Chidash

Chidash is the capital city of Liath, a kingdom in Norlaria.

Summary

Chidash is the main city in Liath, where the royal castle and guard barracks reside. It’s a quaint city in comparison to most; humble homesteads, winding roads and earnest craftsmen and shopkeepers leading all the way up to the castle. It isn’t uncommon to see the royal family walking around the city or the market, albeit with some form of guard, making purchases or catching up with the common folk. One half of Chidash is residences, homes of the many people who live in the city. Simple in design and effective, most of the homes have a very cottage-like charm, getting bigger as they get closer to the royal castle, belonging to the wealthier people in the city with their own private guard. The other half of Chidash is a collection of shops, businesses, taverns and inns of many kinds, with many services, crafts and supplies readily available. In the very middle of the city, between all the districts, is the Temple of Aelivia.

The Gleaming Market is huge can be found be found in the middle of the business half of Chidash, spanning across into both business districts.

These names are meant to be an homage to Aelivia, the main religion followed in Liath by both it's people and the royal family.

Localities

Moon Bright District

The Moon Bright District is the residence quarter closest to the castle that houses the wealthier citizens, nobles and ambassadors, noticeably smaller than it's lower class counterpart.

Sun High District

The Sun High District is the business quarter closest to the castle, containing upper class businesses, high end boutiques and the only renowned source of magic and enchantments in Liath.

Sastra's Arcana (S)

- Found on one of the main streets in the Sun High District, the most well known source of magical and enchanted items in Liath.

- A large wooden building with 'Sastra's Arcana' on a large wooden sign with a silver inlay, every few minutes you can see sparkles following the letters of the sign and disappearing in different colours.

- Inside is shelves on every wall and even shelves down the middle of the store, holding all kinds of magical and enchanted items, ingredients for spells and potions, spell scrolls, etc, the particularly expensive items are stored behind the counter.

- Sastra, a female elf with blonde hair in a high ponytail, her hair still reaching to the base of her spine, she wears a simple but very elegant pale blue and white robe with silver trimmings and accessories, you can see quite a large diamond in her hair and a variety of rings with different gemstones on her fingers, she's very welcoming and enthusiastic, calls them all darling, flattery will get you everywhere vibe.

- Kailin, a young male human with pink hair, he's very sweet and helpful, is a bit terrified of Sastra even though she's never even yelled at him and he hasn't done anything to deserve it, he's her apprentice and is learning her trade, but runs the store while she's busy.

- Inali, a female gnome with dark red hair, just helps to run the shop, knows a bit of magic but isn't interested in becoming a master enchanter like Kailin is, although she is good with potions, she's a very vibrant personality, and has explicit permission to stop serving/kick out anyone who makes fun of her height.

The Platinum Tower Inn (T)

- The closest inn to the castle, neighbouring the larger houses and estates of the wealthier citizens in Chidash.

- Large, two-story stone building with silver plating along the trimmings and the columns that hold up a small entrance verandah, the doorway is an arched door with an intricately carved door frame.

- The inside is very comfortable, upholstered chairs surround gorgeous, carved tables and inviting couches stand near a large fireplace, the bar looks to be made of marble or some form of white stone.

- The accommodation is lovely and comfortable, decent sized rooms.

- The basement is a large bath, kept as warm as possible, dug into the ground and lined with smooth stones.

- Quintan Triller, the owner, a human male with long-ish brown hair, just past his ears with a short but full beard, probably late forties, very sweet and calm, seems like he's just happy to be there, he wears simple formalwear with a white shirt and a black waistcoat that never seems to get dirty, wife (Lissa, a tiefling) at home that no ones met but he speaks very fondly of.

- 3 staff on rotation

- Nefia, a young human female, Quintan's daughter, with shoulder length black hair, black eyes and a sweet smile, deflects any questions about her eyes immediately, but otherwise she's happy to chat, she gets a little excited when people actually want to talk to her outside of just ordering a drink.

- Soliana, a female elf with long red hair, attracts a lot of attention with her looks but thinks people are just being nice to her and never knows how to respond to people's advances, most of time it's with confusion.

- Kaius, a young human male, brown hair cut pretty short, very friendly and loves to make people feel at home, will absolutely go the extra mile for the customers who are nice to him, blushes a little if you ask him about his love life or flirt with him, will say there's someone but won't embellish (Caen, a human male, sometimes comes to meet him when he finishes work to walk home together).

Star Glow District

The Star Glow District is the residential quarter further from the castle, home to the majority of the citizens of Chidash, including the slums.

Cloud Light District

The Cloud Light District is the business quarter further from the castle, where most businesses and traders can be found.

Charlotte's Predilection (B)

- A large, noticeable building in the Cloud Light District, it's not particularly obvious or subtle about what it contains, but the sign is painted in detailed cursive.

