[ic=Edgar Loveless, Former Mayor of Rivel]They say you can find anything here. Dwarf armor, Elf spells, Gnome gadgets, Orc weapons, Goblin mercenaries, anything. But what they don't say is that you can also find poverty, decay, corruption, crime, disease, and death. In fact, the only thing you can't find in Rivel is peace.[/ic]
[ic=Arlo Septane, Current City Council Lord]Edgar is a daft fool and an incompetent hack! The man tried to pass a law against gambling! Well, we of the City Council wouldn't let that get through, voted it down with extreme prejudice, of course. The gambling clubs produces some of the city's biggest commerce, and they pay hefty taxes straight into the treasury. Sure they attract a rough crowd, but that's the price you pay. All this nonsense about poverty and decay, corruption and crime, it's all dragon dung. Sure, we have some crime, but with 30,000 people, it can't be helped. And yes, we do have a large population of poor, but they're all just too lazy to get jobs, that's why they live in the poor district. We have a few problems, sure, but all big cities do.[/ic]
Rivel
Rivel is a huge metropolis of around 30,000 people, at the last city census. It is in a temperate climate, and borders a river, allowing trade up and down to other places. The city itself is built onto a hill/cliff, with the main gates at the bottom. The city is composed of dozens of races, from Elves, Dwarves, and Humans, to Kobolds, Orcs, and Goblins, and even rarer races like Xephs, Warforged, and Half-Giants.
[note]Think Gotham City, but in a D&D fantasy world. Also, there's no Batman/Bruce Wayne to make everything right.[/note]
As Obi-Wan might say, "You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy." From corrupt politicians, to organized crime, to dark cults plotting evil schemes, Rivel is not the nicest place on the Material. So what draws people here? Why does it have 30,000 citizens? Rivel accepts creatures of all kinds, as long as you aren't blasting down the gates, the guards will let you through. This makes Rivel the ideal home for Vampires, Lycanthropes, and other creatures who would easily be spotted and expulsed from other cities. But that still doesn't answer the question of why non-outcasts would move to Rivel.
Rivel offers the only real protection in the area. There are a few Dwarven mines to the north, and a few farming villages to the south, but other than that it's savage wilderness all around. The city has 30-foot high walls and a full-time city guard, it offers the only protection for miles and miles and miles. Travellers who come down the river are usually forced to stop at Rivel, so the boats can load up with goods to take north and south. And those that cross the river to escape the endless wars to the east must stay in Rivel or take their chances in the savage wilderness.
[More to come later]
I like the idea of the city being the only 'Point of Light' in the area. This allows for the city to become an easy base of operations for your typical 'slay goblins in cave' style adventure. The city is also dynamic enough that it can be a hub for urban adventuring and court intrigue.
All in all, this city sounds like a fun place to adventure in and near.
The differing opinion at the beginning acts as a brilliant introduction. People often have quotes at the beginning, but you have a quote and then blast it out of the water. It's really captivating.
Like Elemental_Elf said, I too look forward to reading this one.
I like this idea, having seen it in multiple novels and such.
What I would like to see, is this being the "point of light" only in terms of civilization.
One of my favorite quotes of all time, describing a similar city, is "When you are tired of life, come to Haven. And someone will kill you."
I'd like to see a city that is held together solely by the corruption tearing it apart.
It looks fantastic right now.
This sounds very similar to Ankh-Morpork; in fact I keep expecting to see detailed in there somewhere Dibbler selling sausages in a bun.
I'm looking forward to seeing this progress.
Quote from: Stargate525This sounds very similar to Ankh-Morpork; in fact I keep expecting to see detailed in there somewhere Dibbler selling sausages in a bun.
I'm looking forward to seeing this progress.
I had to look that up on Wikipedia. I haven't read any
Discworld. But thanks for the compliment. I'll try post an update tomorrow.
