The City of Orhaz

Area Map

Description

Orhaz is a major Cin’Darian land-locked city located in north-western Bordair, in the fertile province of Baetica.

Orhaz is an important trade port as well as producer of luxury goods (food, wine and furniture). Trade flows north to south via the Lusitania river and over land via the many well-maintained roads.

Orhaz falls within the governance of the Republic of Cin'Dar, including the ⚖️Cin'Dar Senate. Like all regions of the Republic, Orhaz and the region surrounding it falls under the purview of one of the ten Senate Decimus (patrons of the mighty houses). In the case of Orhaz, her Decimus is 🚹Caelius Marcellus, of House Marcellus, masters of maritime trade.

The provincial governor (Propraetor Cornelia Marcus) runs an extensive bureaucracy from city hall on the eastern bank of the Canlis Lusitania in the Domus Nobilium district (nobles' quarter).

Nearly 8,000 people call Orhaz home.

Orhaz is analogous to a Spanish port town - specifically [Seville](Seville - Wikipedia).

Notable Places

Districts

The city consists of seven districts:

• Canalis Lusitania, the Lusitania River. Flowing from the mountains of Morta in the south to the Giledus Ocean in the north, river bisects the city and is its most important trade route. The city has grown around the river, with its oldest and most important landmarks residing on its banks including the commercial district, guild hall, city hall and courthouses. All manner of river craft ply the waterways, including customs boats and riverine warships.
• Commercia Portus, the commercial district, is the “old town”, nestled in the elbow of the Canlis Lusitania, its buildings are the oldest and most venerated. Contains the main guild hall.
• Industria Fabrorum, the industrial district, located on the bank of the river in the northwest quarter of the city Home to all manner of blacksmiths, workshops, craft shops and industries. The Weavers guild operates many textile mills in this district.
• Vicus Mecatorum, the merchants quarter, located in the city centre on the northern bank of the river, is home to shops, merchants, warehouses and guild halls. Features a central bazaar and the guild house of the Gilded Carrack.
• Domus Nobilium, the nobles quarter, located in the north east, home to the grand residences and estates of the cities gentry.

Orhaz is the trade hub for the fertile province of Baetica. The city is surrounded by miles of farmland and orchards, dotted with the compounds of family villas.

Orhaz primary exports are furniture, wine, and fine food, produced from imported and regional goods including spices, grain, fruits, vegetables, meat, grapes, olive oil, lumber, and metals.

Several important land trade routes flow through Orhaz including:

• Via Santus (Road to Santus) to the northwest.
• Via Gallaecia (Road to Gallaecia) to the south east.

Places

• ⚔️Castrum Militaris, the military garrison
  • Located in a large castrum (keep) south of the Schola Magistorum district - its walled compound and fortress with white and red pennants flying over it dominates the southern city skyline.
  • Regional logistics hub and barracks for the Legionius Aurelius.
  • Hosts a small administrative branch of the Academy Primilitus (military school), which handles dispatches for graduating soldiers, sailors and marines.
  • In the winter and spring of 3898 PR the 2nd (Invictus) and 3rd (Virtus) cohorts of the 11th Legionius Exemplar, some 1,000 soldiers were billeted there.
• ⚖️City Hall
  • Located on the northern bank of the Lusitania river in the Domus Nobilium district.
  • Contains the offices of the provincial governor (Propraetor Cornelia Marcus) and the administrative offices of the Gold Shields (city watch).

