The Centralian District (5e Environment)

Città Centrale

Città Centrale (See•tah Sen•tra•leh), or Central City to the outside world, is located roughly in the middle of the country, making it not only the midway point for travellers exploring Beachblush, but also a convenient point for businesses because it makes it easier to transport goods to all the other cities. Because of this, Città Centrale has had the opportunity to become both the largest and wealthiest city in the country. The city is also the most ethnically diverse of all in the country, once again owed to its business convenience, with 40% of it's 45 000 inhabitants not being Human, Elf or Genasi. Central also has the highest number of dragonborn in the country.

Being located in the center of Beachblush, Central City also has very variable weather depending on the seasons. During summer, highs of up to 35° C can be expected, however during winter, temperatures as harsh as -20° can be commonplace. These conditions mean that the people of Central have had to become highly adaptable and versatile, with everything from their buildings to their clothing being designed and perfected for these conditions.

Districts

From an architectural standpoint, the city is known for its large, white stone buildings, often laden with pillars rather than walls, with thick tarps being suspended like curtains for when winter arrives. And it's system of above-ground canals similar to those of Casanova have given the city an air of romance, and a popular honeymoon destination.

Central is roughly shaped like a triangle, with one point heading towards Vared, one towards Docacea, and one towards Casanova. The Casanovan point acts as a Residential District, while the other two serve as a Commercial/Industrial District. The architecture of both districts is very similar, with tourists often not noticing when they accidentally switch districts. However, the residential buildings typically have buildings longer than they are wide, and the commercial buildings are typically the inverse. The city has a very high number of inns and taverns, upwards of 300, which many say are a result of the high numbers of tourists.

At the very tip of the Varedian point is the Court of Justice, a massive stone building that houses nearly all of the legal goings on in the city except for jailing, it's where the Council of Regalia reside, where new laws are passed, a majority of court proceedings take place, and where immigration, public housing matters and general city governing take place. In contrast to the usual tarps or fabric covers around the pillars of the building, the gaps in between pillars are filled with a thick, green tinted glass, giving the outsiders a distinct point of interest and reference in the city, and people inside the building say it gives the entire building a vibrant, naturalistic glow. At night, the ceiling if the rooms respond to an enchantment that causes them to look like a beautiful night sky, with galaxies in the distance, shooting stars and moons to gaze at, as well as glowing orbs that give it a yellow glow in contrast to its daytime green. This beauty can seldom be appreciated fully though, as the Court is often bustling 24/4, with dignitaries, government officials and ground level employees being busy taking care of the dozens of matters that the Court attends to.

Located almost exactly in the center of the city, bisected by a wide canal, is a massive roofed bazaar, with merchants selling everything from fruits and fabrics, to pets and real estate, even, if you know where to look, people and drugs. This bazaar is called "Rich Man's Heaven" after the fact that if you can afford a spot in one of the stalls in it, you're guaranteed to sell whatever you have hand over fist. The bazaar being located directly around the main highway of the canals makes it incredibly popular with tourists and locals alike, it also makes it easily exploitable, certain organized groups have recently been masquerading as tax collectors and conning the shop owners, while others have been forcing people to pay "protection money", some have even been setting up fake shops to launder money or goods through. The once thriving market is becoming progressively more shady, and both the civilians and the local government are beginning to fear that unless something is done, the market won't survive more than a few years.

Notable shops

The Horned Helmet: a brothel run by a Half-Elf called Rykin Redstock.

Cliff Face Tavern: A multi story, middle class Inn and restaurant run by the Genasi Gyurin Doro.

The Marbled Maiden: A large, extravagant, high class hotel and restaurant, the centre of the foyer has a marble sculpture of the founder.

The Half-Empty Tankard: A cheap, lower end Inn run by an old, angry Elven women called Irmid Dandyr.

The Veiled Vagabond: A shop for magical items, run by an Aarakocra Who looks owl-like, and his fiance, an eagle-esque Aaracockra, Olfie and Serena respectively. Stock: Cloak of Many Fashions, X2 Enduring Spellbooks, a small box of different Ersatz Eyes, a Feather Token taking the form of a hairpiece, a Hat of Wizardry, a Mystery Key, a Veterans Cane, a Booming Glove, and 2x Immovable Rods.

The Colosseum: Every Endes, gladiatorial contests are held, the price of admission is 6 Silver per match, but those under 10 get in for 3.

Fancies and Frocks: A custom tailor's shop, run by a female Earth Genasi called Kaulderwyn Aspeth.