City in Peril
Rivel is in trouble, deep trouble, in multiple areas and for vastly different reasons.
Political Threats
[ic=Arlo Septane, Current City Council Lort]People tell me that crime is everywhere, but I don't believe them. If we really had a crime problem, the City Guard would alert the Council immediately and we would take care of it straight away.[/ic]
[ic=Marcus Dado, Captain of the City Guard]Crime? Yeah, we've got a big crime problem here in Rivel. The Guard works away 24/7 putting criminals away, but the judges just let 'em back out again. Have I told the Council? No way. They'd throw me out on the street and hire someone else, and what's the point of that?[/ic]
Most of the politicians of Rivel are corrupt or incompetent, and many are both. People like Arlo Septane simply don't see the truth of the matter, because people like Marcus Dado refuse to tell them. So, the City Council goes on passing meaningless tax bills and trade tariffs, and the City Guard goes on with their catch-and-release system of crime control. And, of course, there are those on the Council who are simply being paid off by the big criminals to turn the other cheek.
Financial Threats
[ic=Silas Devin, Current Mayor of Rivel]The city's treasury is at an all time high, and our trade has nearly doubled in the few months that I've held office. All in all I think Rivel is in its way up.[/ic]
[ic=Hezekiah Jameson, Local Factory Worker]My pay was just cut as part of a 'cost reduction' plan that is supposed to 'double profits within a year.' Yeah, it'll make the owners richer, but us workers are gettin' the shaft here.[/ic]
The nobles of Rivel are growing richer, it's true, and the city treasury is at an all time high, but at the same time Guilds are barely keeping themselves above water and factory workers are going hungry every day. And if that weren't bad enough, Rivel's high crime means that factory workers and laborers don't even always make it home with their meager pay. Finally, the gambling clubs have begun a loan system, suckering in dozens of people a week and further deteriorating the financial state of more than three quarters of the city.
Physical Threats
[ic=Big Al, Halfing "Businessman"]To my knowledge, Rivel is the safest place for miles. Sure, ya might get roughed up a bit, but what's worse: losing a few coppers or gettin' eaten by them monsters outside? Seems like a real easy choice if ya get my drift.[/ic]
[ic=Various Citizens, Asked at Random]Big Al? I've never heard of him, and neither has anyone I know. And even if I did know someone named Big Al, I'm sure he'd be a respectable businessman and a fine upstanding citizen.[/ic]
The most obvious physical threat to Rivel are the various monsters that lurk only a few miles west in the savage wilderness, but they aren't the most dangerous by far. Big Al and his 'associates' are some of the roughest boys in Rivel. They hang out in the Gambling District, mostly because Big Al owns several gambling clubs, but also because it's where they do most of their 'business.'
In addition, there are always rumors circulating about various cults and cabals plotting the downfall of the city, the world, and the multiverse. None have ever been discovered, yet.
Is Big Al the only or just the biggest crime lord in Rivel?
Rivel does seem thematically similar to AM, and you might also draw inspiration from the (darker) New Crobuzon.
Quote from: JaercIs Big Al the only or just the biggest crime lord in Rivel?
I'm not sure yet, he's probably just the biggest crime lord. Of course, as a Halfling he's literally the smallest crime lord. He's sometimes called (behind his back) the "Biggest Halfling in Rivel." This is dually amusing once you know that he is under the effect of a permanent (and thus far undispellable)
Reduce Person spell.
Those both look like cool places (at least from the Wikipedia articles) and I may use them as inspiration if I get stuck. For now though, I'm trying to keep the material as much 'mine' as I can.
I didn't post here before? Hmm, I thought I had.
Anyway. So the judges let criminals out as soon as they're brought in. Why? Are they corrupt/accept bribes, is there not enough room in the cells, or are they blackmailed into proclaiming innocence (somewhat alike to mafia practices in Sicily at one time)? Or are they simply incompetent?