- Walking inside, the scent and layers of perfume fill your nose before you look around and see an entire establishment designed for comfort and pleasure, lush cushions and couches fill a few rooms connected by archways and sheer cloth curtains with various citizens lounging around, some accompanied by people you would assume are employees of the establishment. There's a noticeboard with upcoming events on one of the walls.

- Several private rooms available, good for private conversations, and Charlotte's office.

- Charlotte, the owner, a fire genasi with dark orange skin, braided hair that somehow flickers like a flame and eyes like burning coals, encourages exploration and indulgence, takes any opportunity to be flirty, clearly a domme, often has a glass of wine.

- Vice (Natia), a curvy tiefling with almost navy skin, long white hair and white eyes, scantily clad in basically sheer cloth, very polite, one of the 'supervisors', costs a bit extra to lay her, switch.

- Laren, a tall, lithe elf with short black hair, very polite and proper, one of the 'supervisors', costs a bit extra, super submissive, insane pain tolerance.

- Available staff vary from night to night, 5 silver for something simple, 1 gold+ for anything more niche.

Sunlight's Rest (T)

- Found on the cusp of the Sun High District and the Cloud Light District, it attracts the quieter crowd who aren't looking for a loud night.

- A modest wooden two-story structure with a few green and blue tapestries hang from the awning in front of the wooden door that has ivy painted all over, a few chips and scratches show it's been a while since it was painted

- The inside is very warm and inviting, the ivy pattern from the door continues inside, up onto the walls and ceiling, even wrapping around the banister of the staircase and onto the bar. The furniture is well made and comfortable, there is clearly a considerable effort made to keep this place clean.

- The accommodation is lovely, decent rooms, log beds, they're designed to feel natural but very comfortable.

- Fosk, the owner, appears to be a human male, early 30s, short blonde hair with a bit of a fringe, he has a signature red coat that is very easy to spot in a crowd, yet you'll probably hear his laughter before you see him, he's actually a changeling, the coat is an easy distraction if his form isn't perfect, he lives next door to the inn with his family.

- Nimmea, Fosk's wife who works at the bar with him, a druid who's moved to the city from the forests of Liath to be with him, she's a female half-elf with very long black hair, keeps a red flower the same shade as his coat behind her ear, she's very sweet and kind, laughs and pretends to roll her eyes at her husband's antics but actually quite enjoys them, works during the day when Astryn can run around the inn.

- Astryn, with her own similar red coat to her father, she's about 4 years old, has her mother's black hair and half-elven ears, but her fathers face shape, it's uncanny. She's obsessed with adventurers and loves to ask them questions while she gets to run around during the day.

- Kaius, a young human male, cropped red hair and freckles, Astryn loves him but he usually works while she's home with her mother at night. He's very friendly, seems shy and unsure of himself but lights up when he starts hearing of the adventures of the patrons, wears a red bow tie to match the red theme.

The Loveless Warrior (T)

- Found in the Cloud Light District, it's a very popular, well known tavern in the vicinity, known for rowdy performances, drunken competitions and general ruckus and rabble.

- A very simple two-story structure with a metal cut sign that says The Loveless Warrior, no frills or decorations.

- Inside is well-worn wooden furniture and chairs, home repairs are evident on almost every piece of furniture but it's comfortable, the food is cheap and edible, but that's about all you can say about the food, more importantly, they sell alcohol and a lot of it.

- Pavel, an older human male, probably late 50s with bits of grey in his black hair, owner of the tavern but doesn't often make an appearance, just checks up on the place every now and then, seems like a quiet, serious kind of guy, just lets the place run itself, and trusts Lukius's judgement

- Lukius, human male with long curly brown hair that he keeps in a ponytail, head bartender, always has a huge grin on his face, learns names quickly and makes you feel like you've known him all your life, often starts the competitions by daring someone.

- Gwinla, female dwarf with her mouse brown hair in tightly braided loops on either side of her head, will absolutely not take your shit and laughs at anyone trying to flirt with her, she comes across as quite rough but will still look after you.

- Mudak, a male half-orc, his dark grey skin and the tusks jutting out from his bottom lip are a dead giveaway of his heritage, he keeps his black hair rather short, he has a septum piercing and a column of piercings up his left ear, likes to seem gruff when you first meet him but he's quite sweet.

The Nook (S)

- Small shop in the Cloud Light District, on an offshoot street.

- Seems almost like it's abandoned from the outside, can't see through the windows, the sign is hanging from one nail.

- Inside feels like mountains of just stuff everywhere, if you look carefully, you might see the shelves underneath it all, probably a bit of everything.

- Merrick Springwhistle, a little non-binary halfling, their turquoise hair in a little tied tuft on top of their head, bit forgetful but loves the company of patrons and ends up talking too long, starts giving friends discount after they visit a few times.

The Sultry Kraken (T)

- Found in the the Cloud Light District, it's a pretty standard tavern, has a few rooms available for accommodation but no one would recommend them.

