Kaer Maga is divided into 11 districts, Most of the districts lie inside
the massive, hollow stone ring of the city walls, which are honeycombed with different levels and in places open up into cavernous spaces holding entire neighborhoods that never see the sun.
These enclosed regions are called the Ring districts. The three districts in the city’s open center, called the Core, are much more defined, and viewed by most of the gangs as neutral territory, lest their squabbling upset the merchants who are the city’s lifeblood.
The following districts exist inside the city’s stone wall.
Ankar-Te: The most diverse collection of foreigners in a city based on immigration, Ankar-Te is a hodgepodge of cultures and the only district in Kaer Maga that allows undead to walk the streets unmonitored.
Bis: The fabled ledge-manors known as the Balconies of Bis climb the walls of this immense chamber like cliff dwellings, ruled fairly but severely by a family of brilliant golem-crafters.
The Bottoms: This cliff-side district is the home of the escaped slaves and abolitionist revolutionaries known as the Freemen, whose riotous celebration of democracy is matched only by the ferocity with which they defend it.
Cavalcade: The industrial heart of Kaer Maga, Cavalcade houses mills and smithies that are frequently powered by the countless streams and aqueducts that run through it.
Highside Stacks: The richest and most powerful members of Kaer Maga exist not within the city but rather above it, making their homes in posh towers so large and accommodating that many of their residents never set foot on the ground.
Oriat: This district is the most colorful of them all, renowned for its theaters, music, nightlife, bardic college, youthful exuberance—and the sectarian warfare that regularly claims the lives of its citizens.
Tarheel Promenade: Home of the powerful Arcanists’ Circle, Tarheel Promenade is one of the best markets in all Varisia for items of a magical nature.
The Warren: Razed long ago by unknown forces, this broken section of the Ring has grown into a ramshackle shantytown seven stories tall and is home to the city’s poorest residents.
The following districts lie in the city’s open-air center.
Downmarket: A constantly shifting bazaar of tents and stalls, Downmarket is Kaer Maga’s primary commercial district, where foreign caravans meet to trade with locals and each other.
Hospice: No city is complete without a hospitality district, and Kaer Maga’s is among the best. Hospice offers the best and worst accommodations a visitor could ask for, as well any sort of licentious entertainment he might
desire—and some he’ll wish he could forget.
Widdershins: An island of sanity in a city of chaos, Widdershins is a quiet, domestic neighborhood where everyone acts appropriately, lest their neighbors turn them over to the Constabulary for “readjustment.”
Gav tilts his head when you ask about the Hanging manse. Sure. Lotsa folks want to visit the Hanging manse. Lotsa folks get squashed too. The Ardoc's guard their golems tight. If'n that was what you were looking for?"
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"Sure you don't wanna find a place to rest and feed first? The Canary in the Hospice district is expensive, but worth it. Others will tell you about the Sorry excuse, but that's cause Fisk spends coin on bribing the guides to send people there. It's a dirty hole an I think my rep is more important that a few coins."
What are you doing now?
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"IF one wanted to learn about the ancient city under this one, where would they go?"
Nodding to their young guide, "Eating and cleaning up would be fine after we see the Hanging Manse. Then you can lead us to Hospice district and 'The Canary'
He moved a little closer to Elena, "Let's get a look at the golemworks, then we can formulate a plan.
"A trip to the Hanging Manse is fine with me."
Bharak grunted an acknowledgment. He was starting to get nervous at the thought of the golemworks. Deep seated trauma at losing his home and reputation gnawed at him, and he prayed that nothing would happen which would cause it again. But he trusted his companions and their judgement. All that he needed to do was get through this, and then he could return to what he was more comfortable with: risking his life fighting Eldritch horrors for ancient artifacts.
Not thrilled with the idea of challenging foes that are famously resistant to magic, Axton is subdued as he acquiesces and follows the group to Bis.
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One of the many ragged children moves over and whispers in Gav's ear for a moment. Gav's eyes widen for a moment and he nods, slipping the child a coin.
