THE FREE CITIES ◎

[abraxasmods]

The Free Cities

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overview ⦁ setting details ⦁ minor npcs & locales ⦁ images ⦁ major npcs

Climate

Arid, rocky, cold nights (i.e. Mojave desert)

Population

Large (500,000+)

Economy

Wealthy

Military

Advanced

Magic

New Magic

Technology

Semi-industrial

Fashion

Eclectic mix of steampunk and fantasy styles, with some innovative touches.

Travel

1 week between cities by horse or wagon. NO TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS as long as the Summoned don't enter another territory's territory. Beware that the further into the desert's "Badlands" they go, the harsher the conditions. Getting too close to another territory's borders will bring suspicion from the military.

An open portal (no fee) is between Cadens and Libertas. Another open portal (fee required) is between Cadens and Aquila.

Dangers

Bandits and dangerous wildlife can be found in the outskirts of the surrounding hills. The Badlands is populated with all manner of beasts. As with any large and populous place, thieves and other unscrupulous individuals are scattered throughout the cities. They're subject to the law like everyone else. Reporting them to the city guards will take care of matters swiftly.

Overview

The Free Cities is a nation that occupies the middle and southeast portion of the continent. When the first Summoned broke through its borders via a mysterious portal, the government welcomed them in and allowed them to settle there. Not long after, they began summoning individuals, too, at the military outpost just outside of Cadens.

See the WORLD OVERVIW to learn about the broader setting of Abraxas such as currency, housing, its calendar, and weapons.

General Information

The Free Cities is structured as an electoral state led by a Prime Minister. The main government body is located in Portam Hall in Cadens, where paperwork, taxes, and civilian complaints are perpetually being filed and stamped. Long lineups are a common sight. The cities themselves (Cadens, Libertas, and Aquila) are crowded. Poorer neighborhoods and wealthy districts are often stacked side by side, sometimes bleeding into one another. Cadens is home to the Free Cities' military force, while Aquila has the most concentrated economic wealth and the nation's largest marketplace. Libertas is populated with free-thinkers and subversive artists.

◎ Magic & Technology

New Magic is the merging of technology and the arcane. Such inventions power the nation, giving it a version of magitech that offers basic modern conveniences like running water, ice boxes, and rudimentary agricultural machinery. You won't come across anything unusually high-tech, but you can find a "flameless" torch, for example. Portal stones are used in place of traditional portals, though legitimate ones that can take you past the country's borders are extremely difficult to find and expensive to purchase - and you'll get in trouble if you possess one without permission. Inventions powered without New Magic are less advanced. Steam and coal-powered technology are only just emerging. The government and its military have more refined technology, but these aren't available to the public and much of it is top secret. The Arcana is treated more as an aesthetic and is often featured in jewelry or used for amusement such as predicting love matches.

◎ Crime

The level of crime depends on the district you're in. Impoverished areas are home to pickpockets and more dangerous individuals. If you venture outside the city walls, you're bound to run into bandits. Jails are constantly full, so extended prison sentences are rare. Punishments can include fines, public lashings, forced labor, and execution. Executions are also public, usually by hanging or beheading, though the majority take place away from the city center. Only notorious criminals will be made a spectacle of. Money talks in the Free Cities - enough gold can wipe a person's record clean. As the Summoned, you'll probably earn some leniency for breaking the law but don't push your luck. On the other hand, the Free Cities will overlook crimes that aren't worth their time. Should you murder one or two bandits past the city gates, they won't investigate too hard when bandits are criminals themselves. Just don't make a habit of it.

◎ Terrain & Biodiversity

Most of the Free Cities exist on hilly terrain. Summers are hot and the cold season is mild, though temperatures can drop quickly at night during the winter months. It's a mountainous desert with low vegetation, high rocky cliffs, deep caves, and steep valleys. Aside from the beasts mentioned, the Free Cities has its share of standard flora and fauna such as boars, rabbits, foxes, and a variety of birds. Rodents, snakes, lizards, large spiders, and scorpions are a regular sight inside and outside the cities. Be sure to check your shoes before putting them on! Cacti, bushes, and drought-tolerant trees like the yucca decorate the landscape. Dust storms can occasionally delay travel while rare heavy rains cause the desert to bloom brightly. The hills between cities are sometimes dangerous but mostly safe. Venturing into The Badlands requires much more skill and knowledge.

◎ Religion

While the Free Cities doesn't observe the Gods, fringe pockets of new-age practitioners have revitalized some traditions that align closer with High Magic. These people are considered eccentric and are often artists or philosophers exploring new concepts of existence. They won't invoke any of the Gods - and indeed, would not know the names of them - but will erect modified shrines and deposit offerings such as crystals, beads, and gemstones. They may wear "charms" made of natural stone, and some offer advice for leading a more fulfilling life or getting in touch with one's inner self.

◎ Medical Care

While medical care is pretty widely available, the price will depend on the quality of the medical professional you go to. You can find everything from cheap, barely-certified doctors in hole-in-the-wall alley locations to elite private physicians who are very costly. Most doctors understand germs, sanitization practices, and have effective anesthesia. They have a firm grasp on the human body.

There are also apothecaries that carry potions, tinctures, and elixirs. Apothecaries are a mix of effective and well-researched natural remedies to snake oil bullshit that might just turn your skin into weird colors or make you smell funny. A few magical healers or doctors who know some healing magic can be found in the Free Cities, though this is not as prevalent as purely scientific doctors.

Daily Life

Life in the Free Cities is what you make of it. As a Summoned, you're initially brought to the barracks in Cadens. You'll have your basic needs met, but not more. The longer you stay, the greater the soldiers will pressure you to enlist - or stop freeloading. Luckily, no one will stop you from making your own way. There are no handouts, so you'd best make some friends or find a job to pay for a room. Otherwise, your first few nights might be on the street.

Once here, you can go to anywhere you like (as long as you don't cross into another territory or trespass onto private estates) and do whatever job you wish (provided your skills are up to par). If you know how fend for yourself, you'll be just fine. If not, you may need to rely on kindly Summoned for help. You'll have to rent a modest inn room first (the Sarstina Inn & Tavern is a place many have started at) before you can afford something better.

