Calbridge

Known to outsiders as "Calbridge", locals and natives refer to this city by it's true name: Venkata. Born from a collective group of individuals centuries ago, Venkata was known for being a city of neutrality without equal. Establishing themselves on either side of two islands, with a gigantic bridge connecting them, Venkata refused to take sides in any situation. Beyond that, Venkata was also the home of the notorious "Thieves Guild", an organization that predates even the city itself. Ruled by the Syndicate, this place of commerce, trade, and illicit dealings had become a central point for almost all kingdoms at one point or another. If there's one place information and coin flowed freely, it was Venkata.

After the death of the city, the place had been renamed to Lastlight Vigil, and was now in the care of Risovia. Not a single soul native to the place survived the genocide, leaving no one to tell it's history except those who had engaged with it but fled before it's fall.

## History

Before Venkata existed, the Thieves Guild was spread throughout the continents of Vaniya and Ithel. Wanting a place of sanctuary and freedom, the leaders of the Thieves Guild came together and pooled their resources. Stolen, given, it mattered not. With enough funds and support from allies, the Thieves Guild built their twin-cities upon the coasts. Establishing a leadership known as the Syndicate, which was led by an individual named the Master of Whispers, Venkata had since become home to many people. Supporting neutrality and acting as a sanctuary, all who came into Venkata find their hostilities suspended.

### The Rapture

After months of war escalating between the Calbridge Coalition and the Pale Temptress, it all came to a head on a fateful night. Just as Risovia had learned of the dark and sinister energies with Calbridge, their devotion to the demon-lord Orcus, so too were the people, and others, assaulted by a swarm of undead, sent by none other than him. While many fought to try and defend Calbridge, and save citizens, in the end, no one could have predicted that level of death that had erupted.

Twenty four thousands souls were sent to the god of undeath, Orcus. Twenty four thousand fed to his insatiable army. Twenty four thousand who would never see the light of another dawn.

No mercy would be given, for it was clear that on this night, only death came for them all.

Ending Theme Song

### Lastlight Vigil

Now in the care of Risovia, the place has been named Lastlight Vigil.

## Geography

Resting on two coasts, the twin-city of Lastlight Vigil, formerly known as Venkata or Calbridge, sits between two points, connected by a bridge. The channel that runs between them has been named "Siren's Call", due to the alluring nature of the city's unique stances, as well as being the only point of entry into the north-west region of Vaniya by boat, unless one sailed around or through the glacier bay.

### Settlements

* **Lastlight Vigil:** Formerly known as Venkata and Calbridge, the twin-city was the hub for the Thieves Guild, as well as a central point of trade, commerce, information, secrets, and services.

## Inhabitants

~~Venkata is home to any and all who follow the rules of the Syndicate. Dominated by thieves and similar folk, Venkata often serves as a bastion of hope and a beacon of sanctuary from the law and hostility alike. While most who live here have some connection to the Thieves Guild, it's not uncommon to find others who simply enjoy the constant flow of profits, legal or otherwise, and the epicenter of trade and commerce this place serves as.~~

There are currently no inhabitants present.

### ~~Government~~

~~Ruled by the Syndicate, and led by the Master of Whispers, Venkata's government still adheres to laws and codes befitting any city. It is public knowledge, however, that certain areas within Venkata are sanctioned to be untouched by the law, deferring to the people's justice. Given that this is intentional, all who enter and live within the city are aware of these places, and use them to their benefit, or avoid them. Even so, all places adhere to a code of honor, outlined below.~~

The Syndicate is currently dead, and the Master of Whispers has abdicated, leaving this place with no current leadership, though under the control of Risovia.

### ~~Venkata Code of Conduct~~

~~In addition to the laws and punishments of the city, the following code of conduct is required to be followed at all times:~~

* ~~Do not steal from or harm the poor, the weak, the elderly, children, the innocent, or the disabled.~~
* ~~Honor Among Thieves - Do not steal from a fellow thief.~~
* ~~All are welcome in Venkata, and enemies will behave for the duration of their stay. Any who attempt to harm another for political gain will be punished as they punished the other.~~

## Religion, Magic, Technology & Military

### Religion

~~While Venkata is a city of neutrality and freedom, various churches can be found within their settlements. Of note, the primary gods and goddesses worshipped here are Abadar, Besmara, Calistria, and Shelyn.~~

With the revelations from The Rapture, a cult dedicated to the demon-lord, Orcus, was found to have been inside the city for as long as it has stood, and was primarily the focus of many higher-ups, including the entire syndicate.

There is currently no religion held central or focal here.

### Magic

~~All forms of magic can be found in Venkata. Necromancy is permitted so long as it's not openly used or displayed, and any undead that enter the city are required to be disguised to pass as living, or they will be asked to leave, and killed if not.~~

Magical laws now defer to Risovia.

### Technology

~~Venkata hosts average technology, given most of it's inventions are of individual pursuits, and not related to the city. Still, the major benefit or 'achievement' of their technology is the bridge that connects the two cities.~~

Technology now defers to Risovia.

### Military

~~Venkata's military is largely volunteer-based. While the city itself is patrolled by a well-funded group known as "Thieves' Honor", any external military they might hold is donated or volunteered for by ally settlements, anonymous individuals, or citizen of Venkata itself. Their neutrality and dedication to sanctuary and asylum has caused many to avoid fighting them, as any who do often gain the ire of just about everyone else, and the loss of commerce and trade is dissuasion enough.~~

Military now defers to Risovia.

## Law & Crime

~~Law and Crime is handled by The Syndicate in two court systems. The lower courts oversee Misdemeanors, and the higher courts oversee Felonies and Capital Crimes.~~

~~In areas that are sanctioned, these places are known as 'The Shadow's Will', and are public knowledge of where their borders begin and end. Anything done inside of them is devoid of any consequence or punishment under official law, unless the crime(s) committed in there violate the Code of Conduct.~~

### Update Note:

All laws are now subject to Risovian law.