Sidereal (4e Environment)
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The City of Sidereal
(Chariot City, Canal City, City of Dragons)
[banner symbol: golden dragon head on a background of yellow]
[standard color: gold and purple]
Population: 75,000+
Total Territory Population: 250,000+
Geographic Area[edit]
Sidereal rests at the mouth of the mighty Silver River on the Blue Bay. Sidereal sits on the beach, up a sharp slope, and the level higher ground. It is dominated by fresh-water canals.
Imports, Exports, and Resources[edit]
Sidereal has abundant freshwater, wood, hard-gray-stone, and wheat fields with cows. Sidereal is known for its chariots and its network of Canals. Sidereal has abundant variety of horses. It exports hard-gray-stone, iron, and silver. It imports copper, mutton, wool, and mountain furs from Bronze City; imports marble, black-stone, pigs, gold, and silver from Helmskeep; imports silk, gold, and silver from Whitebeach. Sidereal is the capital of chariot building and is the main military vehicle and royal vehicle.
The economy of Sidereal is in ruins with the long war. Before the war, the average monthly wage was 3 gold pieces (the basic pay of the army). Now, the average monthly wage is 1 gold piece (the basic pay of the army). Before the war, magic items were more available as a market item in the major cities (most items of level 1 through 5). Now, the availability of magic items is rare. There are no magic item stores or merchants (only 1st level items are available, when a magic item can be found to buy).
History[edit]
In 74 C.E., the city of Sidereal is founded by Dorin the Silver-Fighter. Only 34 years later in 108 C.E., Sidereal's Fortress and Library are completed. In 119 C.E., the first alliance is established. Sidereal and Helmskeep form an alliance in trade and defense. Golden Immortal Emperor Zantorian the First has been Emperor since 277 C.E. (gold Dragon in Human form whose symbol is a golden dragon head on a yellow banner with 1 star). During the war with Shaelong in 377 C.E., Emperor Zantorian celebrated his centennial rule.
In 328 C.E., the five main cities, Sidereal, Helmskeep, Bronze City, Whitebeach, and Phobos form the United Five for mutual trade and defense. Fifty years later in 375 C.E., the evil Emperor Shaelong and an army of 25,000 invade. In the aftermath of the invasion of Shaelong, Sidereal had over 6,000 soldiers killed and 2,000 civilians dead. The city of Plainsville is destroyed. The towns of Dale Town, Crossroads Point, Cattletown, and Freshwater City are destroyed. Food production is down 10% and Sidereal has no refugee camp.
Governing[edit]
Government style is hereditary monarchy: Emperor, Kings, Dukes, Barons, and Knights. Golden Immortal Emperor Zantorian the First has been Emperor since 344 (gold Dragon in Human form whose symbol is a golden dragon head on a yellow banner with 1 star) has Dragonborn imperial guards and always 24-golden knights (Imperial Paladins). The Emperor has absolute political power over Sidereal and its territories. Below the Emperor and serving at his leisure are five kings.
The king of Polaris (golden dragon head on a yellow banner with 2 stars) is Human fighter George the Slayer.
The king of Blue Water (dedicated to the gods of Wind and Water) (golden dragon head on a yellow banner with 3 stars) is Human fighter Brom.
The king of Shadowville (golden dragon head on a yellow banner with 4 stars) is Dragonborn Gregory Graytone the Faithful.
The king of Hill Pass (golden dragon head on a yellow banner with 5 stars) is Human paladin Ivan Brewer the Sword of Hope.
The king of Plainsville (golden dragon head on a yellow banner with 6 stars) is Half-elf ranger Lance Smith the Land Lover (killed in 387 C.E. against Gnoll and Orc army).
There is a 7 silver pieces Sidereal tax on all merchandise bought or sold, also there is a 5 silver pieces Sidereal gateway tax on all travel into all city's gates/docks. There is a 1 gold piece ship docking fee. No mounts of any kind are permitted within Sidereal's outer walls.
The law of the land is Five Pillars. The Five Pillars are the Pillar of Blood, Violence, Dishonesty, State, and Safety. The Five Pillars are often abbreviated into five short “do not” phrases hung on gates, walls, and signs: Do not kill others. Do not violate others. Do not be dishonest. Do not interfere with the state. Do not use magic here. Within the city walls, magic use is forbidden except by state approved users. The City Watch, army officers, and knights of the realm have arresting authority. City Watch officers, army officers, and knights of the realm are judges, while each defendant can appeal to the ruling government.