There's an endless array of places to see: museums, art galleries, gambling halls, beautiful hiking trails, theater shows, concerts - whatever you can think of, the Free Cities will likely have it. Should the academic track appeal to you, you'll need references and examples of your work before you're accepted into one of the three most prestigious Academies in Cadens: The Grand Academy of General Science, The Cadens Academy of Knowledge, and The Academy of Medicine. Smaller colleges are a good place to start building your reputation, or you can attend free public lectures hosted at the Academies.

The world is your oyster in the Free Cities - as long as you make the right connections. Gold won't hurt, either. Become a student, hunt dangerous creatures, invent new toys, or even join the circus. You can reach out and see what's waiting for you. Just remember there are dangers everywhere, corruption is high, and you may be forced to compromise to get what you need. It might be beneficial to adjust your moral compass...if you have one.

You'll notice some concerning elements if you're sharp. The military holds a powerful sway in the nation, and the current Prime Minister is a former army general. Everything you do is noted and recorded: where you live, your work, even who you associate with regularly. As long as you don't ask too many questions, you'll be left alone. But step a little too far where you shouldn't, and you could get a knock at your door and a request to report to Portam Hall for questioning.

Key Figures

The office of Prime Minister has been held for the last fifteen years by former military general Marlo Reiner. She has more power than she lets on - a little too much of it, perhaps - but is overwhelmingly popular amongst the citizens of the Free Cities for her continued ability to stand up to both Thorne and Solvunn. At present, she has led the Free Cities to the point where Thorne is genuinely threatened by the possibility of losing its claim to being the most powerful territory in Abraxas.

If you'd rather make art not war, you can seek out Quilleth Kaur of Libertas, who helped establish a Summoned-led Arts Restoration Committee. Fallon Marsh of Aquila will hear you out if you have ideas about business or the economy. He's particular about whom he helps but is always willing to explore new concepts.

Aleksander Klingel, a brilliant engineer responsible for much of the Free Cities' advancements, is the man to talk to about technology and science. He's known for doting on his prized pet pigeon and for being difficult to work with, but no one else can better get you the resources you need.

The Singularity

The Free Cities seeks to distance itself from the Singularity and its prevalence. Their ultimate goal is to sever their reliance on the relic, destroy it, and free the world from its influence. Relying on a single object to power the world is risky. What will they do if something unexpected happens to it? Sentiments amongst the broad population vary. Some don't believe they'll see independence from the Singularity within their lifetime. Others aren't sure how to achieve such a lofty goal. Others still don't think about it much at all - they're busy with their personal lives and troubles.

Research into the Singularity in the Free Cities is rare. If you have an interest in studying it, you probably won't get very far here, and you may want to keep your curiosity to yourself. Pursuing it too strongly might attract the wrong kind of attention. You'll have better luck talking to the Summoned in Thorne. They'll be able to give you information you can't access from where you are. Though, as a Summoned, you do have a unique connection to it through the Horizon.

Status & Rumors

◎ Current Status

At the moment, the Free Cities is fairly quiet. After a few turbulent incidents, things have started to calm. There remains an increased number of soldiers on the outskirts and along merchant roads, but they're no longer stopping people at the gates to question them.

Most of Libertas has been rebuilt following the attacks, though some shops have permanently shut down without the resources to open up again. The number of orphans and the impoverished has increased after a high death toll. Orphanages are especially crowded, and a few streets are lined with makeshift rugs or tents from those who have nowhere to sleep.

Access to a unique metal is available to anyone who wishes to purchase it or do some metalsmithing themselves.

Elections are canceled indefinitely due to the attacks on Libertas. Prime Minister Marlo Reiner has declared a State of Emergency.

◎ Rumors & Incidents

The Free Cities has a strong reputation. Like any large nation, there's a lot of gossip and chatter, though the details are often lost or embellished. You can also see if somebody will fill you in on Abraxas's general recent history. Some things you might overhear include:

◎ Secret experiments or advanced technology being developed in underground labs.

◎ A series of events that disrupted the Free Cities in the summer of 20,077, the territory has recovered from the destruction of Libertas. Most of the city has been rebuilt and life has returned to normal, although empty businesses, displaced families, and a surge of orphans remain an issue.

◎ The public hanging Cauldor Wain, who was accused and convicted of orchestrating the attacks in Nocwich. His body was displayed by the gates as a warning for several weeks.

◎ A series of abductions involving the Summoned, which led to the formation of the Summoned Conclave as a gesture promising that officials are committed to hearing the Summoned's needs.

◎ An influx of rifts and monsters from other worlds has damaged key parts of areas outside the main cities. Repairs are nearly complete, and life within Cadens is less strongly impacted.

◎ Negotiations with the Nether, which yielded fertile volcanic soil for agricultural development

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Setting Details

Once a part of Thorne's kingdom, the Free Cities fought against the monarchs. Individual states successfully claimed their land as independent governments until external threats made it beneficial for them to band together and share their economic, scientific, and militaristic powers. Its Thornean heritage can be seen in a few of its oldest standing architecture, with lingering traces of magic and design elements that speak more of the old kingdom than the Free Cities. There's also a darker side to this bright land of innovation: overworked miners, including children, live in poor conditions in rural mining towns all over the Free Cities and are a regular part of what drives the economy.

General

◎ Politics & Culture

The Free Cities is incredibly diverse due to its huge population. The military may be a strong presence, but that doesn't mean citizens are afraid to voice their criticisms. Satirical pamphlets, harshly worded columns, and protests are all allowed...for now. Anyone may join the Free Cities at any time. Many people celebrate the day of their citizenship year after year, similar to a birthday celebration.

Everyone in the government is an elected official, and an election must be held at least once every five years. If an elected leader receives widespread disapproval, it is in their best interest to call an election lest someone find another way to vacate their position. Currently, elections have been canceled indefinitely. The Prime Minister has been seated longer than the standard five years, as has the other government representatives.

◎ Fomalhaut

Once a thriving port city, Fomalhaut has been under strict quarantine. Although formally still part of the Free Cities, citizens of Fomalhaut are prevented from traveling freely throughout the continent by military outposts and patrol ships. This city is the site of a contained outbreak of Heartwood Syndrome, a rare disease that causes a complete loss of magical potential in most, and rapid and eventually fatal bone growth in an unlucky few. As a result, no one is allowed in or out of the city.

