The World Of Khoras - Civilization - Cities
"The only thing superior to the scholars of Orrojek is
their arrogance at keeping their technological marvels from the world."
- Patrick Qaigen, House Qaigen, Drakkellian Guild
| Ruler | His Most Enlightened Potentate of Knowledge, Leader of the Technomancers, Prime Minister Albert Myrasen |
| Population | 35,400 |
| Demographics | Human 30%, Dwarven 25%, Grum 15%, Elven 11%, Karthasian 8%, Phellysian 5%, Orc 4%, Ogre 2% |
| Languages | Southern 80%, Drakkellin 15%, Elven 5% |
| Nationality | Kalimura |
| National Colors | Red and grey |
| Year Founded | 1523 |
| Currency | Kalimuran bills of credit |
| Natural Resources and Manufactured Goods | Iron ore, copper, refined metals, coal, weapons, armor, ships, lumber, fish, literature, advanced learning, methkari crystals |
| Wealth | Very Wealthy |
| Government Type | Democracy |
| Government Stability | Very Stable |
| Allies | Drakkellian Alliance |
| Enemies | Myria |
| Walled | Yes |
| Crime Level | Low |
| Technology Level | Pre-Industrial |
| Primary Religion | None |
| Other Religions | None |
| Climate | Temperate |
| Terrain | Coastal grassland |
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| The Craftsmen's Keep | The University of Kalimura |
Orrojek has a very formal academic atmosphere. The city is clean, organized and seems somewhat restrained. This is not a city of festivals. Orrojek is an idyllic, serene setting with formal buildings, manicured lawns, neatly trimmed bushes, plotted gardens and large parks.
Another thing one might notice about Orrojek is that many people wear uniforms of one sort or another. While it is true that most buildings have guards stationed at entrances, the uniforms that one will see around the city are not always military. Professors, craftsmen and others of such ilk will often have outfits of a particular cut and style which marks them as a member of a particular guild or school. This trend of pseudo-uniforms is the closest thing to a fashion statement that one might find in this city. In any case, this is a notable difference from the nobles of other cities who strut about in fancy clothes and gaudy jewelery.
Orrojek is not a very socially stratified city either. Whereas some cities have a marked difference between the elite nobles who squander their wealth and the abject poverty of the commoners, everyone is Orrojek seems to be relatively well off. Such extremes in wealth and poverty seem to have been somewhat evened out into a ruling middle class of craftsmen and laborers.
Orrojek has several excellent libraries, workshops and small museums. Most buildings are made up dark sandstone and exhibit a blend of dwarven and Traxxian architecture.
All Fools Fest
The largest festival in Kalimura is an annual event called All Fools Fest.
During this week long affair, citizens craft and wear a variety of masks and
costumes. The theme for this festival is the folly of magic and religion. Most
people will dress up as priests, wizards, witches and such. Garbed so, the
participants will grossly exaggerate the characteristics of the religion they
are portraying and mock the laws of the church. In all, it is a gay, festive
time of pranks, contests and masked balls. The All Fools Festival happens in
early autumn each year and is held in all towns and villages. During this
festival, wizards and priests who are in town are treated as celebrities for the
duration of the festival. Oft times they are bought drinks and asked questions
about their faith or magic. However, many simply do not put up with it as the
pretense of sincerity is tissue thin and the mockery behind it is obvious.
Orrojek Assembly Hall
The Orrojek Assembly Hall is the
main government building of the nation. This domed capital building is an architectural
marvel combining the best aspects of Human and Dwarven craftsmanship. The dome itself is a
half sphere 200 feet in diameter and sits atop a large two story building. The Assembly
Hall houses 150 chambers, mostly small conference rooms, libraries and large meeting
halls. The entire structure is crafted of white stone. Technomancers meet regularly with
city planners and politicians to pass and debate over legislation.