Sidereal's Culture[edit]
Sidereal is the center of civilization and is an orderly noble society at the mouth of the major river of the continent. Society of Humans, governed by laws with three social-classes: peasants, merchants/craftsmen, and nobles.
It is a tolerant society toward other races, especially Dragonborn, although all other races, except Humans, are uncommon.
Fashion in Sidereal is sandals and tunics with very expensive furs from Bronze City in the winter. The common weapons of the culture are the Rapier, the Javelin, the Long Spear, and the Longbow. Although the basic common language is common, Sidereal and its territories have a distinctive accent that is recognizable with a Perception DC 10.
Key Locations & People[edit]
Important Places of Sidereal
- Canals: the city is dominated by fresh-water canals. There are two north-south canals that run on the higher ground level, create small waterfalls forming small lakes on the beach level, run down to the bay. On the higher ground the Dragon Canal falls down the slope to become the Dock Canal. On the higher ground the Platinum Canal falls down the slope to become the Green Canal. There are four west-east canals, two on the high ground and two on the beach level. The two on the high ground are the Silver Canal and Blue Canal. The two on the beach level are the Scales Canal and Dorin Canal.
- Docks: The fresh water docks are on the west side of Sidereal on the Silver River before the Blue Falls that form Sidereal's Dorin Lake. Along the Silver River is the fresh water docks and to the south in Blue Bay is the salt water docks containing 100 fishing/transport boats with 25 military boats (the Sailing Soldiers). The salt water docks rest at the river mouth on the beach of the Blue Bay.
- Hard-gray-stone: Almost all the buildings, the city walls and the roads are made of hard-gray-stone.
- The Dragon Monastery [Monk Order of the Dragon: Symbol: white, orange, or black dragon scale; Cloth: white, orange, or black silk; Weapon Required: any of the monk class] led by Grand Master Push is in Sidereal.
- The Dragon Shelf: It is Golden Immortal Emperor Zantorian the First's residence is a two story rectangle complex of yellow walls to look like gold on the lower south side of Sidereal. His banner of a golden dragon head on a yellow banner with 1 star is seen all over the city.
- The Golden Cathedral of Goddess Pegay, the Spring Minor God, with 25+ clerics. It is a temple, monastery, library, and university.
- The Rising Sun Church of Theros, the Summer God. It is a temple, monastery, and library.
- The Full Moon Cathedral of Goddess Phthino, the Autumn Goddess. It is a temple, monastery, and library.
- The Winter’s Home is the church of Cheimon the Winter Goddess. It is a temple, monastery, library, and university.
- The Golden Stronghold sits at the high point of the slope and rises fifty feet high so that it dominates everything on Dragon Hill with Dragon Canal as its border. It is colored a golden yellow. Atop The Golden Stronghold is the Golden Dragons, soldiers on domesticated wyvern.
- The Naked Chest Monastery [Monk Order of the Monkey: Symbol: dark shadowed monkey with gold eyes; Cloth: any with bare chest; Weapon Required: sling] led by Grand Master Dongrath is in Sidereal.
- The Tiger Monastery [Monk Order of the Tiger: Symbol: yellow tiger eye; Cloth: any cloth with tiger print; Weapon Required: dagger or spear] led by female Grand Master Floria is in Sidereal.
- The White Circle Monastery [Monk Order of the Rat: Symbol: black five fingered claw on a white circle; Cloth: no dyed wool; Weapon Required: shuriken or unarmed strike] led by Grand Master Hope is outside of Sidereal.
- The White Crystal Tower is a tall, clear topaz tower that rises up fifty feet is the only wizard school. It is on Platinum Hill.
Important People of Sidereal
Asius Judgeman the All-Seeing is the headmaster of The White Crystal Tower and is a Human wizard.
Brom is the king of Blue Water (dedicated to the gods of Wind and Water)(golden dragon head on a yellow banner with 3 stars) and is Human fighter.
Creon Blackeyes the Mounted Menace, the commander of the Imperial Guard, is Dragonborn paladin.
Danson Holding the Red Sun is the present Cardinal of Rising Sun Church of Theros and is the Human.
Damocles Strong the Defender of Orphans is the leader of the Golden Knights of the Imperial Paladins and is a Dragonborn paladin. The Golden Knights' symbol is a Dragonborn three finger hand in gold outlined in purple.
Damocles Strong the Defender of Orphans, the commander of the Imperial Paladins, is Dragonborn paladin.