Major Areas

While smaller towns and even some rural villages exist in the Free Cities, the rapidly booming population is concentrated around three main cities: Cadens, Aquila and Libertas. The Free Cities lays the strongest claim to The Badlands due to the presence of its military stationed there, but it's considered contested territory with Thorne.

Cadens

The capital. Cadens has the ultimate authority over the Free Cities but generally lets them govern as they please. The city is a major site of military power and scientific innovation. To the northwest of Cadens is the only desert on the continent, in which they have several military outposts. An overall well-rounded city in terms of education, recreation, and economy, Cadens is the place to be if you're looking for a fresh start.

◎ Government & Military

The sprawling hub of Cadens is the seat of both military power and scientific advancement for the Free Cities. Dominated by academies and museums, barracks, and training grounds, the priorities of Cadens are clear. Here one will find less magic than elsewhere in the world, and a dedication to the advancement of mankind - or at least the portion of mankind that resides in the Free Cities.

Rather than a traditional castle, the Prime Minister rules from - and resides in - a fortified stone manor house in the northern part of the city. Portam Hall is home to several high-ranking soldiers, politicians, and assorted staff as well. The lower floors are dedicated to the running of the Free Cities and the upper floors are for residential purposes. The Hall is heavily guarded and outfitted with many defenses. Sections of Portam Hall are open to serve the public.

Also found in the northern part of Cadens is Fort Wilbridge, the headquarters and command center of the Free Cities' impressive army. The Fort boasts a military school, armory, barracks, strategy rooms, training and proving grounds, and storage for everything the army needs. It also serves as the Free Cities' main prison. The military's presence isn't limited to the fort, with barracks and soldier's lodgings scattered in almost every part of the city, and Cadens holds as many grounds for drills and exercises as it does recreational parks.

◎ Science & Innovation

Cadens boasts an assortment of the Free Cities' most celebrated scientists, working in a variety of capacities from teaching at the many schools of higher learning, to serving the Prime Minister and army, to operating independent shops and laboratories or in the back rooms of museums. Instead of mages and spellcasters, you're more likely to find chemists and biologists. There are fringe extremist groups who want to ban magic or treat it with suspicion, but the majority of people consider magic outdated rather than dangerous - something one should strive to move away from to secure the future.

Museums are also in abundance. The Hall of Natural Relics is a popular attraction, with skeletal remains, preserved plants, and other oddities from the desert on display - all to be viewed for a modest entry fee. Every three days, a natural sciences professor gives talks on various exhibits in the museum. But one can also find art museums, history museums, and a museum of medicine where one can learn about the history of the medical profession in the Free Cities.

The Free Cities is also the only territory with firearms technology. Rifles and pistols are available, though they are costly and are early prototypes. Slightly more advanced firearms are only used by the military, and only under special circumstances. The average soldier would carry only swords, lances, and crossbows.

◎ Shopping & Entertainment

If museums and learning aren't of interest, the central part of Cadens also has a thriving nightlife and many options for recreational activities. Taverns and dance halls are in abundance, and many a city street corner boasts musicians or acrobats to entertain. The Catterborough Theater, locally referred to simply as The Cat, offers plays and musical shows most nights and is the home of the Free City Theater Company - a renowned group of actors and players.

All manner of taverns, inns, and shops are available. The market square is filled with stalls selling anything under the sun: jewelry, weapons, snake oil, trinkets, clothing, accessories...even exotic pets. It doesn't take much wandering, either, to find brothels, gambling dens, and other establishments of a similar nature - though these are less prevalent in Cadens than they are in Libertas.

◎ City Life

All manner of small establishments can be found. Beyond the center, in the outer parts of the city, residential areas and businesses take precedence. From wealthy neighborhoods filled with estates to apartment-style buildings pressing in on each other and everything in between. There's no set or consistent architecture or styles here, though even the 'old' buildings and sections aren't nearly as old as found elsewhere in the world. There are some poorer neighborhoods where it looks as though people made housing out of whatever was available - rough, uneven-cut stone, scraps of wood, clay.

Cuisine and fashion are much the same, an eclectic mix of a bit of everything including things rarely seen outside of the Free Cities. New fashions arrive from Aquila constantly, and the latest in cuisine developed in Libertas doesn't take long to make its way to the capital. One may notice, however, that there seem to be rather high taxes on nearly everything.

Aquila

Aquila is the world's fastest-growing economy. Merchants with the right paperwork can enter temporarily to sell goods at the local market, though obtaining such papers if you're from Thorne is extremely difficult. Many successful businesses get their start in Aquila. In the past, some business individuals often quietly defect to stay here. The scenery in Aquila is also considered some of the most beautiful, with both the mountains and beaches of Andromeda Bay nearby, making it a popular destination for vacationers.

◎ The Public Market

The massive public market takes up most of the city's center. Goods from all over the world can be found here and it's easy to spend an entire day wandering from stall to stall. From raw materials such as fabrics, dyes, exotic wood, and stones, to finely crafted artisan everything. Furniture, clothing, foodstuffs, weapons, art, magical oddities, it's all here. The market opens at sun-up and shuts down sometime after sunset - plenty of sellers will linger, hoping for one last sale of the day.

Of course, a market this large has its politics. Vendors will viciously try to undercut one another's prices, battle over better spots to set up, and sometimes even sabotage rival merchants.

◎ Art & Fashion

Home of the Free Cities' fashion industry and art scene, Aquila boasts several well-respected studios and art galleries. Artists sketching or painting out on the streets or the nearby beaches are a common sight. Tailors and seamstresses are forever trying to outdo one another and create the latest trend. Some of the most sought-after tailors have such a following that they're able to release only a handful of new pieces a year and sell them at ridiculous prices. The natural beauty of the city and its surrounding landscape are considered some of the most beautiful on the continent and are often credited for the local success of visual arts.

Libertas

Living up to its name, Libertas is famous for its lax social norms and sense of individualism. There are very few enforced rules in Libertas. But freedom only extends to freedom over oneself: start hurting anyone and it's a different matter. Otherwise, you can do whatever you want. Gambling, drugs, and subversive art all thrive. Many citizens of the Free Cities go to Libertas to get away from the humdrum of daily life, and outcasts from other territories will find a home for themselves here. Both Thorne and Solvunn have reportedly wished to wipe Libertas off the map for the frequent mockery of their leaders and traditions that Libertas' local arts scene produces.

