The City of Athus

Athus, the Cradle of the Free Voice

The City of Athus, capital of the blooming Republic. Athus was named after the city's first ruler, Athus the First Magistrate, who was the first elected leader of the City. After his passing, the citizens would name Athus after him and in his honor, keep the tradition of electing their leaders. Athus is known as the Father of Democracy and in return, The City of Athus became a cradle of the free voice. Over many decades the city would continue to grow, and little judgment was passed on the creatures who lived there. It became the place where one could start a new life altogether. Soon, more towns and cities throughout the lands would begin to ally themselves and pledge their liege to the City State, becoming protectorates under Athus. Still advocating for democracy, a Senate was built in Athus where representatives from any allied city or town could be elected and have their voices heard and make a difference, politically and economically, finally, the common people had a voice. In a span of 50 years, the Senate had expanded tenfold and all the allied towns and cities soon declared the area in which they controlled the Republic of Athus, in honor of the name Athus and its first ruler many centuries ago.

The City Watch along with many other peace-keeping mercenary guilds, has kept the city relatively safe. This inherent sense of security allowed the City to keep a tolerant and welcoming attitude towards outsiders, whether they were wealthy merchants, poor refugees or, as it historically attracted, less-scrupulous individuals such as pirates and smugglers.

Athus is the heart of the Republic and the heart of Democracy. It is located within the Republic of Athus in the Eastern Reaches on the continent of Oraxus, situated openly by the ocea, making the city a perfect port-city with a large harbour as one of its many prides. This allows Athuns to have a vast veriety of trading through ships and merchant caravans. While the terrain where the Senate is situated, the rest of the city is built over massive steeps and buffs which overlooks the harbour down below.

Whilst most of the commoners of Athus live in poverty, at times a good earned modest living standard, the rich nobles and politicians live in the Senatorial District close to the Magistrate Palace in opulence. The Magistrate Palace is the largest building in the City, and was built in honor of Athus, the second Magistrate who was elected after Athus' death would then proceed to outlaw any building to be larger and taller than the Magistrate Palace as it would tarnish the memory of their founder. The Magistrate Palace is the legislative and judiciary building of the Republic of Athus, it holds both the Republic Senate and the Court of Justice, furthermore it is the living space to the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic. The second Magistrate would reform the Magistrate name into Supreme Chancellor and would also officialize the markings of years, AAD or also known as After Athus' Death, as a way to pin point the exact year they're in. The usage of AAD has been recognized throughout the continent of Oraxus as the standard way to measure time due to the vast and expansive influence of Athus, however, most Kingdoms use their own way of marking the years, and despite that AAD has become the most commonly used term.

Located within the City of Athus is the largest school of magic, where it firstly was a school for wizarding apprentices and sorcerers alike to harness their Arcane capabilities. But since the expansions of the Republic and the city itself, some Druidic circles, Cleric congregations and Bard Colleges had joined the University of Phyxius to teach young people to tap into the arcane weave threads and produce magic.

## Districts

### The Senatorial District

The Senatorial District is without a doubt the most wealthy district within the City of Athus, here glamorous statues adorn the streets, brass and golden ornaments on buildings, benches and street lights are not a rare sight to see. Within the Senatorial District lives some of the most wealthiest and influencial people in the whole realm, members of the Senate, the Chancellor's Council and the Consul are some of the people with the outmost importance live here. The Senatorial district also hosts many of the more important government ministries such as the Ministry of Arcane Society. The district is also what some would know it as a gated community, one could live their whole life here without ever needing to go outside of its walls. Identity checks are made for anyone who wish to pass through by the City Watch, but of course, exceptions can be made.

### Estancia Heights

Estancia Heights is the largest district within the inner City and borders with the Senatorial District, the Docks the Bazaar and many other districts inside the City Walls. Although being the largest district of the inner City it shouldn't be taken for granted, many different types inhabit the streets of Estancia Heights. However, the most secure parts of Estancia Heights is the avenue leading to the the Senate, one of the most important buildings in the whole realm and where many life changing decisions are made on a daily basis. The Senate is a large Castle and a citadel constructed hundreds of years ago during the time of the First Magistrate. It is not only an important governmental building but also the home of the High Magistrate and their family during their life time term period. Estancia Heights is also the home of many well known adventurers, merchants and mid ranking military men. One can also see few governemental workers there too. If one wants to find themselves a decent Inn or a tavern they will most likley find it here. Banks and City Watch offices are more likley to show up here and one wouldn't be suprised to see different small businesses, magical shops, breweries and more within Estancia Heights.

