Tolstov

**Theme**

**The Imperial City of Tolstov** is the capitol city of the **Ozmit Empire**, and also its largest city. This massive, sprawling city is said to be the center of human culture and civilization in **Dharrenal** and it is considered one of the grandest cities in the known world.

## Overview

The majestic capital of the Ozmit Empire completely dominates the surrounding countryside. This sprawling metropolis is easily three times the size of Ibrido.

The skyline is made up of massive, dark, gothic towers; a sea of spires and steeples. Tolstov is laid out on an easy to navigate grid, each street numbered and the buildings uniform in appearance and design.

   Central to the city is the tall, black tower known as the High Spire of the Grand Palace, from where the royal family resides and rules.

The central location and plentiful surrounding resources of the region have made Tolstov the most favorable place to oversee the rule and expansion of the Ozmit Empire itself. Since the Calamity War, Tolstov has grown to become the largest city in Dharrenal, and the cultural and military center of the content.

At the core of all imperial politics are the nobles, politicians, and wealthy elite who live within the city or own property there. Displays of wealth and power are common, while sprawling poverty consumes the outer districts and slums beyond the walls of the inner wards. Cobblestone streets twist and mingle through bustling neighborhoods, cart merchants and street performers vying for attention throughout the chilly summer months and even colder winters.

Glowing orbs of arcane fire flicker at the tops of dark iron lamp poles at major intersections, lighting the evening air, while colorful flowers adorn the inner archways of each neighborhood entryway. Buildings cluster close and reach toward the sky, often snow-dappled with long wooden slats placed between rooftops for riff raff to skitter unseen across the city. Although the city teems with activity, it is also full of law keepers and military watch, with griffon riders circling overhead above the ever-patrolling Crownguard soldiers and the headquarters of the Silver Gauntlet.

The massive and beautiful center of educational study known as the Uthnid Academy is located in Alabaster Row, a thin crescent of a neighborhood marked by the tall and imposing tower homes of all eight leading members of the Alabaster Assembly, each unique and imposing in their way. The beating heart of the city, and of the empire, lies positioned in the terrace of Grand Palace. From within the castle halls, the Emperor and his council of chosen authorities oversee all matters of state.

### The Alabaster Assembly

Much of the empire's prosperity over the centuries stems from the Alabaster Assembly, a union of the empire's most powerful mages working directly for the crown.These masters of the arcane and loremasters aid the king in engaging foreign interests, in developing magical technology to better oversee the land and enforce his will, and making use of the rare relics that the crown confiscates.

This arrangement affords the assembly homes in the Alabaster District and across the major cities of the empire, as well as access to ever Ozmitian politician. Thus, members of the assembly are extremely influential and, by the nature of their arrangement, very carefully watched by the king. Most civilians swap rumors of demonic pacts and demigod-level magics at the Assembly's disposal, adding to their aura of mystique among the common folk. When Assembly mages walk the streets or attend the halls of an establishment within the city, it's an event people will be talking about.

### Business and Merchant Law

The resource-rich economy of Tolstov supports a powerful guild and merchant class, who work directly with the crown under the watch of Guildmaster Yuri Olvar. Any permanent place of business is required to join a corresponding guild, paying an annual fee on top of their taxes to the Empire, and to follow the guild's requirements for conditions of operation.

Some complain that these conditions are often manipulated on a case-by-case basis to remove competition between similar interests, but cries of corruption within the guilds fall on deaf ears. This has led to a rapid growth of mobile businesses on street corners and shops that move between districts to avoid inspection by Crownguard or guild members.

### Politics & Unrest

Historically, public displays of unease under the emperor's rule were met with brutal punishment. However, the previous emperor, Dezmod Radovid, loosened the laws applying to public discourse, giving rise to a number of political figures who gathered the unhappy populace behind their philosophies. In response, Emperor Dezmod, established the Whispers; a network of spies working for the crown to blackmail or corrupt these politicians. With these high-profile dissenters under the thumb of the emperor, controlling political discourse became easier, and politics within the empire became a tense game of cat and mouse.

Forthright nobles and frustrated guild members unswayed by propaganda, gold, or threats still dissent publicly, testing, testing the boundaries of their influence. Emperor Foltest's patience with to these policies grows ever thinner.

