"Any mage traveling to this fair city would do well to
hide his talents if his business does not include finding himself the target of a hundred
fanatics trying to convert him at every turn."
- Inroth Brital, Court Magician, Haygen Keep.
"Never cause trouble in a city with over 40
mages..."
- Brax the Impotent, cursed trader.
| Ruler | The Light of Carrikos and Well of all Essence, Radiance of the East, Destroyer of Infidels, Slayer of Ignorance and Keeper of the Sacred Texts, His Holiness, the Lord Mage Priest of Carrikos, Valyrian Syr |
| Population | 25,000 |
| Demographics | Human 80%, Grum 10%, Dwarven 5%, Elven 3%, Borrellian 1% |
| Languages | Carrik 50%, Northern 25%, Rukemian 25% |
| Nationality | Carrikos |
| National Colors | Blue and yellow |
| Year Founded | 387 |
| Currency | Carrikosian |
| Natural Resources and Manufactured Goods | Magical paraphernalia, literature and knowledge, enchanted weapons and objects, crafted glass ware, fine metal work, quarried granite and stonework, sheep, cattle, orichcalcum and sunstones |
| Wealth | Very Wealthy |
| Government Type | Magocracy |
| Government Stability | Very stable |
| Allies | Rukemia, Falkir Clans, Vorrik |
| Enemies | Duthelm |
| Walled | Yes |
| Crime Level | Moderate |
| Technology Level | Dark Ages |
| Primary Religion | Carrikos (Official State Religion) |
| Other Religions | None |
| Climate | Temperate |
| Terrain | Lightly forested, rolling hills |
During the years preceding the Focusing, at the height of the Assembly's rise to power, the Church of Carrikos was the most powerful Church in the empire and was the unofficial church of the Assembly. The Church of Carrikos was most powerful in the city of Siral.
Shortly after the Sundering, a schism occurred in the religious elite of the Empire. The faithful of Carrikos were scattered by the Sundering and the war that followed. It was a dark time for the church. Many loyal followers left the church while the church was attacked politically and physically because of its ties with the Assembly. The few priests left in Siral were driven out and the main temple in Siral was burned to the ground. This continued for many years as the church slowly bled to death. The priests of Carrikos settled in other cities across the empire. The religion became diffuse and weak. By the end of the war, the church of Carrikos was almost completely wiped out.
Finally, in early 387 CY, several of the remaining loyal priests of Carrikos led by the Bishop Birran drew together the scattered members of the Church and returned to the ruins of the temple in Siral. Birran's passion and faith spurned those around him to action. Word spread quickly among the followers reaching every shrine, every tavern, every hedge wizard. Many former followers ignored the pilgrimage back to Siral, but enough joined to start over. From a religion which had once numbered in the tens of thousands, some 700 worshipers returned to Siral with Birran.
Those who followed Birran back to the ruins did so for different reasons. They did so to escape the fighting, to unite in strength, to find some peace in religion, but most importantly, to rebuild. They came back to rebuild the ruins at Siral and rebuild the religion that had once ruled so prominently. Progress began slowly. The city had been abandoned and most of the buildings lie in ruin and so the faithful began again from scratch.
During this time, Birran and his followers were condemned as extremists who had "broken from the true church" by other Carrikosian priests. But these other priests, scattered and spread out, lacked the central, focused seat of power that Birran was establishing. Over the years, more followers flocked to the rebirth of Siral. The voices of protest from other priests and other churches soon faded.
Within three decades, a new city stood upon the ruins. Although small, construction continued, as did the influx of converts and returning faithful. To consecrate this beginning, Birran renamed the city Arcanum. He also wrote the first chapters of the Carrikosian philosophies, a sacred text which would be added to by each successive leader of Arcanum.
Over the years, Arcanum expanded its borders and annexed local villages. As it grew, the new church instituted a number of traditions and practices which persist to this day. It would take a few centuries, but eventually all dissenting voices would be converted to the new church or moded out. In the year of 650 CY, Arcanum would declare all lands under its control a separate political entity - the nation of Carrikos - in honor of the deity they worshiped.
Arcanum is an absolute theocratic monarchy, with the Lord Priest as sovereign. Upon his election as supreme pontiff of the Church of Carrikos, he assumes complete civil and political authority in the state. The Lord Priest personally oversees many of the cities administrative functions with the help of the City Council. He also assumes the role of spiritual leader of the church.