The Troubling Toad: A spell components shop, they mainly sell to the Fort Lola Academy and the Huxley Society, but also operate a business out of Central. Run by Ytri Borgunheimer, a Rock Dwarf who made the surprising decision to become a Wizard.

The Dragon's Breath: A high-end glass restaurant built near the gardens, there is a strict dress code, and it will routinely serve royalty, and high political figures. Owned by the Arch-Chef Corentin Étienne Laurant

Business, Exports and Reputation

Central's climate has made the people who live there very effective at tailoring to the exact needs of the people and the city. Thusly, some of the most skilled tailors can be found in Central City, and most of them from around the country trained there. In addition to this, the cotton fields surrounding the city yield soft, comfortable and versatile cotton used in clothing all around the country.

From an external perspective, rumours of a cult known as the New Religion that have appeared over the last 5 years have cast something of a shadow on the city, with graffiti, kidnappings and occasionally murders being attributed to this group, who are said to be stoic and agile, and who wear wine red robes with smooth, white masks with only an eye hole. While this hasn't caused tourism to slow down much, the amount of people moving permanently to the city has decreased significantly. However, other than that, the city has a mostly positive reputation, with foreigners praising the wealth of variety of activities and the strong economy that the city possesses.

Notable Centralian NPCs

The Red One: The Red One is the leader of the Sinless Emissaries, an underground cult of people who have stumbled upon texts from before the War of Lost Sons, and learned about the Forgotten Gods, they believe that it is their holy duty to release these gods from their prisons somehow. Luciano Cabaldo, a middle aged High-Elf standing at 6"1' and often dressed in light blue robes in public. He is a straight talking, no-nonsense individual who takes his job seriously. The Sinless Emissaries hold meetings on the second evening of every week underneath the Northern Cathedral.

The Council of Regalia: the Council of Regalia are Central City's highest power. A group of 6 elders from the city who have been granted decision making power on a city-wide level, they act as a local law-making authority, as well as a court who judge suspected criminals of a highly ranked enough level of crime. They are obscured by magic and addressed by number.

Rendo Delandi: The head of the Centralian branch of The Kingdom's Bane, working closely with Docacea and it's members, she is trying to help spur on a revolution to dethrone the current King. However, the Centralian branch only has 12 members so far, rendering them offensively useless. Their main goal is recruiting at this stage. Rendo is easily distracted, and wavering on whether or not she is doing the right thing and can be swayed to leave the group with a DC 19 persuasion check.

Centralian Towns

Winterview

348 years old, 253 people

Winterview is the only town that's managed to survive so close to the Impossible Range. Encapsulated in an endless winter, the town's residents have become tough and versatile.

The Capo of Winterview is a Firbolg called Calyssa Trihadste, who embodies the spirit of Winterview to a T. She is strong, resilient, and can hold a drink with the best of them.

Fairy's Peak

630 years old, 3400 people

Located to the East of the Fey Woods, Fairy's Peak was originally created by a few escapists of the Docacean district who were able to use the woods to cross the district boarder rather than chance the walls, when the dictatorship was still in place. To this day, they mark the only known people to ever cross the Fey Woods.

The Capo of Fairy's Peak is an Elven woman called Sahira, who's youth and radiance combined with her leadership skills and sense of humour have earned her the immense respect of people from all over the country.

Fort Attenzione

114 years old, 7900 people

Established by king Luca Santiago once he attained the throne as part of his act to keep his citizens safe. Fort Attenzione is a town that doubles as a defense post for those foolish enough to try and get to the Impossible Range, the only people permitted past are those with licenses from the Royal palace are permitted through. It is the only way through the Wall of Repulsion, and the only reason that even that entrance is there is so that those from Winterview aren't cut off front the rest of the world.

Being so close to the Impossible Range, the Fort gets a lot of snowfall, and a snow golem competition is held every year on the final Fundes of Quellhas, in which people try to make the largest snow man that they can, either by themselves or with a team of up to four people. Water benders and other magic users aren't allowed to use their powers in this competition. The prize usually consists of 1000gp and a mystery wonderous item of uncommon to rare.

It is directly overseen by a branch of the Halcoñeros.

Notable Locations

The Gate of the Range: The only official way into the Impossible Range, the frigid and mostly uncharted frozen wasteland to the North East of the country. To pass, one must present a license to the guard's constant watch. Like the rest of the Wall, the Gate is made of thick, grey-blue stone, but with the civilization in the town, around the entrance is a mural depicting various famous explorers who have tried to chart out the Range.

