Chapter
One: The City of
“Encircling
-Foreign Trade Advisor Andrew Honac, Esppiss, advocating military force in
dealing with Syril.
Syril at
a Glance
Syril
is a bold city with a modest style.
Founded at the base of a mountain face and growing eventually to fully wrap
around
As only the oldest portion
of Syril has fully or partially underground building design it would seem that
Syril has felt safe enough to remain above ground for the majority of its
existence. This confidence stems
from both Syril’s formidable Vor’arda, who stand both as Syril’s military and
enforcers, and Zeen itself; ancient draconic protector of Syril’s people.
Due to the very effective protections in place Syril has one of the largest
amounts of farmed land per capita of any other city.
As anyone can find work tending crops Syril does not appear to have a
poor or impoverished class and in fact the city itself is quite wealthy.
Well kept streets and bustling business greet travels of any region and
any race so long as they obey the stern yet short list of Syrian law.
Syrian wealth comes almost exclusively from trade of farmed produce in
the form of food crops, herbs, spices and narcotics.
City
Sections
Open Market:
What was once considered to
be on the outskirts of Syril is now quite fully attached.
The open market is where both Syrian and foreigner alike can come to shop
for goods from home and abroad. The
economy of Syril has flourished because of the lenient (tax free) markets and
the wide selection of goods. Some
use Syril as a means to obtain goods from farther away locals free of tax to be
carted back home for resale.
City Gallery:
When a people settle their
wish to express themselves in craft eventually comes to a point where it may be
worthy of display. While an indoor
gallery was first proposed to house these finished works it was obvious many
were dedicated to Zeen and Sath. It
was thus decided the gallery should be outdoors enough that Zeen could see what
we on display as well but how best to do this was debated.
The eventual form of the gallery was in the older part of Syril closest
to the lofty entrance to Zeen’s lair.
From here it was thought Zeen could gaze down at what the people of Syril
had made for him and Sath. This
worked out well for a time but the number of pieces eventually exceeded the
gallery’s limited space. It was
Zeen himself that suggested that the pieces be spread throughout Syril, upon the
street corners, on homes and walkways.
Some even found a place inside the windows of some establishments or
furnishing meeting areas all over Syril.
The City Gallery is now takes the shape of a central gallery beneath Zeen
for newer work which will eventually find a place somewhere in Syril for all to
see.
Dantury Metalwork:
Still considered removed
from Syril itself even at its larger size is the mining and refining facilities
of Syril’s very small metalworks.
Small amounts of ore are mined and processed away from Syril itself to produce
the basic metal tools that Syril might need.
Most daily items are actually composed of reused metal goods that are
melted down and recast thus the activity in the mine is less than that of the
actual works. Syril has never
produced any significant amount of metal and the mines serve only to keep in the
practice should a shortage occur such as in times of war.
Foreigner Lodging:
As was once the open
market the Foreigner Lodging was a small section on the outskirts of Syril where
visitors could call a small room their home.
Syril can be a very strange place to even the most liberal visitor and so
this area was set aside to furnish them with accommodations more resembling
home. Merchants, travelers and
simple passers-by who never heard of Syril still make this place their home
during their stay as there are still no rented lodgings within the actual city
of
Honoured Visitors Walk:
This is actually
an adjoining section to the Foreigner Lodging.
Here one finds establishments that cater to both individuals invited by
the Council to Syril or wealthy visitors.
The very best lodgings and cuisine in all of Syril may be found here at
less than modest fee. Nobles,
ambassadors, aristocrats, successful merchants and other invitees can be found
in this small area sampling all the best Syril offers up, all while rubbing
shoulders with those who will pay with what little they may have for just one
day of the same treatment. It
should be noted that those invited by the Council stay here free of charge with
regular meals included.
Library of Syril:
This rather
unimaginatively named repository of knowledge sees little public use as people
have found what they feel to be better uses for their time.
What little is known of Syrian history is recorded here as well as Syrian
law in almost any language one is likely to encounter.
Maps, documents and other records of Syril’s past and present are kept
here “just in case”.
Sath’s Garden:
A walled in botanical garden
founded by a High Councillor of the Citizenry in the very distant past.
