Kel’thalor
Kel'thalor is the main city of Thenatere, a kingdom of Norlaria.
Summary
Kel’thalor is the capital city of Thenatere, the centre of luxury and wealth on the continent and one of the largest cities in Norlaria. Built in 3 rings around a man-made mountain, even the poorest part of the city still resides in comfort and cleanliness that most city slums can only dream of. The bottom tier is where you enter the city, and mostly consists of homesteads of the working class and peasant folk and an inn or two for the travellers just looking for a night of rest, uninterested in the rest of the city. The second level is alive with shops and stalls and taverns and places to procure anything you could desire. The market can be found on the second tier on the north side of the city, that faces the sea, absolutely brimming with stalls and walking sellers with goods hanging from their body, selling produce from the nearby farms, trinkets, jewellery and many, many kinds of handmade goods and wares. The third tier consists of the royal castle, a number of estates belonging to the nobility of Thenatere and, the jewel of the city, the Rosenbrandt Institute. The Institute is one of the few places accessible to the general public on the third tier, the rest is well guarded and only select people and families are allowed to enter.
Taverns
The Doting Orchid
- Only inn on the 3rd level, designed for wealthy travellers and esteemed guests of the city
- White stone building, large carved stone balcony with tables and chairs on the second story, entrance is framed by two columns embedded in the stone, ivy crawling up the columns and balcony, white door is open, violet curtains pinned to the sides of the doorway, soft music coming out.
- 15 or so well dressed patrons inside, scattered around the tables and lounges, small trio playing the soft music in the corner, not super inviting if you don’t look rich.
- Owned by Aithlin Suncrown, an androgynous, upper class elf with long blonde hair, simple but elegant clothes with metallic embellishments, a long earring on one ear that reaches their shoulder with a large-ish gemstone hanging off the end. Very charismatic, a bit flirty, proudly walking around the bar, conversing with the regulars, they have high standards and a reputation to uphold.
- 3 bar staff on rotation, all black uniforms.
- Ashryn, a female half elf with shoulder length black hair, a little on the shorter and younger side but exudes friendliness and joy, she’s happy to answer questions and help however she can.
- Onvyr, a male half elf, short dirty blond hair, but long enough to be pushed to one side, very polite and proper, but isn’t inclined to talk long, he would prefer to keep serving customers, unless you’re paying extra.
- Finley, a human male, average build, wavy mouse brown hair that loosely frames his friendly face, polite but relaxed, bit of a joker, likes to make the patrons laugh.
The Crowded Throne
- One of several inns and taverns on the 2nd level.
- Simple stone two-story structure, warm and inviting, can’t see through darkened windows but seems popular, the cheer emanating outside.
- Very busy, bartender can only give a smile and wave, a very eclectic mix of races, more so than you’ve ever seen in this city.
- Isliana Virrastari, owner, taller female half elf, red hair pulled into a high ponytail, simple clothing, bit of a story teller, she was an adventurer for a few years but decided to open a tavern instead with her twin brother, absolutely encourages anyone to share their stories, drink on the house if you can bring proof of your story. She can be a little loud but has good intentions.
- Dorric Virrastari, Isliana’s twin brother, slightly shorter than his sister, same long red hair, but wears it down instead, rolls his eyes at all the stories she tells of their adventures but smiles, pretends to not listen to the stories everyone tells but actually gets very into them.
The Frog and the Sparrow
- Another tavern on the 2nd level.
- With a rustic, stone exterior that looks a little old and unkempt, this place doesn’t seem to attract much attention, it’s pretty plain and boring on the outside, not particularly memorable.
- As you head inside, the plainness of the exterior is continued, just a few wooden tables and stools, and a lonely bartender wiping a glass that doesn’t seem to get any cleaner. There’s a few individuals in the tavern that seem to look you up and down as you enter, this feels like a very shady bar. The food and drink are cheap but terrible.
- Aston, owner and sole employee, a gruff, middle aged human gentleman, salt and pepper hair and beard with a long scar down one cheek. Polite, but does not give the impression he wants more conversation than necessary.
