Gaia-Town - Prologue. Description of Gaia-Town

Gaia-Town is a small city located in the southern central part of the large island/subcontinent of Baurithish. It is a semi-autonomous county that owes suzerainty nominally to the Kingdom of Surando which is situated like a horseshoe around the eastern, northern, and western parts, of the island. It’s relatively isolated from the kingdom due to geological formations and a wide, arid desert. To the north of Gaia-Town are craggy mountains, The Ziriths, and closely forested hills, the Duranic Mountains. These areas are populated with various non-human societies including elves, dwarves, trolls, and even gnomes. To the south of the city is a string of high, difficult to navigate cliffs which lead to the Nomifidamian Sea. Gaia-Town itself is nestled in a small arable valley and was at times an important trade route.

History

The oral tradition of Gaia-Town suggests the valley was settled by eastern Suri slaves who escaped and traversed the Great Sayron Desert to find solace in the lush valley. They lived a simple agrarian existence with little to no outside contact until the mages of the western part of Bauithish, the Ando, discovered them living in the Gaian Valley. The mages invaded and took the valley for a short time introducing magic and livestock to the area. After the death of the Archmage Filloman IV, the western mages abandoned the valley for several centuries.

With the rise of King Quorish in the eastern realm of Sur, the Gaian Valley was overrun and made a county of that kingdom. Quorish was able to thus defeat the western mages of Ando and claim the entire island for his own. The Kingdom of Sur never completely pacified the mountains or the non-human societies in the wild center of the island, though they did pay Quorish and his heirs tribute. As a result, Gaia-Town became a trade center for the King of Sur to collect the tributes of ore, gems, and rare woodland products. It was from the Suri the town was introduced to metalcraft and additional farming techniques. The valley grew more prosperous under Quorish. Gradually Gaia-Town became a magnet for errant non-humans as well.

After the death of Quorish XII, the Kingdom of Sur underwent a dissolution leaving the Gaian Valley to live without much royal involvement. During the long Regency in Sur, the western mages took control of their own provinces and the non-human inhabitants in the center of Bauithish began to self-rule. Gaia-Town was the center of elven, dwarven, and occasional even gnomic commerce with both the Andos and the Suris. It was a golden time for the city during the Regency.

Then, King Damosh came to the throne of Sur. The Andos and Suris fought pitched battles until finally the Archmage Tellon offered his daughter’s hand in marriage and the Kingdom of Surando was born. For the most part, the new combined kingdom was no threat to the Gaian Valley or the non-human inhabitants of The Ziriths or the Duranic Mountains. However, after King Damosh died, his son, the new King Damosh II decided the Gaian Valley and the center of the island should submit to his authority as the descendant of the Quorish dynasty. The Gaian Valley paid tribute but the other inhabitants refused.

Then, there came the discovery of Luxillium, a very powerful metal that was found to have interesting qualities. It could be used to create incredibly hard and sharp weapons. Luxillium also had magical qualities which were craved by the western mages. The Andos and Suris almost erupted into a civil war until the Gaian Valley Count agreed to pay equal parts tribute to both sides. However, that truce seems to have only heightened the greed by both sides for more of the mineral which lies beneath the ground in the higher reaches of the valley on the southern side. Now, with the death of the Count leaving no apparent heir, the citizens of Gaia-Town are worried either the King or the Archmage could attempt an occupation of their valley.

Culture

Gaia-Town has a very heterogeneous population with “natives,” Suris, Andos, and various non-human inhabitants. There are a few Guihanla, the desert nomads, who also live in the city. Several religions are practiced among these populations though the state religion is officially the worship of Qe, pronounced, Kay, a father-like deity, and his wife the goddess Fedis. Qe is a warrior god while Fedis is the goddess of the harvest. Their feast days are October 9^th, Fedis-fete and May 21^st, Qe-fete. While the Gaians celebrate March 1^st as New Years, the official new year begin on July 23^rd.

The coin of the realm is the Quor, which is equal to about a Maker’s day salary. Several other monetary systems are also evident in this trading town as well as bartering of goods and services. While slavery is considered illegal, there are “servants” who are bond to their masters and mistresses for life.

Neighborhoods

Gaia-Town has several quite distinct living areas. Holy Alley is where the temples are located and quite posh on the east end of town. The Market is in the center of town; open air with stalls and shops set up along twisting gravel paths. Old Quarter is in between Holy Alley and the Market and that’s where the richest merchants and guildhalls are situated. New Quarter is on the west end of town and most industry and tradespeople live there. The south part of the city is around the Guardhall and the College and a younger, more impoverished population lives in that area. To the north are the slums, the eastern one is called Cutpurse Corner and only the bravest and most adventurous travel there. On the northwest side, the brothels, gambling joints, and roadhouses are evident and the people living in the area are very poor. Like the poor everywhere, the north side of Gaia-Town is very suspicious of strangers, though many come to sample the offerings there.