### Government

Emperor Foltest Radovid rules the capital himself. No elders or mayors hold office within the city. The Prime Arbiter oversees all major matters of law that don't require the attention of the emperor, while Guildmaster Olvar works with the various guilds of the city to ensure smooth trade both within and beyond the city. Beneath the Prime Arbiter is the head of Tolstov's Crownguard, Watchmaster Bronn Leshin, who ensure that the laws of the empire are enforced.

### Crime

The capital city harbors a diverse criminal underground both within and beneath the streets. Leaders of various criminal guilds, including **the Crows** and **the dwarven Carta** are present and hidden in plain sight. Independent crime rings plague trade centers and busy districts where there are easy gold and gullible city folk. The populace is simply too large for the Crownguard to oversee every corner of cobblestone where laws are bent or broken.

The most infamous organization, and the one that is arguably at the top of the criminal food chain in Tolstov, is the Invisible Hand. The city's chapter of the church of Olidimmara, and few have seen the widespread success of the Invisible Hand. Their current leader is known only as **The Artist**, who has been in charge of the local chapter for 13 years.

## Layout

The city spreads across the tallgrass fields south of the , its walls forming a distended pentagon. Farmland around the north and east sides of the city are dotted with farmsteads and small rural communities that provide food for the capital. The northeast side of the wall curves around a trio of immense, fortified towers surrounded by barracks known as the Crown's Bastion, where the central force of the Silver Gauntlet trains and resides. Within the outer wall of the city are seven major districts: the Candles, the East End, the Ironmonger District, the Mosaic Ward, Mudtown, and the Warrens.

he city is partitioned off into a number of districts, each separated by a gated interior wall. Note that all points of interest are places visited by player characters or prominently mentioned.

### Alabaster Row

Northwest of the Grand Palace is Alabaster Row, a well-kept and heavily-guarded district centered around the local university. The academic quarter, home to student housing, and the local university. It is a quiet and clean part of the city, and loitering in the district is viewed with suspicion; people aren't advised to go there unless they have specific business.

Alabaster Row is home to eight tall spires that house the members of the Alabaster Assembly, with each tower having its own appearance. This creates a jagged, slightly unsettling sight visible from nearly any point in the city.

### The Billows

The docks and port for the city. It is always buffeted by winds, and a layer of salt stain the wood and stone. Scuffs and damage to the stonework and some of the buildings here remain from an attack by a Kraken that occurred over a century ago.

### The Candles

This western region of the city, located almost directly next to the Cloudrunner District, houses the working class of the city. It's here that most of the city's general commerce takes place, with much of that occurring at the Red Market (see below). Dozens of smaller streets branch off major roads to create a labyrinth of twisting neighborhoods and industrial districts. The network of major roads converge to form three major plazas across the district, where shops, inns, and various forms of entertainment can be found.

**The Silver Veranda** plaza lies at the northern end of the Candles, where the more expensive homes and luxurious entertainment can be found. Near the southern end of the Candles is **the Vigil's Circle**, a marketplace built around a loop of road that surrounds the Tower of Writ, a temple dedicated to St. Cuthbert where the Prime Arbiter delivers his judgment. All manner of commerce takes place here, while the nearby Blackstone Keep Prison looms as an ominous reminder to any who might seek to break the laws of the land.

The Red Market is the largest of the three main plazas. The market is a winding knot of streets, each of which is wholly dedicated to traders who come from all across the world to sell their exotic wares, while artists and performers bring an air of lively celebration despite the dreary skies of the region. It's within this lively area that the Tolstov Archive can be found. Near the southern wall is the Chantry of Dawn, a Pelor-sponsored homeless shelter and food kitchen dedicated to helping the city's homeless and poor.

Landmarks

* **The Radnoy Fountain** *- Red Market*

### Cloudrunner District

Home to the skyport and a number of local taverns and storefronts. This area is technically located on a grassy hill outside of the city proper, and is like a small town in and of itself; it has all of the basic goods the crew of an airship might need without having to go into the city.

#### Points of Interest

* **Awgomir's Roaster:** A small carry-out eatery operating from an outdoor booth, offering roasted nuts and vegetable kabobs. The owner, Victor Awgomir, is a vegan and does not serve anything that comes from an animal. His kebabs sell poorly, though people do seem to like the various nuts he has for sale.
* **Calomir's Cleaners:** A launderer owned by a family of halflings, located across the street from the Huhrong.
* **Connor's Dry Goods:** A small general store that stocks basic equipment. An authorized Solgrov-Robard outlet, catalogue sales for the area can be made here, and are delivered straight to this store—or any other certified outlet.
* **The Huhrong:** A comfortable tavern near the skyport. Popular with foreigners. Run by a dwarf named **Broly Stonechipper**.
* **The Rust Exchange:** One of two storefronts that houses this government-sponsored program. The Rust Exchange takes old, worn down metal equipment, crushes it down to raw metal, and gives you some coin for the effort.
* **The Skyport:** One of the largest skyports in the world, able to house more than thirty airships at a time. Numerous taxes make docking at the skyport a bit expensive, in addition to the weekly fees one must pay to dock at the "highly demanded" skyport.
* **What Ales You:** The other tavern in town, more popular with local workers.