• ⚖️Guild Hall
  • Located on the southern bank of the Lusitania river in the Commercia Portus district.
  • Contains the offices of various merchant, craftsman and mercenary guilds as well as the main guild meeting hall. While some of the guilds have independent offices, for convenience most share this central space.
  • Headquarters of the Vintners' Confederation, a stuffy and bureaucratic syndicate of winemakers.
  • Headquarters of the Navigators League, a noble and bureaucratic house of air-trade magnates.
• ⚖️Curia Legis, the city courthouse
  • Located in the south-central Schola Magistorum district.
  • Orhaz provides law, judgement and punishment for the wider region, a large guild of solicitors and prosecutors ply their trade navigating the commercial and criminal legal system.
• ⚖️Mazmorra (Donjon), the city jail
  • Located in the centre of he city south of the Caelum Atheris
• ⚔️Riverine naval docks
  • Located on the south bank of the Lusitania river in the Commercia Portus district.
  • Headquarters of the Legionius Nauticus wet navy (riverine) force.
• ⚔️Arena
  • A large stone fighting arena, located in the north ward, near the cities northern gate.
  • Site of the gladiatorial games which occur occur on the last rest day (Ralta) of each month, with an annual week-long festival of games around the beginning of spring (Greenleaf).
• 🏠Ravelino House
  • A large manor in the Domus Nobilium quarter.
  • Owned by Thiago Ravelino, wealthy citizen and proctor of the weavers guild.
  • Headquarters of the Weavers Guild, a noble house that dominates the textile industry and dabbles in politics.
• 🏠Ashglade House
  • A dilapidated nobles' manse and compound on the outskirts of the Domus Nobelium.
  • Headquarters of the Steel Vultures mercenary company, an all business legion of warriors, led by Borin Ashglade, a ruthless killer.
• 🏛️La Dama Adinerada (the Wealthy Lady), an inn and barracks
  • Located just inside the Via Santus gate, in the western ward.
  • Several large barracks near the inn are the headquarters of the Duststone’s Fist mercenary company, a swashbuckling group of bawdy raconteurs, led by the dashing Clifton Duststone.
• 🏛️El Carnicero Cachondo (the Randy Butcher), an inn
  • Located just south of the arena in the northern edge of the Vicus Mecatorum (merchants quarter).
  • Several of our heroes wintered at the inn during 📖Book 2 - The Lost Fleet
  • Zalith stayed at the inn during 📖Book 2 - The Lost Fleet
  • Josep Halconero, is the proprietor and the titular randy butcher.
• 🏫Academy Cognitus, a university
  • A sprawling complex of lecture halls, offices, laboratories and workshops located
  • The Orhaz branch of the Cin'Dar Academy Cognitus, which is responsible for training and creating artificers and mages.
  • 🚹Ves Wordtamer is a student of the academy. His father 🚹Gotrek Twicemeasure is a teacher at the academy. 🚹Greeco Substath was a teacher at the academy during the winter of 3989 PR.
  • Includes the Schola Magistrorum, a school for post-graduate training, primarily for artificers, fabricators and engineers.
  • Includes the Arx Scientia observatory, atop which 🚹ChoTaan Gathakanathi received a prophecy from Araleth Letheranil.
  • Includes the Orhaz office of the Guild of the Heart, artificers who specialist in sordalite technology.
• ⚓Caelum Aetheris, the sky port
  • Located precisely in the middle of the city
  • The sky port rises on a broad stone tower, some 60 feet above the city. Atop the tower is a flat platform made up of a central dock (some 100 feet long) flanked by 4 smaller docks (60 feet long each), laid out like the tines of a fork facing to the south. The sky port has berths sufficient for 6 large ships and a dozen smaller craft.
  • The central body of the port is a large glass and steel station, with a huge central vertical elevator and a granite tiled floor emblazoned with the blue, red and green of the ornate Orhaz city sigil.
  • The station is overseen by a dozen stern Orhaz city guards, easily recognisable by their blue and green tabards, shields with the city crest and short spears. Flanking the left and right sides of the station's main entry doors are two large (12’) winged aerial guardians (who dispassionately scan the station for threats).
  • The left hand of the station is segregated into customs gates for passengers, where a pair of unarmed guards inspect passengers for contraband.
  • The right hand of the station is a broad area filled with all manner of cargo (crates, boxes, barrels and raw goods). A quartet of inspectors from the Navigators League, dressed in grey and yellow overalls, inspect and catalogue the cargo. A dozen loader drones, of all shapes and sizes brings new cargo from the docs and stacks processed cargo on the elevator.
  • The elevator descends and opens out into a wide circular plaza featuring an unusual statue (Nativitas Hominis Novi).
• ⚓Fabrica Navium, shipyards
  • Located on the southern edge of the Industria Fabrorum district.
  • During the autumn and winter of 3898 PR, a Roshan cruiser was under construction here.
• 🗽Nativitas Hominis Novi, a statue
  • Located in the ground level plaza of the Caelum Aetheris.
  • Celebrates a famous navigator, dressed in robes, standing within a great stone clockwork egg. His arms open wide warmly greeting arrivals to the city.
• 🏛️Flagstone House, a student hostel building
  • Located near the Fabrica Navium (shipyard).
  • A squalid shard student hostel building, run down and noisy.
  • 🚹Ves Wordtamer was a lodger at Flagstone House.
• 🏛️Ves’s warehouse
  • Located in the dregs (slum) district.
  • Was used as a workshop by 🚹Ves Wordtamer, originally owned by his grandfather Kazgar.
  • Housed Ves's companion construct Derelict and his grandfather's old dwarven trade ship The Lucrator.
  • Was the mustering point for our heroes on their voyage to the lost island in 📖Book 2 - The Lost Fleet.
  • Was stormed by members of the ⚔️14th Legionius Ferrum ("Steel Legion") who destroyed the door and much of the interior while trying to ground our heroes vessel The Lucrator.