He turns to you. Afore we had over to Bis I've just been reminded that the
Augurs are on strike. It seems the Trolls have a bone to pick with the Ardoc family. Visiting them first could be very useful to you?"
The Troll Augurs of kaer maga are a famous part of the city. Visiting them might give you valuable information on getting what you want
Watching as the 'street rat' whispered her information to Gav, Elathras raised an eyebrow at the information. He'd heard that Kaer Maga was different kind of city, but letting Trolls exist within? He reminded himself that the city even had a part of town for the undead. Shaking his head it was truly a strange place. He'd never thought he'd treat with Trolls but if it would help, he would be willing. Breathing a sigh he asks their guide, "So if we help these Trolls, they may have knowledge about under the city to share?"
MEETING THE AUGURS
As Gav eagerly explains, the Augurs of Kaer Maga are one of its most famous and influential factions. The all-troll ascetic group practices a strange form of haruspicy in which members cut open their stomachs and read their own entrails to divine secrets about the future, trusting their regeneration to heal them up again after each reading.
Of course, in the Age of Lost Omens, prophecy is chancy at best-yet fortunately for the Augurs, this matters little, as very few of the Augurs have any real magical abilities. Instead, their insights come from the fact that in Kaer Maga, most everyone consults them before undertaking any major business deal or political power play, thus making them possibly the most informed group in the city.
This information is then turned around and dispensed to others who ask relevant questions never directly or in a biased fashion, but rather in cryptic koans that are correct just often enough to keep the cycle going.
He leads you to the Hospice quarter.
At the Sorry Excuse, an inn that appears to cater exclusively to travelers and newcomers to the city-and thus charges double what anything should cost- Gav quickly locates an Augur sitting alone at a wooden table
filled with troll- sized mugs of ale. He respectfully greets the oracle and indicates that you should do the same.
The troll takes you in with a glance, then motions for you to sit. She introduces herself as Vargun.
To those who have interacted with trolls before, this one appears incongruously civilized, with careful mannerisms, a thoughtful look, and a long purple toga with a horizontal slit in the stomach covered in old
bloodstains.
What are you doing?
Bharak gawked. He had seen trolls before and had avoided them like the plague. Stupid, brutish, violent and hungry creatures. He knew then that to attract their attention would be the end of him, and he didn't survive the mana wastes by picking fights he could not win. To see a troll, sitting peacefully with a thoughtful look, wearing clothes, and being polite? It boggled the mind. Standing next to Axton, he whispered "Are ye seeing this? How is this possible? It is magicry?"
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"Urban variants of various barbaric species are not uncommon," Axton whispers back. He steps forward and gives a slight bow.
"Good afternoon, Vudra!" "My name is Axton Vendian, arcane connoisseur. These are my companions: Bharak Slagsun, who delivers violence and poignant skepticisms in equal measure; Elathras Narcianal, elevated gentleman-at-arms; and Elena Neidhardt, a worshipful realization of the Eternal Rose. We are Pathfinders out of Magnimar, and we entreat you to share your wisdom with us!"
Axton suddenly looks like he's having a brief seizure before his familiar skitters up his back to perch on his shoulder and emits a squeak.
"How could I forget! This is intrepid, master of the diminutive flame! He is not entreating so much as likes attention."
Astounded that Trolls could actually hold a famous and influential faction in a city of any sort, Elathras follows the teen to the "Sorry Excuse" Holding his twelve-foot polearm as casually as possible, he tries not to stare at the thoughtful looking Troll in the long purple toga. Hearing Bharak's question he considers Axton's answer as the Magnimarian greets the Troll.
Raising an eyebrow at the term 'gentleman-at-arms' Elathras makes a mental note to remind his friend that he is now a Hellknight of the Order of the Pike. Pausing he realizes the Troll may not want to 'treat' with a member of such an order and assumes Axton had thought of that before he made the introductions. Nodding and smiling as the creature looks his way, he decides instead to thank Axton for being so smart.