◎ Politics & Philosophy

Rather than innovative fashion and creations, Libertas is the home of philosophers and writers, poets and musicians. Freedom of thought and expression is held in high regard here, as well as the idea of personal freedom. Indulgences are plenty, from gambling halls offering all manner of games of chance to public houses that offer more interesting consumables than alcohol. These sorts of pastimes are celebrated, and vital to the local economy.

While the Free Cities reject the traditions of a monarchy, nowhere is this clearer than in Libertas. Scathing social commentary in the form of books, plays, and songs abound, with the subject of many being the territory and leaders of Thorne. The art made here is of the more experimental sort, going far beyond paintings and sculptures.

There's a phrase that's common in the Free Cities: "Libertas is the mother of new thinking". Radical new philosophies and ideas can be found on nearly every street corner, with great minds arguing into the early hours of the morning over bottles of wine or other mind-opening substances. There's a vibrancy and life to this city that's almost palpable.

Some of Libertas' free-thinking philosophies made their way into Cadens following an art walk that brought the two cities together. The counter-culture movement has permeated Cadens as a result.

◎ City Landscape

In many parts of Libertas, shops and homes are built practically on top of one another. The city attracts plenty of those who feel there's no other place for them - outcasts, rabble-rousers, and so-called "dangerous" thinkers. Rooftop gardens and food grown in window boxes are common. In less wealthy parts of the city, citizens paint doors and window shutters in bright colors and patterns and scenes. Wealthier homes boast yards and enough space to display sculptures and flowers and even colorful cloth gazebos for hosting gatherings. The truly wealthy have expansive grounds, sheltered from the rest of the city by high stone walls. There are few parks, aside from the ones in the city square. But there are plenty of outdoor cafes behind or in front of the tightly packed shops and homes and businesses, with tables and chairs to sit and talk or read or work.

Shops nestle close together along winding streets. Some of them double as residences, with living quarters above or in the back. Here the illicit is on display right beside the mundane and conventional. Wander into any apothecary and find sexual enhancement potions and hallucinogens nestled between energy elixirs and herbal rinses for shiny hair. There are hucksters in every square, dressed gaudily to attract attention, who promise they can acquire anything that anyone might like...for a price, of course.

The central square is a cultivated memorial park, designed by the Arts Restoration Committee. In Libertas, there's always something going on.

◎ Rain of Fire

In 20,077, an international incident resulted in Thorne raining fire down on the city, destroying a large portion of it. The city took many months to restore, and many of the ramifications can still be seen as you walk through the streets: abandoned buildings, businesses that never recovered, and - of course - the Willow Memorial Park, which has an area dedicated to the lives of the lost. Nonetheless, the city seems to have banded together in the face of this tragedy. Benefactors, philanthropists, and respected artists have all donated their time and money to rebuilding Libertas anew.

The Badlands

The Badlands is the informal name for the contested land between Thorne and the Free Cities. Crossing the full length of the Badlands takes roughly 6-8 weeks by horse due to the rough terrain. It is incredibly harsh out here, particularly towards the center of the territory. Surviving even a few days in the Badlands takes a great amount of skill and knowledge.

Many merchants travel the long way via the safer roads that go around the area rather than crossing through it. Only those who are prepared should be venturing towards the heart of the Badlands. Losing your direction is easy, and the remains of those who didn't heed the warnings have been uncovered.

◎ Environment

The Badlands boasts dust storms, rocky terrain, and intense heat. Readily accessible food is scarce and water is scarcer, though there are pockets of streams, pools, and other sources of water if one knows where to look. Unseasoned wanderers often succumb to thirst when misjudging the distance between one water source to the next. It's possible to forage and hunt for food if you know your way around, and aren't choosy about your dinners.

Deep caves, bottomless ravines, and rocky precipices are common sights. Unlike the Free Cities' surrounding desert hills, the Badlands lack much vegetation beyond cacti, sparse low trees, and dry shrubs for much of the year. Following rare torrential rains, flowers and plants can spring up. As with many deserts, temperatures at night can drop to below freezing while the daytime heat reaches extreme highs. Those who are capable of trekking this arid region will find rare and beautiful sights. Some of the finest sunsets can be viewed from atop a mountain cliff while hidden caverns can hold iridescent crystals.

◎ Threats

Home to some of the most dangerous beasts in Abraxas, the true heart of the Badlands is considered uninhabitable by most. The only people who might be found "living" anywhere near it are soldiers stationed at outposts who receive regular supplies from military transports. Bandits prefer to make their camps at the edges of the Badlands, where the territory is more survivable and they're closer to the main roads used by merchant caravans. Robberies on these roadways are not unheard of, and many merchants will pay a tidy sum for mercenaries to protect their wares.

Most creatures in the Badlands are nocturnal, making nighttime travel particularly dangerous. Large carnivorous worms lurk under the sand, winged reptiles swoop from the sky, and even average venomous spiders can take the life of an unprepared traveler. Daytime is only safer by a margin. Nevertheless, these beasts can fetch a tidy sum for usages in alchemy due to their rarity. Some will risk going out there for the money, and not all make it back.

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Minor NPCs & Locales

These NPCs and locales have either been submitted by players themselves or created by one of the mods specifically for your use! Feel free to control, interact, and play with these NPCs or locales however you like. No mod interaction/permission is required unless you plan on killing or severely harming them, or destroying the location.

It is NOT required to use an NPC or Locale on the list in your tags or to submit one before you can include it! Feel free to make things up as you go along. However, if you've created an NPC or a locale you really like and want the game at large to be able to reference this same NPC or locale, you can add a submission. Or, if you need some ideas, you can pick one listed here for inspiration!

To submit an NPC or a locale, use the form on the World Building page.

Minor NPCs

Cadens

Bridgette Wright
Stable Owner

Owner of a commercial stable in town that rents and boards horses. She is a woman in her mid-30s who stands about 5'3 with a stocky build and long black hair she typically wears in a braid down her back. She has grey eyes and her skin is deeply tanned from spending much of her time working outside. Dresses simply and almost always in work clothes, and is well known to carry treats around in her many pockets, both for her horses and a few of the town children who love to stop by and visit.