As for Big Al... I guess he's got pretty big charisma. Or just a lot of gold. :P
Quote from: WensleydaleI didn't post here before? Hmm, I thought I had.
Anyway. So the judges let criminals out as soon as they're brought in. Why? Are they corrupt/accept bribes, is there not enough room in the cells, or are they blackmailed into proclaiming innocence (somewhat alike to mafia practices in Sicily at one time)? Or are they simply incompetent?
As for Big Al... I guess he's got pretty big charisma. Or just a lot of gold. :P
It depends. Most judges are being blackmailed by or are in the pocket of Big Al and the other crime lords, some just accept straight bribes from the criminals themselves, and a few are just plain incompetent, appointed by an incompetent City Council.
Generally, the system is going down via the "Death by One-Thousand Cuts" method. Except the cuts are pretty large themselves.
As for Big Al, he's got plenty of both, but most of it is gold.
I'm liking what I'm seeing. Always did love the urban type settings.
Quote from: beejazzI'm liking what I'm seeing. Always did love the urban type settings.
Glad to hear that. I like urban settings too, and this is the first real chance I've had to work with one. It's very enjoyable.
Perhaps I've been working on my metropolis too much lately, which is the capitol of a republic, but I would like to know what reason there is within the city for the people to not rise up, or for the organized crime to not simply take total control of the government.
It seems that the people will only accept an incompetent government for so long. There are ways for a government to keep its citizens down, but I'm not sure if you've detailed these yet.
I do like the murky black/white of this city, though. It's not just a horrible place to live, nor is it a shinning utopia. I'm having trouble with my setting's metropolis; the Republic started only 60 years ago, rising from the wreckage of an empire that fell 300 years ago. But I'm worrying that I'm not injecting enough realism. Your city has me thinking. Thanks.
Quote from: Kap'n XeviatPerhaps I've been working on my metropolis too much lately, which is the capitol of a republic, but I would like to know what reason there is within the city for the people to not rise up, or for the organized crime to not simply take total control of the government.
It seems that the people will only accept an incompetent government for so long. There are ways for a government to keep its citizens down, but I'm not sure if you've detailed these yet.
The answer is, of course, - umm... x.
:wtf:
I have no idea. For either. This will have to be dealt with, thank you for bringing it up.
QuoteI do like the murky black/white of this city, though. It's not just a horrible place to live, nor is it a shinning utopia. I'm having trouble with my setting's metropolis; the Republic started only 60 years ago, rising from the wreckage of an empire that fell 300 years ago. But I'm worrying that I'm not injecting enough realism. Your city has me thinking. Thanks.
I'll look for your setting later this evening and check out your city. Thanks for the compliments.
Not to rain on anyone's parade, because this does sound like a fun environment, but what do these people LIVE ON? Where does the food to support them come from? If there are only a "few villages" then there's not nearly enough acreage under crops to feed them. And where do their other resources come from? My understanding is that for every person living in a city, there needs to be 2-3 producing agriculture to support them. So a day's worth of distance around the city should be villages, farms, small market towns, etc...
THEN your "wilderness" can safely and logically begin. Maybe it approaches closer in one or two places, but then the safe areas would have to expand in other directions.
Quote from: GilladianNot to rain on anyone's parade, because this does sound like a fun environment, but what do these people LIVE ON? Where does the food to support them come from? If there are only a "few villages" then there's not nearly enough acreage under crops to feed them. And where do their other resources come from? My understanding is that for every person living in a city, there needs to be 2-3 producing agriculture to support them. So a day's worth of distance around the city should be villages, farms, small market towns, etc...
THEN your "wilderness" can safely and logically begin. Maybe it approaches closer in one or two places, but then the safe areas would have to expand in other directions.
The easy solution if you want to keep the wilderness close and the countryside terrorized (especially the further you go from the city) is to set the city in the center of a valley, with a long band of agricultural land trailing off to either side and bad things taking up residence in the caverns in the mountains (or on the other side of the mountains).
