly befuddled character, Brelliar is nevertheless a source of employment for many adventurers, whom he hires to find rare components and items for him.Gallam House
This estate is home to the famous hunter Winstyn Gallam (human male). Retired from hunting, he now makes his living selling gear to adventurers and other hunters, and through his investments in merchants and hunting businesses. His wife Meda (human female) is an expert seamstress, and aids Winstyn in his other side business, the stuffing and mounting of trophy animals. The estate is an elegant three-story granite house, surrounded by pleasant grounds. Winstyn and his wife often host elaborate feasts and parties on the main floor, attended by many local celebrities. The second floor contains the family’s living quarters, while the third floor houses Winstyn’s own collection of animal trophies, his library, and other private facilities. The furnishings inside are of impeccable taste, imported from all around the world. While a man that has enjoyed success, his body has not in the last decade. He has gone bald, and his eyes are starting to cloud over, which forces him to squint. His love of trophies has not died, nor the pipe smoking, that he claims is the only thing that keeps him alive. He dresses in less finery, though always looks as if he is ready for a hunt, with breeches and leather tunic, adorned with embroidery of every creature he has personally taken down.Durnian House
Vermund Durnian (male human), a former mining magnate, lives here, enjoying his retirement. He still dabbles in trade, and does a little buying and selling to jewelers, gemcutters and even a few wizards, but for the most part he lives a relatively quiet life with little excitement. His large villa is surrounded by colorful flower gardens, and his roof is adorned with crystalline replicas of devas and other celestial beings. Inside, the house has no fireplaces, save the one in the kitchen, since rumor has it that Vermund is deathly afraid of fire, and even prefers to simply avoid fire at all, eating all his food cold. A vibrant middle-aged man, who sees nothing taken from the earth as worthless, is dressed in plaid-colored clothes of blue, green, and red. He is graying along the temples, but tries to keep his black hair combed back and oiled. His eyes are like tarnished copper, behind the magnified glasses he wears. Upon his back are scars and brands from a life long-gone and forgotten. They are a result of an unsatisfied master. When Vermund was a slave in a far off mining city, he escaped with what he could carry from there, and has made it to where he is by knowing what people think.Corseen House
Even Corseen (male human) is an aloof and slightly bitter bard, having retired to the luxury after his voice finally failed him. He now works as a diplomat for Westden, traveling to other cities and lands to negotiate contracts and treaties. This surprises many, for Even is a relatively unpleasant individual with a sour personality and very little affection for his fellow man. Despite this, he has a reputation for getting the job done quickly and efficiently. It is said that only Even’s wife Naees Corseen (female human) can stand to be with him for more than a few hours at a time. Despite the charismatic flavor he can apply to anything, his face shows a certain bitterness. He seems aged despite only being 42. His hair has gone white, his face adorned in minute wrinkles, and his eyes are narrow slits of once wide-open and alert bright blue. The house is pleasant, but is often unoccupied, its walls and roof now a sun-faded pale green. The place is usually kept shuttered, and the interior is sparsely furnished.Elmwish House
This large, four-story house looks very much like a castle, with towers and crenellated walls. Lisial Elmwish (female half-elf) is the daughter of a deposed Foerdewaith noble house who has taken her surviving family members and remaining wealth to Westden. After her father passed away several years ago, Lisial has inherited all of his titles and still dreams of returning to prominence. To this end, she has learned the fighting arts and begun to look into hiring adventurers and mercenaries to return to her native land and take back her family’s possessions by force. Long reddish-blonde hair lies tied in an intricate braid down her back. Dark brown eyes look upon the world that she once had been a part of, to only seek retribution upon anyone else that seeks to deny her of anything. Lisial is toned, and often not seen without her armor or ancestral sword "Cold Steel".Hall of Delights
The most decadent and expensive brothel in all of Westden is the Hall of Delights. Located on the lowest ring of the Hill, the hall is surrounded by a well-kept hedge which hides a wrought-iron fence. The place is well-guarded and to outside observers seems nothing more than another luxurious manor. The structure’s interior is covered in expensive rugs, and its walls sport paintings of nymphs, satyrs, and centaurs in idyllic woodland and sylvan settings. Skillfully sculpted marble statues of lovers in various stages of passion grace the building’s private courtyard, which also features a bathing pool, waterfall, and lush vegetation. Entertainment and socializing takes place on the lower floors, while the upper floors feature rooms of various sizes and levels of luxury. The hall’s owner is Whitus Platonus (male human), a fat bald man from Freegate who characteristically dresses in an ill-fitting toga in the style of his home city. Unlike the owner, the employees at the hall are all young and beautiful, chosen for their personalities and physical charms. So-called Atlantean Guards are clad in the archaic-style golden armor of the ancient Legions, and stand like statues in halls and doorways. Prices for an evening’s entertainment begin at 100gp and go up from there. The hall is a popular destination for more jaded and sophisticated citizens, and as the feasting and entertainment — featuring famous bards and skillful dancers — is also excellent, hiring the courtesans and companions is not even required for an enjoyable evening.Fur and Velvet
