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Hi Everyone.
I Started a new campaign a few months ago after finishing the Savage Tide.
This time we play in Pathfinder.
I am the DM of a party of 5.
The campaign is initially based in Maashinelle in the river kingdoms, the Year is 4716 and a few events changed the history of Maashinelle since 4710. They were all detailed in a player guide that I provided to the players along with description of the city districts, factions and a list of bonus feats (just like in savage tide player guide).
A Player of mine started a Journal and I wanted to translate it and sharing with you guys (we are italians, if you can read italian feel free to follow the original diary at http://pathfinderadventurespath.blogspot.it)
The party is composed by:
Adol Christin (Human Fighter)
Nephthys (Dhampir Anti-Paladin)
Xiath Rhaetion (Drowish Shackleborn Tiefling)
Johan (Human fighter)
Tungidil (Elven Conjurer)
I'll follow up with the translation of the setting.
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In the point where the Tolemaida river meets the Western Sellen, lies the city of Maashinelle. Once ruled with an iron fist by Lord Kamdyn Arnefax, the city was the scene of many battles for its possession. Along the roads, different sections of wall were built in the last few years, while individual neighborhoods, occupied by hostile forces, moved war with one another in an attempt to take control of the entire city. The city is now formally united and pacified, but years of division created a mistrust between the citizens that can rarely be ignored. Gawl Eisenberg, Captain of the Brass Crown, the mercenary order that finally conquered and unified the city, is now the king of Maashinelle but the king's authority in his city is far from undisputed.
History
The foundation of Maashinelle dates back to 4355, a triumvirate of merchants began to settle in the area and founded three cities that have subsequently formed the region Lambreth.
The triumvirate was able to create a realm solid enough, although constantly threatened by the larger realms in the River Kingdom, but the first real threat was represented by the rise of the living God Razmir and his land of fanatics. After securing the first areas to his rising theocracy, the living god turned his attention to his weaker neighbors. Lambreth seemed an easy target and immediately the fate of that small part of the river kingdoms seemed sealed. It was then that they were visited by an exiled Andoren knight ensuring that he would be able to repel the offensive of the fanatics. The triumvirate accepted the offer to the ridiculous price of the sovereignty of Maashinelle, convinced that he would get himself killed earning them some time in the process. They were significantly shocked when the knight leading a tiny garrison and a horde of demons, massacred the forces of Razmiran and returned victorious. With the same brutality claimed his prize and became the terrible dictator of Maashinelle, a title that remained unchallenged for almost 35 years.
There were several attempts, both internal and from other River kingdoms to assassinate Kamdyn Arnefax, not only these failed, but anyone who dared attempt at his life was punished in an exemplary manner and heavy reprisals awaited anyone who was a suspected instigator of the attacks. The river Kingdoms seemed destined to endure the domain of the Andoren on Maashinelle. Although they could not attack him, none of his enemies would be obliged to defend him.
So in 4710, the forces of Razmiran tried again to make his way towards Maashinelle. Kamdyn Arnefax appealed to the Council of outlaws so that all kingdoms River would mobilize to address the threat, but few did intervene and no one with the real intent to help. So while the troops of the living god they made their way into the city, occupying the entire portion west of the river Tolemaida, a large mercenary company sent by Tymon came to the rescue of the city. This company, under the leadership of its commander Edward Rogg, fortifiedg a vast area in the south of the city, the stated intention was to secure an area of the city as the last bulwark of defense against the forces of Razimiran, but actually that was nothing but the first step towards an escalation of fortified districts and divisions that soon made Maashinelle a kaleidoscope of factions.
While Arnefax troops were beaten harder and harder by the cultists, in the south district the so called "court of Rogg" was born where the captain made himself known ruler of a new feud under the domain of the Tymon champion. At the same time the "order of the moderators", an order of paladins and magistrates, ran towards the west bank of the Tolemaida to claim the seat of their order, they succeeded in the enterprise but also were forced to fortify the area to resist the assaults . Attracted by the opportunities that such a fragmented battlefield could offer, finally the "Order of the Brass Crown" came to Maashinelle. Gawl Eisenberg, a minor Brevoy blueblood, tried to grant himself fame and a land to rule leading his mercenaries in the city.
After undergoing the tenacious resistance of the "order of the moderators" who tried to prevent the entry of yet another faction, The "Order of the Brass Crown" occupied much of the city blocks still in Kamdyn Arnefax control. By 4713 the late dictator Arnefax met his death at the hands of Gawl Eisenberg himself. The black eagles once deprived of their leader managed to maintain the defense of their district for little more than a month before they fell to the faithful of the living God.
In front of the new invader, the court of Edward Rogg Rogg capitulated and was forced to flee to Tymon, while the "order of the moderators" recognized the Brass Crown authority to reunify the fortified districts of Maashinelle, drive away the worshipers of Razmir, and bring order in the city.
Finally in 4715 peace was restored to Maashinelle. The geography of the city was changed radically, with fortified districts that faced each other.
Thus the city of a thousand walls was born.
Districts and Contrade
Maashinelle is a divided city. The civil war, the occupation, the division into districts, the city's past has helped to create irreconcilable differences between its inhabitants. This rivalry is unleashed once a year in the Palio of Maashinelle. A series of matches between the six districts of Maashinelle called "contrade".
Eaglespire (Eagle's Contrada): This northern district is located on the east bank of the Tolemaida. It owes its name and the name of the contrada to the falconry school located there. Eaglespire is also known as one of the most ill famed areas. Among the brothels, taverns and gambling dens lives the worst thugs of Maashinelle, however, Baron Oswald Karras remains the most feared. Called "the Murder King", is believed to have significant support from the Daggermark's guild of assassins. Whatever its supporters are real or not, despite constant changes in the district leadership, few dared to challenge his title or the privileges tied to it, and those few have died under mysterious circumstances.
Flowerdome (Cat's Contrada): The southern area of Maashinelle is famous for its flowery paths, the gatherings of bards, artists and entertainers of all kinds. The joints and brothels of the other districts leave space to luxury taverns, wine bars and refined houses of pleasure. The average resident of Flowerdome is considered, regardless of their wealth and social status, most refined and elegant of the other inhabitants of Maashinelle. But the love for the aesthetics has not made flowerdome a district more peaceful than others.
His passionate people are prone to end all disputes with a duel or with gruesome vengeances.
Gleaming District (Owl's Contrada):In the southwestern portion of the city, between the West Sellen and the Tolemaida, lies the Gleaming District. The district is one of the most distinctive, with houses decorated by large stained glass windows, which, in the light of the torches, fill the streets with colorful reflections. Is also considered one of the safest districts of Maashinelle, despite the presence of the port.
Market District (Fox's Contrada): The eastern district of Maashinelle is known for hosting the largest market in the city and that is why renamed Market District. Contrary to what one might think the market district sports scarce productive activities, much of the district is committed to placing goods rather than produce them. In the market district lives some of the wealthiest inhabitants of Maashinelle, in other districts they say they would sell their own mother for a handful of silver.
Royal District (Lion's Contrada):The central district of the city where the palace of the Brass Crown resides is known as the royal District or Lion's Contrada. It is mostly a residential district populated mainly by landowners, government officials, diplomats and other figures relating to the administration. Whenever unrest against the Brass Crown shows up, this is the place where the angry mob targets.
Shield District (Turtle's Contrada):In the northwestern side of the city stands the Shield District. In this part of the city during the Arnefax rule, forges worked tirelessly to create weapons and armors for the growing ranks of the black falcons. Even is the rule of Arnefax is hardly regretted, the martial tradition of metal working is still alive.