Thollos

>    *"I learned that hard work is an essential part of life - that by and large you don't get something for nothing - and that Thollos was a place that offered unlimited opportunities to those who did work hard." - Duke Roon Magoon*
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With a population of over 15,000 the city of **Thollos** is a populous and wealthy city within the Border Kingdoms. Thollos is located at the border of the Cosarchian Kingdom and the Rosarian Kingdom. Since 1487 DR Thollos has been officially independent, however it is a de facto dominion of the Rosarian Kingdom. The Duke is Roon Magoon.

It is home to merchants, factories, and farmers alike. The population is mostly human with a sizeable minority of elves, in addition to reasonable contingents of dwarves and halflings.

The city straddles the Rock River, which in the past was the lifeblood of the early settlement which eventually grew into the metropolis present now. To the north-west the city is bordered by marshlands, to the east are the rocky Red Crest Mountains, and in all other directions the city is surrounded by fertile plains. To the south beyond farmland is the ancient Watershade forest.

The underground caverns, sometimes referred to as "the Pit" are partially used by guards as a holding cell, and are rumoured to be home to "the Beast of the Pit".

## History

The early settlement which was to eventually thrive and grow into the city of Thollos was founded in 821 DR. Within a century the hamlet was a large town, and within another it was a strong city-state.

The city of Thollos was conquered by the Cosarchian Kingdom in 1284 DR, and the ruling nobles were savagely slaughtered. Thollos became one of the most important cities of the Cosarchian Kingdom, having the prestige of welcoming one of the Four Lords of Cosarchia to the city during the annual Midwinter Festival.

Thollos came under numerous assaults from undead apparently spewing from the underground tunnels, but thankfully this seemed to have subsided by 1466 DR.

At the 1487 DR Midwinter Festival there was an assassination attempt on Lord Duckmountain, carried out by Rosarian agent Jakub Rubia, for which Mocic Ashplantt was wrongly convicted and imprisoned.

Later that year, with the help of the azers, the Rosarian Kingdom captured the city during the War of Green Fields. At the end of the year the city declared its independence, yet still appears to operate as a Rosarian dominion.

In 1489 DR the city market square began to be struck by strange music which seemed to cause headaches in those in the square and was progressively increasing in intensity. The city guard was stretched too thin by increasing numbers of goblin raids from the west to be able to properly investigate, and it was only when the adventurers Veil of a Mask and Aeron Dunkrild arrived in town that a party was able to investigate the underground pits. Lead by city guard private Jayne Matillion they delved deep into the underground caverns to the crypts of the old ruling nobles beneath the market square, where they discovered the undead soul of Lady Olynda singing a dirge of woe to inflict suffering on the inhabitants above. They were able to defeat her and cease the ballad.

## Places of interest

### Institutional Adventurer's Magical Academy

The school of magic founded by Wrelen Kindrock with backing from the wealthy Wilberforce Freeman in 1487 DR. The Academy also employs Ricardo Noxard, a human wizard that takes care of the Academy when Wrelen is absent. As of 1488 DR it is undergoing renovation and a purpose-built library is being added.

Wrelen's star student is the elven wizard Zirilia Windsinger.

### Pastime Tavern

A welcoming tavern in the centre of the city, the Pastime Tavern is the oldest establishment in Thollos. It is a frequent pickpocketing spot for Thoblin, the thieving goblin.

### The Pit

Beneath the city sit cavernous tunnels leading deep underground. The area close to the surface is often used by the city guard as holding cells but rarely will anyone venture deeper for fear of "the Beast of the Pit". In the past there were numerous undead known to dwell there and sometimes find their way to the surface, and this gave rise to the rumour that souls that perish in the Pit have one of three fates: they are taken by Myrkul, devoured by the Beast of the Pit, or forced to wander the underground labyrinth forever.

### Theatre General

The largest theatre in the city, and a central hub for citizens and the place to be for those wishing to climb the social ladder.

## Notable people

### Duke Roon Magoon

A rich native of the city, and formerly a supporter of the Cosarchian King and his Four Lords. He has a dislike of Wilberforce Freeman and his family.

An ambitious and self-made noble known for his stubborn hand in negotiations, Roon Magoon came from an unremarkable merchant family and zealously increased his fortunes almost through sheer willpower alone.

Since the city was declared independent Magoon was named Duke, and his fortune appears to have correspondingly grown with the title.

### Captain Tyor Suklyff

A notorious and sadistic overzealous guard captain in the city. He is a master of disguise but infamously carries a revolting stench. He is acknowledged to be a skilled fighter.