### The Crown District

The central district of the city, where the Royal Palace is found. It also serves as the home to various Guild Headquarters and other branches of official city administrations. Standing vigilant above the other buildings here are is the Platinum Terrace--a small district of compact military outposts that surround the Grand Palace.

The dark stone of the castle splits into numerous towers, while high-arched stained glass windows dress the exterior of each floor of the citadel.

#### Points of Interest

* **The Mapmaker's Guild**
* **The Rust Exchange:** A second branch of the popular program, and the first to have officially opened. It is much larger, and draws large crowd.
* **The Skymaster's Guild:** Headquarters of all official airship activity in the city.
* **The Swordsman's Guild**

### East End

The artistic, bohemian district of the city. It's got cheap housing and workspaces that make it appealing to artisans of all walks. There is a healthy residential population as well, and the general atmosphere is considerably more liberal, welcoming, and laid-back than the rest of the city. This is off-set by the crime levels found here.

### The Foundry

A small district of the city near the Ironmonger District, that is home to many dwarven emissaries and immigrants. The district is named after the church of **Moradin** that is found here. Sometimes called the "Stone Quarter".

### High Quarter

Within the inner walls of the city, the High Quarter (also called the Jeweled Ward) is where the noble houses and guild leaders live. Here, beautiful gardens and museums celebrate Ozmitian culture, and specialist merchants promote their unique wares. The debate forum is rarely used aside from holidays, where intellectuals will challenge each other to arguments about philosophy and history.

Cottages and tasteful estates sit behind tall fences and walls, and a pair of open squares host occasional galas when the local elite are in need of socialization.

It is the cleanest and safest section of the city, apart from the palace itself. Magical entry is forbidden, and those who do not appear to be of the proper social standing are not permitted entry.

### Ironmonger District

The city's industrial district, home to countless mills, forges, foundries, and factories. Also home to a famous school of combat.

### Mosaic Ward

A sprawl of impoverished neighborhoods are hidden behind colorful banners and small fences that segregate this ratty residential district from the main thoroughfares. This district is a hotbed for crime and violence, and Crownguard interest in policing the area is lacking, so criminals often use this as an opportunity to victimize the ward's poorer businesses and residents. This had led to a growing number of vigilantes and self-appointed protectors of the Mosacis.

The name for the district comes from the stone used to pave its street; they are many different colors, creating a mosaic of sorts under the feet of those who travel through the area that, despite the conditions, is still quite beautiful. The unique streets were a gift from the elves long ago.

### Temple Square

A large, mostly-open area of town where the five massive, beautiful temples dedicated to the five gods of the empire are found. The majority of the square is a large, green park with the five temples positioned around the park like the five points of a star; Pelor is at the north end, Heironeous to the west, St. Cuthbert to the east, Boccob to the southwest, and the Raven Queen's tower to the southeast.

#### Points of Interest

* **The Cathedral of the Holy Dawn:** A truly massive, steeped cathedral dedicated to Pelor with exquisite windows of stained glass. It is the heart of the Peloric religion and the seat of its leader. Hundreds of candles and brightly burned braziers light the temple, which is filled with the chants and songs of choirs, and the prayers of visitors at all hours of the day. The Cathedral of the Holy Dawn marks the site where the Exalted Crusade that eventually felled the Demon Prince was held.
* **The Grand Library:** The church of Boccob, the Grand Library is a building glass and iron etched with eldritch runes and writings. Every floor of this tall building, and the vaults below it, are filled with countless books, scrolls, and writings of every sort. The byzantine halls and twisting passages are a nightmare for any but the cloistered priests to navigate. The Library contains many laboratories, vaults, classrooms, meditation chambers, and museum exhibits.
* **The Lawbringer's Court:** A tall building, with huge marble columns and the symbol of St. Cuthbert emblazoned in stained glass. The largest courthouse in the world, it is home to countless records, books of law, courtrooms, law offices, a combat arena, and barracks for their clerics and paladins. The head of the Cuthbertine church resides here.
* **The Platinum Hall:** More of a fortress than a temple, this building is one of the most secure military buildings in the empire. Banners for Heironeous fly from its parapets, and trumpeters and military displays are common.
* **The Raven's Tower:** A gray, cold graveyard where no plants grow, and no animals reside save for the flocks of ravens that are seen in the trees and the iron poles placed along the edges of the walkways. The tower itself is five stories tall and seems to have been carved from a single piece of polished, jet black stone. Cemeteries, tombs, and crypts surround the tower. For most people, it seems that no matter how long one walks toward the Tower, it never gets any closer. Very few have ever seen beyond its doors.

