Soteropolis N Azure

Soteropolis:

  Soteropolis The Sapphire Sentinel of the Sea of Azure Founded: 13 Demeter, -9800 AD | Current Year: 501 CD   Quick Facts
  • Original Name: Salt Marsh (Founded by Mencheres)
  • Renamed Cario by the Nammer Dynasty
  • Later Name: Ephesus (Renamed by the Black Legion)
  • Modern Name: Soteropolis (Renamed by King Arthur Pendragon in 1 CD)
  • Region: Soteropolis Region, Realm of Avalon
  • Population: ~150,000
  • Major Exports: Fish, naval goods, olive oil, scrolls, arcane relics
  • Notable Features: Great Library of Azure, 5th Brigade HQ, Naval Command, Dragonfall Memorial
  • Last Sighting of a Dragon: Ephesus, Year -1 AD
  Origins: The Age of Founding The city's history is ancient, even by Avalonian standards. Founded on 13 Demeter, -9800 AD, by the legendary explorer, Mencheres, the original city of Cario began as a coastal enclave that flourished thanks to the bountiful Sea of Azure.     The Salt Marsh & Mencheres: Dawn of the Azure Age Long before Soteropolis became the jewel of the southwest, before even the name Ephesus echoed across marble halls, there was The Salt Marsh—a humid, briny delta nestled between river and sea. It was here, in the year -9800 AD, that a visionary named Mencheres laid the foundation of what would become one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.   Serving under the early Narmer Dynasty, Mencheres was not only a devout priest and gifted seer, but a seasoned mariner and master fisherman, renowned across tribal coasts for his uncanny ability to find fish where others found only waves. He believed that the sea itself whispered secrets to those who respected its balance.   With the blessing of Narmer pharohs,  Mencheres expanded the Salt Marsh settlement northward into fertile lands, establishing trade outposts, saltworks, and sanctuaries that would eventually grow into the OreIda Region. These early expansions cemented the Narmer Dynasty's presence in what would later be called the Realm of Avalon.   But Mencheres’s destiny lay not just on land. Driven by visions of crystal spires rising from the sea, he sailed west into the uncharted blue and discovered the fabled city of Atlantis—a place he helped found and name. His maritime journeys and cultural expansions marked the dawn of Egyptian rule in the southern reaches of Azure, bringing astronomy, writing, and sacred rites to tribes still navigating by stars and wind.   It was said that Cario, the capital city he built upon his return to the Salt Marsh, was the first jewel in Narmer’s golden crown—a shining beacon of civilization and the mother-city of all Azure's southern greatness. Its harbor temples, salt domes, and wave-carved monuments echoed not just power, but reverence for sea and sky.   Though Atlantis would fall in cataclysm, and Ephesus would rise in its place, the legacy of Mencheres lives on in every scroll in the Great Library of Azure, in every seasoned fisher casting nets at dawn, and in the tides that still crash upon the shores of modern Soteropolis.   The Atlantis Disaster & Black Legion Rule In -5000 AD, the world-shaking catastrophe known as the Atlantis Disaster shattered that empire. Cario was ravaged by storms, but endured—only to be conquered a generation later by the rising Black Legion, who renamed the city Ephesus.   By -4855 AD, the Harker family—most notably Albertus Harker—was appointed governor by the Black Legion Emperor, ruling the city and surrounding region as a militarized coastal bastion for nearly 4800 years. Their stone fortresses, straight roads, aqueducts, and coliseums still define parts of the urban landscape today.   The War of the Ancients & Rebirth Ephesus stood as the final stronghold of the Black Legion in North Azure during the War of the Ancients, resisting the forces of Avalon until 1 Luna, -1 AD, when it finally fell to the legendary Pendragons of Avalon. The sighting of a living dragon in the skies above Ephesus marked the final omen of the Black Legion's fall—this dragon is the last confirmed sighting of its kind in the realm to this day.   In 1 CD, King Arthur Pendragon officially renamed the city Soteropolis, meaning "City of the Savior," both to mark its liberation and honor its future as a bastion of peace and knowledge.   The Dual Identity: Roman-Greek Culture in an Avalonian World For the next century, Soteropolis remained under a pseudo-autonomous rule, as Avalon’s coffers were drained from decades of war. Roman customs and Harker-era laws endured, and the city became a haven for pirates, exiled noble houses, and mercantile crime syndicates.   Today, the city is a true cultural crossroads. Roughly 50% of its population traces their lineage back to the Romans and Greeks who thrived during the Black Legion's era. The other half are Avalonians or those who have fully integrated into Avalon’s systems. A small but fervent sect of traditionalists still follow the old Roman ways, sometimes clashing with royal authority, especially under the current Regional Duke.   Modern Significance Soteropolis is now a shining jewel of Avalon, with major institutions of military, learning, and trade:  
  • The 5th Brigade of the Crimson Dragons and 5th Fleet of Avalon’s navy are permanently stationed here, keeping watch over the Sea of Azure.
  • The Great Library of Azure holds some of the oldest tomes in the realm, including fragments of pre-Atlantis writings.
  • The Twelve Families, descendants of those who helped Avalon bring down the Black Legion, wield enormous influence, often acting as regional lords within the city.
  • Dragonfall Memorial, located at the top of the city’s ancient citadel, commemorates the final dragon sighting. Many believe the dragon seen then was a Dovahkiin mount, and rumors persist that the ancient creature slumbers in the depths of the sea nearby.
  Legacy of Mencheres Though his name is largely forgotten outside scholarly circles, Mencheres' legacy endures. Some locals believe he still walks the earth in secret. Murals in the Great Library depict him in ancient Egyptian garb, staff raised toward the stars, eyes glowing with arcane fire.   Many believe that beneath Soteropolis lies the first stone laid by Mencheres himself, rumored to be imbued with primordial magic.   A City of Depths Soteropolis is layered with secrets, history, and legend. Beneath its polished plazas and busy ports lie catacombs, ancient Egyptian vaults, and ruins of Black Legion temples. Treasure hunters, historians, and would-be revolutionaries all dig—sometimes literally—into the city’s past, hoping to reshape its future.