As the introductions continue Elathras leans over towards Elena, asking, "Are you going to draw Vudra's portrait?"
Umazura steps out from behind the others. "And I am easily forgotten. But those who know me call me Umazura. Or simply Uma." She nods in greeting, grinning wryly.
Vargun listens quietly to your introductions, carefully noting all she can about each of you with intelligent eyes.
Visitors to our fair city. Obviously here to seek something long lost?" The Troll notes in the tone of one who has seen it many times before.
"Let me explain my problem and then you can ask for the information you seek." She adds calmly.
"I presume the boy has already explained the nature of our organization. While it's something of an open secret that many of our divinations are, shall we say, more logical than magical, this is not always the case. There are those among us who still retain the old gifts."
She looks quietly angry, "My brother Augustille is gifted. His visions are unique and frequently unmarketable, which is why he rarely leaves the
temple. Yet someone wants to harness that ability."
"The Ardoc brothers are artificers and golem crafters-the most powerful
family in Bis. They run everything in that district, and we have long-standing relationships between our factions that must be maintained. Yet one of their younger members-an arrogant little tinkerer named Berkanin-has gone off on his own and arranged the kidnapping of Augustille from the very foot of the temple steps, and holds him hostage even as we speak, 'studying' my brother like one of his machines."
"The Ardocs have ignored our requests to rein in their rogue brother. We cannot engage them within their own territory, nor can any of our usual agents. But you are different. Bring back my brother, and we will bring you the information you seek."
What now?
Bharak nodded, as he listened to the tale. "Sounds fair." He muttered. Looking to the group he added "Seems an honorable enough request." What he didn't add was that if they fought and destroyed any golems, there could be quite a substantial reward for their parts. Gold, along with the favors of an influential temple, seemed to him to make the risk worth the reward. Turning back to the troll he added "But we'd need some more information before we head off. Such as the layout of where we'd be going, and what defenses we can expect."
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Elena forwent her own introductions, mostly on account of blushing furiously at Axton’s indication of her as ‘a worshipful realization of Shelyn’. Which could be taken in two very different ways and while good manners indicated she should have immediately objected to being comparable to Shelyn herself in any way, she was just too shocked in that moment.
Fortunately, Elathras provides a welcome distraction and his suggestion to draw Vudra was a good one. If nothing else, it was a very unusual sight. She nods thoughtfully and gives a slight smile as the troll makes his request.
Which, as fate would have it, perfectly lined up with the earlier request to bring in a lot of Golem scrap from the local golemworks back to Magnimar. A rogue agent that had broken local peace? That was a pretty good excuse to get it done.
Except…
”I’m sorry - I mean no disrespect Sir, and should we take it, Bharak is right to ask for more information on this Berkanin. But If we agree to this, it sounds as if we’ll be making an enemy of the golemworks. If the golemworks refuse to act against him despite breaking your treaty, chances are good that he has their support, active or not. And… well, we have indeed been informed of the final workings of local augury. How do we know the information we seek on a long-lost artefact is accurate enough? Each of us is risking our lives twice on this, both by attacking the golemworks directly and then encountering the monsters of wherever this information directs us. Surely this is worth a better offer?”
Smilng, Elathras returns Elena's nod. He had a feeling that beautiful art was not limited to beautiful subjects, but art was not an area of expertise for him, not like it was for Elena. His area of expertise was removing monsters, which seemed like the exact opposite of what this job sounded like. As he listened to the troll explain that she wanted her brother rescued, Elathras listened as Elena continued to negotiating. Deciding that if they took the job, he probably would leave the entire adventure out of his reports to his aunt, the Lady Commander of Fort Inevitable.
.
She is completely sincere and wants her brother back safe and unharmed
Vargun slides a rough drawing over to Bharak. .
She explains that the Augurs are an information group. She can't tell you what in in each room, but they did get the plans from the builder. There may have been changes made but she can't tell you anything about those. Entrances are stairs at A1 and a rope & pulley elevator at A3.