The Church of Carrikos is the government. It is an extremely powerful organization and also quite corrupt. The Church is ruled with an iron hand by his holiness, Valyrian Syr, the currently reigning Lord Priest of Carrikos. Valyrian is an aging human male with a neatly trimmed grey beard, piercing steel grey eyes and a thin, bony frame. Beneath him is a strictly tiered hierarchical structure of offices and titles. Directly serving Valyrian Syr is the High Council which consists of twelve archbishops. This council is responsible for all executive and legislative decisions in Carrikos. They directly support Valyrian. Each member of the High Council is served by a staff of five bishops. These 60 bishops hold various offices in the government and carry out many of the administrative duties. Serving the bishops are several hundred priests who directly administer to the people, lead congregations, heal the sick and generally promote the faith. At the lowest level of the Church are a group of 100 Templars, also known as mage knights. These Templars are a blend of knight, wizard and priest who use steel, spell and faith to accomplish their tasks.
Citizens wear badges to indicate their rank and position within the government: church member, Templar, priest, bishop, archbishop, etc. These badges vary in color and design and are often incorporated directly into clothing. Only non-citizens and non-believers do not wear these badges.
Arcanum is a strict city with numerous laws:
Large weapons (two handed swords, long bows, heavy crossbows, etc.) and armor heavier than chainmail are strictly prohibited within the city walls. Visitors to the city will have such tools of war confiscated at the city gates. They are given a voucher to later reclaim their weapons upon exiting the city. This voucher is a scroll, stamped with the seal of the City Guard, which bears the name of the visitor and a description of the items held. An identical voucher is held with the items.
Upon entering the city, visitors are asked their religion. Those who worship "false" gods are forbidden to display the holy symbol of Carrikos anywhere upon their person. In this way, non-believers are easily recognized since citizens and worshipers all display the symbol of Carrikos openly. There is no magical determination of a person's religion. It is simply asked by the gate guards. It is assumed that visitors would dare not lie about such an important matter as their religious beliefs. While it would be easy for a pagan to lie and claim to be a worshiper of Carrikos, such perjury is considered the highest insult against Carrikos and impersonating a worshiper is punishable by death if caught.
Not every one in the city is considered a citizen. Only about one third of the population of Arcanum are citizens. The requirements of citizenship are many:
The benefits of citizenship are many:
Arcanum's legal system is a very strict and formal system of court proceedings, committee reviews and other rituals steeped in tradition. Penalties include fines, imprisonment, public beatings, banishment and service to the Church. Only the most severe crimes, usually crimes against the Church, may warrant execution. Executions are used to make examples of the criminals to reinforce the Church position of absolute authority. These executions are usually public events and involve ritualistic torture and execution.
Arcanum's military is divided up into three distinct groups: the Ship Guard, the Church and the City Guard detailed below.
The Ship Guard is the navy of Carrikos. It consists of the fighters, sailors, officers and captains that man the small fleet. Since Arcanum is Carrikos' only major port city, the Ship Guard is based in Arcanum. Arcanum's fleet consists of 8 large warships each of which has one captain, ten officers and a crew of 50.
The Church Guard is the elite fighting force of the Church known as Templars. These templars are holy knights and combine steel with spell casting and special abilities given to them by the Church and Carrikos. The knights wear full plate armor, fight with long swords and are skilled magi in their own right with potent spell ability. The Church Guard patrol the Temple, the Palace and also serve as the personal bodyguards of the Valyrian Syr and the Archbishops. There are exactly 100 of these Templars and this number never varies. They are the best warriors in the military. Many graduates of the Seminary study hard to become Templars and the competition to be included in this exclusive group is fierce.
Arcanum's economy is strong and stable. The Church carefully monitors what goods are being sold and purchased in the city. Certain items - drugs, magic items, slavery, etc - is very closely monitored and the Church will often step in to deny certain practices. The church does not allow slavery, and is extremely strict with regards to pagan literature or magical artifacts. Such items, whether it be scriptures from another church or a magic item closely associated with another deity, will be confiscated and destroyed. This applies especially to literature. Only books that have been approved by the Church may be possessed.
Arcanum has its underworld, like any city. In response to this oppressive atmosphere, a black market in censored literature, Kalimuran technology, slavery and other restricted items has developed.