### The Bazaar

The Bazaar is the shopping district of Athus, it grew out of the old merchants town to become the main place of trade in the city. Not only has it one of the largest sprawling markets with foods, fruits, trinkets, weapons and more. But it is also the home to many blacksmiths, magical shops and other businesses. Any adventuring party seeking equipment will most definitely find what they're looking for here. However, things of more a high rarity will most likley not be found here as crime and pickpocketing is high in the Bazaar and as such jewlers and high end stores will most likely be found at the more patrolled streets of Estancia Heights. The Bazaar is not only the district for shops and livleyhood but as many of the other districts many people live here and has one of the dense population in the City.

### The Docks

As the name implies this is where all ships come when they enter the City of Athus from the trading routes connecting it to the rest of the realms. One wont find much living space by the docks as there are mostly warehouses and loading docks located here. There is a high presence of the City Watch by the docks as everything entering the city must not be of the illegal kind, that being drugs, materials and items considered unlawful. Most larger companies or wealthy merchants have their own loading docks and warehouses located by the Docks. To transport goods on the main land would pose greater risk due to bandits and goblin ambushes, and as such taking it to the waters is a lesser risk. However, the fact that pirating is still a very high chance does not make one or the either a better choice, ships only have a tendency to be able to defend itself better than a caravan of goods and a few mercenaries.

### The Well

The well is the last and the smallest district in the inner city and is situated close to the docks and the water, making it a good place for dock workers, City Watch members and warehouse workers to live there as they will have fast access to their place of work. One might staple The Well as the poorer district of the inner city just because of the fact that so many of the working class live there. However, one might be surprised to find that many merchants has found it to be more comfortable living there than any other place. It is calm and sits close to the beatiful Green Orchard. Although crime is not an exception to this place, as there are many working class citizens living in The Well they do not have the means of proper protection for their property or apartment.

### Green Orchard

The Green Orchard is one of the many districts in the outer city, meaning it is placed outside of the City Walls. The Green Orchard was originally a large farming community for the early days of the City but grew into growing fruits. What had once been a place for farmers had quickly been overtaken by opportunitist who saw the fertile land as profit. Apple's, Oranges and pears are among the many fruits grown here and it does not stop there, large vineyeards have been built by the rich to make their own wine for selling purposes or personal consumption alone. Although once a farming community the Green Orchard has grown into a beautiful Orchard and vineyeard. Many can find the rich taking a walk and finding a spiritual relaxation here. Due to the serene nature of the Green Orchard, the Univeristy of Dyros was constructed here.

### Haystreet

Haystreet had once been a project by the rich of Athus to extend the Green Orchard to get closer access to the Senatorial District but was disturbed in the First Faction Wars, a civil-war that took place nearly 150 years ago in todays time. Once the war was over the extension was never completed as the funds for it had been depleted and that meant that there was no longer an interest in extending it and thus the project was abandoned. Today, Haystreet stand as one of the most dangerous districts of the city, where hobgoblins, goblins, criminals, gangs and Theive's Guilds have taken up shop. Each day is a day of survival for those who live there and Haystreet is poverty stricken. The City Watch never go there and thus crime has been allowed to evolve there, it is either the best or the worst place to lay low in.

### Glass Cross

The Glass Cross is like the day and night of Haystreet, Haystreet a dangerous district for anyone looking to get themselves killed for just looking at a person the wrong way. The Glass Cross is an expansive farming community and the major resource for cattle, and farming goods to the City. The Farms of Glass Cross extends all the way down towards the Stonelane district. Many of the farms found in the Glass Cross can be dated back originally to the Green Orchard.

