Sinclair's Guide to Dianmallo
Welcome to Dianmallo, the greatest and oldest city in the world! As a newcomer to this vast city (or a longterm resident), you are probably eager to learn more about this wonderful place.
History
Dianmallo is reportedly the oldest city in the world, claiming the Valar as its founder long ago! Legend says that the Valar, who walked anew on the world, desired a place to settle their followers. And thus they founded Dianmallo. What a tale! Dianmallo has endured a long history, long enough to be a strong contender for their bold claim. Once they were even the seat of power for the Quallion Empire in the Age of Dichotomy. That time is long gone, but the city stands strong as a city-state today.Rulers and Leaders
Officially, the City of Dianmallo is run by the King Luke Dianmos XIII. He is a young bachelor, but a fair king who does right by his people. But the city is also run by the High Council of Lords. Currently, there are 8 members (including the King): Dorn Fennclam, Niso Gurgax, and Max Le'Moar are high lords of noble birth. Their families run deep in Dianmallo politics. Celia Fenthris is also a noble and has a seat, but we'll get to her story in a second. Xandar Naïlar, Serrin Bularn, and Fjord Hammelstark are recent members to the High Council of Lords, being inaugurated due to their ability to meet a great need for financial assistance.Brief backstory - ooh politics!
You see, Lady Fenthris is the widow of the recently departed Lord Fenthris. So tragic was her loss that Lady Fenthris performed a ritual gone wrong that turned her into a vampire lord, and her entire district into undead! As her husband was in charge of tax collection, Lady Fenthris continued to follow her late husband's duty. However, she has withheld the funds until her husband returns... As luck would have it, the guild leaders of Lord Hammelstark, Lord Naïlar, and Lord Burlarn - being respectable businessmen in the city - all had the funds to "buy" their way into the nobility, assisting the king in the debts of the crown. How grand!Where people live and such
As you could imagine, in a city so large, there must be a large demographic of people. Let's take a look at some of the more common places people might dwell, based on race, class, and general interest. As a rule, there are more humans than any other race in Dianmallo. But as there has not been any particular census for nigh on a millennia, one might suppose that less than 5 out of 10 people in Dianmallo are human, but there are indeed more humans than any one particular race. If you are looking for a general overview of each district, you can look at the main Dianmallo District Guide for more information!Racial Divisions
Humans live in just about every district! Halflings are found in most districts, though they tend to congregate in specific neighborhoods wherever they end up. Gnomes are very aware of the advantages of selling their goods in the Markets of Marvels and Mosaic District, but there are a large group of them who live in Cenn's Garlorpis, being prone to the chaos and oddity of that area! Dwarves are typically concentrated around the Glory's Hope District to compete in the Colosseum, or find themselves nearby the Quarry in the Misleans district. High Elves typically find themselves living around the Dianmallo Arcane District; wood elves typically end up on the Eastern side of the Markets of Marvels, so near to the local forest, but they may also hail from the very exclusive Grove District, which is run by druid clans. There are not a few drow (dark elves) who have been reported living in Cenn's Garlorpis, believe it or not! Some claim that it's nearby the Underdark, so a few Underdark races have been known to pop up here. Currently, the most racially diverse district is the Mosaic District, as it receives newcomers from all over the world in its docks. If you are of a race less-than-common, you might find swell company around here! As the world continues to expand, we've seen a larger influx of divine and hellish species present in Dianmallo. Aasimar typically find themselves at home in the Columns of Maia, while Tieflings have found a neat niche in Cenn's Garlorpis or particularly nearby the The House of Hope Casino in the Misleans district. Both new appearances of species are wonderous to be sure, but the Tieflings are often the cause for much blame around the city. Who could blame them? They're practically devils! Also home to various uncommon races are the Markets of Marvels (you'll find exotic merchants here aplenty), and in Cenn's Garlorpis, which is just a hodgepodge of weird communities. Perhaps check it out in your travels - if you are into straight up chaos and oddity! Any refugee races might find solace in the The King's Sliver's refugee camp. Undead live in the District of Woes, which was recently - and aptly - renamed! The newest racial addition to Dianmallo are the Kender. They have their own section in the King's Sliver. I'll spare the details of how they got here - that's a tale in and of itself! But watch out for those little halflings (they hate to be called halflings , by the by, but they are as short as one!). They'll take the fur off your back and claim it was an accident. Bah! I'd keep your distance if you see one headed your way. They're no good, that lot!Socioeconomic Divisions
As one might assume the most well-off nobles find themselves living in a smattering of noble residences in each district, except for the Misleans. Impoverished peoples congregate mostly in The Misleans district. This is nearby the Quarry, where cheap work can always be found. However, there are other concentrations of poor communities in the Mosaic District, The King's Sliver, and of course, the District of Woes (recently there has been a move by some poor individuals to this place. If they can kill the former inhabitant, then the house is theirs! Good luck with the ghosts though...) Middle Class communities are found in most of the other areas. They are semi well off, depending on where they are located, and what the particular trade is in.General Interest Divisions