The society within the city is very much devoted to the worship of Carrikos. Mass is held every day at noon at the temple (for the nobility) and at the various shrines and churches (for the commoners) about the city. Attendance at these smaller masses is not required and citizens attend at their convenience. Once each week, every worshiper is required to suspend their work and daily activities to devote the entire day to worship, prayer and meditation. This is especially true among the mages.
Arcanum is a unique city due to its religiously based government and the nature of its deity. Arcanum has more mages per capita than any other nation. Almost one person in 50 in this city is capable of some magical ability. The population includes charlatans and hedge wizards, true mages, priests of the church, the Church Guard, members of Corvenian blood, students studying magic at the Academy and those who simply dabble in the mystic arts.
Because of all this, the Church must deal with a high level of magic, spell casters and magic items that are constantly circulating through the city. To control this much magic, the Church uses special spells to "scan" the city regularly. These divination spells sense ripples in the universal energy field. This allows the Church officials to keep track of the following:
A large disturbance in the universal energy field (for instance, the sudden appearance or use of a powerful evil artifact from another religion or perhaps a magical Gate to Hell opening up) will certainly be sensed by the Church and a large contingent of Church Guards, city guards and Church officials will show up on the doorstep of the offender. On occasion, the Church has been known to simply drag everyone off to the dungeon and sort it out later.
Both the commoners and nobles are encouraged to support the spellcasters of the city in any way possible. Taverns and inns often give discounts to mages. The nobles often give monetary contributions and gifts to the Seminary and the Guild of Magi. A visiting spell caster who is not a citizen or worshiper will often find himself the recipient of frequent gifts and visits by nobles, Church officials and Guild members. Such visits and gifts are, of course, designed to sway the visiting mage to stay in Carrikos, pursue the worship of their deity and apply for citizenship.
Behind the social tapestry of the city are two groups who hold covert meetings in an endless masquerade of underworld politics and intrigue. The Prophets of Drellikar work secretly within the city forever searching for a way to undo the Sundering which they believe wounded Nature so many centuries ago. Directly opposed to the Prophets are Alrem's Apostles, a small fanatical group of mages that worship the Alliance, Alrem and his accomplishment of the Focusing. The Apostles operate openly in Arcanum and are tolerated as only a minor annoyance by the officials.
The Festival of Spells
Early in spring each year, Carrikos holds a grand festival called the Festival
of Spells. It has subtle religious undertones and is conducted by the Church and
the Syndicate. However, it is a festival for the people and is put on by the
mages of the city. Spell casters of all level, from common hedge wizard to
Syndicate members, participate. It is a time for the wizards to show off. Magic
shows are put on to entertain children. Apprentices are chosen while others
graduate and take their leave from their masters. Finally, the Syndicate will
unveil a project that will help the city in some way. Such projects unite the
Syndicate and represent many weeks of work.
The Annual Gathering of the Syndicate
Once each year, in late spring, the members of the Syndicate gather to share
their accumulated knowledge. Members unveil research, new spells, new enchanted
items and more. Seminars, forums, demonstrations, competitions and awards are typical. Each member
of the Syndicate is allowed to bring an entourage of 5 apprentices. The
gathering is held at the Guild of Magi and lasts for four days. This gathering
is closed to the general public.
1. The Syndicate is disbanding. Internal conflicts between ranking members have proven irresolvable. The exact nature of this power struggle is unknown. The Church of Carrikos has been forced to intervene lest a civil war erupt in the midst of the city.
2. The Church is searching for a renegade wizard who is hiding somewhere in the city. The rumors conflict with regards to why he is being hunted, but the Church has placed a high priority on his immediate arrest.
The city of Arcanum is divided up into six districts: The Holy District, The Scholar's District, The Noble District, The Merchant's District, The Common District and The Port District.
The Holy District
Street Lights
The streets of this grand city are lit at night with fancy glass
spheres that alight with fire from within. Each is mounted atop a decorative
iron mount and bracket. Whole sections of the city are liat at once by remote
with a spell.
The Palace
The official residence of His Holiness, the Lord Mage Priest Valyrian Syr, is Arcanum's Palace. It is the largest building in the city and is situated on the tallest hill, overlooking the city and affording sweeping vistas of the cityscape below. Here the high priest directs the government of the nation and is the spiritual leader of the Church.