Demographics

  • 50 Percent human
  • 10 percent Minotaur
  • 10 Percent Dwarf
  • 10 percent Halfling
  • 05 percent elf
  • 05 Percent Gnome
  • 05 percent Dragon Born
  • 05 percent other races. 

Government

  • Soteropolis is run by a city council of the 10 ranking nobles who are chosen by the crown.
  • Duke Caeso Calvisius Fagus
  • Marquise Aithra Lydus
  • Earl Skiron Hippasus
  • Count Lars Veturius Leon
  • Baroness Dagwyn Oakencrown. 
  • Baroness Hermione Priskos
  • Baron Nicholas Ocytos
  • Baron Agrippa Silius Pilatus
  • Baron Marcus Potitius Cupitas
  • Baroness Camilia Arcavia

Defences

City Gate:
  • Soteropolois is the Head Quarters of the 5th Brigade consisting of one division in Soteropolis and two other divisions spread through out the Soteropolis region.
  • Barracks and Jail:
  • Built on a low hill, the Soteropolis barracks are also its jail. It is one of the few structures in Soteropolis with an underground level. The jailer, Kraddok Stonehorn is an old comrade of Eliander. He is a stickler for the rules, and Eliander trusts him with his life.
  • The jail in the cellar consists of two sections. A single large chamber holds drunks, brawling fishers, and other troublemakers who need to cool off for a few nights. The lock is high quality and the door is built of stout wood with a small window to allow guards to check in on their charges. A side passage holds six individual cells with higher-quality locks and solid doors that lack windows. One cell was long ago warded against both teleportation and divination magic. Spellcasters are kept here, blindfolded and manacled. Occasionally Eliander uses this cell to conduct meetings that require the utmost secrecy.
  • The jail is used to hold prisoners with sentences of up to a year, but those facing longer terms or sentenced to hard labor are transferred to the prison at Seaton, a larger, heavily fortified port to the north.
Hoolwatch Tower:
  • This 60-foot-tall tower was the first defensive building of Soteropolis, and it still serves as an armory and lookout as well as the official base of the Crimson Dragon and Crimson Guard. Eliander spends most of his time here in his duties as commander of the Crimson Guard. He sometimes has need for adventurers, and at such times he posts jobs on a board hanging by the tower’s entrance.

Industry & Trade

Fishmongers’ Plants:
  • The large fish-processing buildings in this area reek of prosperity (and fish). All are engaged in salting or brineing the catch brought in by the fleet. Most of the time these places are busy, and the workers have little time for chatter.
Industrial warehouses.
  • Being the biggest city in the area all goods from the local farms and towns are stored in  large warehouse that are intertwined in the fishing district. These large warehouse store the products that come and go to Soteropolis.

Infrastructure

Harker Keep:
  • Watched by Ingo Drover who is the Stewart of the old Harker Keep. He keeps a very low profile, but he has slowly built a reputation as a good source for guards, marines, and muscle when sailing through difficult waters. His only link to his prior life is his campaign medals — souvenirs that remind him of his former glories Ingo ( male human) has a good friendship with Eliander. The two sometimes meet for a drink and share stories of their experiences in the military.