### Stonelane

The Stonelane district is mostly known for their avenue leading directly through the entirety of the City of Athus. It is what is known as the start to the great on-land trading routes and as thus has a high density of people living there as it is such as conveniet place to live. Here one will find many different kinds of species living together in harmony, tieflings, humans, well earned goblins and more. The working class takes up most of this place and Stonelane even has its own tight-knit community and many delagates and representatives in the Senate are from and will most likely find their voter-base in Stonelane.

### Kenwood Hill

Kenwood Hill is the largest district in the whole City of Athus and has the largest population out of all districts combined. It is sprawling with streets combining and intertwining into a large road network leading in and out of the inner city and the city of Athus itself. You will find all types of individuals residing within Kenwood Hill.

### The Old Merchant's Town

The Old Merchant's Town is where the Bazaar originally came out of, as the City grew larger so did the rest of the districts but the Old Merchants town remained stagnant and unchanged. Here one will find the most strangest trinkets and artefacts one may think of. Rumors even has it that an old hag brews potions of different kinds here. It is unlikely to find a shop of magic items here, but if you ever look for something unordinary, you will find it here.

### Old Town

By most historical scholars, it is generally agreed to that the City of Athus generates from Old Town and started its foundations from there. Once known as Anareth, a lonely fishing town now it is apart of a larger whole. Old Town is the most rural of the other districts as it sits on the other side of a river with only two bridges connecting it to the rest of the city. Old Town is mainly working class or under class humans, it is not as poor as Haystreet but it is easy to tell that Old Town is quite run down.

## Points of Interest

### The Senatorial District

#### The Frightened Lion

The Firghtened Lion is a tavern ran a Dwarven man by the name of Gustaf Kulk. It is a high-end tavern with mid-high prices and is mostly affordable by the ones who live within the district. The tavern and inn will give you comfortable living quarters and a worker to come and wake you up by any given time of your choosing should one need to get up in a hurry, this comes with an extra fee of 2 GP.

#### The Potted Bunny

The Potted Bunny is a teahouse and bakery and will offer you a magnitude of different baked goods and of course tea. The tea and pastries are infused with Goodberries giving anyone who comes here and extra kick of energy for the day and will feel completely satisifed until the next day. The teahouse is ran by the Harengon Freyah Lightfoot.

#### Thoroughbred Emporium

The Thoroughbred Emporium demands peak perfection from their horses and puts extreme pressure on their breeders to breed the finest of horses. The Emporium has been supplying the citizens of Athus and even the City Watch itself the fine bred hourses, a perfect adventuring travel companion. Even for the vast size of Athus, a horse will carry you a long way. The Emporium is owned by the human Armand Troy.

#### The Ministry of Arcane Society

This is the Ministry that regulates the usage of all magic within the Republic of Athus and decides on what schools of magic are acceptable or not. A few examples of this is that Necromantic Magic and Warlock Magic is outlawed. A warlock may be able to get by with their magic more easily than a necromancer if they are willing to give up who their patron are, depending on the patron it may be accepted under supervision. The Ministry is also responsible for protecting the knowledge of magic and the corriculum at the Academy of Dyros. The Ministry also deploys their own secret agency of Agent's to regulate and root out any unauthorized usage of magic.

#### Ironclad

Ironclad is the go to blacksmith, owned by the Dwarven Gunrak Finesteed, the Ironclad blacksmith has been passing down generations of family knowledge of fine smithing. They will supply any adventurer of good weapons and armor, but for a hefty price. But perhaps those prices are worth it in the end? The Finesteed secrets dates back to the dwarven mountains in the Kindom of Orlieon and has been passed down to each of the children in the family.

### Estancia Heights

#### The Smashed Boar

The Smashed Boar is one of the finer establishments of Estancia Heights and sees a fairly good amount of patronage from all corners of the City. Being so central and close to the Senate, this is the go to place for the City Watch on their off-duty breaks. The smashed boar offers only food and drinks and have no place for you to rest. It is ran by the fairy Mr. Qi.

#### The New Moon Inn

The New Moon Inn is a popular Inn in the Estancia Heights, it can house a vast patronage for the night and it comes with a decent and affordable price for coming to stay there. As always, foods and drinks are also an option for those who's looking to only grab a good meal for the day. The New Moon Inn is ran by the Giff Frieda.