In 432 CY, his Holiness, the Lord Priest Vashir built a house on Treloon Hill in the south quarter of the city. The Lord Priests who followed made repeated additions. Thus gradually the house became a palace. Today the palace is a collection of interconnected buildings, pools, gardens and winding walkways. Different sections reflect the tastes of each Lord Priest who built it. Hence, varying architecture and design differentiates buildings of different periods. The entire palace covers 15 acres and contain more than 1,400 rooms. Much of the surrounding area consists of formal gardens. This is the official residence of the ruling Lord Priest. It also houses, the secretary of state, the Master of Ceremonies, the High Chancellor, the Archbishops of Carrikos, various other city officials and a large number of servants. The remainder of the grounds is given over to the Palace Library, the Palace Museum and several barracks for the House Guards.
The Gallery
The Gallery is the Palace's
museum/archive which houses hundreds of paintings by Ceur, Xirazi, Daikan, Ja'uol,
Galletrin, Arwonis, Disaka, Kaemec, Chiravonti and Jamigar. In addition, the Gallery holds
collections of Pre-Sundering sculptures, ancient poetry and masterful frescoes. The
Gallery also contains and displays large collections of relics from Assembly, Thullian,
Traxxian and Irenni origin. The immense archives contain records of the Carrikosian church
dating back to the Sundering and even earlier. Equally important to scholars is the
collection of manuscripts and early printed books in the library, one of the great
libraries of the world. There is also a major map collection.
The Syndicate Guildhall
The Syndicate, the group of 40 elite wizards (see below), operates from the
Syndicate Guildhall. This magnificent building is a massive tower of dark grey
stone which floats some 150 feet above the city. This structure sits upon a
small island of rock as if it were ripped from the ground and floats above a
broad expanse of tiled ground, the Guild Hall Grounds. Syndicate members use a
series of floating platforms to ferry them to and from the various doors and
gates of the tower above.
Arcanum Garrison
This is the main garrison of Arcanum which houses many soldiers and
city guards. Officers, troops and even templars can be seen coming and going day and
night. Petty criminals, such as pickpockets and others that the Church has no interest in,
are kept in the dungeons below this building. Run by General Torian Damdroch.
Gillum's Square
The main market of Arcanum. Run by Bishop Gillum.
The City Guard consists of 800 troops which patrol in five man teams. City guards are armed with chainmail, white tunics adorned with the symbol of the Arcanum city guard in black, broad swords, shields, cloaks and heavy boots.The fifth man in the team is the leader and holds the rank of lieutenant. Ten teams report to a captain. Each captain has a methkari crystal medallion (for detecting magic items and wizards) and is, himself, skilled in both combat and spellcraft, able to cast a few spells.
The Temple Of Carrikos
The Temple of Carrikos is the largest church in
the world and is the main temple and religious center
of Arcanum and the entire nation. It is built on the site of
ancient ruins which are believed to be the ruins of the original Pres-Sundering Church of
Carrikos, the same Church where Assembly Mage Lords went to pray. The present structure
was completed in after more than a century of building. Notable architects and artisans
directed the construction. Among them were Borimen, Fallyr, and, perhaps most important,
Berilli Domaskin. Domaskin designed the central dome and main chamber which rises 500 feet
above the floor. It can be seen from all districts of Arcanum. It is a
magnificent building,made entirely of white stone. It is a monstrous construction,
boasting fifteen floors and dozens of spires. This is considered the most holy of all
places by the faithful and it is tradition that all followers of Carrikos make a
pilgrimage to pray in this building at least once a year.
Besides being a place of worship and holy ground,
many practical functions are carried out at the temple of Carrikos. The temple entertains
dignitaries from foreign lands and carries on the functions of the seat of governmental
power. In addition, the official mint of Arcanum is housed within the temple and once each
month, a new batch of
magical coins are created.
Many celebrated artists have contributed to the rich ornamentation of the interior. Above the high altar, where traditionally none may stand except the Lord Mage Priest, is the well-known Throne of Syr, a magnificently ornamented chair carved from a single block of satin stone. This work of art, whose back rises nine feet, was fashioned by Domaskin. The legendary artist is also responsible for many of the wall decorations, paintings, statues and even the tiled floor.
The Halls of Prayer
This is the common name for any of the small churches and shrines
in Arcanum. Forty two of these establishments exist scattered about the city. These Halls
of Prayer are the main centers of worship for the common citizenry. All followers are
embraced at these places. Bishop Achim Dyr is the ranking Church official responsible for
all of this halls.