Notable Factions

Government

Orhaz is governed by several groups including, the ⚖️Cin'Dar Senate, the city government (under Propraetor Cornelia Marcus) and the many city guilds.

• ⚖️Cin'Dar Senate
  • The ruling council of the Republic of Cin'Dar, made up from patricians (Decimii) from each of the 10 great houses of the republic.
  • As a Cin'Dar city, Orhaz falls under the dominion of the senate.
  • The provincial governor (Propraetor) is Cornelia Marcus, a shrewd politician.
• ⚖️House Marcellus
  • The controlling Decimus of Orhaz is 🚹Caelius Marcellus of House Marcellus, who
  • Caelius has a villa on the outskirts of the city.
  • Caelius is the sponsor of the annual Orhaz gladiatorial games.

• ⚖️Cin’Dar Gold Shields and City Watch
  • As a border city for the republic, and a major trade hub, Orhaz appeals to many ne'er-do-wells. As a result Orhaz has a strong law and military presence.
  • A contingent of Gold Shields protect the Propraetor, city hall and the Domus Nobilium district. Notable for their bright plate mail armour and gold shield badge, they are all business and maintain republic not civic interests.
  • A large well-equipped force of general city guards protects markets, taverns, temples and central districts. Easily recognisable by their blue and green tabards, shields with the city crest and short spears.

• 🏫Cin’Dar Academy Cognitus
  • The Cin’Dar government branch which is responsible for training and creating artificers and mages.
  • Orhaz maintains a large school for mages, artificers, alchemists and other skilled artisans.
• ⚖️Cin’Dar Tabularium Luris
  • The Cin’Dar government branch which is responsible for recording laws, legal precedents, rulings and adjudications.

Merchant

Ohaz is home to hundreds of skilled craftsmen, any conceivable good is available for manufacture or purchase in the town.

Orhaz is famous for its creation of fine goods, including:

• Furniture, of all shapes and sizes made primarily from locally sourced beech
• Wine, a Priorat red notable for its intense flavour, deep colour and high alcohol content
• Sherry, a particularly fine Oloroso, full-bodied and rich
• Luxury foods, particularly strong crumbly cheeses.

