Kirsti

City

Courtesy of [Dolya]

The Human City of Kirsti is where the mercenaries, buccaneers, cut throats and lowlifes (and worse, I should dare) of Verrachia accumulate. Raiding parties into the north country are mounted from this settlement routinely. Due to the fact that the north country are seldom considered a threat, The Pope rarely pays much mind to Kirsti, or it's parent region, Samogitia. This gives Kirsti the freedom to engage in shady dealings on the regular and often goods are smuggles through the city from abroad. This illicit trade and the sheer volume of fortune seekers keeps Kirsti's overfull year-round.

## Locations

### Old Quarter

The central district of Kirsti. The only architecture remaining from the founding of Kirsti is found in the Old Quarter: the Great Hall and Moon Keep itself. The ward of Old Quarter is Lord Plaktucas.

#### Moon Keep (1)

Moon Keep stands at the very peak from which Kirsti gets its name. The keep's walls were lowered on the western side many generations ago in order for the Baron to have a better view of the city square, and the ornate fixtures of the great hall that backs it.

#### Great Hall (2)

An enormous and beautiful building, few of the residents of Kirsti ever stop to appreciate it.

#### Plaktucas Manor (3)

Home of the Old Quarter's steward, Lord Plaktucas.

### North Ward

The North Ward is the cleanest and best-kept area in the city. Lord Brothers takes great pride in keeping the streets clear and the buildings in good repair. His many lodgings within the ward are the height of luxury for those that can afford to stay there. Often the newest arrivals stay here, expecting that their great adventures in the north will allow them to continue to pay for this extravagant lifestyle.

#### Brothers Manor (4)

Home of Lord Brothers, the steward of the North Ward.

#### Brothers Tavern (5)

A luxurious tavern, owned by Lord Brothers. This is the main hangout for hopeful adventurers yet to set off to the north.

Brothers Tavern Menu
 Roasted Grouse and Dried Orange
 Roasted Deer and Artichoke
 Roasted Oxen with Ginger and Shallot

Board: 2gp/night

### Two Courts

The Smithes were named in the will of the previous Lord of the South Courts. After his suspicious death the district was to be ruled by Lord Smithe but his then wife, the Lady Smithe argued that she was the rightful ruler. The two have been feuding since and are separated in all but legality. The Two Courts have subsequently been split between them. Vendors and Tavern keepers are able to wedge into the rift between the raging Smithes and often find that the tax rate is better here than anywhere else in Kirsti.

The remaining sub-divisions have no *official* names but many have taken to referring to them as the Lord's Court (east) and the Lady's Court (west).

#### Lady's Court

##### Smithe Manor (6)

The family home of the Smithe family, who moved to Kirsti some time in early 1254. Lady Smithe is the only remaining member of the family.

##### Genevieve's Assorted Wares (7)

Just a little ways off of the main road into Kirsti from the west. The ageing Genevieve has run this store since the area was known as the south courts. She sells many different goods and many rely on her for their more mundane needs. Her store backs on to the courtyard of Smithe manor, raising it's prestige significantly.

Genevieve's Assorted Wares Catalogue
 Bloodstone
 Calligrapher's Supplies
 Clothes
 Component Pouch
 Cook's Utensils
 Halberd
 Horn
 Iron Cookpot
 Star Rose Quartz

##### J & S Bank (8)

Front facing onto the main west road, J & S Bank handles the finances of the many fortunes of Kirsti's mercenary citizenship. The Proprietors Julia and Stintal, offer loans to sell swords under special circumstances. They do not engage in the predatory practices of Lord Brothers.

##### Misty's Health & Herbs (9)

The only location in all of Kirsti to pick up alchemical remedies or supplies. Misty offers mostly potions for curing wounds or diseases, ointments for ageing backs or draughts for battlefield courage. She does, however, keep the odd potion that suits the needs of *stranger* customers.

*\*Limited stock*

### Lord's Court

##### The Wilted Lily (10)

Primary residence of Lord Smithe. The Wilted Lily is a gentleman's establishment in the Lord's Court.

##### The Strapping Gentleman (11)

Bulk armour and armaments supplier. The strapping gentleman doesn't actually produce their own goods, rather they buy and resell the spoils of incursions to the north.

The Strapping Gentleman
 Longbow of Warning
 +1 Handaxe

*The Strapping Gentleman also offers most of the mundane weapons & armour found in the 5e players' handbook.*

##### Lord's Court Flea Market (12)

A place where any enterprising soul may set up and try to turn a profit for their ill-gotten gains. One is as likely to find bolts of wool here as jars of eyes.