The Meditarium
The most celebrated section of the palace is the Meditarium, also known as the
Hall of Light. This magnificent chamber is said to be the most beautiful single room ever
created. Every surface in this room - floor, walls, ceiling and pillars - is elaborately
carved in bas relief and decorated with the rarest metals and gemstones. Several thousand
golden panels on the walls contain scripture from the Carrikosian Philosophies, one verse
each. The ceiling is divided into sixteen panels, each depicting a scene from the ancient
past. All sixteen together depict the story of the rise of the Assembly, the Purification
Campaigns, the Focusing and finally, the Sundering.
This chamber has only one purpose - to commune with Carrikos. It is the most holy sanctuary of the Lord Mage Priest. Here, he retreats from the outside world to meditate and fast. It is said that here he converses directly with the All Seeing Carrikos. A single burgundy cushion, for kneeling, rests in the center of the floor. This cushion is dented from the impression of the dozens of Lord Mage Priests who came before. While meditating in this chamber, the Lord Mage Priest is considered to be between this world and the next. He is above Khoras, beyond reach. None may enter for any reason. Should the sun wink out or the moons fall from the sky, it does not matter. None may enter.
The Vault of Memories
The Vault of Memories is the official state crypt. It is a beautiful building of
ornate marble, skylights and stained glass windows. All high ranking servants of
the Church (bishops and above) are buried here with honor. The Vault currently
houses the remains of some 400 former bishops and archbishops. The remains of
former Mage Lord Priests are also kept here in enormous decorated marble
sarcophagi.
The Seminary
The Seminary is the official academy of higher learning in
Arcanum. It is run by the church and staffed by priests of Carrikos who both teach and
carry on administrative functions. It teaches a wide array of disciplines: literature,
history, mathematics, geography, languages, philosophy and, of course, magical studies
necessary for the casting of spells. All of these teachings are, naturally, skewed
somewhat to fit with the basic tenants of the Church. The Seminary is a demanding school
that flunks more than half of each year's students. Those that graduate from this school
(only about 25 each year) are skilled magi and in great demand. The most talented students
are invited to serve the Church directly. Run by Bishop Revendyr Av'rall.
The Grandious Holy Library of Arcanum
This a sprawling complex, actually several old buildings and towers connected by
beautiful white stone bridges, supported twenty feet in the air by marble pillars- called
the Sky Walks. The only area open to the general public is the main chamber, which
contains illuminated texts and minute-reads which praise the genius of Carrikos. No books
or scrolls from any other nation are available here, for the public's protection. Only
mages are permitted to take to the Sky Walks to examine the written lies of the outside
world. It is Bishop Lor'thra's job, as the Grand Librarian of the church, to direct his
acolytes in deciding what is appropriate for the common citizenry and what is to be kept
hidden away, reserved only for those who have been properly trained to resist such unholy
material.
The Marble Magnate
Statue of Carrikos. Twenty meters tall and all marble.
Grand Magus Theatre
Playhouse and theatre.
High Priest Valyrian Syr
The Church is ruled with an
iron hand by his holiness, Valyrian Syr, the currently reigning Lord Priest of Carrikos.
Valyrian is an aging human male with a neatly trimmed grey beard, piercing steel grey eyes
and a thin, bony frame.
Arch Bishop Karadess Allin, Speaker of the Council
Famous for a fiery temper and uncompromising morals, Arch Bishop Karadess
Allin is one of the most severe and obstinate religious leaders who pursues the
faith and the war against heresy as a zealot. As the Speaker of the High
Council, he guides the flow of every meeting and holds great sway in the
government. He enjoys the privilege of frequent private audiences with His
Holiness.
Arch Bishop Unvar Ilethus
The archbishop Ilethus is the most tolerant of the High Council members. It
is known that his fanatic devotion to the faith estranged his daughter who fled
the city years ago with an infidel priest. She has not been seen since and Unvar
still waits for any word from her. Since the incident, he has changed his ways
and is now acclaimed for his compassion and leniency toward non-believers. These
days he preaches conversion guided by reason and mercy. In council, Unvar
usually argues for compassion and teaching over more drastic action.
Arch Bishop Agrassi Muer
Agrassi Muer (ah-GRA-see MARE) is a well traveled and worldly man of faith.
His frequent trips to distant lands makes him often absent from council
meetings. Invariably he returns with tales of adventure and courage to entertain
and educate. He always puts a religious spin on them and turns them into tales
of Carrikosian wisdom and magic triumphing over adversity. Agrassi Muer is
a master story teller and his skilled elocution aids him greatly in council.
