Roseport
Roseport, also known as the City of Splendors or the Crown of the North, is the most important and influential city in the North and perhaps in all Faerun. It was a marvelous, cosmopolitan city of great culture that attracted the most talented artisans, artists, and scholars from across the Realms, as well as a commercial hub and port for financial interests along the coast and beyond.
It was one of if not the most powerful and influential member-states of the Lords' Alliance, the coalition of nations and city-states that sought to maintain order along the Sword Coast and the North.
Government
Roseport is ruled by a council of 12 masked governors, although they do in turn answer to high lord Stregebor. however, anyone worth their salt in Roseport knows that high lord Stregebor and his council operate under the thumb of the mysterious leader of the IAG, Edwin Rosethorn. none the less, this council writes laws, enacts tariffs, and can elect people into other positions of power, such as town watch captain and dock master.
Defences
Roseport maintained two separate armed forces, the City Guard and the City Watch. The City Guard served as Roseport's soldiery and its members staffed garrisons, road patrols, and watchposts, and served as bodyguards and gate guards. The Watch was the local police force, acting as a constabulary within the city. More delicate missions were handled by Force Grey, an elite force of retired spellslingers, mages, and veteran fighters.
Roseport has strong walls on its landward sides and was protected in part by a series of large rocky hills, Cantershaw bluffs, on the cities seaward side. the bluffs are also ringed with walls, towers, and defensive structures, with caves and passages carved inside. the bluffs housed more militaristic resources for the city, including a retinue of griffin knights.
Aside from this, Roseport also benefited from a large native population of the adventurers that were often more than willing to deal with any and all miscreants that threatened their home city.
Infrastructure
as a sprawling metropolis that has grown fat off of the surrounding lands and the many adventurers that call it home, Roseport is one of the most advanced cities on the Sword Coast. there is a sewage system, magic vending machines, and a rail system has even been recently installed. roads within the city are paved with cobble, and there is a deep water port that the city has access to.
Districts
Roseport, like any city, is divided into a number of city wards. until the 11th century however, the city was much more divided along these district lines, with separate guard companies and restricted passage between them. however, the need for greater urban development led for these barriers to begin to open up, and while many of the walls remain, many are now more landmarks than practical defenses.
the central ward of the city was built around Roseport hill, and encompassed much of the government of the city. located within was Castle Roseport, the central place of governance, as well as Fridain palace, the home the current high lord of Roseport, and Blackstaff tower, home of the archmage of Roseport. it was also the home of many retired adventurers.
other notable locations include:
Castle Ward
- the halls of justice, a fortress temple to the god Tyr.
- Thayan embassy, built around a portal to thay that allows for the visitation of the famed red wizards.
- New Olamn, a bard college of some prestige.
City of The Dead
this large, park like area of the city was Roseport's primary cemetery, housing the majority of the cities dead. during the day, the city of the dead was host to a wide variety of activities. there included, but were not limited to: being an exercise run, a dueling ground, a playground, a picnic area, a meeting-moot, a place where courting lovers could meet in private, and a performance venue for minstrels (and would-be minstrels). by night, however, the cemetery was off limits to the public. while being a quiet, unassuming place, the walls surrounding the area were robust, with a 24/7 guard presence. while this was assumed to be to prevent tampering and graffiti, the actual reason for the security was to protect the Roseport citizens from the occasional restless undead or carrion creatures.Sea Ward
Guilds and Factions
"if it exists, theres a bloody guild for it. around here, its simple as ABCs: arcanists, bakers, and criminals. whole lot of em got a guild, dont ask me how"
- unnamed IAG agent
its said that in Roseport, guilds run the city as much as the local lords. these trade and manufacturing organizations control the lifeblood of the city, keeping it's well oiled gears spinning, and goods coming and going from the city. these groups exist in no small part due to the age of the city, as well as its protected deep water port. this flow of wealth has allowed for the proliferation of a merchant class, and allowed them to further prosper and organize their trades. for outsiders trying to get a start, it can be a tedious pile of paperwork, but the price of guild fees can almost always mean top quality work from licensed artisans.
guilds in Roseport have had a spotty history, after the famed guildwars of 1256, lasting until 1262. after extended efforts of many of the guild masters to discover the identities of the various masked lords of Roseport, and proceeded to have many of them assassinated. in the following power vacuum, many of the guild leaders filled in roles in the cities council. however, what followed was not an era of unparalleled trade, but a near decade of brutal assassinations and mercenary skirmishes within the city. while Edwin and the IAG was operating in the city at the time, he has declined commenting on his part in this, if he played any.
Alternative Name(s)
City of Splendors, Crown of the North
Type
Large city
Population
nearly 2,000,000 in Roseport and surrounding lands