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She tends to smirk more than smile, is known for having a sharp sarcastic tongue, and has little patience for fools. She's often been heard complaining that her horses are more intelligent than half the customers she has to deal with, and much better company to boot. But she does have a soft spot for strays, as long as they don't get too underfoot, whether they be the four-footed or two-footed kind. That being said, she's clever in how she runs her business and offers fair and reasonable prices, as well as offering a special discount to Summoned, as she knows many of them don't have a lot to their names. She's obsessive when it comes to the welfare of her horses, whether they are the ones she owns or boards for other people and she won't tolerate any sort of cruelty or abuse if she notices signs of it.

Cyprian Leyes
Jeweler
IMAGE

Cyprian is a stocky man at 5'4" with bright orange hair that brushes his shoulders, and an impressive beard separated into three braids. Often seen in his work clothes. His hands are rough from years of blacksmithing. While Cyprian is capable of crafting fine weapons, he's best known for his jewelry work. Despite his gruff and intimidating exterior, he's got a big personality and an even bigger heart with a soft spot for children. He's got several children and even more grandchildren, all easily recognized by their vibrant hair. Kind-hearted, he loves a good joke and will cut deals for those who can't pay upfront. Anyone in town - Summoned or local - wishing to learn blacksmithing or metalwork will find a welcome mentor in Cyprian. Cyprian is a frequent visitor of Glen's stall in Nocwich and loves giving the young werewolf a hard time; it's not a stretch to say that he sees him like one of his children even if they're business partners.

Davin Butoric
Tanner

Short and stout, and brown-skinned, he has a bit of a gut but strong arms. He is bald with a bushy beard. He is in his 50s and a lifetime bachelor. His hands are rough from his work. He wears sensible clothing with some leather pieces thrown in so he can show off his wares. He has a no-nonsense air about him and just wants to do his job. He is very fair and will give hunters a good price for quality hides. The only enthusiasm he has is when impressive or unique hides come in, and if they're good enough, he might gruffly ask how they got it. He treats everyone the same and he doesn't enjoy small talk. He is skilled with the equipment to make his wares and while not everyone is impressed by his personality, they are impressed with his work. He doesn't make a lot of showy pieces, this is more the stop for good solid leather goods. He is very particular about the materials he accepts as he only wants the best.

Graff Rosen
Gunsmith

A tall man at 6'7, he is thin with long black hair pulled back in a bun. He has piercing blue eyes with a narrow face. He comes off as severe at first but his smiles are genuine. Graff is very proud of his business and his work. He has guns on display and makes a variety of them, also agreeing to make specialized designs. His guns are expensive but they are well-made, especially his hunting rifles built for wear and tear. He will sell you ammunition, but they, too, are pretty expensive. He is a good businessman and chatty with customers but dislikes hagglers. He'll be annoyed if you try - pay full price like everyone else. He is an incredible shot and he has a practice area for people to test his weapons, although he will only allow you two bullets. No sense in wasting them.

Leandra "Lee" Harran
Blacksmith

Leandra has long red hair that she always has braided, hazel eyes, and freckles. She is tall at around six feet with sizable arms and dresses plainly. She is in her late 30s. While working she is dirty and doesn't care, but when doing business she makes certain to be clean and present herself professionally. Lee is a pragmatic and direct person who is fair and hard-working. If she promises you something will be done, she will do everything to make certain she is on time or early. She will warn you if it will take longer or what will cost more, so everyone's on the same page. She has a good sense of humor and ends up having a friendly work connection with her clients, she's easy to get along with. Her two young daughters Yasha and Miri are learning the business and usually shadowing her. She often partners with other blacksmiths for business propositions as long as everyone makes out well, and she is open to working with new Summoned who might have engineering or blacksmith skills and want to try and get started in the business here.

Magmara "Mag/Magpie" Sarstina
Innkeeper (Sarstina Inn & Tavern)

Brown hair kept back in a bun or braid, off her face and shoulders as she's always moving. Around 5' with a round face and strong shoulders. She wears well-made and well-worn clothes and is always moving, cooking, helping, sewing, cleaning, checking in on her patrons, etc. Bright green eyes and a bright smile but even if she might be two feet shorter than you, she has the energy of Your Mother Who Loves You But Will Kick Your Ass (Lovingly) If Needed.

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Matronly is the best, most honest way of putting it. She has a huge heart and a welcoming personality which has done her well as the owner of an inn, but don't be surprised, she will also give you a swift kick in the ass if needed. Sam Wilson met her the first few days he arrived in Cadens and has been helping around the inn/building since he arrived. She is warm, safe, helpful, and welcoming, and Sam has been talking to her about opening up more rooms as a kind of halfway house for the Summoned in the city to have a place to go before they find their footing/jobs/more permanent places for them to stay. However, Mag will not put up with bullshit, and if she sees anyone slacking off or not doing what they promised she has no qualms about kicking them out on their asses.

Ottavious (AKA Ott)
Low-level Military Soldier

Ottavious works at the Barracks where the newly Summoned arrive. He idolizes the Summoned, and has been stealing any pop culture references, idioms, or turns of phrase he hears from them to recycle and use himself — often incorrectly.

Quille Embers
Shop Employee (A Song of Saplings)

Five foot one, black braided hair, and thin with a thick cloud of freckles across her face. Quille has two curling black horns growing from her head that are usually mostly covered by her braids, along with the pointed tips of her ears. She decorates her hair and clothing with stars despite being the Hanged Man. She never removes her mask, which covers her nose and mouth, and always wears a somewhat distant expression. She speaks slowly and deliberately. When her sleeves slip up too far, one can see many scars covering her hands and wrists, trailing up her arms.

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An orphan plucked from the streets of Libertas, Quille has the air of someone who has seen too much. While she's always listening to conversations, she often appears to be in her head. She is excessively patient, aiding young ones and elder residents to find the perfect plant. Dutiful and detailed, the shop is nearly spotless with Quille around. She has a habit of taking food when it's left in the open too long, so customers who "accidentally" leave snacks behind will find them long gone by the time they return, with Quille stating only that she needs to keep the shop tidy.

Rumors abound that she's a daemon, with shimmering scales hidden under her clothing and dragon's teeth behind her mask. When confronted with such questions, she will refuse to answer or will simply shrug them off. She's here to work, not to chat. It is said the only time the girl's ever reacted was when one patron got too close in an attempt to lift her mask. Sometimes, when alone, she can be heard talking to no one, staring through walls and windows as if a solid form is standing there.