Lady Helon (female elf) runs this business, located in a building constructed entirely of blocks of petrified wood. Her husband was a member of the Lyreguard but perished in battle with the northern gnolls; today, she uses the contacts that he made during his fighting career to sell elaborate garments to nobles and wealthy citizens. The wares here are expensive, but they are designed by Helon herself and created by a team of expert craftsfolk. Each of her garments is embroidered with a silver tree and lyre symbol, which has become a sign of considerable quality and status in the city. Prices are 50–200% higher than standard, but the garment’s quality is considerable.The Jewel of Bryn Tuk Thull
The sign above the door of this two-story marble building portrays a ruby behind a set of closed gates set in the side of a mountain. A DC 15 Intelligence (History) check recognizes this sigil as the crest of Great Mountain Clan of Krazzadak. A DC 20 Intelligence (History) recognizes Bryn Tuk Thull as the name of the ancient lost Krazzadak citadel high in the Jotunhav Range, and a speaker of Dwarven is able to translate the name Bryn Tuk Thull to mean “The Throne-Gate of Thull” (i.e. the capital city of King Thull). A DC 25 Intelligence (History) recognizes the name Thull as the first king of the Krazzadaks and that when Bryn Tuk Thull and the Shengotha Plateau were frozen by the Curse of the Stonehearts, King Thull XII was the king who was lost and who remains known as the King under the Glacier in Krazzadak lore. Dwarves receive advantage to all of these Intelligence checks. Borm Morgarm owns the shop and also serves as the burgher of the Gem Cutters and Jewelers. He is surly and gruff, but quite talented, and is guarded by his pet brown bear, Woseley, whom he raised from a cub and whom he still likes to saddle up and ride around town from time to time. Borm and his assistants (male or female gnome or dwarf) create exquisite, expensive jewelry for the elite of Westden. The shop is well-protected from intruders by alarms and magical glyphs, and any attempt to break in by normal means invariably brings the Hill Watch running in force. Borm’s vault contains thousands in gold and silver, and is protected by both mundane and magical means. Borm is not a bad patron, and pays adventurers well for unique jewelry and gemstones. But he is always on the lookout for those who might be able to contribute in some way to the cause of returning the Wending Ice to the dwarves of Krazzadak and breaking the Stonehearts Curse.Lace and Bow
The most popular destination for wealthy lords and ladies of Westden, this shop sells all manner of expensive clothing, with a special emphasis on women’s items. Inside, permanent illusions portray some of the shop’s specialties — cloaks, topcoats, shoes, robes, tunics, petticoats, gloves, hats, and the like. Zianna Illithyren (female avarta) designs some of the most expensive clothes in the city, and oversees a staff of a dozen elves and half-elves who create them. Zianna is renowned for her beauty and skill, and has grown increasingly arrogant about her wares and their quality. She pays well for exotic cloths, rare pelts, gemstones, and other items that she uses in her creations. She also provides costumes to The Masque and Lute, and creates ornate costumes for the various masques and balls that occur throughout the year. Her outfits cost anywhere from 200%–500% standard price, partially for the quality of materials and craftsmanship, partially for the honor of wearing Zianna’s unique creations.The Quiet Woman
This small inn is noted as much for its resident phantom as for its fine accommodations. The ghost, from which the inn gets its name, periodically appears, wandering the halls and rooms. Petyr Nordin (male human) does not mind the spirit’s presence, as she actually seems to bring in new guests and has been known to mysteriously balance his books or clean up the inn for him. The Quiet Woman is one of few the inns in the district and, surprisingly, provides good rooms for standard prices. Petyr has learned the spirit’s true identity, and is quite happy to let Mrs. O’Neal wander the inn. He even keeps her quarters exactly as she left them and the two coexist peacefully.Cylyria’s Residence
This unassuming (for the Hill, anyway) three-story dwelling is home to Westden’s leading citizen, the mayor and High Burgess Cylyria Sinclair. Despite its relatively modest exterior, the building is well-defended. Five members of Cylyria’s personal bodyguard, The Gentlemen, are on duty in the manse at all times, and 2 Lyreguard stand guard outside the front doors. Cylyria or her guards can instantly summon help from the Hill Watch by means of permanent alarm and arcane eye spells that have been placed in strategic locations. Cylyria often entertains out-oftown notables in this mansion. The interior is not as lavish as other homes on the Hill, but is comfortable and elegant in an understated and tasteful manner, including fine marble floors, hardwood furnishings, pleasant sitting rooms, comfortable bed chambers, and a library on each floor.
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