Calbeyn

History

No one knows the founding date of Calbeyn. There is believed to have been a settlement here since the founding of the First Empire. The city lies at the upper limit of navigation of the river Val, where all goods which has been shipped up the river must continue overland. A trading post gradually grew up which, after many years, has grown into a city. There are few reliable historical records of the city before the Second Empire. Some archaeologists have discovered zughru relics in the city, and have suggested that there may have been a considerable zughru community in the area at one time. It has even been suggested that Calbeyn was once a zughru city. This theory is of course rejected by most reputable historians.

Layout of the City

The first thing any visitor will see is the massive wall built across the lower end of the Aras gorge, behind which lies the city proper. No records exist giving the date of construction, but the wall is believed to date from the latter part of the first empire. It was certainly in place when Calbeyn was besieged during the wars of reunification in 1490/1, so parts of it are at least a thousand years old. There wall is pierced by three gateways, the middle of which crosses the river Aras, and is big enough for a riverboard to pass through. The two smaller gates on either side are used by road traffic. The two road gates are closed after dark, while a floating boom can also close the river entrance when required.

Travellers arriving from the north will encounter the less-spectacular but equally effective heavy fortifications at the upper end of the gorge.

The city is built along the walls of the narrow gorge of the river Aras, a tributary of the Val, and the Vasd, which flows into the Aras in the upper end of city. A result of the location is that a great many buildings are built into the side of the gorge and are two or three times as big as they look. Some taller buildings have a rear entrance on the second or third floor relative to the front door, while others have just a front, and extend back into cliff face.

For a seemingly low-tech city, Calbeyn is well engineered. Beyond the city, both the Aras and Vasd have been dammed, producing the two reservoirs which supply the city with fresh water. A huge underground tunnel links these two reservoirs with the Val, and prevents the city from being flooded in the spring. There is also a network of sewers carrying waste out of the city, keeping the waters of the Aras pure.

Wards of Calbeyn

Calbeyn is divided into eight districts for administrative purposes, these form electoral districts for the supposedly democratic (but in reality hopelessly rigged) elections. The characterisics of each district is markedly different, even though the boundaries are not always clear. Walking into certain parts of the city after dark can be dangerous; caution is advised for those not familiar with the city.

Akis

Akis ward lies at the top end of the city, extending down from the castle from which it takes it's name as far down as Waterfall Bridge. This ward is entirely occupied by humans, and although it's relatively safe during daylight hours, kandar would be foolish to wander around alone and unarmed after dark.

Anthill

The Anthill is the roughest part of the city, into which the city guard dare not venture. It's not even safe for unarmed kandar to venture into this warren-like maze of narrow streets in broad daylight; many people who wander in never come out again.

Citadel

Citadel ward is enclosed by the citadel walls, and, apart from the high citadel itself is entirely given over to government buildings. The gates of the citadel are closed during the hours of darkness, sealing off the citadel from the rest of the city, except for those on official business.

Farside

Farside, as it's name suggests, lies at the far end of the city between the Vasd and Aras rivers is almost entirely inhabited by humans. It centres on Aldor square, the secondary (and much less regulated) marketplace. The warnings that apply to Akis ward are equally applicable here.

South Cliff

This ward, extending along the cliff past the Citadel is where the top people live. The ward is inhabited mainly by kandar nobles, plus a few high-ranking human officials. The town-houses of this ward are spacious and opulent. The streets are well patrolled, and it's relatively safe even at night, unless you have the misfortune to be a human, in which case the city guard will assume you're a thief and arrest and/or hand out a gratuitous beating.

North Cliff

The opposite bank of the river is one of the less wealthy parts of the city, occupied by poorer kandar in the lower streets, and by humans in the upper streets. It's the most cosmopolitan part of the city. While there is a risk of street violence, it's generally safer than Akis or Farside.

River

The commercial heart of the city, including both the docks and the market place. It has very few permenant inhabitants, unlike Temple and North Cliff that overlook it. By day it's bustling, riverboats being loaded and unloaded at one end, the haggling of market traders at the other. At night it's surprisingly lively too, with a couple of boisterous taverns.

Temple

This ward is inhabited by the wealthier citizens and freemen, particularly merchants, mostly kandar, but with a few humans. The wealthiest merchants live in large houses overlooking the harbour, above the warehouses they own. For the City Guard, it's the most heavily patrolled ward after South Cliff

The Citadel

There are several distinct buildings enclosed within the walls of the Citadel, although all are interconnected by a maze of corridors and tunnels.

• The Gate
• The High Citadel
• Administration Building
• The City Guard House
• The Law Courts
• The Library

Other Major Places and Organisations

• Akis Castle?
• The Karazthan
• The Merchant's Guildhouse?
• Wizard's Hill

Inns and Taverns

Just about the first question any traveller asks is "where are the inns". Calbeyn has a variety of establishments suiting all tastes and budgets, depending on whether you want a good meal or a good fight.

• The Docker's Armpit Tavern?
• The Dragon Tavern
• The Six Diamonds Inn?
• The Stormrider Inn?
• The Vordral's Head Tavern
• The Vulan's Head Tavern?
• The Porpin Tavern?
• The Riverside Inn
• The Ford Inn?
• The Gates Inn?
• The Jewel Inn?
• Iryuk's?

Places of Worship

Six of the Guardians have temples in the city, and those that do not have quite enough worshippers to support a functional temple still manage to support a priest working out of the temple of Karlandra.

• The Great Temple of Karlandra?
• Temple of Kardak?
• Temple of Lakentyr?
• Temple of Ulseth?
• Temple of Valarna
• Temple of Zardor?

Other Businesses and Places of Interest

• Abdir's Arms?
• Althaseyn's Brewery?
• Celnarath's?
• Felthur's Stable?
• Kalan Bridge?
• Waterfall Bridge?
• Kanasal's?
• South Cliff Baths?
• The Great Viaduct?
• The Market Place?
• The Sewers?
• The Water House?

Underworld Organisations

• The Firm