Whitlaw

Nestled

**IN NEED OF EDITS:::**

Nestled in the heart of the Harvest Reach the metropolis and captial of Kled is known across much of Materia as greatest crossroad of the land. Not only is Whitlaw a crossroad of material trade but also knowledge, information and beliefs.

## Description

The city of Whitlaw is a welcoming sight for traders, adventures and vagabonds alike. Situated in the heartland of Ruun, the central metropolis is the midway point between nearly every other great city of the region. Whitlaw’s location is pivotal for the distribution of goods across the territories. The plains are home to many hardworking folks that tend to fertile farmlands, serves as a resting point for countless caravans, and hub for intellectual pursuits. This cultural crossroads is found along the Masonfare Byway which cuts through the tallgrass prairies seemingly endlessly. To the east the Highpine Forest provides lumber and home to a manner of beasts and bandits. The Verdant Cause, often referred to as the “Cause,” are the armed protectors of these lands, and much of *Kled* have their largest base here.

The general architecture of Whitlaw is austere made up of light gray to baige colored stones. The entirety of the metropolis is surrounded by 15 foot high (4.572 meter) and 10 foot thick (3.048 meter) stone walls. Depending on the district there are varying degrees of details and decoration to the structers.

## Geography

Miles of farmland and fields surround Whitlaw’s towering walls. Byways, most notably the *Masonfare Byway*, cut through the fields and meet the gates welcome travelers inside. The metropolis is divided into six districts. (Is it formal or just colloquial?)

**Branch District** - Botanical Garden - Where the *Kneeling District* and *Central District* converge there is a botanical garden amongst the heavily populated and market focused interior of Whitlaw.

**Central District** - Mixed - named more for its location than its actual function within the metropolis. All manner of business, people and opportunities can be found here.

**Hearth District** - Residential - is the cities **SOUTHERN** ward, and the most densely-populated section. More than half the residents call this district home which has caused some tension due to the perception of overpopulation. There are no standout landmarks through the area, and the *Cause* struggle to keep up with the countless crimes and petty infractions that occur. In stark contrast to the Kneeling District, freely expressing one’s beliefs is outside X,Y,Z gods is discouraged.

**Kneeling District** - Temple - **EASTERN** district where temples to the most important gods of the region - X, Y, Z - and all their splendor are on display. Though all people can freely worship within various smaller sanctuaries throughout the district as long as they do not force their beliefs on others.

**Lyceum District** - Education/Magic - is Whitlaw’s **NORTHERN** ward, and where the Alabaster Repository, the largest reserve of information and diverse collection is found. The *Unveilers* have equal if not greater authority in this ward to the *Cause.* Also in the ward is home to the *College of Fascinations*. A place where magic can be studied.

**Peddle District** - Trade - the largest district of Whitlaw take up much of the **CENTRAL** landmass with the *Central District*, and where many smiths, artisans, vendors, and markets are found. The *Evermarket* can be found here which never closes (quasi-permanent stalls where vendors lease spaces. Very obtuse to get in and out with few entrances, but the entrances are massive).

**Thorned District** - Military/Law - The largest *Verdant Cause* military base, barracks, and fortress is found here in the **WESTERN** district of Whitlaw. The Brambles as the military campus is called is likely where a *Verdant Cause* member has spent some, if not all of their training. The Rose Garden are also found here; named both for the thorny theme (such as doors with bramble motif), but also the Rose Pink granite stones used in its construction. (Garrisons aka: Thickets throughout Whitlaw).

## Government

Whitlaw is ruled by the *Sovereign of Exchanges*: Mangiatto Luster, who balances the needs of the districts and its people, as well as the visiting merchants. As the city has grown over the decades it has gone from a city to a bustling metropolis. With the growth different distracts have cemented themselves and the leaders help form a council with the *Sovereign of Exchanges*. Because of the sheer commerce and trade that comes through Whitlaw and its locational importance there is a standing military of nearly 1,000 trained soldiers of the *Verdant Cause*.

*Exchange Council* is made up various "OLD FAMILIES" and trade leaders that help burden the load of the *Sovereign of Exchanges.* Also the General of the Verdant Cause, the Minister of Justice, etc. One member could be the transportation officer.

*Unveilers* is an order that worships the *Mentor*. Some members of art monks and clerics; but nearly all are avid researchers, historians, and curators of knowledge, antiquities and symbols of the past.

Agronomist Guild has a weighted presence here.

## Landmarks

**Alabaster Repository** - a grand cubed building of polished white marble, this well fortified library serves as a place of learning, extensive library, and vault of antiquities. Education is organized by the *Unveilers* who also serve as the Reserve’s protectors. Relics from across the world are displayed in the public museum on rotation from the vault. The library is divided into the common, and archives; which requires coin to enter and an assigned escort.

***Alabastras*** - Monastery-like courtyard structures associated with the Alabaster Repository and the *Unveilers*. They are connected be an underground system of tunnels that provide ways to move the vast collections of the museum and library.

**Bard's** - rowdy tavern that aspiring bards and musicians go to share their tales and tunes; in proximity to *The Rhapsody Halls.*

**Botanical Gardens** - large garden between the eastern *Kneeling District* and *Central District* providing greenery within the austere stone work and buildings. Arboretum located there.

**Brambles** - the military campus of the *Verdant Cause.*

**Bucking Mad's (Adventures Inn)** - owned by Ceb Debs of the Adventure's League from Green Hills. Ceb refuses to move this operations to Whitlaw even after countless offers and demands by the *Sovereign of Exchange.* Bucking Mad's services as a fully functioning inn that caters to adventures and an outpost for the Adventure's League. In the *Peddle District.*

**The Cisterns** - massive underground stone laid storage tank of water. One can be found under each district. Maintained by *The Roots.*

**Cleft Skull** - Run down *Central Districts* tavern.

**College of Fascinations** - in the *Lyceum District* and is a place where magic can be studied.

* Coliseum of the Creative
* Halls of Livestock and Cultivations (By for the Largest)
* Halls of Marvels and Curiosities
* Halls of Mending and Physics
* Halls of Marks and Records
* Halls of Supply and Demand
* Library of Fascinations

**Copper Grove** - the massive green copper tarnished (Verdigris) that rises above the surrounding stonework buildings of the *Central District* and *Peddle District.*

**Evermarket** - found in the Peddle District, these market is one that never closes and sells just about everything (quasi-permanent stalls where vendors lease spaces. Very obtuse to get in and out with few entrances, but the entrances are massive).

**Hemlock's** - recommended watering hole and cafeteria near in the *Thorn Whitlaw.*

**Rhapsody Halls** - institution of the musical arts, opera hall and hippodrome.

**Rose Garden** - the halls of justice and courts of Whitlaw.

**Snoring Lodge** - dwarven lodge that is home to some descendants of *Carver.* Located deep in the Temple Ward, run down and forgotten, desperate need of some upkeep and renovation. The door is incredibly heavy made of tick wood and framed with reinforced iron leaving drag marks on the stone floor.

**Tabard's Tantalizing Trove** - Run by Tabard the tabaxi and his assistant Tam Tam the small framed elf. Located on **Caravan Straights** between the Lyceum and Peddle wards.