Smogrillion “Smoggy” Slay
Celebrity Chef
Images: IMAGE ⦁ FULL IMAGE

Smoggy, a Draconum that moved to the Free Cities to further his career, is a household name here and in the Nether. He abandoned the simplistic and standard single Draconum name given to him at birth for one that "fits in" better with the Free Cities culture (or so he believes).

Known for his mix of homestyle Nether cuisine and the fresh ingredients freely available here, he and his ex-mate, Sun Ferrari, opened a few successful restaurants that combined their styles of cooking and love for food. While those restaurants have closed due to their falling out, Smoggy has gone on to open other restaurants that are often in direct competition with Sun’s.

Professional gossip rags will say that they can trace the downfall of his humble beginnings and inflated head to a particularly well-known incident during the (informal but highly popular) yearly competition Steel Chef. After beating chef Maramotar Motomari and taking the title of Steel Chef, Smoggy got up on the counter and started stomping on the cutting board - an act that Maramotar and others in the culinary world found incredibly disrespectful. Smoggy’s ego almost precedes his cooking career with a string of mates after his separation from Sun. But the elite seem to love him and some of the public seem to find his personality entertaining. And as they say, all publicity is good publicity.

Sun Ferrari
Images: IMAGE
Celebrity Restaurateur

Sun Ferrari is known for his jovial attitude, larger than life personality, big heart and loud hair. As a chef, his cooking style is best known for anything to do with grilling and marinating. He owns a few restaurants across the Free Cities, with his most recent restaurant being a delivery-only kitchen called “Tangytown Canteen.” Unlike his ex-husband (or mate), Smoggy Slay, Sun is far more well-liked among the masses. He occasionally officiates unions for those unable to afford them, and leads an organization that keeps a daily soup kitchen running.

While it appears that he’s won over the public, his overly friendly demeanor and “lack of fashion sense” make him a little less popular in the upper echelons of the Free Cities. If this bothers him, however, he doesn’t seem to let on or care.

Terrance "Terry" Butoric
Butcher

Much like his brother, he is short and stout and brown-skinned but he has a nice head of hair and no beard (blood/meat kept getting in his old one). His arms are huge and he smiles nicely a lot of the time. He wears loose and old clothing that he doesn't mind getting dirty, but he also wears leather pieces and items from his brother to be supportive. He is in his 40s and married.

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Terry is warmer than his brother and likes to make small talk with people as he sells his meat. He knows a lot about everyone in the area and he is popular for being a nice man. While the two brothers are known for more necessary but not exciting jobs, he has a lot of pride in what he does since "everyone needs to eat!" He has four children who are often running around the area making mischief and the only time he stops being his kind self is when he's shouting at them not to make trouble for the neighbors/other merchants. He is often busy. He also will offer fair prices and seem genuinely sorry if he has enough meat and doesn't need anymore, but he'll give good options for who people can take it to next. He knows what animals are the best meat and won't accept everything.

Libertas

Axn Kade
Sculptor & Activist

Born Paxton Kade, Kade is a famous sculptor who crafts his work from scrap metal derived from abandoned mining equipment and other materials Cadens and its military left behind, rusting in the ground. Repurposing waste into art is his goal. He's vocal about the dangerous conditions in the mines and the hazards of old heavy equipment left lying around. He also sells miniature sculptures for anyone to purchase, such as this and this. Given his popularity, these cost a pretty penny - the equivalent of a finely crafted sword. Kade promises some of the profits from his work will go towards improving conditions for miners.

Engelberta Erbano
Playwright

An emerging playwright who wrote a popular play depicting the tragedy that results from a conflict between two warring families, one from a land filled with ancient magic and one from a land powered by progress. Some may recognize aspects of the play's subject matter from their world, particularly the two star-crossed lovers. She has won a few awards for her plays.

Theany Newland
Performance Artist

Theany Newland is a performance artist who utilizes elaborate puppets powered by New Magic, similar to clockwork animatronics on a smaller scale. These puppets perform unusual interpretive dances on a lush and beautiful stage of grass and flowers that bloom using - in direct contradiction to New Magic - a form of magic that is the Academic Magic favored in Thorne. Unlike many in the Free Cities, Theany dresses in a manner that carries the familiar edges of nobles in Thorne. Where many prefer not to acknowledge that the Free Cities was once a part of Thorne, Theany is open about the fact that his family traces a few generations back to Thorne: academics from Hayle before they came to the Free Cities to build a new life. As a result, Theany himself is as much a subject of controversy as his work. Some insist he should be ejected from the Free Cities while others admire his boldness.

Aquila

Azure and Marine Wave
Shop Owners (The Wave Crash Pub)

Marine is 5'3" and in his late 20s. Azure is 6'3" and in his early 20s. They both have tanned skin and long brown hair like their mother, but their eyes are dark. They dress in colorful, polished clothes. Marine and Azure are Cerulean Wave's sons, from an old Aquila sea family. They took over the pub when their father Bo died a year ago and they have refurbished the inside. They can often be seen snarking at each other and disagreeing on everything, but they make peace by the end of each day. They like to party with their guests, usually nursing some liquor themselves. They often sleep at the pub instead of going home. Both bachelors, they like to live a carefree life.

Cerulean "Ceru" Wave
Shop Owner (The Wave Palace)

Ceru is in her mid-40s, 5'3", and plump. She has deeply tanned skin, brown hair down to her back, and blue eyes. She looks comfortable in her colorful skirts and sleeveless shirts. She is from an old family in Aquila that goes back generations. The Wave family has always lived by Andromeda Bay. Their last name may have been different long ago but was changed to fit the beach aesthetic. Everyone in her family has a name that is water-related. Her sons Marine and Azure can attest to that. She is friendly, relaxed, and can tell you just about anything you need to know about the Bay and Aquila. She is a shrewd businesswoman and will try to upsell you on her products. She was widowed a year ago but doesn't talk about it.

Maramotar Motomari
Chef/Mentor
Images: IMAGE

Heralded as the father of seafood cuisine, Maramotar Motomari has a deep respect and love for the art of cooking. While he’s a big fan of seafood, he’s since mastered the art of fusion cuisine, having previously hailed from Solvunn's coastal settlements. A few of his restaurants have earned stars of recognition in the culinary world.