Districts

  1. Fishing/warehouse District
  2. Market District
  3. Business District
  4. Temple District
  5. Common District
  6. High Quarters District.
  7. Guild District 

Assets

Kester’s Leather Goods:
  • Kiorna Kester (Female human) runs this tannery, where she produces smooth, colorful leather for every purpose and sells both the cured hides and items she fashions from it. Kiorna is keenly interested in acquiring hides from exotic creatures to craft into expensive leather. She pays a fee in gold pieces equal to 100 times a creature’s challenge rating for the intact hide of any beast or monstrosity of challenge rating 3 or higher. Harvesting the hide from such a creature requires an intact carcass, an hour of work, and a successful DC 15 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) or Wisdom (Survival) check to preserve it in top condition for Kiorna’s purposes. On a failed check, the hide does not meet Kiorna’s standards but can still be sold for a lesser price.
  Weekly Market:
  • Built around the first well dug for the fishers in the town’s early days is a large market square where merchants of all descriptions gather on the first day of each week to sell their wares. Initially established to sell fish, the market has grown to include a wide variety of goods. The center area of the square contains a dozen long tables where shoppers can eat communally.
The Dwarven Anvil:
  • The blacksmith’s forge has a single anvil with a clear sign of dwarven origins, and a backlog of orders ten miles long. The human smiths make hooks, nails, harpoons, knives, fishing weights, and much more all day. Their master smith is an elderly, dark-skinned woman named Mafera ( female human her son, Jasker ( male human), is her best journeyman. A small shrine to Hephaestus can be found under the eaves as well, though it is somewhat neglected. Some of the dwarves associated with the new mining operation would like to know how a human came into ownership of such fine dwarven tools.
Soteropolis Cemetery:
  • The town’s cemetery is well-kept, but many of its graves are little more than memorial stones laid for those who died at sea. Krag (male half-orc commoner) is the town gravedigger, as well as something of a town historian and local lore master. He has conducted extensive research into the folk buried here and events in the region. He can be an invaluable resource for adventurers seeking information and is especially helpful to those who can help him with his research.
  • In his spare time, Krag helps organize and translate Eliander’s library. He keeps a room in the guard commander’s home, and the two are close friends.
  Winston’s Store:
  • The owner of this establishment, a retired rogue, knows a great deal about the Hool Marshes. Winston ( male halfling ) spent years as an outlaw lurking in the marshes. The increased presence of law enforcement in Soteropolis has him on edge. He does business with sailors, adventurers, and those who need “solid goods at honest prices,” as he often says. Winston has a few maps of the marshes, and those who intend to explore that area often consult with him for guidance.
Alastor Noddiing Rugs:
  • Owned by Melissa Alastor a Calashite native who's family has been in Soteropolis since the the Black Legion Empire. She imports rugs from all over YonZora. She has several stores located through out the Soteropolis region. Her prices range from common to exquisite depending on the quality of the rugs.
Glittergem Mutual Holdings:
  • This bank branch is owned by Zanbar Glittergem. The Glittergems is a family of gnomes who found favor with the Pendragons because of their financial prowess. They are have a bank branch in every major city in the Kingdom of Avalon. The Glitterems are also renowed for gem cutting.
Obswald Candle Emporium:
  • The inventer of scented candles. The famed wizard using some magic created a mired of secented candles that last longer then the average candel. Besides Candels his ship is full knik Knacks made by gnomes. Obswald has several candle shops throught out the Soteropolis region. He also imports his candles through out Azure.
Bright Fire Emporium: This magic shop is one of Eight shops owned by Bonnie Stormwalker. The Arch Mage of Avalon.  The Eternal Flame: Adnum Bravebuster a dwarf of 150 years who runs this black smith fixing weapons, minor ship repairs,. He is considered a master craftsman.

Guilds and Factions

Mariners’ Guildhall:
  • The mariners’ guild serves all the towns along the coast, providing a bunk and a meal for sailors passing through. Sea captains in search of a crew stop here, as do others seeking news from afar. The guildhall is an excellent place to discuss seafaring, as well as the various threats to navigation along the coast.
 