Major guilds in Orhaz are:

• 🥻The Weavers Guild, a noble house that dominates the textile industry and dabbles in politics.
  • Dozens of textile merchants belong to the guild.
  • Headquartered in Ravelino House, a large manor in the Domus Nobilium quarter.
  • Thiago Ravelino, a wealthy citizen is Proctor of the weavers guild and owner of the Ravelino estate.
  • Operates many textile mills in the Industria Fabrorum district

• 🍷The Vintners' Confederation, a stuffy and slow moving syndicate of winemakers
  • Masters of winemaking and sherry production.
  • Headquartered in the city guild hall in the Commercia Portus district.
  • Operates wineries, distilleries, cellars and warehouses throughout the city and surrounding lands.

As a major trade hub, Orhaz has a huge population of merchants, notable for its large proportion of traders. Major merchants guilds in Orhaz are:

• ✨The Navigators League, a noble and bureaucratic house of air-trade magnates
  • A joint council of merchant and transportation houses, bound by an ancient charter.
  • Headquartered in offices adjacent to the Caelum Aetheris (sky port).
  • Accountable for the administration of trade licenses and customs tariffs on behalf of the city.
• 🛞The Gilded Carrack, a trade syndicate with a finger in every pie
  • Headquartered in an open-air pavilion in the central bazaar of the Vicus Mercatorum district.
  • Controlled by Flavius Carinus, a no-nonsense kingpin who despises bureaucracy.
  • Operates docs and warehouses dotted along the Canalis Lusitania.
  • Our heroes contracted a guild mercenady for the voyage to the Lost Island in 📖Book 2 - The Lost Fleet. Trythagorus was a half-orc ships gunner who was killed when ⚓The Lucrator crashed on the island.
  • Illegally inspected our heroes aboard the ⚓The Doubtless Drake upon its entry in to Orhaz from 🏢Loxa in 📖Book 2 - The Lost Fleet.
  • Contracted the ⚔️Duststone’s Fist mercenary company to extort money from Orhaz businesses during the winter of 3898 PR. 🚹Kramram was employed by the Fists during that time.
  • Operates the The Opportune Mistress, a Rassen Assault Frigate (40 crew, 2 cannon), captained by Ulric Ashglade, a customs inspector.

• 🕵🏻‍♀️The Arrodan Syndicate
  • A global trade (and criminal) syndicate, specialises in international trade, has hundreds of vessels and nearing 100,000 employees globally.
  • The Arrodan maintain a low profile in Orhaz, primarily using it as a smuggling port and a source of intelligence.
  • ⚓The Doubtless Drake passed through Orhaz during the winter of 3898 PR.
  • 🚹Zalith spent the winter of 3898 PR recruiting for the syndicate (mostly traders through the port and jilted legionnaires) and spying for the syndicate (mostly on activities associated with the provincial senator 🚹Caelius Marcellus).

Military

As a major city and trade hub, Orhaz has a significant presence from the Cin'Dar military, who patrol the region.

• ⚔️Cin'Dar Legionius Nauticus
  • The national navy of the Republic of Cin'Dar.
  • Headquartered at the Caelum Aetheris (sky port) and a riverine naval port on the Canalis Lusitania, the navy maintains a strong presence in Orhaz.
  • The Navarch of the air fleet at Orhaz is Edwina Sonter, a no-nonsense grey haired veteran.
  • The Navarch of riverine operations in Orhaz is Tibolt Dohelm, an affable celebrated war hero.
  • In the winter and spring of 3898 PR naval airships operated from Orhaz
    • ⚓Zieliah’s Beacon, a Sintel Light Cruiser (100 crew, 22 cannon) - mostly symbolic, it's an older ship-of-the-line. Captained by Magister Navis Asher McKinnon, a rotund man of late middle age.
    • ⚓The Wolfhound, a Rassen Assault Frigate (40 crew, 2 cannon) - used for patrols. Captained by Magister Navis Xalvador de Bolbec, an elderly but steely eyed black man.
    • ⚓The Fletched Hawke, a Zephyr Assault Frigate (30 crew, 14 cannon) - used for trade interdictions. Captained by Magister Navis Malkyn Lavinia, a middle aged red-haired woman.
• ⚔️Cin'Dar Legionius Aurelius
  • The national army of the Republic of Cin'Dar.
  • Headquartered at the Castrum Militaris, the legions maintain a strong presence in Orhaz.
  • In the winter and spring of 3898 PR the 2nd (Invictus) and 3rd (Virtus) cohorts of the 11th Legionius Exemplar, some 1,000 soldiers were billeted there.
  • The Orhaz garrison was commanded by Centurion Primus (Major) Licinius Crispinus of the 11th Legionius Exemplar.
  • Also hosts a small administrative branch of the Academy Primilitus (military school), which handles dispatches for graduating soldiers, sailors and marines.
  • Notable are gun batteries on the walls, manned by legion fusiliers.  The batteries provide cover around the entire perimeter of the city, but are notably clustered around the gates to the Via Santus, Via Gallaecia and Canalis Lustiania.