### The Warrens

The northern end of the city houses the largest of the city's slums. The cobblestone streets of the city were never quite built up to the northern wall, causing this area to be rife with mud and puddles and much year round, leaving the denizens cold, ornery, and prone to illness. Many of the sick and diseased throughout the city are relegated to the Warrens for forgotten about. However, some healers have seen to making their talents available to residents, as well have a small number of priests.

## Demographics

The largest city in the greatest empire in Dharrenal, Tolstov likewise has an equally large population of about 215,100 people. Of these, the people are most human (72%). Other than that, 8% are Dwarves, 6% are Halflings, and other races account for 5%. However, due to its massive size and importance, the city is home to all manner of races.

## Traditions & Holidays

### Customs

* A local delicacy is a drink known as Bashemi Firewine. It is very expensive, with undiluted vintages available for 70 gp per bottle. When enough is imbibed, the drinker gains a temporary boost of strength at the expense of common sense.
* The Empire is governed by a strict set of laws, with harsh punishments for infraction. Outsiders are generally viewed with scrutiny and suspicion.
* Only five gods are recognized within the Empire--Pelor, Heironeous, Boccob, St. Cuthbert, and the Raven Queen.

## History

### Ancient History

The area that is now Tolstov has been important to the humans of Dharrenal since time immemorial. It is home to the Pillar of Knowledge, and countless bloody wars between ancient Dharranali tribes were fought to claim the lands around its base, for it was said that to be near the Pillar was to be awoken to true wisdom.

It was about 600 years before the coming of the Demon Prince that the Ozmit Empire was founded by **Pitor Ozmit**, a proud and fierce warlord who valued cunning over brute force. He built his first palace at the base of the Pillar and challenged any who would dare to try to take it. The city that grew around it over the next century was named "Tolstov". King Ozmit was said to have gained supernatural knowledge, from touching and communing with the Pillar of Knowledge every day.

The Ozmit Empire grew in power and influence over the next few centuries, one of the rare kingdoms that flourished and endured through centuries of bloodshed and constant, petty wars that raged through the region in those ancient days. This longevity gave the Empire more influence throughout central Dharrenal, and its crown city only continued to grow.

### The Calamity War

When the Calamity War broke out, the Ozmit Empire was on the front lines. Due to the devastation and mass exodus from neighboring countries to the eats, Tolstov became a refuge and a place of hope in those dark days. The Five temples each opened massive training camps for clerics and paladins, creating the single largest mass recruitment in history: over ten years, nearly six thousand clerics and paladins were created between the five churches.

With time, the war spread beyond the edges of the Empire and into the heartlands. The sons of the king were killed in battle and his only daughter, married to a count in distant Vanar, was also believed to have been lost. In despair, the King lost all hope and eventually took his own life, ending the Ozmit royal line.

The King's Steward, Duke Radnoy, took up the mantle of leadership. He was reluctant but did so out of loyalty to his old friend, the former king, and to the empire. Under Radnoy's wise leadership, the Empire endured. He led them to victory after victory, and even broke the Siege of Tolstov by leading the knights into battle.

Radnoy brought all of the leaders opposed to the Demon Prince together, and it was Radnoy who founded the alliance that would become the Grand Alliance, forming the Glorious Domains. After several more years, the Grand Alliance would launch the Exalted Crusade that would end with the Demon Prince's banishment.

In the wake of the Calamity War, Radnoy was crowned as king, starting the Radnoy Royal Line that still rules the empire to this day. The Ozmit Empire would quickly absorb dozens of smaller kingdoms around it, "for their protection", doubling its size within a decade.

### Modern Tolstov

Since then, Tolstov has continued to be the largest, most powerful, and most influential city on Dharrenal.