    Carpenters’ Guildhall:
  • Run by a snobby gnome named Jilar Kanklesten ( female gnome commoner), the carpenters’ guild has plenty of work building houses, assembling fish barrels, repairing docks, and much more. The whole building is a marvel of workmanship, made without a single nail. Jilar is obsessed with rare woods; she pays handsomely for adventurers to make expeditions in search of specific trees in the Hool Marshes, the Drowned Forest, and the Dreadwood.
  Council Hall:
  • This large brick building contains the offices of the town council and the chamber where they meet to discuss the town business. The hall is built from sturdy stone from the nearby cliffs and a variety of hardwood from the nearby Hool Marshes. A wooden sign depicting a net filled with fish hangs above the double doors leading into the hall. A small tower rises from the building, housing a horn at the top, which is blown to announce the beginning of a council session or other significant events.
  • The town has a sturdy but weatherbeaten platform and gallows in front of the hall for use in the event of an execution. Such punishments are rare, but when they do occur, they draw a large crowd. In any given week, there is a 2 percent chance of an execution, usually of some bandit or other non-native ne’er-d o-well.
8. Adventurers' Guild Description: A prominent and well-respected guild that coordinates and supports adventurers who take on quests ranging from local errands to epic journeys. Known as the Acquisitions Incorporated Franchise K , this guild serves as a hub for adventurers seeking employment and camaraderie.
  1. Guildmaster: Arceven Stromwalker, A Halfling Wizard/artificer of royal blood
  2. Key Members: Dagon Innsmouth (Cleric), Dagwyn Oakencrown (Rogue/Ranger), Dimmir Brightlight (Barbarian), Marik Blight (Fighter), Jasmal Moonbrooke (Cleric/Wizard), Karinn Pfaphnyrennish (Paladin), Conan enamed (Rouge), Zayrdi Kan (Druid), and Raz'Thrak Bloodhoof (Paladin)
  3. Influence: The Adventurers' Guild influences local security by dealing with threats such as monsters, bandits, and other dangers. They contribute to the city's economy by bringing in treasures and rare items from their quests, and often collaborate with other factions on matters requiring their unique skills.
  4. Services: The guild offers training, equipment, and resources for adventurers. They also maintain a job board with various quests and missions, providing opportunities for both novice and experienced adventurers.

History

Soteropolis was founded on 13 Demeter, -9800 AD by Mencheres. He named the the city Cario and began expanding north in what would be come OreIda. He then would go on to Find Atlantis and begin the Egyptian rule in the early years of Azure. After the Atlantis Disaster in the year -5000 AD the Black Legion moved into into the region renaming city Ephesus. Albertus Harker became Governor in the year -4855 AD with his family ruling until -1AD after the Black Legion was defeated by Pendragons of Avalon. King Arthur renamed the city Soteropolis in 1CD. Soteropolis was the last city to see a living dragon.

Points of interest

Sharkfin Bridge:
  • This single large bridge spans the river, with shops and homes along its length. The bridge predates the village and is large enough for laden carts to pass two abreast. Elves and fey folk feel vaguely nauseated when they cross the bridge, owing to an ancient curse placed on it long before Avalon rose to existence.
The Leap:
  • The Leap is an outcropping of rock nearly a hundred feet above the churning water below. Several stone benches stand near this precipitous edge, and a few stone markers sit in the tall grass nearby. Traditionally, the people of Soteropolis leap from the cliffs into the water below when a loved one drowns at sea. The jump is usually not fatal; the water below the Leap is free of rocks, and it is a short swim back to dry land.

Tourism

The Great Library of Azure: Tucked at the edge of town and overlooking the sea, The humongous grand library is a relaxing sanctuary away from the bustle of Soteropolis.  (male Wood Elf) maintains the largest library in Avalon; during his days of military service, he made a hobby of collecting rare books. If you need information on the history of Avalon or Soteropolis, you will find it in archives.   Standing Stones
  • Two enormous runestones stand on this island. In ages past, a siren was chained to the stones here and sacrificed by a priest of Atlantis as an offering to the sea. Since then, the fishing in the region has flourished. The siren’s spirit was captured in the stones, and her captivating song continues to echo through the weave and draw fish to the area. The siren’s sisters and allies, among them a powerful djinn, have scoured the planes in search of her spirit for centuries.
Unknown Temple:
  • On the same island as the standing stones this temple is in good shape for as old as it is. No one knows who this temple belongs to
Temple of Poseidon:
  • Services at this long-standing sea god’s temple are well attended. The congregation is led by a one-legged former whaler: Wellgar Brinehanded (CG male human priest), an older human man with a sharp memory for every storm, lost ship, and enormous catch ever brought into Soteropolis harbor. He knows many fanciful stories of shipwrecks, lucky escapes, and famous captains. Matters ashore rarely interest him, but the temple and its bell tower are also served by a half-dozen novitiates and laypeople who keep things running smoothly. Wellgar uses the blessings of Poseidon to seek out shipwrecks in order to recover the remains of sailors for a proper burial. He is willing to trade cleric spells of up to 5th level, including raise dead, in return for recovery of the remains he seeks.
  Temple of Other Gods:
  • This temple is here for the worship of the other Greek pantheons'
Founding Date
-9800 AD
Alternative Name(s)
Ephesus
Type
Large city
Population
150,000
Location under
Soteropolis N Azure
Ruling/Owning Rank
Duke/Duchess
Owning Organization
Avalon
Related Tradition (Primary)

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