Alhaster
History: In it's earliest known incarnation Alhaster was the capital of a small Oeridian kingdom known as Doxtaruga, Old Oeridian for "Red Hand", named after the ancestor of the noble house that founded it. The site was apparently once a center of an unknown ancient civilization, as evidenced by the Great Mastaba, a flat topped, four sided pyramid, and the Wall of Pillars, remnants of what can only be assumed to have been a fortification, which was incorporated into the modern city's southern wall. Some scholars believe these structures belonged to the civilization of the mysterious Isles of Woe, while others point to the lost Flan kingdom of Sulm, which once ruled the lands that now comprise the Bright Desert. What is not commonly known is that they date from an epoch before the gods created the mortal races, in the so-called Age Before Ages, and were built by an elemental race known as the Wind Dukes.
Until it was conquered by the Great Kingdom of Aerdy, Alhaster was nothing more than a small town, encompassing much of Endrin Island, and what is now known as Old Alhaster. The town was named for the Aerdian general who conquered it and became its first governor, Montlarion Alhaster, whom the city is named after. Though he never set foot in the city or even left the Great Kingdom, Montlarion Alhaster's patron, Varis Rax, Prince of Kalstrand is the eponym of the Varisia River and Varis Square, which contains a large equestrian statue of him.
Districts: The city is divided into a number of districts, which are further subdivided into wards, which are briefly described below.
The Heights gets its name from the fact that it is located at the highest point in the city, built upon Castle Hill. Most of Alhaster's elite reside here, wishing to be close to the court at Castle Arabasti, the heart of the principalities government and residence of the ruler. Other prominent locations in the district are: the Great Tower, the highest structure in the city, serving as a lighthouse and headquarters for the Sable Company, a unit of Perrenlander mercenary pikemen who have been employed by the rulers of Redhand since the mid-400s; the ruins of the Great Cathedral of Heironeous are upon the top of the Great Mastaba, having been built by Viscount Eodred I in 356 CY. The Cathedral was burned relatively recently, in the purging of the Knights of the Holy Shielding in 576 CY, and are off limits to the citizenry by order of the Prince. The Temple of Hextor is still under construction, having been commissioned by the Prince, and is located on the cliffs overlooking the lake.
Old Alhaster (the Old City) is contained on Endrin Island and is the location of the Flan town that was originally here when the Great Migrations brought the Oeridian tribes to the area. A channel of water known as the Narrows of Saint Alika separates the island from the mainland on it's eastern side, with numerous footbridges and one large bridge known as the Old Bridge joining the two. The western shore is mainly steep bluffs that look down on the Varisia River below, although the highest point of the island is Garrison Hill, where the few members of the well-to-do who live on the island make their homes. These are mainly the city's poorer nobles and newer rich merchant's, especially ship captains. The northern end of the island is known as Old Dock and is where the more disreputable captains seek moorage. The area is known for its criminal activity, although this is nothing compared to the criminality borne of the rampant destitution endemic to the overcrowded strip of land known as Bridgefront wedged between the Narrows and Garrison Hill. One more location of particular note is the rundown pier located at the point where Bridgefront and Old Dock meet, which is known as Eel's End. It is the domain of Old Alhaster's preeminent crime lord, a man known as the King of Spiders, though his real name is Devargo Barvasi. The center of his small empire is the five unseaworthy vessels moored along the pier which operate respectively houses a collection of taverns, drug dens. brothels, and other illicit businesses, as well as Devargo's headquarters.
West Point was the first part of the mainland to be settled after the city began to expand from Endrin Island and is contained within the city's somewhat intact Old Wall. Encompassing the northwestern quadrant of the city, its center is home to the City Chancery, the Temple of Zilchus, and the attached Court of Bankers, who administer their trade under the watchful eyes of priesthood of the god of commerce and money. The northern part, especially those areas near Bridgefront tend to be rather seedy and disreputable, but for the most part the district is focused on trade, especially that which enters the city by land through the Northgate, after having passed over the Northbridge, which is often choked with the traffic of merchant caravans, and carts loaded with produce from local farmers. Indeed, Varis Square is the city's largest produce market, lively any day of the week, but packed to overflowing on Godsday and Freeday.
Midlands is the home to most of the city's trade that is brought in by water through the bustling docks of the Riverfront. The entire district which rises from the level of river to just below its border with the Heights is stolid and mercantile in nature, with most of its inhabitants owning or being employed in the numerous shops, markets, warehouses, and docks. Harborview Street, which runs almost the full length of the district, is the main east-west arterial road in the city, terminating at its eastern end in the Gold Market, which though not the city's largest marketplace, is regularly the busiest and most crowded. The area near the High Bridge connects the city with the East Shore district and is the home of Eodred Square and Citadel Waydon, whose siege engines defend the harbor, and is named after Katrina Waydon, the pirate captain turned admiral who was also infamously the mistress of Viscount Eodred I, bearing him two illegitimate children who went on to gain fame as naval captains.
East Shore is the city's newest district, having grown up in the last 25 years, and having its wall built in the last decade. It is relatively uncrowded and homes in this district are highly valued and sought.
Gray is notable in that its inhabitants are the quietest in the city, mainly because most of its inhabitants are the city's dead. This necropolis has been the resting place of the city's deceased since before the Eastern Wall was built to border it. The only living inhabitants of Gray are the priesthood dwelling and serving in the unique white stone temple dedicated to the goddess of death, Wee Jas, who is the only non-Oeridian deity to have a significant temple dedicated to them in the city. The necropolis is divided into sections splitting the dead along social lines, just as they were in life.
North Shore is, like the Midlands, which lays opposite across the river, tied strongly with the city's waterborne mercantile trade. Much of its length along the Varisia is lined with docks and warehouses. It is also were many of the city's ship captains make their home, as well as the Temple of Procan, the Oeridian god of the seas and sailors. Endrin Square is this districts largest market. Due to its isolation it is also home to many of the city's permanent foreign residents, especially those of Baklunish origin, who dominate the entire section east of Endrin Square and north of High Street. Indeed, one can wander the so-called Baklunish Ghetto for an entire day without hearing anyone speaking Common.
Rhennee Camp, also known as Barge Camp is a semi-permanent collection of tents, shacks, and hovels west of North Bridge where the Rhennee barge-folk camp.
Fish Town is the center of Alhaster's fishing industry, serving as the homes of the city's fishermen and their families, as well as where much of the resulting catch is processed and shipped to other parts of the city.