Orhaz has several mercenary companies which contract their services to the highest bidder and offer employment, including:

• ⚔️Duststone’s Fist - a swashbuckling group of bawdy raconteurs, led by the dashing Clifton Duststone
  • Notable for their navy blue uniform and flag baring crossed scimitars.
  • The Fist are respectful and loyal, but operate under contracts from any buyer, including criminals.
  • The Fist specialise in flanking manoeuvres, and typically fight in scale armour with scimitars and shields
  • Headquartered in several large barracks near the Wealthy Lady inn, just inside the Via Santus gate.
  • During the winter of 3898 PR 🚹Kramram spent 5 months working for the Fist, reporting to Destrian Drake, a company lieutenant.
• ⚔️The Steel Vultures - an all business legion of warriors, led by Borin Ashglade, a ruthless killer.
  • Notable for their steel / blue grey uniforms and flag baring the symbol of a vulture.
  • The Vultures have had significant success under contract by the cities Propraetor as city guards.
  • The Vultures are known for their ruthlessness and unpredictable tactics. They fight in studded leather armour and favour warhammers.
  • Headquartered Ashglade House, dilapidated nobles' manse and compound on the outskirts of the Domus Nobelium.
  • During the winter of 3898 PR 🚹Gunter Shortreach spent 5 months working for the Vultures, reporting to Malliath, a tiefling company lieutenant.

Orhaz has an active arena which, alongside the more rural sport of horse racing, is the preferred sport entertainment of her citizens. Several large gladiator houses (ludus) operate out of the city, including:

• ⚔️Ludus Mascarum, a troupe that focuses on the theatrics of the games
  • The house domus Jin Werdmit is a well known spell-sword.
  • Outfitted in a dark grey sash, elaborate costumes, masks and axes.
  • The troupe is known for its acrobatics and singing.
  • Headquartered in a tented compound not far from the arena, their flag bears the symbol of a grey wolf.
  • Though consistently ranked in the bottom quarter, they are a crowd favourite for their antics.
• ⚔️Ludus Halald, a ruthless troupe of killers
  • The house domus is Eritai Halald, a disgraced Azbar general from 🗺️Keshtine.
  • Headquartered in a suburban estate a few miles north of the city.
  • Outfitted in forest green scaled leather, spears and shields.
  • The troupe fights with hit-and-run tactics, and is notorious for never giving quarter - always killing their opponents.

Notable Events

• The Festival de Luz Equilibrada (festival of balanced light), during the month of Greenleaf (mid spring). Celebrates the solar equinox and features lavish feasts with seasonal produce, meats, and sweets, alongside performances by musicians and dancers in the cities many public squares
• Gladiatorial games also occur during the month of Greenleaf (mid spring). Sponsored by House Marcellus the games draw large crowds to the arena in the north ward of the city. Several gladiatorial companies participate, as do independent gladiators.
• Festival de Primera Lluvia (festival of the first rain), during the month of Rainfall (end of spring). Celebrates the cleansing of the city by the rains and is a time of joy and renewal.

Other Notes

• None

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