Season 4 Setting Updates

## New Gork

*Main article: New Gork*

Whether a longtime resident of New Gork or a newcomer, celebrations around the city's founding now 21 years ago are always breathtaking. From the stories and reenactments in the Old Town square, to the tournament in the city's largest and most prominent fight pit, just outside the walls of Old Town but well within the city limits, the celebrations are loud, raucous, and utterly befitting a town of adventurers and those who love and support them.

The city itself is relatively compact, protected by a series of thick walls and guarded by the Defense Force. Rumors of vigilante justice blanket the city, stepping in when the law doesn't quite extend to protect the community. Interestingly enough, the Defense Force appears to show only token interest in apprehending these vigilantes and bringing them to justice.

The council of New Gork has some new faces and some old, all of them working towards the betterment of the city, from writing its laws to installing a series of magical lanterns that light the main streets. Outside of Old Town, it's relatively organized—business districts, industrial districts, and residential districts, with all the services a resident needs easily within walking distance, and anything an adventure needs before setting out readily accessible. Many shops catering to adventurers are run by adventurers themselves, from alchemies and poisons to maps, specialized weapons, and armor. The main labor of the city has been automated by the efforts of skilled engineers—constructs of all sorts and shapes work the fields, build the houses, and are employed in maintenance, and warforged customs officers from the nearby Frontier Forge guard the entryways, inspecting cargo brought to and from the nearby fledgling settlement of Livbringaren, reclaimed from the deathstrider who menaced the town years ago.

With the spread of the city's influence, travel and communication became more critical. Airships and crews of wyvern riders dominate the skies, while improved ships continue to sail the seas. For those looking for fast intercity transport, though expensive, teleportation circles have been created in the major cities. For easy communication, the Continental Swift Postal Service runs day in and day out, regardless of weather, construction, or encroaching monsters.

The city of New Gork has withstood many storms over the years, and survived many enemies—the anniversary celebrations, attended both by residents and by travelers from afar, are a testament to that, to the determination and courage of that first group of tenacious adventurers who dared to believe that a foothold could be made on this deadly continent.

## Freeport

*Main article: Freeport*

"Some say that Freeport never changes. They're right, in a way. Faces will come and go, guilds will rise and fall, innovations will be novel and outdated. In the end, you still have a bunch of reprobates grabbin' Fate by the hands and taking 'em for a dance. *Oh, do I love the way they spin."* - Anonymous Freeport Resident

Like the rizroot trees that comprise the Groves, Freeport blossoms in the sun of prosperity and the waters of trade. With the current amicable relations with Kairos, the founding of New Gork, and the current time of peace, trade has been high and the city has flourished, the most salient being the transformation of the Sands. Offshore breakwaters now protect the shoal, whose now safe sands have been built into a thriving boardwalk district. Keeping to its roots, the Sands continues to host a thriving festival-style night market, with the addition of more permanent leisure establishments.

With this prosperity and growth came change. The leader of the Falcodisangue passed, leaving Fulgenzio in charge; the leader of the Farmers' Guild passed as well, leaving the guild leaderless. All over Freeport, new groups formed. Rumors came of submarine smugglers below, and of sky pirates above; for as Freeport changes, adapts to the new world, so, too, does it stay the same.

As the world turns, the magnificent becomes the new normal. The new teleportation circle of the Gilded Lobster brought an influx of high class travel to Oldtown, with several establishments happily accommodating. When the first airship came to Freeport, it moored atop the Mass as a not-so-subtle middle finger to the Acquafredda's docking fees. The tradition continued, the Mass now the standard docking place for airships. In air transportation, wyverns were a different issue altogether. While the first airship was greeted with fanfare, the first flight of wyverns to Freeport was almost shot down. With no space to land a large dragon in a dense city, wyvern riders make do with the "Landing Docks" off the coast of Midtown.

## Kairos

*Main article: Kairos*

Approved for release June 2344, Ministry of Publications

A brief history of recent events, for distribution throughout the archipelago:

*Since we last saw Kairos, the shining jewel of democracy, law, and order:*

Last frequented by adventurers in the year 2323, shortly before the founding of New Gork, Kairos has suffered a few growing pains, but emerged triumphant. After the unprecedented victory of current beloved Princeps Cornelius Tanius Rejuvinatus and his wise Consort Anaira Tanius Majid, Kairos has prospered like never before. While some prominent members of the city's Clergy and Nobility initially voiced objections to the current administration, I think we can all agree that life has improved admirably with the rise of the Princeps as a true leader of state, rather than a mere figurehead. Indeed, with the freedom to worship who we like across the pantheons, the freedom to enact change and reform in our communities through the local magistrature elections, and through the ability to take our safety into our own hands and report any dangerous behavior to the Inquisitores, life has never been better!