General Torian Damdroch, Commanding Officer of Miliary
Forces
The leader of the Carrikosian military forces is General Torian Damdroch. He
is a virtuous knight, a religious scholar, a gentlemen and a hardened veteran of
battle. He feels honored to serve Carrikos in his role, but also feels
constrained by religious protocol and ceremony... although he would not publicly
admit that.
The Syndicate
Arcanum is sometimes referred to as the
"City of 40 Mages" and this is not without reason. Despite the concentration of magic in the citizenry, most of these magically
skilled citizens are of moderate accomplishment. True wizards are few and far
between in the world. In Arcanum, there are a great number. These masters of
magic are the most skilled in the nation. These men and women number only 40,
but they are the elite of Arcanum and Carrikos. Collectively, there are known as
the Syndicate. The citizenry knows each of them by name. The members of the
Syndicate are celebrities, enjoy great privileges and wield enormous political
clout with the government.
The size of the Syndicate is significant. For centuries, Arcanum has declared a specific number of 'true" wizards within the city and is quite proud of its population of wizards. It has become a tradition. The number is often tabulated, debated and flaunted before other nations. It should be noted that 40 wizards in one city is a staggering concentration of magical ability. No where else in the world does such a group exist.
| No | Name | Owner/Operator | Description |
| 1 | The Literarum | Bishop Jom Donahir | Library - The Arcanum Literarum is the domain of the scribes. Within the walls of this building, dozens of scribes endlessly copy manuscript after manuscript, letter by letter. The daily proceedings of the Church are recorded here and filed for prosperity. Ancient works are copied so that they will not be lost. And some works are copied so that they may be distributed to city libraries, certain church benefactors and the nobility. This division of the church also publishes liturgical and juridical works of the priests and mages of the city as well as works pertaining to the government of the state. In addition it publishes the official bulletin, The Arcanus, a sort of weekly newsletter of the city which is distributed only to the papal and nobility. |
| 2 | Guild of Magi | Mhrol Val | Guild Hall - The wizard's guild of Arcanum is known as the Guild of Magi. This great hall serves as a place of learning and social gathering for all the common citizenry of Arcanum who are capable of magic but are not affiliated with the Church or government. All members are followers of Carrikos and most are wizards, but do not hold any significant rank in the city. The Guild Master is a human named Mhrol Val. Officially, the Guild of Magi is separate from the Church, but many strong ties exist. |
| 3 | The Arcanum Tower of Knowledge | Grandok | Museum/Archive - Grandok's tower is a well known establishment with strong ties to the church. It serves as museum, archive, store house and place of historical learning. It houses some of the most holy relics of this religion, artifacts of pagan religions (as curiosities only), magic items from centuries past, pre- Sundering relics and more. The nobles and elite of the city often entertain guests and foreigners here, to show off the glory and beauty of the followers' proud traditions. Security is high. |
| 4 | The Ruby Tower | Bergos Jol | Inn - Distinctive for its unique architecture, this large inn is made entirely from translucent red bricks with a twin tower design. It obviously caters only to those with great wealth. The establishment has over 100 rooms. Each room is large, clean and private with a master bed, bathing hall, silk pillows, excellent security, private servants and more. Every conceivable luxury (perfumed baths, laundry, scribes, the finest wines and tobaccos) is available. One night at this inn costs 30 gold pieces. Only worshipers of Carrikos may stay here and then, usually only ranking officials within the city. |
| 5 | Inn of the Blinding Light | Ab'som Lem | Inn/Tavern - A popular inn/tavern that caters to the wealthy. As usual, only followers of Carrikos are allowed to stay here. Typically, room is ten gold pieces per night. The inn is run by the oldest son of the Arden' sal Lem, who, though not a mage, is one of the richest and most respected patrons in Arcanum. The family is known for sponsoring many a promising young student through the halls of The Seminary. |
| 6 | The Wayward Sextant | Massey | Inn - Known as the best choice for foreigners to stay, this reasonably clean inn is run by a kind man, a former outsider himself. Massey, who converted ten years ago, treats travelers openly and fairly. He believes that Carrikos' wisdom is infinite and that shunning newcomers will only drive them back to their lives of ignorance. And even though inscribed copies of The Carrikosian Philosophies are very expensive, Massey has invested his life savings to provide a bound copy in each private room. He is gregarious and will often inquire as to a traveler's spiritual health, relating the story of his own conversion, a very moving (and very long) tale of personal redemption. |