- Mention 'no empty promises' to the owner and he'll let you down into the cellar to The Empty's hideout.
A Brief Pause
- An inn on the 1st level.
- Quite small, bit hard to spot, very simple stone structure but in decent condition, a small hanging sign out the front.
- The inside is just a small room, two tables and a few stools and a small bar where the bartender waves and greets you, it’s pretty much empty, don’t sell much alcohol, mostly just used for travellers passing through to stay in the small rooms upstairs.
- Ethry Illear, owner and sole employee, dark elf with short white hair that doesn’t go past his ears, probably reading a book if no one is asking for his attention, easily confused, needs one thing at a time, but is doing his best.
Shops
The Vigilant Traveler
- Magic shop on the 2nd level.
- Simple white stone structure but painted in swirling shades of purple, black flags and tapestries waving in the wind, with a closed, black door.
- sectioned off, the front area has a few items displayed but a desk separates the front from the much larger back area, visible stairs lead to a second level, sticks to the black and purple colour theme in the interior.
- Melancholy is the shop owner and enchanter, female tiefling with dark purple skin and black hair, dark horns that curl and protrude upwards. Sometimes can be a little snappy but is learning how to be better with customers, she inherited the shop when she became an apprentice and then painted it to her style. Doesn’t take anyone’s shit.
The Cryptic Collection of Curiosities
- Small, tucked away shop on the 2nd level.
- Simple, unassuming white stone structure, hard to spot between the shops on either side with their colourful displays, very simple on the front with a small sign with the name.
- Shelves upon shelves upon shelves, everything is displayed neatly or sorted into various chests and crates, but no labels. There is probably a bit of everything here.
- Araxina Emberdream, female elf with blonde hair in a fancy up-style, wearing a beautiful evening dress regardless of the time of day, quite confident and flirty, but pretty firm on her prices. Permanent discount for a player if they take her out for a drink/date, she contrasts the store itself.
World of Words
- In a row of similar, small shops on the 2nd level.
- The stone exterior is plain but a intricately carved sign hangs out the front, painted with gold letters.
- 3 aisles with books on both sides and all along the back, sorted by genre, a desk with the owner is directly to your left.
- Glynric Distient, male elf with shortish black hair, simple every day clothes, usually reading a history book but happy to talk about any book, discount if you bring a book to trade in.
Flame and Beyond
- Large blacksmith on the 2nd level.
- Plain stone exterior, bit dirtier than the surrounding buildings, a metal chimney with smoke puffing out the top, an elegant metal sign above the doors that says Flame and Beyond, with smaller signs with blacksmith over the left, shop over the right.
- Typical blacksmith inside, with a door that leads into the shop.
- Olasys Sairune, female elf, pretty burly for an elf, light brown hair pulled into a bun, gruff but friendly, sends most questions to wife, Ehesa.
- Ehesa Sairune, female dark elf, dark purple hair down just past her shoulders, bubbly and happy to help, knows how to sell items, so proud of Olasys.
Itia's Trove
- Found on the 2nd level, seems plain enough but the large symbol of Itia, a geometric lotus, on the sign seems to indicate the services this shop probably provides.
- Set up a bit like a tavern, all the rooms are upstairs and downstairs you can drink and flirt with the staff currently not attending anyone.
- Dantos, a male satyr with very curly light brown hair and large curled horns on either side of his head nestled into all the curls, very vibrant and cheerful, serves the bar and helps patrons find what they're looking for.
- Available staff vary from night to night, 5sp for something simple, 1g+ for anything more.