Religiously affiliated persons and groups typically congregate around the Columns of Maia (only the most elite religious nobility live in the Conflux of Veritamos), but there are areas for temples in the Mosaic District, The Misleans, and the Markets of Marvels. These are more "local" religious communities, but ultimately answer to the Columns for directives. You don't want to get on their bad side, or a curable sickness will turn into a death sentence! Warriors all center around Glory's Hope District, near the infamous "Temple of Tulkas". Fights happen here all the time, and it is certainly somewhere you want to go! Make sure to check out The Shattered Leg Tavern for a good brawl if you can't afford the prices for the Temple. There are rumors that if you can find the right tavern, underground and illegal fight clubs can be found around the city... Enthusiasts of nature might be in the Grove District, which is composed of Druid Clans that are composed of nature-specific groupings, such as rangers, druids, barbarians, and others who care for the primal magics and abilities. Arcanists usually hang out around the Dianmallo Arcane District, because of the draw of Shanballot University. Some arcanists also find themselves nearby the markets (Markets of Marvels and Mosaic District) to sell arcane trinkets and the like as well. Entrepreneurs usually hang out in the Markets of Marvels and Mosaic District to sell their latest goods and eke out a living. Entertainers might have connections with either the Slap newspaper, the Temple of Tulkas, or even be part of the famous Loreholders faction! Soldiers will have some history and connection with the Dianmallo Naval Operations, and/or the Citadel of Dianmallo. They may be stationed at a major gate in any district. Perhaps they are connected with the Beams - best not to anger that lot, particularly when they've hit the bourbon a smidge too hard. Sailors are very common in Dianmallo, mostly centered in the Mosaic District, but there are ferrier services throughout the city that connect with one another through the canals. Criminal-types can be found throughout the city, likely either solo in petty crimes are taken up with one of the main criminal organizations listed below. Outsiders generally come from all over the place and continent!Factions of Import
As in any city, people who gather together come to develop groupings that become significant to the life of the city. This is certainly true of Dianmallo. When you come to the city, there are a few factions you should be aware of! I'll fill you in on the most public ones.Militaristic Factions
Beginning with the 2 factions that are neutral and city-wide, we'll then go in alphabetical order through the local guards. Watch out for these if you are of the less-than-legal persuasion!- The Beams - neutral city watch guard! They are present in every district and handle any crimes that are considered more "federal" in nature. Other petty crimes are handled by local guard factions.
- The Walkers faction is Dianmallo's attempt to have an army. Instead of having a large standing army of their own, Dianmallo prefers to keep a standing reserve of soldiers used as mercenaries-for-hire amongst neighboring countries. It is their way to ensure that peace is kept in their city, by assisting other countries in times of conflict.
- The Bone-Breakers are the primary guard in the District of Woes, and as you can imagine, they are undead... Don't worry, they'll only come after you if you avoid your taxes!
- The Emât's Watch is the primary guard in the Arcane District. Because of the nature of this place, all guards here have some magical ability. From time to time, these guards are called in to deal with magical problems throughout the city!
- While technically more of a fighter's guild, the Glaive of Tryp does handle any local conflict within the Glory's Hope District. Since fights are common in this area, they are more lax on many of the crimes that come about from a violent scuffle.
- The Hands of Maia is the priestly guard unit in the Columns of Maia District. They are neutral in terms of the religious organizations, but take seriously the religious practice of the district. These guards also have jurisdiction in the Conflux of Veritamos as well.
- Speaking of religious guards, the Orthomancers keep the peace within their own district and wherever they can in the city. Because their organization is global and not bound to Dianmallo, they sometimes believe that they can take justice into their own hands. Keep that in mind when you see a faction nearby! They despise arcane magic, and will take it as a personal offense to see it used around them.
- The Redblades are a particularly vile "guard" located in the The Misleans. Don't cross them.
- The Refiners are the local guard of the Markets of Marvels and take particular intest in the integrity of trades that occur within the city!
- The Slivered are the guards loyal to the King's Sliver. They take their job seriously, and do better than the Beams at keeping the peace!
- Finally, the Wharf Wardens are the guard overseeing the Mosaic District, and similarly have a hand in ensuring the commerce integrity of the district trade as a whole.
Financial Factions
Gold makes the city function, and that is certainly true here in Dianmallo! As such, there are a few financial institutions you might want to familiarize yourself with in the city, as some may have the potential to sink your wallet or fill it to overflowing!- The Golden Reams run the Bank of Golden Reams, which is claimed to be the best place to safely store your resources. I myself use it to keep my meager wages protected. Additionally, you can purchase "stocks" in up and coming businesses to increase - or completely lose - your initial investments!
- If you're looking for a quick way to gain gold, be wary of the Hellraisers, a loan shark agency literally from Hell. Valar above only know how they are permitted to function in the The Misleans, but they will give out absurd loans for "the price of a soul".
- If you wish to start a business in the city, you must go through the Honest Scale Merchant Guild. Good luck getting through to them!
- When tax season comes, make sure to comply with the Immortal Revenue Service, or IRS for short. They are "Dead serious about taxes"!
- And finally, if you are believed to be evading taxes, you'll likely already be followed by the Purse-Reapers, the undead spectral spies of the IRS. Those things give me the heebie jeebies!
Information Brokers
Other than your run-of-the-mill taverns, you are most likely to get your sources of information from the Slap, the local newspaper, or the Loreholders, which is a group of bards who may have some less-than-common local knowledge and information for a price.Criminal Organizations
Last on the list of important factions, these organizations are the more prominent criminal factions in the city. Unless you are serious about finding yourself in a Beam prison, avoid these!- The Alestorms used to be Fjord Hammelstark's old crew of pirates, though he denies it outright. Nevertheless, these pirates get more reign and freedom in the Mosaic District, and can be found often in the Sunk’n Norwegian. They do provide decent wages for odd jobs, and they are the least disruptive faction since Hammelstark took an official office.
- The Judas Priests are an underground cult that centers around conspiracy ideas. No way to know who runs it or where to find it, but if you start promoting conspiracy theories around, they'll find you soon enough!
- Beware of any tabaxi you see - they could be a part of the Snowfang Syndicate, a drug cartel that sells Moonpowder, a dangerous and illegal substance that runs ramant in the streets (Metagame: they sell cocaine)
Comments