University of Kalimura
The University is the pride of Kalimura. It is a luxurious
estate of twelve great stone buildings arranged among terraced gardens, pools of clear
water and cobblestone walkways. This is a place of great learning. Here, sages and
scholars, savants and craftsmen, are invited to teach. Those who can afford it send their
children here to learn the arts of science and mathematics and to master the crafts. The
age-old practice of apprenticeship still exists within Kalimura for common trades -
smithing, herbalism, brewing, cobbling. The University instructs its students in such
matters as metaphysics, philosophy, engineering, diplomacy, military tactics, ancient
languages, mathematics, poetry and the like. Students graduating from the University often
obtain lucrative positions from family friends in positions of authority. The school
master of this university is Master Pucharin Lecram.
The Academy of Sciences
The serious scholars and scientists of Kalimura gather within this beautiful
stone building to learn, study, discuss and experiment. The Academy has a number
of resources for scholars... it is equipped with a number of fine libraries,
council chambers, laboratories and such. A great deal of research and
experimentation occurs within these walls. Experimental results are evaluated
and official standards are decided upon. Graduates of the University continue
post graduate work here. Many teachers at the University are active researchers
who can be found here in the evening. Total number of members of the Academy is
75 with a staff of 40.
The Progress Towers
The Progress Towers keep watch over all entrances to the
city, by land or sea. They exist to keep track of government technology, and to make sure
that some of the more sensitive Kalimuran advances never leave the city without
authorization.They also keep to the rigid detail of confiscating all magic items before
travelers are allowed entrance. Plus there's the standard lecture to all visiting mages to
keep their magic to themselves, if they don't want any trouble. Lines can sometimes
develop on busy days. The Towers are manned with various militia troops, officers and city
officials. All the Progress Towers are ruled by General Sothby.
The Tower of the Corps
The Tower of the Corps is a sight to behold. This stout
stone tower dominates the city scape. It stands over 150 feet tall and is made of dark
grey stone blocks each three feet square. The Tower houses the officers of the Corps (the
city militia).This includes offices, sleeping quarters, training facilities, storage
rooms, armories, stables, kennels and more. The Tower houses up to 600 soldiers.
Commander General Krandel Morosh is the supreme military officer of Kalimura.
The City House of Coins and Bills
The city mint, along with it's several money changers
throughout the city, will offer a fairly reasonable exchange rate for most foreign
currency. Since the rate at most shops in town is much higher, it's recommended that
travelers stop at one of these stations first. Kalimuran credit is the world's only
existing system of paper money, so it takes foreigners a while to get used to it. One
monad is roughly equivalent to one Drakkellian gold lord (as far as purchase power is
concerned). For every 10 Drakkellian gold lords converted to monads, there is a fee of one
gold. Lord Ikran Suth, a dwarf of advanced years, meticulously accounts for the coinage
that passes through this hall.
The City Guard of Orrojek is very well equipped like the Kalimuran military. City guards wear heavy plate armor and wield fine, serrated steel blades. They wear heavy helmets, gauntlets, heavy boots and great cloaks. They patrol the city in groups of five. (Four soldiers and one officer). The City Guard consists of a total of 1,500 men. Because of this, Orrojek is a very safe city.
Because of Kalimura's underlying social philosophy of science over faith, there are no churches, temples or shrines anywhere in the city. The city has not gone so far as to outlaw prayer or personal faith, but any such religious activities are to be kept in the privacy of the home. Religiously oriented public gatherings are forbidden, however.
The Bell Tower of Orrojek
In Orrojek, there is a central bell tower which houses an elaborate mechanical
clock connected to a complex set of bells. This technological marvel keeps
perfect time and will strike bells every hour on the hour. At noon each day, the
bells will play a song. The bell tower requires no human intervention and
minimal maintenance. This is one of the things visiting dignitaries are shown
and it is something most citizens of Orrojek are quite proud of. The tower
itself is an ornate thing made of sandstone and copper. The bells are copper and
polished monthly so that they gleam in the sun.
Albert Myrasen, Prime Minister of Kalimura and Guild Master
of the Technomancers
Supreme authority of the nation. Sir Albert Myrasen is the
prime minister of Kalimura.
He is a devout technomancer and passionate about the Kalimuran philosophy. He
rules all of Kalimura, but is politically balanced with a council of ministers.