| 7 | Inn of Infidels | Yarrol | Inn - A small and poor quality inn that allows non-worshippers to stay. Only common rooms are available (holding 30 people each) and there are no beds, only straw covered floors. Price is a ridiculous five gold per night. The proprietor, Yarrol, is a bitter failed wizard who would rather be doing something else. Were his establishment not one of the few in town that accepts foreign money, he'd be out of business in a second. Yarrol maintains a few "projects" on the side, and has so far remained one step ahead of the authorities. |
| 8 | Jinra's | Jinra | Apothecary - This large shop is run by a determined and stubborn human woman who runs this shop alone. Three days every week, Jinra shuts down her shop and ventures out into the woods along the coast north of the city to gather useful plants, flowers, roots and berries. She then brings them back to her shop to work on them - steeping certain herbs in alcohol to make a tincture, drying them in the sun on her roof, crushing berries in a wooden mixing bowl to make a poultice, whatever is necessary. She is quite skilled at plant lore and knows all the secrets of the forest. Although she is a follower of Carrikos on paper, she often argues passionately with Carrikosian wizards about the healing value that may be found in a simple plant. She herself uses no magic, but can cure just about any ill with common sense and the right herbal tea. She really is that good. While most proper followers of the faith shun her small store because of her ways, she does a good business with traveling merchants, mercenaries, adventuring bands, minstrels - anyone who needs a wound healed, a cough suppressed, a scar removed or an elixir to cloud the thoughts of a pretty girl... |
| 9 | Muld's Leathery | Muld | Leather Shop - Muld is a full bloodied ogre. Although ogres come and go through the city gates as members of traveling bands, Muld is one of the few ogres who live in the City of Light. Muld is a simple man just trying to make a living and not stir up trouble. He knows that the authorities keep an eye on him and many of the locals distrust his race. Still, he has managed to make friends, build a business and banish much of the suspicion toward him. |
| 10 | Blades of Faith | Tiran Faythe | Smithy - This well established metal working shop specializes in swords and long daggers, but also does work on battle axe blades, arrow heads and other items that have some sort of blade. It is run by a smith of mediocre talent who is passionate about the church of Carrikos. He is an absolute zealot and refuses to do business with pagan nonbelievers. If forced to sell to a pagan for some reason, he will charge outrageous prices. In general, he is a cruel and petty man, not above corruption. Tiran is a tall, lean man notable for a large hawk nose and dead black eyes. |
| 11 | A Simple Stone | Tomas Wileck | Stone Mason Shop - This small shop takes its name from a well known line of scripture in the Carrikosian Philosophies. It is run by a soft-spoken, unassuming man of medium height and build with balding grey hair and a pair of brass spectacles perched upon his nose. (Tomas has terrible eyesight and is nearly blind without his spectacles). They were fashioned for him by a ranking member of the wizard's guild in Arcanum in lieu of payment for a stonework job that Tomas had done on the wizard's home. Luckily, even without his spectacles, Tomas' work does not require much vision. He often works with his nose mere inches from the stone before him. |
| 12 | The Artifact | Sar Karavotis | General Store and Trading Post - Sar Karavotis is a Vorrikan by birth brought to Arcanum when he was a boy. He resented the stiff laws of his new home and was often in trouble with the authorities growing up. Upon the death of his father, he inherited the shop. Sar pays lip service to Carrikos but is not a true believer. He is careful never to cross the line lest the authorities investigate his store too closely. Sar has a secret he would rather they didn't find. Sar is a member of the city thieves guild and the Artifact is their main hide out. Several secret chambers are dug beneath this building with multiple secret entrances and tunnels leading to other buildings. The leaders of the underworld guild meet here once each week. For the past 12 years, this has been one of the best kept secrets in Arcanum. Thanks to several members knowledgeable in spellcraft, they have managed to evade even the magic wielding church officials. |