The Hunter's Mark: A shop that sells a wide array of different weapons, armors, ordinances and ammunitions. The icy climate wearing down on the guards' uniforms and equipment more quickly lead to the founding of this shop. Run by Ulan Ironcoat, a half Hill-Dwarf, half Fire-Genasi veteran, he has thick muttonchops, and wears a horned helmet and fur/plaid coat, he has two prized axes hanging behind the counter that were allegedly used in his battles.

Bivio

846 years old, 9730 people

Bivio is located to the North of Città Centrale, it is often the butt of a joke because of a book written that portrayed it as uncultured and harsh. However the reality is more complicated, parts of Bivio are very high culture, while others live in a dark ghetto. The exact origins of such a massive class disparity are unclear, as the libraries in the town are kept in the gated and guarded "Prime Ward", a small section of the Southwestern portion of the city that is exclusive, costly, and home to the rich. While the wealthy dine and party, the everyman is forced to live in squalor.

Class Structure

The class structure of Bivio is a matter of great debate, seeing as social mobility is borderline unattainable, only those at the top seem to know how it's laid out, and those at the top have no interest in sharing their wealth. One thing that is certain is that the heavy divides of the town have been a double edged sword. In the days before the new King, the rigid structures already in place meant that Bivio was payed less mind than other towns, with the king once being recorded as saying "they're doing my job for me". This meant that while many of the working class lived in squalor, they weren't subject to the government military, excessive taxes and imprisonment imposed by corrupt officials. Now that reform has taken place, however, the people are left with only the bad effects of this divide. While King Luca is trying to amend the city, the people in charge of the city have been very resistant to change, with rumors even floating around that they've repeatedly organized attacks on his life.

Borgogna

117 years old, 1480 people

Borgogna was established by a group of Elves who didn't feel welcome in Central, due to the King at the time having a hatred for all creatures of Fey lineage. While the town's success is notable, some of its inhabitants begun to harbor a grudge against humans for the way that the King acted, which can mean that humans can sometimes be charged extra at shops, or denied certain luxuries in the town.

The Capo of Borgogna is Yeldor Basmati, a middle aged Elf who harbors a distrust of humans, and while she's against the unfair treatment of any race, she likes when human stays in her town are brief. She is straight to the point, and doesn't get a lot of jokes, consequently, her relationship with Sahira is somewhat strained.

Harbor Town

2500 years old, approximately 15 000 people

Another of the few towns that were able to survive Lucio the Tyrant's Crusade, this town survived when the residents of the town were able to form a civilian's military to fend off the Royal Military for a monumental 972 days until the Tyrant-King had no choice but to withdraw his forces. That idea of unity resides in the town to this day and is often remarked on by travellers. Harbortown is on the cusp of becoming a new city, and in almost all ways except name, already is. Because of this, it has a very wide selection of shops, and even a mage, who will sell a small selection of enchanted items.

Harbor Town is also known for its vibrant, night-time bazaar called the "Moonlight Market", which draws in travellers far and wide for its variety of foods, and artisanal goods.

Harbor Town's less than creative name comes from a lack of decision-making ability on the part of the original inhabitants. While a multitude of names were suggested, the group couldn't decide on anything concrete, so the placeholder name was never removed. As the years went on, a growing population grew fond of the name, and after a few years, the idea of changing it just seemed silly. This hasn't come without its problems, however, as the town is technically unnamed, it's making Harbor Town's prospects of becoming a city more difficult. Additionally, different residents spell the name differently, some spelling it out as Harbour, some hyphenating the words, and a variety of other iterations.

Harbor Town has a communal leadership, however, because of the size of the population, not everyone can attend at the same time, so the meetings are divided into quarters, with one-quarter of the population having their own day of the week when they meet. The groups of the quarters are changed yearly.

Beachside

94 years old, 1280 people

Beachside is a tranquil, relaxed place, highly regarded for its local spa resort. The diet of the town mainly consists of local fish and produce, and although it's a fairly simple place, the people are happy and accommodating.

Beachside's Capo is a former pirate called Jim Handon, after getting sick of not having a home, he left his group when they docked and hasn't looked back. He's laid back and polite, and he gives lessons on sword technique for 2 silver a lesson.

Starron

8 years old, 15 people

Less of a town and more of a small settlement, Starron is the result of a family working a tavern who decided to try and set up on the road. There are only 5 buildings, the Starron Tavern, the Starron Inn, a Saloon, a carriage repair shop, and a basic herbalism shop.

Thus far, no real leadership has been required, since it's not really a full town yet, but if there were leadership, it would be the Starron family: Silas, the Elf father, Suttern, the human wife, and Sharon, the half Elf daughter.

Centralian Geography

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