With successful trade deals stretching across the waters to enterprising merchants in Freeport, the United Principality of Kairos has had an influx of new goods, people, and ideas, and has expanded the boundaries of the Principality to many new holding across the archipelago, offering protection and prosperity to the isles that accept her guidance. Most prominent among these is Kanara, with Kairos' extensive aid in rebuilding after the Devil Invasion of 2320. From Kairos' coffers came the funds, and from Kairos' people came the labor, and with these, Kanara was rebuilt from the ashes to which it had fallen. Now, the two cities live in harmony, each supporting and aiding the other with their own strengths.

After reopening the bounds of the city to adventurers in the year 2325, Kairos has enjoyed all the benefits of being closest to the fledgling town of New Gork, now a city in its own right. With trade flourishing, and a new Adventurers' Guild hall reopened as of 2330, Kairos is once again a welcoming destination to all those who wish to visit. And, of course, should visiting adventurers need anything, the Protectorate's right next door, with the largest Praecinct of Terminus located just across the street from the Adventurers' Guild's new home.

Along with trade comes the flourishing of the arts—the Conservatory has accepted a new group of students once again, and they're simply marvelous! Those wishing to view the next performance need only come to the Conservatory in the weeks of October the 20th to October the 30th, as the performance, *The Heralds of Zeus,* is selling tickets now!

And, finally, as a parting word, look to the skies, Kairosians! As we enter the autumn months, anticipate our most acclaimed aerial event—the First Flight of the Caelum Magus of the Scoli Arcanum, demonstrating their prowess to the newest recruits of the school. Keep your eyes peeled, Kairosians—you might see flights of young airborne mages and their magnificent griffon mounts in coming weeks, as training begins once more.

United by our collective hearts, I end this missive with a call upon duty to you all. Whether you live at home, or abroad, I remind you of our most sacred tenet—we, as Kairosians, are strongest together, and can accomplish all we wish to put our minds to, but only if we stand together. Watch over your neighbors, offer aid to those who might require it, and be wary of those who might seek to destroy our livelihoods.

With great sincerity,

Ellolhi Liakos

Head Author of the Ministry of Publications

This publication has been approved by

Luca Softpaw

Office of the Princeps

## Kanara

*Main article: Kanara*

I was going to be a sailor. I already had a job on the docks, helping load and unload the heavy merchants that came through. I spoke with the sailors when I could, even approached the captains from time to time—respectfully, of course. But they were never looking for another pair of hands, or if they were, they weren't looking for mine.

...The devils took us all by surprise. You don't know how many times I resolved to stow away on the next outbound ship...but every time, when my moment arrived...it didn't seem right. I couldn't do it.

And then they came. They came with their ships full of soldiers and decked out for war, and all of us dockhands eagerly aided them, for here, beneath the red phoenix, were our saviors.

If only I knew then what I know now.

...Perhaps I'm too optimistic. Perhaps knowing wouldn't have changed anything. But it was *adventurers* who saved our city, not Kairos. Kairos couldn't stand not being the hero, couldn't stand watching us when we were at our weakest without taking advantage. They blamed the adventurers—the *true* heroes—for starting it all, cast them out of Kairos even as their soldiers continued to occupy Kanara. For our protection, they said. But they were never interested in keeping us safe, only in keeping us docile. Subservient.

Some few of us banded together in protest, but we were leaderless, unorganized, and they split us easily, and those of us who spoke too loudly...fled in fear. Was it cowardice? Perhaps. But we live to fight another day. Perhaps it was wisdom. I can only hope it was, for my heart aches to return to my beloved city—but Kairosian memory is long, and even away from them, I've not been quiet. Nothing pleasant can possibly await me if I return while they still linger.

But our forces grow, even still. The golden wyvern stands no longer over a field of royal purple, but of grim black. For our king, we told them. We mourn his loss. But the black of the flag means more than our grief; it means our resistance. *Peidiwch byth ȃ thorri.* Never broken. Kairos should beware, for the wyvern is not slain, only slumbering, and we will rise again.