She can also tell you that Berkanin has recently let all his servants go, the only people living in his manse are himself, his lover Kanya and his Major-domo, a Harpy named Herifax are there. As well as the prisoner Augustille
.
Vargun then responds to Elena, explaining:
"While they may not be responding to our protests the Ardoc's are not happy with Berkanin. They offer protection and order. He has broken their own rules. Take him out quickly without boasting about ot, or making it public and the Ardoc's will shrug. One or two of the hotheads might make trouble, but the leadership will be quietly pleased a diorderly upstart has been quashed."
As for your concerns regarding the accuracy of our information for your long-lost artifact? The Augurs might not be prophets, but we have information on every faction and area in Kaer maga. If we can't help you we will find someone who can. That is a promise!"
What now?
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Hearing these assurances, the job seems both a lot less dangerous and much less likely to get them into armed conflict with a major local power. And, having no further leads on the artefact and finding the troll trustworthy, she withdraws her objections and nods to the others. "Okay. We'll be back shortly. And..." She hesitates, but figuring it might save them time, she adds: "The artefact we are looking for is a Sihedron Shard. Perhaps that will help you uncover the information, if you don't already now."
Bharak waved to the troll as he followed Elena out. Once outside he breathed a sigh of relief. "Finding two seams in one tunnel. Dangerous, as usual, but we are set to turn a right good profit." He said to the group. "Let's head over and scout this place out, before we head in."
Looking over the map as the troll explains the local politics, Navarre looks towards Bharak, "Doesn't show defenses, but knowing the layout helps. And there will be no innocent servants inside."
Looking up from the map as Elena says they'll be back shortly, Elathras nods in agreement with the dwarf, "I'm good with that."
As they prepare to leave, he looks down at their young guide, "You know where this place is right?"
Axton seemed pretty uninterested in getting involved in Kaer Maga matters until he realized that doing this is a necessary step to acquiring the next Sihedron Shard. He's ready to go.
Gav lives up to his constant boasting and leads you quickly through the Bis District to Berkanin's manse.
Berkanin's mansion-turned-laboratory is situated on the southwestern wall of Bis , a prominent balcony 40 feet above the floor of the district, with no other structures beneath it.
From below, all that's visible is the extensive stone buttressing that supports the massive weight of the complex above. The two most obvious ways up are an
arched entrance in the wall leading to an enclosed stone staircase (area A1) and a complex affair of ropes and pulleys attached to a wooden platform that currently rests on the ground (area A3).
Gav is happy to wait for you beneath the balcony, but isn't interested in accompanying you up to the manse itself-he has little desire to be "squashed by something that shouldn't be moving in the first place," but then quickly assures you that he's sure you'll be fine. :)
What now?
"Hmm. We could fly up there."
Axton produces his wand of fly.
"Bah. Nay need to waste resources." Bharak said, as he nimbly climbed up. "I'll tie a rope up here. Make it easy enough for the rest of ye."
"But that's what the resources are for!" Axton exclaims to Umazara, who is always in Axton's mind as one of his companions, so much so that she often needs no introduction.
He taps the wand to himself and flies up while the others are experiencing the joy of repeated hauling their bodies in the opposite direction of gravity.
'Well at least the boy knows his stuff.' Chuckling at Gav's comment, Elathras nods, "Yeah, doesn't make much sense at all does it."
Watching Bharak make the climb, Elathras looks up at his friend the dwarf, then over to his friend the mustachioed man. Thumping his armor he asks, "Will that wand let me fly up in this?"
Thumping his armor he asks, "Will that wand let me fly up in this?"
"Let's find out!" Axton uses a wand charge on Elathras.
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"Um, guys...? There's a stairway there, right? Why are we shimmying or flying up a rope in the middle of the day and city like it's the most suspicious broad day robbery ever?" She shrugs when Bharak lowers the rope. Thoroughly confused, she begins climbing after the others.
"Is this some kind of delayed hazing ritual with the society? If so, are they all in on it?"
