Acrose:ArGin
From NexusCrossing
This map is a work in progress. More info coming soon.
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ArGin
ArGin is a guild city, and it has been as long as anyone can remember. It stands as the hub in the center of a region of various mining, agricultural and even in the far distance a lumbering colony or two. As the name implies, it is the economic capital of the region.
It is in the South Central region of the Continent of Acrose. It is in a region of plains with mountains in the distant east and west, forests to the north, and the sea to the south. Its immediate surroundings however are plains. It is a good two weeks travel by cart from the mountains, the seas or the forest. That is not to say that there are no woods. Just none large enough to be a threat to the areas label as the south central plains region.
As has been stated, ArGin is a guild city. Alistair Mardeaux is the Magistrate of ArGin. He is a lesser noble of the house Algodon. The Mardeauxs are distant cousins of the Emperor. As such, the city is left alone as long as they keep their taxes paid.
The Magistrate is the official head of the city, and the imperial Red Guard is ever present, however it is understood even amongst the most stubborn loyalists that it guild loyalties that maintain order in the city, and not the Red Guard.
In all honesty, when law needs to be enforced and order maintained, people are inclined to contact the Temple of Bren, or the warriors of the Bright Blades guild before they rely on the ineptitude that they see in the Red Guard.
The racial makeup of ArGin is diverse. The largest part of the population is made up of Humans, Kobolds, Goblins, and Dwarves. There is also a solid representation of Elves and Half-Elves. A lesser population of Half-Orcs and gnomes exist as well, though they are consistently in the employ of one guild or another.
As I said before, ArGin is a guild city. While the magistrate acts as the go-between with the Emperor, the guilds run the city.
The largest guilds in the city are as follows:
The Bright Blades: The Bright Blades are a guild of mercenaries. Though they are mercenaries, they have a code of honor that their members are required to live by. They have requirements for membership, and requirements for the kinds of jobs that they will take. Their ArGin headquarters is in the upper floors of City Hall.
The Mechanician's and Alchemist Guilds: The compound of the Mechanician's Guild is on the north west corner of the commercial district. It is home to mechanicians and alchemists. It is a place of fear for those who are not members. Strange smells and explosions are common occurrences within its walls, and occasionally in the areas near the outer walls. The Mechanicians guild is a strange and unknown place to most people, who only know of its inside via rumors and legends. There are even those who claim that the ruins of old Gin were destroyed by an explosion caused by the guild. Most realize that this is completely false, but it is still a good indication of what most people think. There have at times been attempts to make then cease and desist, but the guild holds too much power to be slowed down much.
The Merchant’s Guild: Does not really have a headquarters, but they do not need one either. They control the majority of the commercial district, and the fair grounds. They play an important role in insuring that enough taxes are collected to keep the Emperor and the Magistrate happy, but not so much as to harm the common man. They are also rumored to have connections to the Thieves' guild.
The Thieves Guild: The Thieves guild does not officially exist, however their main headquarters is in a large warehouse on the edge of the commercial district near the temple district. In fact, it is right across from the city’s main municipal building (aka City Hall).
The Temple District: While not a guild in any traditional sense, the Temple District is home to the majority of the city’s churches and temples, and quite a few shrines. Quite often the various temples will send a combined committee to represent them in convocations of the city’s guild leadership.
The Dark Blades: The Dark Blades are a guild of mercenaries and thieves. There is no job they will not take, as long as the money is right. Their membership requirements are severe, as is the initiation rite. It is rumored that they have connections to the Order of Zarand.
There are also many "gangs" or "Families" in the slums. They are not guilds by any definition, but are quite often the force that directs and polices the slums of the city. There are multiple areas of ArGin that are simply slums. Those areas are quite often a no-man's land for any kind of official authority. Quite often the Red Guard are actively feared in the slums, since they are often known to treat them as a kind of play ground, where they figure they can get away with anything.
There are also various lesser groups and guilds. Some are not so much guilds as they are unions.
Places of Note:
City Hall: The city’s main municipal building is in the south eastern part of the commercial district. It is an impressive three story brick structure. The first two floors are taken up by city offices, and the third floor is the home of the Bright Blades guild. When you enter the building it is a vast hall with a vaulted ceiling. The ceiling is the floor of the third floor, and offices can be seen lining the walls of the first and second floor. The second floor has a wide walkway following around the building kind of like a massive inside veranda.