Throughout his career, Motomari had been often sought out as a mentor of young chefs. Seeing the need for a culinary school, Motomari used his earnings from his restaurants to give back to the next generation of cooks. The main school is located in Aquila where he often lectures and teaches when he isn’t rotating and cooking in his own restaurants.

While his stern demeanor often intimidates younger chefs, they come to know that his no-nonsense style of teaching is because he wants to give them a solid foundation to cook and deliver pleasure on a plate to the masses instead of “peacocking” like other chefs that have risen to celebrity status. Outside of the kitchen and work, Motomari is a charming man with a deep passionate for food. Despite his dislike for Sun Ferrari’s boisterous personality in the past, they have since reconciled and often work closely together to provide food for those in need. Don’t ask him about Smoggy - as far as Motomari is concerned, that Draconum isn’t a chef by any definition of the word.

Nella Bloom
Owner (The Canvas Poets)

Nella is an elegant woman with straight white-blonde hair to her shoulders, somewhere in her 50s or 60s. Her eyes are hazel and her skin is a warm olive. She wears long, flowing dresses, and is very fashionable. She is a serious woman who lives for art and owns a gallery. She can give a very discerning glance either to a person or a piece of work and size them up right away. Impeccably polite, the only time passion comes into her tone is when discussing the fine arts. She seems to be independently wealthy outside of her gallery and always looks impeccable and aloof.

Minor Locales

Cadens

A Song of Saplings
Plant Shop
IMAGE ⦁ IMAGE

Amid the Cadens desert sits a small oasis surrounded by four walls. A Song of Saplings is (one of) Jaskier's pride and joy. This plant shop lies in the heart of Cadens's thriving market, with a hand-carved sign of tree branches wrapping around the name of the store. A tiny bell similar to a bird's call rings as one steps inside -- only to be assaulted by a wall of green.

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While most plants offered are hardy cacti and woody bushes, there are special selections of flowers, saplings, and plants that typically don't grow in the desert. Bright pink roses, verdant oak saplings, and a fuzzy-leafed favorite called "wolf's ear" are displayed among the store's rich wooden shelves, all personally grown by the Gem of the Phoenix himself. Locally crafted pottery fills one of the back shelves, each piece stamped by the artist. Other types of garden art are available, including statues of dragons, birds, mermaids, and unicorns -- pieces of the Continent that Jaskier has commissioned. And, of course, phoenixes.

At the back of the shop is a door that boasts a sign reading "EMPLOYEES ONLY", a modern touch Jaskier has picked up from some of his more contemporary companions. Inside is a room set up similar to a break room, with a cushioned couch pushed against one wall, a small table with a smattering of chairs surrounding it, and a shelf containing cleaning supplies. There's also a miniature well where one can draw fresh water from, though it's not very deep.

The front counter of the shop bears a bowl full of candies. A young woman with a head full of black braids and what appear to be horns curling from her head appears to be the shop's only employee. Named Quille Embers (see NPCs for more details), she wears a mask that covers her nose and mouth and is dedicated to aiding shoppers of all kinds. She's often seen sweeping the same spot for an hour, or plucking leaves off the plants -- wait a second, did she just eat one? Though many rumors circulate, Quille will limit the conversation to the purchasing and selling of plants. Somehow, she has extensive knowledge of every single plant in the shop.

Farhill Mining Camp
Mines
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The Farhill Mining Camp is the largest mine in operation. Jagged hills of varying height and stability make traversing the mining area tricky. Citizens of all ages work the mines daily, with children able to quickly squeeze through small crevices. The ground often shakes with the rumbling of machinery. A town sits nearby with a population of about 500 miners and their families. Rows of cheap housing are pressed together with little care, sitting dangerously close to the mines and the fumes that come with them.

Kol's Sweetrolls
Bakery
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A cozy little bakery that sells a variety of bread, pies, and other treats. Owned and run by Kol and his sister Molly (Mol), the storefront is modest and decorated with fresh flowers. There is a small shelf where one can borrow a book to read while enjoying their sweet roll. Just be sure to return it when you're finished! Around the back is a set of stairs that lead up to the second floor, which contains a private home - now available for rent.

Old Public Hall
Gathering Hall

The newly restored Old Public Hall has kept the distinctive architectural features that are strongly Thornean in influence - a reminder that the building itself is an early attempt of the Free Cities to assert its own identity. Standing at three stories, the building is not wide, but it is deep. The façade is a pale white that gleams in the sunlight, the roof a darker gray so as not to blind those that pass by. Polished wooden doors have repaired some of the missing pieces of wood carvings that feature the Free Cities' proud history.

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The hybrid nature continues inside in much the same way. New tiling that alternates between black and white has been placed on the floor. A second-floor and third-floor gallery with seats ring the building, and all of the building focuses on a dais. Leading to it as the supports for the vaulted ceiling. The ceiling itself features bright, intricate patterns in rich blues, greens, reds, and yellows that form a dizzying array, but in fact help to magically support and move sound through the building, just as the actual ceiling vaults do. Stained glass windows in matching colors are set behind the dais, featuring inventions made within Cadens. The walls are painted deep greens and accented with gold.

Most days, there is a podium placed on the dais. Speaking from that spot reveals the true touch of Thorne that remains in the building. The combination of vaulted ceilings and other design elements along with spellwork in the building allows for the speaker to be heard with crystal clarity no matter where they stand in the hall.

A small bar area is placed near the entrance to allow for quick bites and drinks to be served during performances, and a side area is blocked off for administrative staff to work and manage the building. Beside the bar is a plaque that lists the names of those involved in helping to fund the repairs, as well as those who made contributions. The firm of the Offices of Pankratz and Ţepeş, Architecture and Arts is credited first on the list.

Rio Enterprises
Workshop

This is the business of Viktor and (formerly) Jayce Talis. There is a storefront with examples of their variety of wares that is attached to an internal workshop where they create most of their work and brainstorm. Though it was previously a place to get designed weapons and specialized tools from the blacksmith Jayce, it is now primarily used for creative items from Viktor like sunglasses, goggles for the desert, a respiratory device for out there as well, and a few other unique offerings. Viktor is usually there to sell his work, get consultations and requests, and listen to pitched ideas.