Jen Blair, Minister of War
Jen Blair is the supreme military commander of Kalimura and leads both the
land and naval forces. He is a brilliant tactician who enjoys the strategy of
war more than war itself. He has little actual battle field experience. Minister
Blair is a clean shaven man of average build with short white hair. He would
like to begin an aggressive campaign against the "primitive" cultures
that surround Kalimura, but the council keeps him in check and limits his funds.
Minister Blair does not respect the cultures of the west and loathes the
phellysians in particular. He has been known to assign extra patrols along the
phellysian border and to push into their territory.
Burg Dietrik, Minister of Finances
Burg Dietrik is the chief financial officer of the nation. As such, he is
charged with regulates taxes and controlling the city's inventories and
treasuries. Minister Dietrik is a large man with short, dark hair. He is a very
gentle, soft spoken man who abhors violence and refuses to carry a weapon. He is
very relaxed in his style of management and treats his subordinates very well.
He is an intelligent man with a remarkable memory. He believes is keeping good,
accurate records and teaches these traits to his staff of 30. He and his staff
produce huge volumes of paperwork each month.
Edgar Conrad, Minister of Foreign Relations
Edgar Conrad is the Minister of Foreign Relations and is the chief of the
diplomatic arm of Kalimura. In such a position, he often finds himself directly
opposed to Minister Blair. Where Minister Conrad seeks to cement strong
relations with Kalimura's cultural neighbors, Minister Blair seeks to provoke
border conflicts. Edgar Conrad is a thin, nervous, high strung man who seems
afraid of everything. He develops a stutter when he becomes flustered. Obsessed
with youth and is using various hair dyes and makeup to appear younger. (He has
even considered using magic, but is afraid of the consequences if he were
caught). He maintains a small ranch outside the city where he raises horses.
Osri Bueshar, Minister of Science
Osri Bueshar is the chief authority of scientific research in Kalimura. He
maintains offices in the Assembly Hall and at the University.
Kurn Haimon, Minister of Guilds
Kurn Haimon is the liaison between the government and the guilds of
Kalimura. As such, he holds meetings with the craftsmen of the city to discuss
policy, technology, patents and such.
Athon Geselher, Minister of Commons
As the Minister of Commons, Athon Geselher is responsible for the day to day
functioning of the city as a whole. He oversees the magistrates, the court
system and a variety of administrative offices.
Peta Ausmin, Minister of the Guard
Chief officer of the City Guard and master of the Nine Keys. Responsible for
maintaining peace and security within the city walls. Also, responsible for
monitoring the flow of imports/exports and ensuring that no unauthorized
Kalimuran technology leaves the city
Grellmon, Leader of the Alliance of Alloys
A remarkably gifted half orc who leads the Alliance
of Alloys.
Pentos Savitson, Kalimuran Scholar
A respected scholar and member of the intellectual elite of the city.
Teaches at the University.
| No | Name | Owner/Operator | Description |
| 1 | Technomancers' Guild House | Lord Pallin | Guild Hall - The Technomancer Guild is the most powerful and influential guild in all of Kalimura. The center of this guild is a large triangular building of odd design. It is entirely wood and graced with tall towers, skywalks, balconies and bridges. It's complex architecture is geometric and dizzying. The building is built entirely over a large pond, spanning it like a great tripod. The pylons that support the building are mammoth structures that drive right into the dirt on the sides of the pond. The Technomancer Guildhouse is center of scientific learning and study. Over 100 members live and work here including Lord Pallin, the Chamberlain of the guild house, who is responsible for its care. The Guildmaster is none other than Sir Albert Myrasen, the Prime Minister of Kalimura. In addition to the many Technomancers, the guildhouse will typically have about 35 servants and one to two dozen student/apprentices. The guildhouse has some of the best workshops, forges and libraries in the city. |
| 2 | Terok's Wares | Terok | General Store - A bizarre general store and trading post. Terok is a tough man to figure out. The self -proclaimed "Grand Inventor of the Sea and Sky", Terok is a little muddled, but nonetheless brilliant. His shop is filled to the ceiling with his many wondrous inventions, although it's not always clear to the layman what all of them are supposedly for. Terok's friends wish that his cleverness was matched by a sense of restraint. His last attempt at a "flying machine" broke both his legs, blew up his kitchen, and permanently blinded his cat. |
