Raven Spire

-Gaming related post about my current chronicle -

Ravenspire is one of two territories which guards the eastern border from various invaders. Ravenspire is located north, and to the far south is Uldrak. Ravenspire sits at a very dangerous place, the main city sits at the front of many smaller cities to the west of it, like a shield. Ravenspire houses a massive army, and they employ many tactics unheard of or banned in other territories. The main city of ravenspire is a massive circle, it has walls on the outer most reach of the circle to protect the inner city. Outside of the walls to the west is what is called the commoners district, though it is undefended by the safety of the inner city it has never been attacked, due to the strategic location of the city itself, and the surrounding craggy landscape to the sides of the commoners district. Behind, or west of the commoners district is massive farmlands, and patrols constantly keep watch and vigil over the area to ensure the land isnt invaded. Inside the city the inner wheel is divided into four areas. The Eastern most area is the Military sector. This houses most of the military bases and the eastern wall has massive watch towers that spiral up over the walls. The east gate is almost always kept shut, though it does open in the morning from the 10th morning bell to the 2nd bell. Traveling north around the inner wheel one would stumble walk into the Religious sector, and this area houses massive temples, places for worship, and buildings for higher learning. Universities and libraries are just as common in the religious sector as are the temples, and thanks to Yun and Cynofir many of the temples double as libraries and universities. Traveling West and south one would find the Warehouse and Common sector. The common sector of the inner walls is a bit different and is actually reserved for slightly higher caste than true commoners. The area is massive, though the common sector disapears as you get further south, becoming mostly warehouses and storage houses. As one travels south past the ware houses and begins to come full circle he would move east and meet the trading sector. This massive sector houses stores, shops, craftsman of all sorts and specialists ranging from alchemists to mercenary stations. As you travel further east and then north back towards the military sector you would hit the Adventurers Sector, a nice sized area with inns, bars, taverns, and specialty stores designed to give adventurers more expensive quality goods at there disposal. Since most adventurers head east, most of the taverns inns and bars are fairly close towards the east gate, and the military and adventurer district blur together close to the gate. Aside from the massive outer circle there is an inner circle seperated by smaller walls. The inner circle can be accessed by 4 gates on the 4 main sectors of the city, and most of the time the gates are open, and well guarded. The inner circle houses the nobility. At the center of the inner circle is the Main Palace, a fortress like construction where the Duke lives. The current duke is a quiet, serious man and noted warlord. He is an excellent strategist and a man of war, though the politicians working under him have ran the city quite well and fairly. People of Raven Spire tend to be around 6' tall on average, and all true bloods of raven spire have black hair. The people of raven spire tend to have broad shoulders and high constitution, as ages of constant battle and war have made them premier warriors. Unlike most other places, the women of ravenspire stand just as tall as the men, and women are expected to fight in wars just as men are. Equality exists fairly easily in raven spire, though this is out of necessity more than any defined ettiquette. Resources cannot be squandered, and if a woman can kill a goblin or barbarian, than it is a waste of resources not to use them. Penalties for most serious law offenders in raven spire are death or forced military service, which usually results in death. Murderers and the like are usually put to the battlefield as shock troops or fodder. Some crimes are punishable by death, such as impersonating a messenger, horse theft, and evading military service. All those born or raised in ravenspire are expected to serve in the military for two years when they are considered adults, thus all those living in ravenspire know a thing or two about war, and the horrors of it. People of ravenspire tend to be grim individuals who only speak when it is required. There etiquette often seems forced, though the people do tend to enjoy victory celebrations when they can afford the resources. Noblitiy in raven spire tends to come from powerful tradesmen who offer coin to the city and the war efforts, and to the military leaders and heros who have proven themselves on the battlefields. Politicians who run ravenspire under the duke tend to be tacticians and older military leaders and advisors, with a smattering of tradesman to help with specific aspects of ravenspire.

Adventurers - Places of Interest -
Within the adventurers sector one can find many places to enjoy themselves.

Hallowed Cellar - The cellar as many call it is a comfortable large bar in the basement of a larger building. The Cellar ranges in price, though it caters to most adventurers, and so the price is a bit high. The cellar was once considered a tavern, but these days is considered a high end bar, though they do serve some food during the later bells.

Happy Widow - The happy widow is a larger tavern, it serves food and drink and is a relatively new structure. The prices are high, but the service excellent. The widows owner is an older woman, a renowned war veteran and hero of ravenspire, though she seldom tends the place herself.

Dead Rooster - This dive is for the shadier types of adventures, many wish they'd just place a sign outside that says "evil welcome". Aside from its bad reputation and the common murders happening in and around the place, it is an excellent place to find information of the hard to find and illegal variety.

Crystal Ball - This is an elite tavern and dining spot for the rich adventurers. There is a strict dress code and its a good place for well mannered adventurers to unwind amid-st finer things, but still be among others of there kind. Though expensive, the crystal ball is extremely popular to those that can afford it.

Golden Down - The golden down is a high end arcanists shop. Wands, staves, books, archaic lore, scrolls, magical components, and various magical items can be found within the Golden Down, though they do not sell potions or the like. The golden down always has a high elf maintaining the shop. The prices are high, but the goods are of a quality that makes the price worth it.

Black Vials - Black Vials is an apothecary and potion shop, though they are separated enough to prevent accidents. Black Vials has labeled potions and poisons, and the owner or clerk have detailed information as to who makes and sells the potions and such to them. Black Vials has fair prices, though like most places healing potions and the like tend to be expensive.

Quarter Stalls - This is the nickname given to the private vendors and the like that sell there trades along the adventurer quarters. The stalls usually sell found gear and goods that were acquired from adventurers, though they do as much buying as they do selling. The Quarter Stalls are a nice place to hunt for bargains and surprises, though it can take a fair amount of time, sometimes days, just to find what your looking for.



Temples of Note -

The Crystal Library - A library in the divine sector which is funded by Cynofir. The Crystal Library also has attached buildings which act as a private school. Admission to the school is steep.

The Revealed - The revealed is a new building created and funded by the fallenshield family. It is a temple to Kaylah, and also serves as a library and offers public schooling.

Star Room - The Star Room is a large building which acts as a temple of Ember, though priests of avania are also welcome and common. The Star Room is a massive building where just about any map can be found and purchased, they also pay for copies of maps, specifically of unexplored places, or lost places. Star Room sells guides and also has a teleportation circle within the temple, though it is extremely expensive.

Research Foundry - This large university like building acts as a library, university and government funded research facility. The Research Foundry actually consists of several buildings. For a bit of money the Foundry can rent out labs and research rooms, and they are willing to fund research that looks fruitful, so long as they are offered any results the research turns up.

Other Notes -
 House Void Crest - This is a rival house to the fallenshields, and are politically powerful. Many believe that the house gets there power and knowledge from an ancient pact they are said to have made with Ganniveil, though some whisper the pact was actually made with Fayn, and with there tyrannical style of leading and governing, there may be some truth to it.