The Sarstina Inn & Tavern
Inn & Tavern

Magmara (or Mag) has run the inn for years and has been a familiar face in that neighborhood as a woman who always made ends meet. When the Summoned arrived in the Cadens through that first portal, Sam managed to stumble in and make quick friends with Mag. The deal she offered Sam extends to any Summoned in the city: in exchange for manual labor, fixing up and cleaning up the inn, as well as whatever other various tasks Mag needed to be done around, you'll be given free room and board.

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The inn is 4 floors tall, with the top three floors making up the 15 or so rooms, and the entire bottom floor reserved for the restaurant area. The tavern has a small stage in the corner, a walled off area for the decently sized kitchen, and a large wooden bar where Mag does all her business for both the inn and tavern. It serves a modest selection of drinks and some food (usually a single, large meal served to tenants and patrons). It can be busy some evenings, but in general tends to keep a more 'dive-bar' kind of feel, filled with more locals and regulars than a casual dinner-going crowd.

Rooms vary from fairly simple, single-bed inn style rooms with a small bathroom up to a two 'bedroom' suite style with small kitchenettes and spaces for sitting rooms. Each bedroom has its own small bathroom for the tenants. Cleaning, washing, and chores are left to those who live there. What used to be more of a working inn now serves as a kind of boarding house for newly arrived Summoned (or simply those who won't leave), and Mag has found herself quite okay with that.

The Surly Wench
Inn & Tavern

A rough and ready tavern in a less salubrious back alley of Cadens. The clientele can get a bit feisty at times, and the drinks are cheap. But it's also good, rowdy fun on the busier nights and can be okay for quiet conversations/discrete meetups on other nights. The rooms it has for rent are quite rough and ready too, dark and a bit cramped and definitely not squeaky clean.

The Winchester-Harvelle House |
Residential Home (Private)

A rather large but initially run-down house purchased by Dean Winchester & Jo Harvelle, with the financial and legal assistance of Sam Winchester, and Castiel. When they first purchased the property, it was decidedly not in good shape. The only reason they could afford a place so large was because it needed weeks of work to really be habitable, and months of work to be finished. It's located about a quarter of a mile from The Sarstina Inn & Tavern in the portion of the housing district that begins to deteriorate from "nicer neighborhood" to "we sure tried when we first started building here, but shit happens and now... eh." Currently, this is the first and only private home property owned by a group of the Summoned in Cadens.

Libertas

The Red Path
Landmark
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Named for its iconic red sand on the surrounding hills, the Red Path leads to and from Libertas. Known for being relatively safe, merchants, travelers, and hiking enthusiasts frequent the Red Path for its beautiful scenery - although sandcats remain a danger to watch out for. Recent rift attacks have caused the vegetation to be badly damaged, but restoration efforts are underway to return the area to its former beauty.

Willow Memorial Park
Park

Willow Memorial Park is a two-block-wide park in the heart of Libertas, marking one of the sites destroyed by Queen Ellya Galdwin of Thorne in retaliation for the death of Grigory Jannus. Rather than rebuild, the space was set aside to ensure that the destruction was not forgotten and that survivors could come and take advantage of having a wide open space in the middle of the city.

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In addition to willow trees, wildflower meadows, an aloe and cactus garden, and a small grove of fruit trees that provide shade to a large grassy area, the park features a mosaic sculpture in the center. Made out of four large pieces of debris recovered from the attack, each piece sits in a cardinal direction as a pillar. In the center is a small fountain that collects water from four magically powered streams that run through the park and feed into the feature. The mosaics themselves are made of seemingly everything - drawings of those lost, small pieces of jewelry, bottle caps, stones, gemstones - ordinary things that swirl around each other to create abstract shapes and designs.

A plaque affixed to the north and south pieces of the sculpture read: Grief has no fixed shape. Add what you would to the mosaic, and the items will shift into place. You (and only you) may reclaim what you leave if you feel the need to do so. The date of the park's opening is listed, followed by Commissioned by Quilleth Kaur, designed and executed by J. Pankratz and A. Ţepeş under the guidance of A. Kade.

Aquila

The Canvas Poets | Art Gallery
Art Gallery

Owned by Nella Bloom, this is considered one of the classiest art galleries in Aquila. While the main gallery features incredible landscapes and scenics of Aquila and Andromeda Bay, there is a section of the gallery that changes every few months. It usually showcases art from other places in Free Cities, or new and upcoming artists who have caught the owner's eye. Only artists in Free Cities will be featured here. Many aspiring artists try to be 'discovered' by showing their art nearby or in the market. After the Libertas attack, only Libertas artists were shown for months. All proceeds went to the city. The gallery's space is large and beautiful. It's often required visiting for anyone interested in the arts. Poetry readings are held every week. Poets must audition to participate.

Northeastern Mountains | Landmark
Landmark
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These sharp peaks span across most of the Free Cities' territory. The smaller mountains near Aquila are popular for mountaineers, geologists, and engineers looking to test their newest inventions at higher altitudes. Finding abandoned equipment is not uncommon. Previously a site of one of the rifts, some of the peaks show signs of damage.

The Wave Palace
Shop

The Wave Palace sits between the public market and the beach, closer to the beach than inside the market itself. It is the perfect place to go for beach-related merchandise. Need a hat? Go there. Need some warm-weather shoes? You got it. Want to buy a chair and towel? You get the idea. You can rent chairs and towels instead of outright buying them. The owner Cerulean Wave encourages this since it earns her more money.

The Wave Crash Pub
Tavern

The pub is on the very edge of the beach. Many like to walk down for a chance to sit and have a drink. If you pay extra to keep the glass, you can buy a drink and take it back to your spot at the beach. Many comfortable tables and chairs are placed outside the bar. Though indoor seating is available, most like to stay outside. There is no food served or wait service. It's all about the booze. You can, however, enjoy local musicians playing all kinds of genres. They have a new 'house drink' every weekend with creative flavors. The owners Marine and Azure are always there and happy to drink with their guests.

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Images

The images below are for your reference, but all players are invited to build on the details provided to construct their own descriptions and vision of the game's setting. Don't feel as though you have to adhere only to what's displayed!

Cadens Overview

The Badlands

Libertas

Market Square

Aquila Coast

Portam Hall

Streets of Cadens

Grand Academy of General Science

Bandit Camp

Aquila City

Academy Library

Museum

Cadens Barracks

The Red Path

CODING

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