While it seems the High Councillor of the Citizenry (often just called
“her High” or “Sath” for ease) did this for her own purposes of study and
collection of plant species this later changed.
Upon her retirement she charged the tenders in her employ to maintain the
garden but open it as a place that the female population might visit for some
moments of peace. For ages since
Sath’s Garden has been open to any female of any species while at the same time
traffic is kept low to keep the peaceful nature intact.
Syrian Farms:
A simple name for a simple
project. The farms are really as
far as Zeen can see and protect.
This allows much of the population of Syril find work on the farms in some
position to help drive the agrarian way of life and economy.
While the soil is not exceptionally fertile there is no measurable impact
from industrial pollution so the quality is still above what might be found
elsewhere. Among the crops are rich
food crops, spices and herbs of the region and a “healthy” crop of narcotics for
both domestic use and export.
Zeen’s Rock:
This area is little more
than a large, circular paved area to which many streets join.
This is a flat and stable foundation upon which Zeen may land for
whatever occasion requires it. It
is in this place, often simply called “The Hub” that Zeen rests during the Syril
Festival.
Council Holdings:
Still in its original
position the Council Holdings encompass a handful of structures.
Included here are the homes of the Council members, meeting halls and the
council hall itself. It is here
that the mortal government meets to discus policy in Syril with the High
Councillor of the Citizenry representing Zeen in the matters.
Currency
and Economy
With its large, well watered and well guarded farmlands Syril is not dependant on trade for any produce. Among the produce is found grains, tubers, fruits, spices, incense, medicinal herbs, narcotics, resins and wood. While a good deal of these are used domestically Syril puts forth serious effort to produce large surpluses of these materials for trade abroad. The trade is less to gain other resources so much as to fund the Council in its foreign work and preparations for the annual Syril Festival.
Other than produce from the farms Syril also has a healthy industry
around gems and other minerals. While Zeen disapproves of any significant metal
refining gems may be used and cut raw from the mines. Small amounts of metals
are refined at the Dantury Metalwork expressly to be used in the production of
settings and delicate chains for the gems found in the surrounding mountains.
Syril is well known for the abstract nature of their works along side their
expected draconic-themed jewelry which is unique in the world.
Chapter
One: The City of
City at
a Glance
City sections
Currency and economy
Sections: Open Market, Lake Ranolt Front, Sath’s Garden, Lodges, Honored
Visitors Walk, Hub, Council Holdings, Mines and Smelters, Farms, Libaries,
Exports: Crops, spices and herbs, oddity trinkets, Zeen-o Wear, rare alchemical
goods from Zeen, narcotics.
Imports: Metal goods
Regional Overview
Surrounding area
Life in
the City
Social division
Culture and Entertainment
Religion
Government
Trade
While there is much for Syril to offer the markets the most notable and famous is the lenient regulation of trade. Almost anything may be sold legally in the Open Market of Syril so long as it is not dangerous in nature at the time it is being sold (many volatile chemicals and certain explosives fall into this range). So long as the items may be safely stored and transported without harm to person or property then it is likely to be permitted.
The open nature of trade which gave rise to the name of the Open Market goes even so far as in the trafficking of lives. Slaves may be bought and sold in Syril for any reason so long as these slaves where already slaves upon entering the Open Market or Syril itself. Hiring or forcing others into slavery within the limits of Syril is forbidden. It is also known that certain anonymous forces sell individuals as prey to Sath who is not in the habit of asking questions.
The surplus goods from the farmland is sold in the Open Market to merchants who transport them abroad as quickly as possible to maintain freshness. Food crops are high in quality and a few varieties unique to the area are considered exotic. Although few places would turn away a merchant offering recent Syrian crops some might if they knew where the goods were coming from. Some governing bodies boycott Syril and all it produces in an attempt to show their displeasure for the Syrian way of life and to hurt it economically. For this reason not all merchants are so truthful about where their produce comes from and simply extol their quality rather than origins.
Many qualities of wood and wood products are available from Syril as well although the amounts are much smaller than that of the crops. Strong, healthy wood is a rare commodity in the more industrialized hare settlements and so can find a good market despite being a smaller product. Easily worked woods and hard woods are produced for export to be used in everything from furniture to sculpting. Some woods are grown for and used by mystics who need pure and strong wood for their Art.