Points of Interest
Rosenbrandt Institute
- Library and Museum/Gallery on the 3rd level
- Tall, white stone building, at least 4 stories with tall spires that that curve up and into a point in the center of the structure, silver and gold trimmings and embellishments, some are decorations, some sigils and runes, two heavy wooden doors with iron framing, the name carved above the door, painted in gold
- Inside is a little foyer with a few upholstered lounges and decorated lavishly, a desk against the back wall, facing you with a humanoid at the desk, writing something but looks up as you enter, two sets of doors on either side of the desk, the left leads to the Athenaeum and the right leads to the Gallery
- Inavyre, tall female elf with very dark hair, tied into a bun, talks quietly but meticulously, lays out the rules before they enter, then directs them where to go as they enter the Athenaeum or Gallery, or who to ask for
- The Athenaeum feels like an endless expanse of books and shelves and shelves and books, it has a marble floor with rows and rows of shelves, multiple stairs that lead to a mezzanine and another whole floor above. There’s tables and chairs scattered around the place and a few private reading rooms on the bottom floor. Everything is white, gold and silver, except the books. People milling around, some are in the white garment of the Leuruna who work at the library, some are people from the public accessing the information under the eye of the Leuruna
Alderheart Estate
- Found on the 3rd level, a large mansion and fortune belonging to the Alderheart family of elven heritage.
- An intricately carved white stone mansion amongst other mansions and estates, there is no doubting that the owners of this building have plenty of money and love to show it off, the whole structure is detailed with gold trimmings and a large family crest hangs above the door, depicting a red blooming rose over the white silhouette of dragon's head, symbolising the white dragon that was slain and it's bounty being the beginning of the dragonslayer's wealth. Vicorin Alderheart slayed the white dragon centuries ago and he made quite the name for himself, he became a quite wealthy noble in his home city of Kel'thalor, passing his fortune onto his children, and his children's children.
- The current patriarch of the Alderheart family is Vicorin's great great grandson, Tirovar Alderheart, married to Valtris Alderheart, who gave birth to twins, Ilinan (m) and Aefier (m), who are currently 6 years old.
- Tirovar has an illegitimate child, a half-elf named Finnith, left in the village of Allannar from when he was passing through and found a temporary human lover.
Vakida Headquarters
- Found on the 2nd level, a very large stone structure that's very easy to spot, it isn't entirely obvious what the building is until you see the Vakida sign. Also serves as a resting area for the Vakida not on active duty, and can access the prison.
- The initial waiting room has benches available if you're waiting for someone, there's several doors that can be seen, one leads to the break rooms and sleeping quarters for the Vakida, one leads to private rooms for interrogations, conversations and sentencing, and the other door leads further down into the mountain where the prison cells are.
- Sentinel Zinra, the top of the ladder of the Vakida, always has the final say, only people that can override her is the royal family, she's much stronger than she looks in her lithe, elven form, her dark hair is always pulled back into a tight bun, tough to crack the hard veneer of her personality but a good person to have on your side.
The Empty's Hideout
- Found under The Frog and the Sparrow, if you mention 'no empty promises' to the owner, they'll lead you down to the cellar to the entrance of the Kel'thalor hideout of The Empty.
- 5 locks that are locked with thieves cant written next to each one. DC13 to unlock
1 - says open
2 - says danger
3 - says danger
4 - says open
5 - says open
- once 1, 4 and 5 are unlocked, the door will open and you can continue downstairs. If 2 or 3 are tampered with, the locks reset and poison gas is released that does 2d6 damage to anyone within 10 feet of the door, every time.
- Continuing down, you enter a large room with tables and chairs, set up like another tavern. There's a hallway leading off the room that has a bunch of bunks for members of The Empty, and a decked out bedroom for Tyrim, who's based here.
- Dwarf behind the bar
- Tyrim, a male elf, on the tall side for an elf, with black hair tied into a high ponytail on the back of his head, always seems to be calculating and one step ahead of you, not really sure how, previously the leader of The Clouded Sword but since the merge with The Empty, has become the second to the leader of The Empty, and is very enamored with her.
- Dentred, a large male minotaur who stands bodyguard to Tyrim, large horns that protrude sideways then forward, ready to gore, doesn't do anything without Tyrim's say so, just stands menacingly, minotaur of few words.
- Neree, a small female halfling in dark leathers, her dark hair tied into a tight knot on top of her head and a dark cloak covers her figure, she twitches as she talks, none of her movements seem smooth by default, Tyrim's informant.