#### Mr. Pim-Pim's Arcane Emporium

Mr. Pim-Pim's Arcane Emporium is the go to shop for adventurers who are looking for an expertiese in magical items. Here you might come to make a purchase, sell or even deduct what kind of magical item it is yourself are carrying. Mr. Pim-Pim is a scrawny looking elder man who seems to be a human. Mr. Pim-Pim is always pestered by the Ministry of Arcane Society to turn over some of the more dangerous items he has in his collections, but they have never truly been able to get what they want.

#### Pride and Plenty

Pride and Plenty is a adventuring gear shop where adventurers will come and stock up on equipment for their next big adventure. The shop offers competitive market prices and has good patronage. It is ran by the Elven man Wollan.

#### The Polished Moonstone

The Polished Moonstone is a great supplier of all kinds of jewelry, fine gems and all in between. If you're looking for components for a spell requiring a fine gem of sorts, then you will indeed find it at the Polished Moonstone. However, should the thing you're not looking for be in stock, then place an order and have it ready for pickup within the next few days. It is ran by the female Gnome by the name Kim.

#### Cora's Corner

Cora's Corner is a general store situatied in Estancia Heights, if you're looking for food and supplies which will fill your stomach then this is it. Cora's Corner will offer you any goods you may need with fresh eggs, milk, cheese and more directly from the Glass Cross and daily plucked fruits from the Green Orchard. The store is ran by the half-elven woman Cora.

#### Moradin's Makers

Moradin's Makers is owned by the Dragonborn Moradin who has work as a blacksmith in Estancia Heights for as long as he could remember. Moradin will offer a good barganing price for his weapons and armor, if one wants a good smithed sword for a fair price then Moradin's Makers will be the best choice for you. He has equipped a lot of well earned adventuring parties in his life time and he will continue to do so and pass on his legacy to his sons.

#### Essential Embrocations

Essential Embrocations is an apothecary that brews different potions of healing for the right price. Some are stocked and ready to be sold and others need to take some time before they are ready and will be offered to come back for pickup.

#### City Watch Headquarters

As the name implies, the City Watch Headquarters are located in Estancia Heights and it comes with its own prison.

#### The Senate

The Senate is located in Estancia Heights within the High Magistrate's Castle, other important government ministries such as the High Court, Ministry of Defense and War, and the Ministry of Laws and Justice are all located there.

#### The Adventurer's Guild Headquarters

The Adventurer's Guild is located within the Estancia Heights and is the main distributor of contracts and work both within the City and the rest of the realm. An adventurer can choose to directly go to the Headquarters in Athus to receive a contract, or they might be lucky and see some posted throughout Taverns, Inns and postboards throughout the City and the realm.

#### The Goldenshaper's Headquarters

The Goldenshaper's is an organization within the Republic tasked with keeping Order and disspelling evil. The Goldenshapers work closely with the Paladin Order to keep up the safety of the realm. Do not mistake the Goldenshapers as a governmental organization as they are not, they are a guild of adventurers who saw the safety of the innocent as the highest priority.

#### The Headhunter's Headquarters

In contrast of keeping law and order in check, the Headhunters will stop at nothing to get their tasks done without any care for how many are lost as a consequence of it. These people are ragged bounty hunters, mercenaries and hitmen who are exeptionally skilled and dangerous. Give them a worthy contract and they will see to it that the job is done.

### The Bazaar

* The Steady Hand - Blacksmith
* Savory Slice - Butchery
* Threaded Dragon - Clothing Market
* Puffer - Fishmarket

Etc.

### The Docks

#### Loading Docks

The Loading Docks contains many different ships where cargo will be loaded onto them

#### Warehouses

There are many different warehouses here.

#### Shipwright

If one is looking to make a purchase or have a ship built, this is where they would go.

### The Well

#### The Flaming Dragon's Pub

The Flaming Dragon's Pub is a popular pub for many of the dock workers who live in the well, it is quite modest but have become run down through the test of time.

### The Green Orchard

#### The Harvestmoon Inn

The Harvestmoon inn is a beautiful botanical inn that have modest expenses and the highest of quality. Although not many of the rich find themselves staying here, this is a good choice for those who wishes to pay a fair price and get every penny worth of it.