To the dismay of some visitors Syril also has a vibrant dye industry.
Zeen has a liking for bright colourful things and clothing is one of them. Much
of the population of Syril sports very colourful and mismatching clothing all to
please Zeen as it looks down from its lair. The clothing and dyes used to make
them are also available for export although its really the dye that finds much
interest in the market. The dyes are made from plants grown in Syril along with
a few alchemical methods developed at the
Unique to Syril is the heavy production of draconic themed goods ranging from foods to clothing. Plush dragons that blow bubbles and squeak when hugged, various dragon-like candies, clockwork flying toys, artwork and more are offered in the markets if not found to be especially good sellers. One very Syrian product is feminine underwear that is sold under the name of “Zeen-O Wear”. Combining a variation of the spelling of “Xeno” with the name of their beloved overlord Zeen and depicting small dragon caricatures this product is a very clear slap in the face to most other cultures. Aside from that the underwear is actually inexpensive (one stick per package of six) and quite comfortable.
The largest effort to profit ratio product of Syril is narcotics, an
export it is both famous and infamous for. From mild chewing herbs to hard
alchemical products from the
Laws
Forces (Army, Enforcer)
Factions
Syril
Festival
Flower
Girls
Guards
Chapter
Two: History
Far past
Present Age
First
Founding
As Syril was founded so long ago that proper record keeping
methods had yet to be developed all that is known about its past come from only
a few unwritten sources. Firstly there are the stories passed down about how the
people of Syril ended up where there are and how they now live. These stories
were later recorded as best as could be done and used to educated the interested
in history. Secondly and perhaps best are the first hand accounts of Zeen itself
although Zeen has a very biased and perhaps simplistic slant on everything it
says.
Originally the founders of Syril were nothing more than closely related family groups living a semi-nomadic existence moving from place to place as needs dictated. Zeen says that without question the area of Syril had the eerie sensation long before these people ever came. Why they would push into such unpleasant terrain is unknown.
Forge into eerie terrain they did, however, and eventually stumbled up to the base of the mountainous region where a large lake was found. At the base they discovered a large pile of fallen debris from the mountain itself they could use. The fallen materials were of many different sizes and had decent sized holes formed between them that could be used to hide in. With a water source nearby, healthy plants and a place to hide they wanderers settled down for now.
Unknown to them they were being watched intently from above. So high up so as to be almost unseen was the entrance to Zeen’s personal lair, and from its entrance Zeen was entertaining itself watching these newcomers go about their lives. As Zeen’s hunger grew it contemplated which might make the best prey and how to go about getting them before they could hide effectively. While waiting and planning the relative peace was shattered.
A vocal alarm was sounded as predators had been spotted. Large, swiftly moving felines closed in upon the small groups even as they ran in hopes for safety in the long fallen debris. Some did not make it, snatched up and carried off even as they screamed. The others that did make it moved as deep as they could into the spaces provided between fallen chunks of hard and hopefully protective stones. The cats were large but also slender, and crept in after them. With no choice left the bravest of them fought, with stone and shard and whatever else came to hand. Some of the cats were pushed back out into the open as they moved to avoid the desperate attacks. From their hiding some of the defenders jumped out and continued to pelt their attackers to protect friends and family within.
Bravery is not always victorious and here and there these defenders were snatched up as were the others before them. By now Zeen was well into the beginning of the first fit of rage in its life. Not only was Zeen trying to entertain itself watching these creatures, some of the ones it had selected as prey were being stolen. Hopping from its lair entrance Zeen swooped down and without pause began to beat the cats with tail, wing and claw with very clear intent to kill. Knowing they could move faster unburdened the newly acquired prey was dropped in favor of a swift retreat.
Several of the cats lay dead around Zeen, the curious faces of those still hiding in the rocks peering out at the carnage. With the last sight of the fleeing survivors gone Zeen turned around to look at what it had done and upon those gawking at it with awe and horror. With a loud “Squark” Zeen simply said “HI!”
One lone figure moved up to stand before Zeen. She kneeled as she looked up and thanked Zeen for saving her, her friends, family and home. In personal thanks she offered herself to Zeen as prey much to the shock of all those watching. Zeen was happy with this idea and promptly ate her. Spreading its wings Zeen returned to its lair and resumed watching and planning while its small meal settled.
