The World Of Khoras - Civilization - Cities
"A pathetic backwater burg that oversteps its bounds
politically, takes itself far too seriously and dares to tax my river barges."
- Hoag Warner, Vorrikan Business Leader and Guild Master
| Ruler | Lord Mayor Doriath Mosk |
| Population | 35,700 |
| Demographics | Human 35%, Elven 25%, Dwarven 25%, Grum 10%, Avarian 3%, Ogre 2%, Orc 1%, |
| Languages | Northern 50%, Elven 20%, Dwarven 20%, Grumman 5% Avarese 3%, Ogrish 2% |
| Nationality | None. Independent city. |
| National Colors | Green and blue |
| Year Founded | 2176 |
| Currency | Mixed northern and dwarven |
| Natural Resources and Manufactured Goods | Fish, lumber, boats |
| Wealth | Average |
| Government Type | Aristocracy |
| Government Stability | Very Stable |
| Allies | Uthran, Normidia, Arkalia, Avar, Cyrell |
| Enemies | None |
| Walled | No |
| Crime Level | Moderate |
| Technology | Middle Ages |
| Primary Religion | None |
| Other Religion | Daramis, Hurellin, Elven Mysticism, Zothok, Barrinor, Semorjon, Assytia, Erylon |
| Climate | Temperate |
| Terrain | Lake and forested hills |
This unique city is made almost entirely of wood. It is built upon hundreds of stilts and about half of the city actually stands out in the middle of a lake over the water. It is connected to its mainland half by numerous wooden bridges. No magic is involved in the construction. The wood of the bridges and city has been treated with the resin known as fraul to protect it from water damage. "Boat-lanes" exist under the city between stilts in some places. Iron portcullis’s guard the entrances to these boat-lanes.
River Gate was founded long after the Great War. According to the locals, a famous political figure came to live out his final years fishing. Stories conflict as to who the founder really was. If anyone in the city knows for certain, they aren’t saying.
A council of ten elders (and the Lord Mayor) rules in an aristocratic function. These ten men are selected by vote from the nobles of the city and maintain their position for a period of 10 years. The Council holds weekly meetings to discuss matters of the city and occasionally pass judgment on severe criminal cases. Many offices with specific duties are filled with government workers who support the council. Heading the council is the Lord Mayor Doriath Mosk. The council functions in a democratic manner with most decisions put to a vote. Each council member gets one vote while the Lord Mayor's vote counts as three.
The following villages are on the coast of River Gate's lake and are loyal to River Gate: Feasting, Guerin, Malik, Rudari.
Moderate and fair. River Gate enjoys its life of fishing and boating. Those who cause trouble are usually fined or banished. The citizens of River Gate tend to stick together. The city has a small group of magistrates who hear cases and decide on punishment.
The military of River Gate consists of two separate forces which act very much like a city guard. The first is the land based soldiers who patrol the city, stand guard at security checkpoints in the city, provide security for city events and patrol the lands around the city on horseback. The second force is a specialized group of fighters who patrol the waters of the lake in small, fast rowboats. Each row boat has four men who all row. They are all armed and armored. Each carries a two-shot crossbow for long distance combat.
Most of the city’s trade and business is water related. The best small waterborne vessels are constructed in River Gate. River Gate has a wonderful fishing fleet and extensive marine research facilities.
The population is mostly human and dwarven. Elves, avarians and grum pass through often.
Hall of the Council
Council governmental building. This small round building
sits in town, away from the lake shore. It is built around a central circular chamber, the
meeting hall, where the council sits once each week to discuss matters of the city. This
building also holds the city jail, two courtrooms and various conference rooms.
Lake Guard Garrison
This large, stone keep sits on the shore and houses the Lake Guard (a city
militia of 570 members and 40 officers). It has a large dock out front where there are a
dozen or so sleek rowboats sit tied up. These allow city guards to get to all parts of the
lake quickly when needed.
Lake Market
River Gate has a unique public market. It is entirely contained on an island in
the lake about 500 yards from the city docks. Other than docks and a few trees, this small
island is completely empty. Each market day, farmers, craftsmen and other commoners load
up their boats and paddle or sail out to the Lake Market. There are no booths or stalls.
Instead, wares are sold from blankets spread out on the grass, small carts, saddle bags
and tents.
River Gate has 120 men that directly serve the Lord Mayer as wardens and peacekeepers. The guards of River Gate are not a well organized force. They vary considerably in race, equipment and training. They patrol in groups of 2 to 4 men. The city guard occassionally employs the services of bounty hunters, wizards and priests as needed.
River Gate has places of worship for the following deities: Semorjon, Erylon, Daramis, Barrinor, Threll, Ukharan, Gorkon. All churches are centrally located in one place and this city quarter is known as the Sixfold.