Dongrath is the Grand Master of the Naked Chest Monastery [Monk Order of the Monkey: Symbol: dark shadowed monkey with gold eyes; Cloth: any with bare chest; Weapon Required: sling].
Flora is the Grand Master of the Tiger Monastery [Monk Order of the Tiger: Symbol: yellow tiger eye; Cloth: any cloth with tiger print; Weapon Required: dagger or spear].
George the Slayer is the king of Polaris (golden dragon head on a yellow banner with 2 stars) and is Human fighter.
Gladvan Armorer the Big is the Cardinaless of the Full Moon Cathedral of Phthino and is Human.
Grathvon Shipmate the Devoted, Cardinal of the Golden Cathedral of Goddess Pegay is a Human.
Gregory Graytone the Faithful is the king of Shadowville (golden dragon head on a yellow banner with 4 stars) and is Dragonborn.
Hope is the Grand Master of the White Circle Monastery [Monk Order of the Rat: Symbol: black five fingered claw on a white circle; Cloth: no dyed wool; Weapon Required: shuriken or unarmed strike].
Ivan Brewer the Sword of Hope is the king of Hill Pass (golden dragon head on a yellow banner with 5 stars) and is Human paladin.
Olenus Springreen the Death Archer leads the Golden Dragons on domesticated wyvern and is a Elf ranger.
Pelops Shoesmith the Cleaver, the Due-Eques-Legionis, is female Half-elf fighter. It has a small company of Dragonborn on war elephants from Whitebeach.
Planktor Joashmore the White is the Cardinaless of the Winter’s Home and is a female Dragonborn.
Prometheon Higharmed the Merciful Victor is the leader of the Silver Knights and is a Dragonborn paladin. The Silver Knights' symbol is a Dragonborn three finger hand in silver outlined in purple.
Push is the Grand Master of the Dragon Monastery [Monk Order of the Dragon: Symbol: white, orange, or black dragon scale; Cloth: white, orange, or black silk; Weapon Required: any of the monk class].
Semele Whitecastle the Charger is the captain of the command warship of the Sailing Soldiers, the White Force, and is a female Human.
Themis Thatcher the Mighty Slasher is the leader of the Platinum Knights and is a Human fighter. The Platinum Knights' symbol is a Dragonborn three finger hand in platinum outlined in purple.
Thromson Field the Pirate, the guildmaster of The Jeweled Heart, is a Human.
Tydeus Moor the Whale Eater, is the Human Legatus Legionis of the Sailing Soldiers (navy).
Zantorian the First, the Golden Immortal Emperor, has been Emperor since 344 is a gold Dragon in Human form whose symbol is a golden dragon head on a yellow banner with 1 star.
Institutions & Organizations[edit]
Guilds and Brotherhoods: There are several international organizations that transcend culture and race. The international organizations are very loosely organized. The hierarchy of the international organization from lowest to highest is as follows: Apprentice Intern (1 gold piece due), Third Level Guild Member (1 gold piece due per year), Second Level Guild Member (2 gold pieces due per year), First Level Guild Member (3 gold pieces due per year), Assistant Guild Master (5 gold pieces due per year), and Guild Master (10 gold pieces due per year). There is more than one Guild Master per guild, normally one Guild Master in one general area. The Guild Master is responsible for credentials, dues, and expenses.
Merchant Guild is an international organization of buyers and seller whose symbol is a stack of coins.
Librarian Guild is an international organization of book lovers and organizers (librarians) whose symbol is an open book with a colorful rainbow.
Scribe Guild is an international organization of scribes and writers whose symbol is feather pen and unrolled scroll.
Thespian Guild of actors, jesters, and bards whose symbol is an Elven ‘Th’ letter.
Brotherhood of Smiths is an international organization of metal smith workers whose symbol is two small hammers and an anvil.
Brotherhood of Builders is an international organization of stone masons and wood carpenters whose symbol is three straight lines with a vertical tree branch.
Brotherhood of Gladiators is an international organization of gladiators whose symbol is a red drop of blood.
Thieves' Guilds: In Sidereal and its territories, one thieves' guild has a monopoly. The thieves' guild is named The Jeweled Heart and is headquartered in Sidereal. The guildmaster of The Jeweled Heart is a Human named Thromson Field the Pirate. The guild is also a school for training and it has its own hand-finger language (thieves' sign language).