The Mechanicians Guild: The compound of the Mechanicians guild (which also houses the Alchemists Guild) is a city in and of itself, surrounded by massive, thick, stone walls. The front gates are made of thick steel, but still come off the hinges on an almost annual basis.
The Fair Grounds/Market Square: The city’s main fair grounds and market square are just outside the east gates of the city, north of Old Gin. This site is used for many festivals and fairs throughout the year, as well as doubling as the market grounds for seasonal markets.
The Temple District: The Temple District is home to most of the city's churches and temples. The streets here are mostly carefully cobbled and kept fairly clean.
Temple of Eio and Mai: The temple at the very center of the Temple District is the Temple to the Twin Sisters Eio and Mai, Goddess of the Harvest and Goddess of Safe Travels. At the entry point of the temple is foyer with wooden walls. In the center of the back wall of the foyer is a fountain with the symbol of a maple leave and a crescent moon. Halfway between the fountain and the walls on either side, are archways entering into the main sanctuary. Each of these archways is always manned by an acolyte. The Acolytes guarding the entrances never leave their post unless relieved by another.
The main sanctuary is much like the cathedrals of other religions. It is large and ornate with an ancient feel. There is a large altar in the front of the sanctuary with the same maple leaf and crescent moon holy symbol on the wall behind the altar.
Either side of the altar are doors that lead into hallways. The outside walls of these hallways (which wrap around and join at the back of the large building) are lined with doors that lead to the living chambers of various acolytes and clergy. The inner walls of the halls contain several doors that lead out into a central courtyard which houses a large garden full of trees and flowers. It is much like entering into a small forest.
Temple of Bren: The temple of Bren is not far from the temple of Eio. It is not so much a temple, as it is a massive training ground with an altar in the mess hall.
The Commercial District: is an area, as the name implies, devoted to shops, restraunts, and stores. This is not a label that is used in character really, and as such will be changed once I come up with something better.
The Golden Eagle: The Golden Eagle is the cheapest dive in town. They sell the worst ale, and the best axel cleaner (They just happen to come in the same bottle). The only good thing that can be said about them is that they always have something warm to eat (even if it is supposed to be served cold). The building has three floors. The bottom floor is the tavern. It is a large smokey room, with fire pits spread through out the space, and solid wooden tables and chairs. The bar is kept clean, occasionally, and the barstools are solid. The room is often full of smoke, especially durring the winter months. The second floor is a communal lodging space. The room is just as large as the bottom floor, with straw spread here and there. The place always has a musty smell to it, but is always warm as well. It is better than sleeping outside, but that is all that can be solidly said for it. Lodging is cheap, about one to three coppers a night, depending on how well the owner likes you. The third floor is the master suite. It is where the owner lives. It is not for rent.
The Rusty Anchor: The Rusty Anchor is the total opposite of The Golden Eagle. It is the most expensive bar in town. The food is good, the wine is sweet, and you can acquire most any drink you may desire. The lodgings here are lavish, but expensive. When you enter the building, it is via a 12 foot hallway. You must first pass by the two guards that are constantly on watch. The walls in this part of the building are a stark white, with redwood trim. When you enter the main hall proper, you are greeted by a scene of cleanly set tables, soft music, and chandeliers. It is questionable if any self respecting hero would ever be seen dead in this place. It is mostly frequented by wealthy merchants, land owners, and guild masters.
The Mardeaux Manor: The home of the ArGin branch of the Mardeaux family. This house is the largest home in the city, and is of course the home of the Magistrate of ArGin. It is an ancient stone structure surrounded by a walled yard. To its east stands an ancient cemetery.
The Mardeaux Cemetery: To the east of the Mardeaux manor is the city’s oldest cemetery. It is rather large and is home to the funeral plots of various noble families within the city. The entire northern half however is devoted entirely to the House Mardeaux.
Outlying Towns and Villages
TalGant
- To the north of ArGin, about a days ride with a cart, is the village of TalGant. TalGant is a town of about six hundred people. It is the nucleus of a tight nit agricultural community, as well as being a stop on the main trade route heading north from ArGin.
- Much of the commerce in TalGant revolves around agriculture and its byproducts. The farmers market is a source of fresh seasonal produce much of the year, as well as eggs, milk, and the various fishes and game that the hunters and fishermen bring in.
- The town has a small smithy, but it is better known for the leatherworks shop a block from the city hall. The leatherworker is known for making high quality leather armor and barding.
- There is also an herbalist in town, that is rumored to occasionally come up with some rare finds.