A river could explain the valley and its importance in agriculture and maybe even the city itself (if it produces a certain kind of good and is located upstream, it can use boats for exporting... or a city can be set where the river hits a larger body of water such as a gulf or an ocean... traders could come both in and out of town in this fashion). A seedy/foggy pier district seems like it could fit.
Gaah! This rambling! Where is it coming from?
Quarrying operations and stone to flesh. Cheap, appropriately disgusting, and plentiful foodstuff.
Quote from: Strgt55Quarrying operations and stone to flesh. Cheap, appropriately disgusting, and plentiful foodstuff.
That is disgusting. However, that is along the lines of what I wanted. Basically, the poor starve or eat stuff that barely qualifies as food while the aristocracy dines on roast pheasant and filet mignon. In fact, something like the stone to flesh thing would serve as another sign of corruption in the city, and would give me another rich NPC to create. Some sort of perverted druid or mad sorcerer. Raking in the cash, of course. Reminds me vaguely of this comic (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0326.html) too.
Quote from: Strgt55Quarrying operations and stone to flesh. Cheap, appropriately disgusting, and plentiful foodstuff.
So I reach up to hit the quote button, and pause momentarily on the "report abuse" button. I ask myself: "is this bad enough to report?"
Thank you Stargate, that made me throw up a little in my mouth. Good show. Sorry that this stinks of sarcasm, but I'm really laughing.
In that I have to laugh or I'll cry sort of way, but laughing none the less.
I'm impressed.
It gives a new meaning to "mystery meat." I love it.
So you'd have a staff of food wizards or something? Gastromancy?
Quote from: MithridatesIt gives a new meaning to "mystery meat." I love it.
So you'd have a staff of food wizards or something? Gastromancy?
I think it would probably just be one magician, with a couple of wands. He gets relatively inexpensive rock, casts
Stone to Flesh, and lets his cooks start slicing and grilling as necessary. Sells them just cheap enough to allow the poor to buy them and just expensive enough to make a handy profit.
Ah yes, that's what I'm here for. To propose the disgusting stuff from the gutter that no one else can see... One day I'll get you all down here with me, don't worry.
Now as to cost... considering each casting gets you 70 cubic feet of mystery meat, and a wand... can't be created... well that throws a wrench into it...
Beacons of Light
[ic=Uncommon Kindness]The cold was harsh and biting, and the three people sitting in the poorly lit huddled closer together, trying desperately to stay warm. Between them were the remnants of a small trash fire, put out hours ago when the wind came in from the north, like it was now.
The smallest of the figures, a Gnome, desperately tried to use his innate magic to light the fire, even though he knew it was no use. He did this for a few minutes, concentrating heavily, until the blood rushing to his head caused him to pass out. The others had fallen asleep in the last ten minutes, and they would all three have died in their sleep by the next morning if not for Mervin.
He stumbled into the alley, and spotted the three figures. He quickly moved up to them and checked the three of them for life. When they proved to still be breathing he crouched down over the fire and began working away. His magic was weak now, and had been for weeks, but he still had the spark of the arcane in him. After a few moments of fervent muttering and handwaving a spark formed, lighting the feeble pile of trash. He quickly put up a tiny bubble of still air around the flame, a trick he'd picked up a few days ago, and started rebuilding the fire.
By the time the three figures woke up again Mervin had fallen asleep against the wall, having spent the last of his magical and physical energy. The Gnome got up and threw a small blanket over the mage and sat by him, grateful that he had come.[/ic]
Despite the crime and corruption rampant among Rivel's people, there are a few figures who do what they can to help the poor.
Mervin is a down-on-his-luck mage who recently had his powers stolen by a craft fiend. The fiend then kicked him out of his hut using his own magic and Mervin was forced to stalk to the city without any of his things. In the 4 or 5 weeks he's been in the city, he has quickly taken pity on the poor, comparing their situation to his own. So, he wanders the town and does what he can, which isn't much. Still, he's changed for the better since he arrived and is starting to regain some of his powers.