Lord's Court Flea Market
 Garnet
 Glassblower's Tools
 Ring of Feather Falling
 Robe of Useful Items
 Sardonyx
 Scroll of Magic Mouth
 Scroll of Mold Earth
 Shortbow

##### The Bloody Bastard Tavern (13)

A somewhat popular tavern on the right side of the road from Moonshade. They prefer to present as an honourable establishment but, in reality, many back-room dealings are done here.

The Bloody Bastard Menu
 Pickled Oxen and Barley Biscuits
 Stewed Pork and Cashew Bread
 Roasted Eel and Bitter Cheese

Board: 5cp/night

### Moonshade

Moonshade marks the downside of the hill upon which Moon Keep is built. There are no main roads into Moonshade and little attention is paid to the goings on here. A little of every kind of thing happens here, from shady deals, to black rituals, to gang violence. Moonshade guards are among the worst of the peoples of Moonshade. They will accept a bribe to permit any crime, and without a bribe they are likely to arrest you without cause.

No maps are made of Moonshade, but with persistence and a little cash in the right pockets, you can find what you need.

#### Dass Schloss (14)

Lord Gunter refers to his home as Dass Schloss, meaning "the Castle" in common. It is unclear if this is intended as ironic or not, given that it is in clear veiw of the keep.

### Outer Districts

The outer districts survive outside of the influence of the Lords and lady within the walls of Kirsti. Some attempts have been made to expand their rule to these districts by those mentioned. Whether by their steadfast morals or simply their disinterest in capital affairs, the people of the outer districts have proven to be incorruptible.

#### Long Ring

Attached to the road leading out of Kirsti's western wall is Long Ring. These few shacks are home to some of the more permanent residents of the city: honest shopkeepers, cooks and the like. Those who prefer to make home outside of the attention of shady Kirsti operators.

#### Windchapel

Originally just a church built a little way south of Kirsti's initial development. When the wall went up around Kirsti proper, The chapel was simply too far away to include. Since then monks of the chapel have put up humble lodgings by the road and church.

##### St. Aura's Chapel (15)

This chapel is one of the oldest buildings in Kirsti, save for the Great Hall of Old Quarter. Most come here to pay their respect or ask for blessings from St. Aura, the saint that was said to personify a summer breeze. Occasionally, scholars will travel here to admire the architecture of old. These scholars do not mix well with the rest of Kirsti's citizenship. A scholar is unlikely to stay long in the city, and when they do, they are irresistible targets for pickpockets and con-men.

#### Smallwood

A few shacks, with roofs of canvas or scraps of timber, make up Smallwood. Where other outer districts resist the attention of Kirsti's cunning leaders, Smallwood is rarely, if ever, targeted. The city's vagrants squat in this shanty, and maimed old soldiers fill their ranks. Songs sung of the folly of the adventurer lifestlye have been known to reference smallwod.

### Winter Quarter

So named for the cooler weather found to the north, Winter Quarter is the last point of contact before the border. Those that live here are the first to see the comings and goings of mercenary parties. Some choose to sell information gleamed from observing these travellers.

##### St. Nhen's Hospital (16)

There is little access to medical facilities when campaigning in enemy territory, most who suffer wounds in the north lands are lost there. Those few that do make it back are treated here.

## Notable Characters

### Nobles

#### Baron Josephi Maine of Kirsti

A jovial, if naive, man in his 40s. The Baron is happy to entertain any kind of audience and loves to hear tales of adventures.

#### Lord Plaktucas of the Old Quarter

Wiry, strong, and tall. Lord Plaktucas if often compared to a knotted oak tree.

#### Lord Brothers of the North Ward

A squat, fat, nobleman. Lord Brothers is the picture of the high class lifestyle.

#### Lord Smithe of the Two Courts

A greasy, dark man in his mid 30s. Lord Smithe is never seen outside of his posse of armed guards.

#### Lady Smithe of the Two Courts

Lady Smithe is quite the rose. Quite beautiful, but her reputation indicates a penchant for doling out cruelty.

#### Lord Gunter of Moonshade

The enigmatic Lord Gunter is rarely seen outside of Moonshade, opting to send a representative to the Baron's court. He wears bright coloured clothes, always, but they are often also covered in grime or dried blood.

### Others

#### Joven

Priest of the chapel of St. Aura. Close personal friend of the local hero: Arfa

##### Jeffery

Mercenary of the North Ward. One of the quarter's eldest residents at the ripe old age of 24. Jeffery is quite unfortunately gullible, as are many of Lord Brothers' recruits.