Doriath Mosk, Lord Mayor of River Gate
The Lord Mayor Doriath Mosk is a respected elder human. He has broad shoulders, a
neatly trimmed white beard and sparkling grey eyes. He is in excellent physical condition
despite his advanced years. He is easily recognized by his soft, rasping voice which is a
pleasure to listen to and often spins yarns late into the night. He is a widow
with no children. Doriath is very proud of his city and hopes to make it a
shining city of culture that will rival Vogue, Ithell and Arcanum. Part of his
plans including strengthening the military, increasing taxes on river traffic
and making the city more racially tolerant.
Argus Gannaway, City Engineer
Argus Gannaway is the chief city engineer. He is responsible for maintaining
the architecture and mechanisms of the city. He maintains a small staff, but
does a lot of the work himself. He is always busy as there is always something
to fix. Argus has three daughters. His wife died seven years ago giving birth to
the youngest.
| No | Name | Owner/Operator | Description |
| 1 | Cove | Chellain | Inn - The Cove is the largest and most luxurious inn in River Gate. This building stands on stilts out over the waters of the lake next to the docks. It has very comfortable (and expensive) rooms varying from 5 silver swords per night (for one single room) to 5 gold per night (for a master suite). It is run by a half-elf named Chellain and his family. |
| 2 | Footsore Inn | Nok Twar | Inn - The Footsore Inn is a smaller inn that caters to foreigners and travelers, especially those who might be turned away by the other inns. It also has a good tavern. Bar fights are common as the clientele is sometimes less than civilized. Ogres, bathyns, phellysians and sometimes even orcs may be found staying here. This small inn sits on the lake shore and one wing stretches out over the water, standing on stilts, as do several of the buildings in this city. Rooms are small and cheap, but the food is good. |
| 3 | Drifting Boat | Kyra Mellev | Trading Post - The Drifting Boat is the general store and trading post of River Gate. This four story building sits on the lake shore and sells every item imaginable along with a variety of small boats, sailboats and nautical equipment. This establishment also rents boats on a daily basis. |
| 4 | Drunken Dragon | Sinadrian Finn | Tavern - A very large and popular tavern. Run by a tall, red haired half-Bathyn who is exiled from his homeland for reasons he will not speak of. A great blade hangs on the wall above the bar. Notches in its edge speak of great battles patrons can only guess at and its intimidating presence helps keep the peace. Sinadrian's daughter, a 17 year old red haired beauty, serves drinks and food. Sinadrian tolerates no indiscretions when it comes to his one and only daughter. |
| 5 | Billowing Canvas | Cumara Tyr | Leather and Garment Store - The Billowing Canvas is a large leather and garment shop built in an old barn. Here, three sisters make and mend all manner of clothing. The oldest sister, Cumara, who runs the establishment, also makes and repairs several forms of armor - leather, chain, studded, etc. The establishment is guarded by two large guard dogs. |
| 6 | Silk House, The | Erias Prethai | Brothel - This small brothel (only 4 working girls) caters mostly to travelers and hence the local citizens don't mind it. The Silk House lies inland and is run out of a large private stone house. Erias, a beautiful half elven woman, is said to be a relative of elven royalty is some distant land. |
| 7 | Bit and Bridle, The | Gelek | Horse Ranch - Just outside of town, one can find a large ranch named the Bit and Bridle with over 35 acres. Here, Gelek, a human woodsmen, raises horses and other animals for sale. Gelek is good friends with Sindarian Finn and some say Gelek has bathyn blood in him. However, Gelek is a short man with curly hair and has the soft, round face of a grum. |
| 8 | House of Soil | Grygor | Farmers Guild - The Brethren of the Soil is the name of the farmers guild. Their meeting hall is called simply the House of Soil. This building serves as a gathering hall, a feed and grain store and a small apothecary. One can purchase all manner of farming tools, grains, seeds, flowers, plants, herbs, wine, tobacco, basic foodstuffs and the occasional farm animal. This large building sits in the center of the city, away from the lake shore. |
| 9 | Edge, The | Dromilov | Smithy - Blacksmith shop. A respected smith, Dromilov is a large, fat man with a shaven head and long moustache. He is the best smith in the surrounding area, having learned from dwarven masters at Forge. He has three sons, all of which aid him in his work. |
| 10 | Water's Reflection | Skora Ulan | Gambling Hall/Tavern/Inn - A large four story establishment is a little bit of everything. It has a large kitchen and dining area where it serves a variety of foods including the house speciality - an herb rubbed rack of lamb. It also has 30 private rooms that it lets out. A second dining area is devoted to gambling. This building sits out in the waters of the lake on stilts. It is run by a group of two dwarves and two humans that built the place with the treasure they recovered from an adventure some years ago that took them deep into the Dragon Claw Mountains. |
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This page last updated Wednesday, December 24, 2008. Copyright 1990-2009 David M. Roomes.