Harod is a priest of Pelor, and believes that everyone is truly good somewhere deep inside. However, having taken a vow of poverty during his time in the church, Harod has no worldly goods to share with the poor. Instead, he holds sermons in the Poor Square every Sunday, blessing those who ask him and doing his best to tend to the sick. Harod lives one of the dumpy taverns of the Poor District, where he is allowed to room for free so long as he doesn't preach inside and keeps the cellar free from rats.
Former Mayor Edgar Loveless lives near the Poor District, and does what he can for the poor. He takes in boarders when he can, and helps them to get decent jobs with his old city acquaintances. Unfortunately, Edgar himself is slowly going broke and has lost nearly all of his influence as a former mayor.
There are a number of other 'beacons of light' in Rivel, but most are in a similar condition as Mervin and Edgar. They're either poor themselves or in no condition to give much money to others.
The NPC I'll be entering in the Contest will also be a beacon of light, of a kind, but he has his own drawbacks.
I like a good somewhat corrupt city...whether it is Sasserine or Shadizar or...or this place!
I have questions: what makes aristocracy in this city? How is the actual rulership decided? What makes someone a full on citizen? Are there different ranks of citizenship?
Quote from: TybaltI like a good somewhat corrupt city...whether it is Sasserine or Shadizar or...or this place!
I have questions: what makes aristocracy in this city? How is the actual rulership decided? What makes someone a full on citizen? Are there different ranks of citizenship?
Most of the Aristocracy descends from the time of the first rich lord that built his manor here. Once he had established a small town, trading began, and the town continued expanding.
When the wars in the east began, many nobles decided it would be safer to pick up and move out, so they sold their lands and looked for somewhere new to live. They found Rivel and gained the duke's permission to relocate themselves there. From there, it was merely a matter of political maneuvering and time until all the nobles had become equal aristocrats. Almost all of the Aristocracy present in Rivel today has descended from these dozen or so houses that helped make the city grow.
The house of the first Duke of Rivel maintained power in the area for quite a while, but eventually the other houses persuaded the Duke's to establish a different form of rule. Thus the City Council was born. From its first meeting to today it has been composed of one representative of each house, twelve people. Every 2 years the Council would vote on who should be the Council Lord, and almost every year each member voted for him- or herself. Thus, in an effort to fairly elect a leader, they drew straws.
However, not long after the formation of the City Council the people began whispering. It seems they wanted to be able to hold some power as well, given that they made up more than 95% of the population. So, in order to appease the masses, the City Council agreed to hold elections every 2 years for a mayor. But hooked on power as they were, they gave themselves the ability to overrule almost any of the mayor's decisions, and did so as frequently as they thought they could.
Now the mayor is an almost useless position, and very few people actually vote. The City Council still has all the power and they're still addicted.
Citizenship is almost unimportant within the city, strange as that may sound. Due to the great variety and diversity of its population there has not been an official citizen roster in many, many years. If you want to vote, simply go in and vote. There is no good decent system for keeping track of who has and has not voted, simply because very few people actually vote. And unless you are part of the Aristocracy, the rights of citizens are no different from the rights of visitors.
I guess if you wanted a hard way of determining citizenship, it would be living within the city, but without a system of identification and recordkeeping, no one would know if you had simply wandered in from one of the small villages around the city.
There are kind of 3 castes, mostly corresponding with your level of wealth: the Aristocracy, the Artisans, and the Poor. The aristocracy includes the City Councilmembers, other nobles/aristocrats, and a few very wealthy merchants. The Artisans encompass the rest of the merchants, craftsmen, and the clergy. The Poor includes basically everyone else, factory workers, laborers, the homeless and jobless, performers, and anyone else who lives in the Poor or Wharf Districts.