Greystream
On the edge of the Craters of Crellan, a constant dark swirling cloud spirals above a town known as Greystream. One of, if not the only settlement to be openly run by Necromancers throughout the lands. At the head of this town is the Crellan Creed, an oppresive cult that gives a false impression of free will.
Oh you don't wanna go there matey. Bad place, real bad place. And I'm not talking the flirty fun kind of bad. I'm talking the Real Deal. Blood wielders everywhere! So much dark magic it has a god damn vortex above it! If that don't scream bad juju then I don't know what does. One curse away from opening a portal to the gates of Hell I'm telling ya.
Location:
The town can be found on the North East quarter of the Craters of Crellan and West of the River Ibin. Looking from the outside, viewers will be able to notice the large swirling vortex of dark clouds that formed above the town due to the surplus of dark magical energy within the town. Upon viewing the town itself, you will be able to see the backs of two storey buildings circling the entire town, acting as a wall to defend against outsiders. There is only 3 visible ways into Greystream, each with a guard house and accompanying guards to control who enters the dark streets.Architecture:
Once inside the town, there is a typical medieval look to the buildings, with grey stone bases and overhanging 2nd floors made of a variety of mid toned woods. Each building is supported by dark logs carved with various runes and sigils from the books of necromancy, blood magic and other dark magical schools. Sitting on top of some buildings are hexagonal towers with tall coned spires reaching for the skies. If you have a good eye, you would be able to spot metallic weather vanes and aura rods at the peak of these towers to divert lightning strikes and uncontrolled aura strikes from the streets. The streets are wide with large uneven shaped cobbles laid at the base, the clouds above darken the streets even in midday, so to combat this, there is lampposts with gas lanterns floating on the edges of roads to light the way. If you were unaware of the dark forces that live on every corner of this town, one might find it rather pleasant.Tourist Spots:
The presence of dark magic is felt but not clearly seen unless looking at the details of runes on the patterns of walls and windows as well as the tall, gothic church near the centre of the town. Here, is where the Crellan Creed pray to Crellan, Acuran of Craters. Other notable locations in Greystream include the mini monolith, emitting a calming charm throughout the streets, the town hall and Golden Nail Bank. Along with temples and shrines dedicated to ancestors such as NerocNeroc and Crater Acuran himself. Many secrets lie within the town and are only visible to those who know of their existence, making it a hostile location for anyone not on good terms with the Creed.Rumour has it, there was a solo Minauran who dared venture into Greystream in attempt to rescue a boy from their clutches. Good fighter in a green cloak with a pair of mallets to defend himself, got the nicknamed the Creed Killer. But no one has seen him in months, not even sure if he is alive at this point.
The Ruling Cult:
Greystream is widely known as the main hub for the Crellan Creed Creed, a cult under the belief of free will and spreading their message by corrupted actions. This includes taking control of the town and forcing residents to follow their ways or suffer the consequences. This metaphorical seat that the group sit upon acts as a watch point for the several other villages and towns under their rule. At the top of the ranks is the Priest of Crellan, the current acting priest is simply known as The Strategist, who lives within the protective walls of Greystream. Planning the expansion of power within the realm of magic.Historic Highlights:
The origins of Greystream began as an alliance between Minauran and the city of Maerah at the dawn of the Dark times. The town was constructed to give the non magical people a real home, a haven of safety from the beasts of the wilds in the same way the Acuran of Stone did for her people building the ancient city. But once Maerah fell under mysterious circumstances, the Creed took the opportunity to seize the town, driving out the old townsfolk in a matter of weeks. Soon after the town was under control, they enlisted the help of a mercenany group known as the Iron Nail. Professionals at their jobs but came with a high price. Their knowledge of non magical weaponry and the greed for gold made them ideal for the Creed's plans for protection and economy in their new town. So an alliance was formed, the Iron Nails were given a base of operations in exchange for access to the town treasury. A risky alliance but one that paid off, evolving the Iron Nails into the Golden Nail Banking Corporation seen in the town to this day. In more recent times, after The Strategist took the top seat of the organisation, a strange new law was passed in the town. One which declared any wood brought into the walls of the settlement has to be doused in alchemy oil before entering the town. The reason for this was to reduce the number of Nikkan infestations throughout the chaotic city. In addition to this law, a new monolith casting a calming charm across the town ensures that citizens follow the laws provided, whether they agree or not.
Type
Large town
The basis of the cult at the core of Greystream is interesting. I see you put a lot of effort into the underpinnings of that place. For me as a reader i would also like to know, which "vibes" city has? Is it a place of marble, built by the undead minions "acquired" in the many raids and financed with the stuff they plundered from towns? Is it a giant junkyard, because the necromancers didn't care about the appearance and so ignored the damages caused by the crusaders trying to exterminate them and their cult? Is it a town complete in black and black magic to frighten ever one who even dares to think to attack it? As a additional note, for me it appeared that the text is unstructured and therefore more difficult to read than necessary. It might be helpful to give the segments headlines. (Like maybe "Backstory" for paragraph 2, 3 and 5 and "Ruler" for paragraph 4)
Thank you for the feedback, looking back I can see where you're coming from. Not much of the city aesthetics. I'll add it to the list of articles I'm revising :)