| 3 | Coryn's Medicinary | Coryn Treadmist | Apothecary - The Medicinary has one of the finest selections of herbs, incense and tobaccos west of Drakkel. It also houses Orrojek's only fully active underground wizard. Coryn is the epicenter of all illegal magic activity in town. He can provide spell components, enchanted items, and advice to other undergrounds. His motive for staying in Orrojek when his talents could be so much more appreciated elsewhere are uncertain, but he must be truly powerful to have prospered in the city for so long without being detected. |
| 4 | Inn of the Seventh Heaven | Brokus | Inn - The inn of the seventh heaven claims to be the most luxurious inn throughout all of Ithria and it may well be true. This opulant hall boasts 50 rooms that dwarf the rooms at other inns. Each room is a grand suite of three separate chambers; bed chamber, dining room and bathing hall. Servants fulfill every whim of the guests. The food is excellent and available 24 hours a day. The inn offers a number of special services: laundry, guides, messengers, scribes, massage, consorts, perfumed oils for bathing, in-house tailoring and more. Every meal is a banquet complete with musicians and story tellers. Every guest is treated like royalty (and quite often is). However, what this inn is most famous for is a Kalimuran invention. Built into the top floor of this building are twelve 500-gallon vats of water, four of which are heated by a wood burning furnace. These vats are connected to a complex network of copper pipes which run to every suite. These pipes end in spigotts and empty into wash basins and small tubs. This, in effect, makes the Inn of the Seventh Heaven the only building known to have hot and cold running water. (Although other buildings in Kalimura may attempt to copy this idea in the near future). Needless to say, all of this makes the Inn ridiculously expensive. A single night at this inn costs 5 diads (the equivalent of 50 Drakkellian gold lords). Only the very wealthy can afford to stay here. But for those with the funds, it is worth it. |
| 5 | The Craftsmens' Keep | Sotas | Guild Hall - The Craftsmens' Keep is a collection of blacksmith forges, stone masonry chambers, metal working shops, carpentry shops and other work areas housed in a small castle. The Craftsmens Guild is similar to the Technomancers but deals with more traditional trades and crafts. About 75 members work and live at the Keep. |
| 6 | Flayed Priest | Qulloch | Library/Museum - This square stone building in the south end of town is a museum dedicated to Kalimuran technological achievements. Examples of all Kalimuran inventions can be found here along with prototypes, displays showing the evolution of certain technologies and more. There is also a gallery displaying current projects and future ideas. The Flayed Priest also has a very good library. It is run by an old Technomancer named Qulloch who is a fanatic regarding Kalimuran supremacy. He despises all priests and worshipers of any religion. He will even go so far as to forbid entrance to anyone he even suspects of harboring religous feelings. He also hates mages and magic. |
| 7 | Heretic | Netayna Coir | Tavern - The Heretic is a rowdy tavern frequented by the workers and commoners of the city. It serves a particularly good breakfast feast (a combination of scrambled eggs, shredded steak and spiced potatoes). This small tavern is run by Netayna Coir, a friendly human female with a fiery mane of red hair, and her brother Mekrul. |
| 8 | The Gibbering Mouth | Damato | Tavern - This large and clean establishment serves good food and has a dozen small, but clean rooms for rent. It also has a large common room and two suites for a few extra coins per night. The Gibbering Mouth is, some would say, aptly named. It is run by a Damato, the talkative proprietor who tends bar. Orem is a big man with thinning grey hair, a neatly trimmed goatee and a ponytail. Damato is constantly engaging this customers, his staff, even passersby, in conversation about the weather, local political events, news, rumors and gossip. He will often lavish praise on the skills of Stumpy, his one armed cook, while ridiculing the culinary shortcomings of his competition. Oft times, Damato will regale customers with endless stories of his career in the military. The man simply never shuts up. |
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This page last updated Monday, October 08, 2007. Copyright 1990-2008 David M. Roomes.