Wizard Schools: In Sidereal and its territories, is only one wizard school known as The White Crystal Tower. The headmaster of The White Crystal Tower is a Human wizard Asius Judgeman the All-Seeing. Outside of Sidereal proper, there are innumerable independent wizard to wizard mentoring and training.
Temples and Chapels: The gods are honored within Sidereal and its territories. Within Sidereal is the Golden Cathedral of Goddess Pegay, the Spring Minor God. It is a temple, monastery, library, and university. The city of Sidereal is dedicated to Goddess Pegay, the Spring Minor God, but contains individual temples to all four Minor Gods. The present Cardinal of the Golden Cathedral of Goddess Pegay is the Human Grathvon Shipmate the Devoted. Within Sidereal is the Rising Sun Church of Theros, the Summer God. It is a temple, monastery, and library. The present Cardinal of Rising Sun Church of Theros is the Human Danson Holding the Red Sun. Within Sidereal is the Full Moon Cathedral of Goddess Phthino, the Autumn Goddess. It is a temple, monastery, and library. Gladvan Armorer the Big is the High Priestess of the Full Moon Cathedral of Phthino and is Human. The Winter’s Home is the church of Cheimon the Winter Goddess. It is a temple, monastery, library, and university. Planktor Joashmore the White is the High Priestess of the Winter’s Home and is a female Dragonborn.
There is also a developing emperor cult that holds that Emperor Zantorian is a demigod. The symbol of the emperor cult is one-golden-five-point star in a purple circle. Most of its support is outside the city of Sidereal but within its territory. This cult does not have government or Zantorian's support. Its main aggressive opponents are the Golden Cathedral and the clerics.
Army Special Forces: Sidereal has five special military forces.
[1.] First, the Imperial Guard is heavy cavalry and heavy-armored chariots made up of Dragonborn. The commander of the Imperial Guard is Dragonborn paladin Creon Blackeyes the Mounted Menace.
[2.] Second, the Imperial Paladins are noble knights dressed in golden armor and are heavy cavalry. The commander of the Imperial Paladins is Dragonborn paladin Damocles Strong the Defender of Orphans.
[3.] Third, the Duo-Eques-Legionis is 4,800 medium-armored chariots. The Due-Eques-Legionis is female Half-elf fighter Pelops Shoesmith the Cleaver. It has a small company of Dragonborn on war elephants from Whitebeach.
[4.] Fourth, the Golden Dragons are soldiers on domesticated wyvern and it is lead by the Elf ranger Olenus Springreen the Death Archer.
[5.] Fifth, the navy of Sidereal, the Sailing Soldiers, are one legion strong [4800 sailors] and 50 warships. The Sailing Soldiers are under the leadership of the Human Legatus Legionis Tydeus Moor the Whale Eater. The command warship of the Sailing Soldiers is the White Force captained by female Human Semele Whitecastle the Charger.
Knight Orders: In Sidereal, there are three Knightly Orders (available to heavy-armored cavalry, paladins, fighters, warlords), the Platinum Knights, the Golden Knights, and the Silver Knights. All three Knightly Orders are headquartered in Sidereal.
The Platinum Knights' symbol is a Dragonborn three finger hand in platinum outlined in purple. The Platinum Knights are lead by Human fighter Themis Thatcher the Mighty Slasher.
The Golden Knights' symbol is a Dragonborn three finger hand in gold outlined in purple. The Golden Knights are lead by the commander of the Imperial Paladins is Dragonborn paladin Damocles Strong the Defender of Orphans.
The Silver Knights' symbol is a Dragonborn three finger hand in silver outlined in purple. The Silver Knights are lead by Dragonborn paladin Prometheon Higharmed the Merciful Victor.
Monk Orders: The White Circle Monastery [Monk Order of the Rat: Symbol: black five fingered claw on a white circle; Cloth: no dyed wool; Weapon Required: shuriken or unarmed strike] led by Grand Master Hope is outside of Sidereal. The Tiger Monastery [Monk Order of the Tiger: Symbol: yellow tiger eye; Cloth: any cloth with tiger print; Weapon Required: dagger or spear] led by female Grand Master Floria is in Sidereal. The Dragon Monastery [Monk Order of the Dragon: Symbol: white, orange, or black dragon scale; Cloth: white, orange, or black silk; Weapon Required: any of the monk class] led by Grand Master Push is in Sidereal. The Naked Chest Monastery [Monk Order of the Monkey: Symbol: dark shadowed monkey with gold eyes; Cloth: any with bare chest; Weapon Required: sling] led by Grand Master Dongrath is in Sidereal.
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