- Very simple wooden structure, doesn't draw much attention unless patrons are coming in and out loudly,

- The simplicity continues on the inside, it's the bare minimum but it functions, if you're looking for alcohol and you don't care about the atmosphere, this place will do

- This place is actually an underground fighting ring, if you ask a bartender for 'The Red Special', they'll nod, give you a time and copper coin with a kraken stamped onto it. When you come back at that time, they'll check your coin and lead you downstairs into the basement.

- They open a stone wall in the cellar into a large, dug out room with a fighting ring in the middle, and on either side are stone platforms for seating, looking down into the ring. When in use, spell casters create protective barriers in between the fighting ring and the spectators, particularly for fights that are more than just fists.

- Uruzar, the owner, a burly male dwarf with a long, dark red head of hair and a long beard with small braids and dwarven iron beads throughout. Deep laugh, will gladly get anyone drunk, and runs the fighting ring at night, but doesn't like people prying when they don't belong.

- Flint, a male earth genasi with light gray skin, like stone, with blue hair that juts out of his head like crystal spikes, seems friendly enough but you get the sense that you don't want to get on his bad side, happy to chat but comes across as very reserved.

- Inakha, a female goliath with black tattoos all over her pale skin, metal jewelry in her nose, lip and eyebrow, her long black hair is in two braids down her back and there's a long scar over her left eye, doesn't talk more than necessary, the current champion of the no magic, with weapons tier of the fighting ring.

The Sunkiller (T)

- Found on the outer edges of the Cloud Light District, it's cheap and you get what you pay for, it attracts the shadier parts of town, or travelers just passing through and not looking to spend much on a bed for the night.

- Quite small wooden building, it's two stories but you've seen single rooms bigger than the size of this whole building combined.

- Inside is very basic, absolutely bare minimum, only a few tables and chairs, and the accommodation is upstairs in a communal bunk area.

- Gathar, owner, an older human male, brown hair but starting to bald, not approachable, not friendly, but will tell you anything for some gold.

- Mention 'no empty promises' to the owner and he'll let you down into the cellar to The Empty's hideout.

Other Points of Interest

Eclipse Palace

Found nestled into the base of the Attleholm peaks, the Eclipse Palace is the home to the royalty of Liath.

Gleaming Market

The Gleaming Market can be found in the center of the business districts, a collection of various tents, marquees and stalls spanning across both the Sun High and Cloud Light Districts.

Guard Station and Jail

- Found on the cusp of the Sun High District and the Cloud Light District, close to the center of the city.

- An unmissable building that looks very serious and organised, Eternal Guard members duck in and out regularly, provides a place of rest for the Guard and also serves as the jail for the city, admittedly not often used.

- Inside feels like a waiting area with a desk and a number of chairs against the wall, with several doors behind the desk, one leading to the cells, one leading to the resting area for the Guard and one leading to private rooms for conversations, interrogations or sentencing.

- Captain Vittorio Adaan, a bright man in his 30s, short blonde hair darkening with age, on the younger side for his job but does it well, doesn't like loose ends.

- Eternal Guard

- Tate, Arnim, Damian, Alder, Christian, Trent, Baron, Jamison, Anthony

- Ashlin, Robbin, Estrid, Myka, Rose, Kyra, Ebony, Maiya, Alarise

The Amphitheater

Found between the palace and the Star Glow District.

The Temple of Aelivia

- Found in the center of the city, the crossroads that separates the districts actually goes around this large, carved stone building, the entrance facing to the east, to the rest of the kingdom.

- Carved out of white marble, the temple is a large building that coils up into two tall spires that can be seen from anywhere in the city, making it a good place to find your bearings if you get lost, there's very large wooden double doors that are almost always open, day and night.

- The first room you walk into is a large circular room with the two gods of of Aelivia, Healif and Illumia, painted onto the ceiling, attempting to reach for each other with their corresponding day and night backgrounds behind them, there's various tables and chairs around the outside of the room with acolytes milling around or sitting down in pale blue robes.

- There's 2 doors that lead off this room at the back, the left door leads to a small room of bunks for the acolytes that live in the temple, including the Eclipse Rector of Chidash, the head of the temple, the right door leads to a small prayer room/office for the Eclipse Rector.

- Nissie, an elderly human woman with her grey hair pulled into a loose bun on the back of her head, she serves as the Chidash Eclipse Rector, she's very patient, not easy to rile up or scare, she's seen a lot in her time, knows the royal family personally, can often go often on tangents.

- Delmon, a young human male, preparing to be the next Eclipse Rector, eager to learn, a bit too energetic for Nissie's liking but sees his potential, is always happy when he gets the opportunity to lend a hand.

- Timeless (Afphi), an older female tiefling, dark green skin, short black hair, dark horns that curl down on the sides of her head, one of the oldest acolytes of the temple but no interest in becoming the Eclipse Rector, just happy to help, not originally from Liath but found a home here in the temple when she found her way here after her parents passed and she left Joriah.