Far below the survivors checked to see who was lost, picked at the still cooling corpses and gave silent thanks to the help they had been given and the one who paid for it with her life. Fangs were pulled from the bodies and small tools made to help fend off an attack should the cats return again. Still in a degree of shock not much was said and silence reigned.
The sound of wings was heard again some hours later and Zeen landed
before the pile of stones once more. It bent low and spat up a creature that
turned out to be the young doe that offered herself up to Zeen. Covered ear to
toe in blue slime she made her way into the stones and told everyone she had
returned. They had all seen Zeen eat her but now here she was alive if not
wholly clean, answers were sought and given just as quickly. It was made clear
that a dragons prey does not die so very fast in its gut and can remain well and
conscious for quite some time. In that time she and Zeen had got to talking and
understanding about each other. By the end of the discussion the young girl had
convinced Zeen to watch over their little settlement in exchange for prey Zeen
would choose from their population every now and then. It was a strange offer
but it was accepted none the less, and so the pact between Zeen and the people
of what would become Syril was begun. The doe who forged the pact became the
intermediary between Zeen and Syril, Sath was her name as Zeen attests and that
name has rung with heavy meaning ever since.
Coming
of Zeen
Development to present.
Chapter
Three: The City (by district if needed each of the below)
[District types: New and old, Merchants, Foreigner, Markets, Docks, Rich and
Poor, Gates]
A look inside (layout)
Notable buildings by type
Entertainment (Gambling Brothels etc.)
Inns, Taverns and Restaurants
Civic and Government
Merchants, Equipment and Services
Homes and Dwellings
Kimant’s Spicy Syrian Grill
Syrians are well known for their love of grilling their food with a glaze of honey or mix of sauces and Kimant’s has made its way to the pinnacle of the art. Circular grills with jugs of sauces are found throughout the restaurant rather than simple tables and chairs. Customers select the sort of meal they wish and are free to grill it themselves or have it done for them for a modest fee. Just as often those coming back from the Open Market stop off here to cook their purchases without having to clean up as they would at home. The set up allows relaxed personal meals or a place to prepare one on the way home using the house sauces.
At one time there was nothing that set this establishment apart from any
other one might come across in the Foreigner Lodging area. Just as any other
Kimant’s was a family run restaurant that hired on a little help when needed and
drew customers from visitors and citizens alike. Kimant’s had been open and
doing well for three generations with each learning from the last. This ordinary
story may have continued without event until the still in training daughter of
the current manager was selected by Zeen shortly before her coming of age.
While her father was proud that his daughter of out all Syril had been chosen, Asyera as she was named, was much less impressed. She had watched and practiced by her fathers side for the majority of her short life and strongly desired take the place she had been training for. Without telling her family Asyera made a visit to Zeen to plead her way out of her fate. At first Zeen was not much convinced that a restaurant workers dreams of cooking were really a justifiable excuse to deny what was his and even Asyera had to agree. With all the resolve she could muster she made a promise that if she was released that she would make Kimant’s the very best of its kind in all of Syril. Zeen well understood that Syril was well known for its food crops and cooking style, and the prospect of something to outshine what was currently available would be of benefit to its beloved city.
The promise was made and accepted. Asyera would be free from Zeen’s call if she managed to make Kimant’s clearly the best in Syril, but the penalty for failure in this promise was steep. If within five years if Kimant’s was not so great as Asyera vowed then she would return to Zeen as prey with a family to be within her. If she failed she and her unborn would be the cost, and this would both weigh heavy on her as well as provide uncommon motivation.
The expected time of Asyera’s offering to Zeen came and passed and her father could only wonder. Whenever she was asked she would simply say “I have a promise to keep”. With her training done Asyera took her place as an assistant manager and took to her job with obsessive zeal. A few changes to the way Kimant’s was run were made by her hand, even going so far as to service as many tables as it was possible for one person to do. In her off hours she would order and experiment with both domestic and exotic herbs, working to find new and pleasing sauces and glazes. The resulting original recipes would later reveal just how far she was willing to go in this endeavor as several are only possible if the cook also knows a fair bit of alchemy.