"Not that I've ever held someone hostage... I promise... but if I were to do that, I would consider laying a trap or an ambush at the main entrance!"
Axton gracefully flies away to where Bharak is waiting.
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Thumping his armor he asks, "Will that wand let me fly up in this?""Let's find out!" Axton uses a wand charge on Elathras.
Smiling at the thought of being able to fly Elathras nods, "Heck why not?"
Hearing Elena's very practical question his smile widens, "We're in Kaer Maga, seems like about the only place we can do it and just be normal folk. Anyway 'What happens in Kaer Maga stays in Kaer Maga'."
Watching Axton fly up, Elthras gives it a go, also attempting to land near their friend Bharak.
"But that's what the resources are for!" Axton exclaims to Umazara, who is always in Axton's mind as one of his companions, so much so that she often needs no introduction.
He taps the wand to himself and flies up while the others are experiencing the joy of repeated hauling their bodies in the opposite direction of gravity.
Grinning wryly, she calmly reaches up and grabs him by the end of his pants leg before he gets too high up. "One second there, flyboy. Be a dear and grant me some of that flying ability, would you, please?"
If he does, Umazura will fly up after the others. Never having flown before, she raises an eyebrow. "Interesting. You know, I wonder if flying, statistically speaking of course, could turn out to be the most safest means of travel? Something to ponder."
Halfway up the wall Bharak watches with a strange expression as most of the party flies up past him. Probably thinking something like 'A&&*+*&s!'
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Grinning wryly, she calmly reaches up and grabs him by the end of his pants leg before he gets too high up. "One second there, flyboy. Be a dear and grant me some of that flying ability, would you, please?"
"Granted!" Axton exclaims as he taps the wand to her shoulder.
If he does, Umazura will fly up after the others. Never having flown before, she raises an eyebrow. "Interesting. You know, I wonder if flying, statistically speaking of course, could turn out to be the most safest means of travel? Something to ponder."
"Unless someone hides explosives in their shoes, it probably is the safest."
Bharak grumbled as he climbed, about humans (and part-humans) with their predilection for waste. While he could have admitted to himself that their way had a certain about of flare to it, it certainly felt better about his own situation to grumble instead.
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"Not that I've ever held someone hostage... I promise... but if I were to do that, I would consider laying a trap or an ambush at the main entrance!"
"What could possibly be a more effective ambush for them than us splitting the-!"
'What happens in Kaer Maga stays in Kaer Maga'."
"That's not the-!" she crosses her arms and glares, though on Elena that was usually more of a cute pout. "Argh! Men - I swear the moment you get new toys all thoughts of common-"
"One second there, flyboy. Be a dear and grant me some of that flying ability, would you, please?"
"Backstabbed! Betrayed! Sold out! Why, Uma! Aren't we friends?"
Sighing, she shares a look of suffering with Bharak. "The waste is palpable, isn't it?"
"Watch yourself up there, everyone. I swear if you go and pull another Gul on me I'm not bringing you back!"
Watching Axton take off then turn back and use the wand on Umazura. He watches the two 'casters' fly ahead, so he takes a deep breath and gives it a try. Unsteady at first, he turns and smiles at Elana. Waiving he almost throws himself off balance, then while righting himself almost runs into Bharak climbing up the wall. Pushing off the wall, he chuckles, "Sorry about that Bharak!" Eventually heading up to where Axton and Umazura await. Landing nearby, his smile beams: "We need to do that more often!"
As Eltharas zoomed by, nearly hitting Bharak, he turned to look at Elena. ”Palpable? Aye. Enough so that it nearly hit me in the head.”
Righting himself from nearly hitting Bharak, Elathras tries to look around.
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Elathras hovers above Bharak and looks over the garden, noting the two of the trees are moving despite there being no wind?
What now?
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Landing on the precipice of the shelf of rock, Elathras watches as two trees egin moving around. Scratching his head wondering if the wind is just stronger on the other side of the shelf, Elathras calls to the rest of the group. "Is anyone else troubled by these moving trees?"