#### Vineyards

There are many different vineyards located in the Green Orchard, many pertaining to the powerful families in the Senatorial District

#### The Academy of Phyxius

Due to the still and serene nature of the Green Orchard, the Academy of Dyros was built here. It stays out of city affairs and will not get in the way of the spellcasters in training. But it has quick and easy access into the Well and the Estancia Heights and it sits close to the water nearby. Due ot the serene nature of the Green Orchard, a few Druid's from their circles have agreed to teach at the Academy.

#### Stardew Stables

The Stardew Stables is the main contender of horse supply in the city against the Thoroughbred Emporium. They see themselves as the best option as the horses actually get to live in tune with nature and the prairie that they walk on each day. For most it is a question about morality, do you want a fine tuned horse that's lived in a stable for a few months, or do you want a fine tuned horse who's used to the tests of nature? For some the answer is apparent.

### Haystreet

#### The Rusty Cog

The Rusty Cog is an extremely run down tavern that barely make ends meet each month, most of the Theive's Guilds here use the rusty cog as neutral grounds for the operations and deals.

#### Thieve's Guilds

There are many different Theive's Guils networks rooted in Haystreet, one is bound to run into some of them here.

### Kenwood Hill

#### The Dragon's Cauldron

The Dragon's Cauldron is a very conventient Tavern and Inn situated in Kenwood Hill, it is one of the main get togethers for adventurers as it offers good prices and bargaining. The Adventurers Guild often supply the Dragons Cauldron with contracts on its postboard which gives it a fair amount of patronage every day.

Aside from the Dragons Cauldron one will find most of the ordinary things here such as adventuring gear shops, general stores etc.

### The Old Merchants Town

#### Imelda's Ointments and Potions

If one is looking for freshly brewed potions, ointments and spell components then this strange little shop will do it for you. The old lady known as Imelda works this little shop, although secretly she is a Night Hag working for the return of the King of the Abyss.

## Politics

### Political Parties

#### The Liberalists

The Liberalists is the olders political party in the Republic Senate, they represent all the values that Athus the First Magistrate brought to the world. Everyone should have the right to choose their leaders and that there shouldn't be the existance of a monarchy and even in some circles, no nobility at all. The Liberalists is the largest political party in the Senate and worked closely with the Paladin Order and the Goldenshapers during the First Faction Wars. The noble house of Bizellot is the largest political supporter of the Liberalists.

#### The Organized Coaltion Party

The Organized Coalition or OCP for short is the second largest political party in the Senate. They are opposition leaders in the Senate and their values greatly differs with the Liberalists. Where the Liberalists supports the notion of democracy and no monarchy and the removal of nobility in the Republic, the OCP wants to recognize the Supreme Chancellor as the ruling Monarch and wants to see to it that it is only their lineage that will continue to lead the city. The OCP was also responsible for creating the role of Consul who is the direct right hand man to the Supreme Chancellor and often speaks in their name. The Consul holds executive power over the Chambers of Representatives while the Speaker of the House holds executive power over the Senate. The Supreme Chancellor holds executive power over all individuals in the Republic. House Mohkai, a noble Drow house is responsible for the creation of the OCP and their Patriarch is the elected Consul.

#### The Workers Assembly

The Workers assembly actively works towards a better future all of the working class not only in the City of Athus but nation wide in the Republic. They also wish to restore Haystreet and not leave it in the dirt like the other nobles and politicians did after the First Faction War and they wish to improve the living conditions in Old Town. The Worker's Assembly has not gained much attraction with the aristocracy and the nobility but a few wealthy merchants have openly shown their support for the party.

#### The Nature Conservationists

As the name implies, this party works to converse nature and restore what had once been destroyed a long time ago. This party advocates for animal rights, the prestene conservation of forests and its creatures living within. Only a few nobles and aristocracts support this political party and is much more than what one could say with the workers assembly. The NC is the smallest political party.

#### Indepentents

Indepentents are people who do not see themselves aligning with either party present in the Senate. They can work with other parties but are often regarded as unaffiliated and neutral as they tend to stick to their own beliefs. Indepentends have a rougher time entering the senate without party affiliation but there have been multiple sightings of Indepentents making it.