| 13 | Wooden Avatar | Jas Brudner | Woodworking Shop - Atop this circular wooden tower is a 12 foot oak statue of Carrikos, hand crafted to the most exacting detail as an example of the Jas Brudner's skill as a woodworker. Much controversy surrounded the raising of this statue when several town officials declared that the image of Carrikos should be rendered in nothing less valuable than marble. However, the debate got caught up in the courts and many admitted that the craftsmanship was without equal. Eventually, the arguments faded and the statue has become one of the best known landmarks in the city. Either way, Jas cares little. Although he is a follower of Carrikos, he does not overly concern himself with what the gods think. Jas Brudner has three sons and three daughters all of whom he is teaching woodlore. His wife died of illness some years back. Jas will often go out of his way to obtain rare and precious woods, even if this means haggling with outland pagans or travelling to other cities. |
| 14 | Arcanum's Fine Foods | Brogan | Food Shop - A general food store run by Brogan, a tall, massively built bearded man and his tiny bird-like wife. |
| 15 | The Bolted Door | Kordic | Locksmithy/Thieves Guild - Kordic is a dwarf with quick fingers and a keen eye. These traits have made him the most skilled craftsmen of fine metalwork in the city. In his small shop, he fashions all manner of locks, intricate mechanisms, metal tools, small blades, small traps, etc. Kordic's profession fits nicely into his night time associations... the Bolted Door houses the Arcanum's thieves guild in a series of hidden rooms beneath the store. Kordic is a high ranking member. This well hidden guild is completely unknown to the authorities. |
| 16 | Bubbling Cauldron | Shazadi | Tavern - Shazadi is an old human woman whose son is a high ranking wizard at the city guild. She runs a small tavern in the port district which is famous for its seafood chowder. This interesting tavern sits 50 yards off the coast on stilts. Patrons pull their boats up to the building and dock. Two separate entrances allow access during high tide and low tide. |
| 17 | Coiled Whip | Kerkov | Leather Goods - A small leather shop run by a man from Normidia. |
| 18 | Fellstar | Jenna | Flower Shop - Fellstar is a large greenhouse and store that sells flowers, fruits, vegetables, potting soil and gardening supplies. The FellStar is run by a young half-elven woman with a green thumb and her aging human father. She has striking pale blond hair, grey eyes and sun-kissed skin. She is remarkably beautiful and has more suitors than she can count. Currently she is unwed although she has caught the eye of several wealthy men in the city. |
| 19 | Grimoire | Varschuren | Library - A very small library run out of the home of an aging sorcerer. His tomes are mainly magic books and would interest only other mages. |
| 20 | Illfate Orchid | Thangar | Gaming House - Thangar is the owner and proprietor of this establishment. It is a two story stone and wood building built around a large central hall. This hall is the gaming hall and all manner of card and dice games are conducted here. Gambling is the lifeblood of the Illfate Orchid and fortunes and won and lost every day. In order to prevent anyone from cheating with magic, the house rule is "No magic within the walls of the Illfate Orchid". Thangar has several large methkari crystals which he uses to discourage the use of magic. Some are strategically placed about the room and one he wears about his neck. Even magic items are forbidden within these walls. Thangar also has two young mages on the premises that keep an eye on the clientele. The regular patrons of this hall accept the rule. After all, it ensures a fair game for all concerned. |
| 21 | Ink and Quill | Maqar | Library/Scribe Services - This small library is run by a mage/librarian and a small staff of four scribes. They will happily translate and or copy any document for a fee. They also store valuable books for clients, make maps and other tasks. |
| 22 | Master's Staff | Haegan | Woodcarver's Shop - Intricate wood carvings and collectibles. Haegan fashions a variety of wood into staves, chess boards, cutting boards, dart boards, etc. High prices but very good quality craftsmanship. |
| 23 | Agrenar's Efficacious Elixirs | Agrenar | Alchemist's Shop - This small shop is a blend of alchemist's lab and apothecary. Agrenar, a very short balding man with a nasally voice, specializes in potions. Also, dabbles in poison, herbs, healing roots and the like. |
| 24 | Sunrun's Wizardly Paraphenalia | Sunrun | Magic Supply Shop - Sunrun is a grum who always dreamed of being a wizard. However, he lacked any scholarly ability whatsoever. Unable to give up on his dream, he created a shop for wizards so that he would be surrounded by the learned men. Sunrun's little shop is filled with balances, beakers, bottles, cages, caldrons, candles, herbs, hourglasses, jars, lamps, lenses, scrolls, pots, quills, scrolls, tools, wires and a thousand unidentifiable knickknacks. Sunrun loves nothing more than to engage in magical discussions with the wizards of this city. He often stays up late at night reading spell books that he doesn't understand. This is actually a well stocked little shop with good prices. Of course, if you're a wizard, he'll talk your ear off. |
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This page last updated Monday, October 08, 2007. Copyright 1990-2008 David M. Roomes.