Asyera met her eventual end not with Zeen, but while cooking for a party of customers with her cooking utensils clutched in her paws. Stories say that even as her light was fading she fought to keep the meal from burning. While Asyera did escape predation she died only having worked and without a family of her own, prideful if not happy.
Kimant’s Spicy Syrian Grill has been moved and rebuilt many times. Its first real reconstruction placed it prominatly within the Honored Visitors Walk as Asyera did in fact fulfil her promise. As it was by Zeen’s decree that Kimant’s be the best it is often refured to as “Kimant’s Spicy Syrian Grill, the best in Syrian cuisine, its the Law” reflecting that as Zeen said it must be the best so it was done. The staff of Kimant’s are strict followers of Asyera’s innovations and methods, and as followers of tradition they did keep something of the original legend, Asyera’s cooking tools and apron in a reinforced display case prominently at the center ringed by grills and tables. Only the most honored guests can bring the tools out of retirement to prepare meals once more.
Asyera Kimant’s Cooking Set
Hung from an apron this thirty-two piece set of cooking utensils can only hint at the devotion and obsessive nature of their original owner. Among the utensils are two spatulas, scraper, basting brush, seven skewers, four tuber skewers, six two-tine forks, six different knives and a few tools no one can identify all crafted from a metal known as ace. When employed this set grants its user Concentration +7, Craft: Alchemy +14, Perform: Cooking with Flair +17, Profession: Cook +19, Sense Motive +7 in addition to the normal benefits of ace. The set reflects Asyera’s ability to create nearly supernatural quality sauces, cook without peer in a very entertaining way even if hurt while being able to tell just what her customer wanted today even if they did not fully know themselves.
While the set is indeed a wonder and it would be silly not to use it the
staff is hesitant to employ it. The set does allow its user to create meals
worthy of the title “Syril’s Finest” but it also appears that some portion of
Asyera remains with the set, a portion that simply refuses to die. Any who use
the set will be keenly aware they are not fully in control of themselves anymore
or alone within their own skin.
The
Zeen’s
Garden
Zeen’s
Lair
The Hub
The
Beach
Open
Market
Chapter
Four: The people
[Officials, Priests, Intellegencia, merchants, ambassadors, guild masters]
The
Council of Syril
Sath: High councilor of the citizenry
Military: Jidobi, Male Vorarda
Economic/Foreign: Darsris, Male immigrant merchant
Foundation: Engah, Female, architect and Syril planner.
Harvest: Shyan, Female, farm leader and projector of harvest.
Mystic: Rubican, Male, also the mystic university head.
Arts and Crafts: Kenita, Female, head smith and promoter of the arts.
Zeen
Chapter
Five: Adventures
Laws
Appeals to the above laws may be made to the Council or Zeen as is appropriate.
Bottle Drake
Small Elemental [Astral, Extraplanar]
Hit Dice: 3d8+3 (18 hp)
Essence: 1
Initiative: +0
Speed: 0
Armor Class: 18 (+1 size, +7 natural)
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+2
Attack: Bite +4 Melee (1d8+2)
Full Attack: Bite +4 Melee (1d8+2)
Space/Reach: 15 feet
Special Attacks: Gleeah touch (Double melee damage to corporeal undead)
Special Qualities: Damage reduction +1/5, Darkvision, Elemental qualities, Ghost touch
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +0, Will +0
Abilities: Str 15, Dex 10, Con 12,
Skills: Seach +8, Spot +8
Feats: Scent (Ex), Imitate Incantation (Su, 1st level)
Challenge Rating: 2
Alignment: Chaotic neutral
With the consent of of Zeen and the Council the alchemists of the
The Bottle Drake is most often used to allow a soul that is in the company of a mortal to interact with the physical world or even speak. It is able to pick up objects that its strength will allow, scout around corners and under doors or any other activity its form will allow. In combat it is somewhat effective but can easily be destroyed by any attack upon its meagre essence. To this end some of the bottles are enchanted to provide its essence some level of protection.
The item itself has little to do with the bottle. The fluid within can be poured into other vessels and still retain all its innate properties. Glass, metal, crystal or any other sort of bottle or flask may be used to contain the Bottle Drake as needed.
Caster Level 3rd, Prerequisites: Summon Monster II, Craft Wondrous Item, Market Price, Price to Create