Varna

**Varna** is the western most city in the kingdom of Novubog, and in the former kingdom of Velia. It was formerly a city that took pride in it's long fields and ample horse raising, but now is a city that is constantly threatened by the war. Varna itself has maintained itself as a functioning city, but the looming threat of war has caused it to reprioritize into survival over economic growth.

Varna was named centuries ago by it's founders as the first established city in the primitive Velia. It has maintained it's name throughout time, and even temporarily had another city named in it's honor. Now at the front lines of the war, the future of the city remains uncertain.

### Geography

Varna is located at the edge of hills and forests that lie at the base of Mt. Helmar. Located to the south, beyond many hills, lies the Ironfel Mountains which contain the dwarven city of Iron Keep. To the east beyond trees and rivers is the city of Kilican. To the northwest of the city are the Burning Fields, the site of conflict that the civil war repeats itself at. The Burning Fields have created a dark atmosphere in the general area which sometimes bleeds over towards Varna.

### Structure

The city of Varna is run by a single Lord, Amy Tirill, who is considered a more "down to earth" and relatable noble than others lords in other cities would be. She has a small manor to herself located inside the city walls, which encompass 60% of all the buildings considered to be a part of Varna.

There are three gates, the northern, eastern, and western. The western gate, and buildings that lie outside of it, contains the highest population of beggars and homeless in the entire city. This is due to the western road being the direct path to the Burning Fields, the easiest way for the northern army to take to reach the southern kingdom. The buildings outside the eastern gate contain many merchant and travelling related trades, due to it leading to the rest of the kingdom. The northern gate leads to the northern farms and forests beyond, allowing lumber to easily come to the city.

The city watch, known as the *Iron Guard*, keep order in the city. Their jobs have become even more difficult in these turbulent times, and making sure the homeless do not disrupt daily life in the city is their current priority. They can be often seen on the walls and in the streets inside the walls, but often see no need to be in the western or northern areas outside the walls.

### Crime

In recent times, crime rates have risen in Varna, due to the war effort causing a financial strain on most. The mysterious House of Whispers operates out of Varna, and tends to oversee all illicit activities in the city, unbeknownst to most. The House of Whispers gather as much information as they can within the city and use it to their advantage. Seeing as how Varna would be the first city to fall if the northern army broke through, The House of Whispers sees themselves as the watch dog of the city, ready to alert those who support them that trouble approaches the city.

Those that do not operate under the house are considered simple criminals. Most often, they perform simple acts of mugging, pickpocketing, and burglary. Crime has risen, but more recently, the *Iron Guard* has been able to crack down on petty thieves. The punishments handed out by the city watch have increased in severity since the war began.

### Known Buildings in Varna

* Front Line Steel - A weapon & armor smithy
* General's Goods - A general goods store
* Lost Sector
* Miguel's Woodworking - Carpentry & Fletching store
* Slippery Mug Tavern - A typical tavern & inn combo
* Seeds of Growth - Alchemy & Herbalist store
* Temple of Hendeka - A temple dedicated to the eleven gods