Wizars Crossing (The Jewel)

There is a wide spread of races and ethnicity with no particular race standing out within the different hierarchies in the city. Everybody has a function based on their traits as to make it more efficient. For tourists, it is a marvel to behold such diversity, while actually living in the city gives residents a feeling like they do not belong anywhere.   "You have the opportunity to become anything, achieve anything!" Some will say. But what it boils down to is, when everyone is special. Nobody is.   This invites many in the city to live life in the fast lane, seldom thinking about the long term consequences.

The Flawless Emerald governs the city. In the aftermath of the war of the river, the hero Lucor Stonebreath saw the limitless potential in the crossings localisation. Commerce with the west AND the north, not to mention the diplomatic implications of new trade routes. What started of as one mans dream of riches evolved into a city of marvels.

Before your battle ship even drops anchor in the port of the Jewel, you will have to cross the numerous forts along the Blue Vein river. Before the first note of your battle horns has reached the ears of the forts lookout, the beacon has been lit and the city defense is already organizing against you, sending messengers throughout the whole Thorns calling for aid. By the time you see the Jewel, if you even get that far, the full force of the Nation of Thorns will be there to greet you.   The city itself is heavily fortified. High external walls surround the city with high scout towers and ballistas aimed at the ready. Above the city, plated Emerald Knights ride everything from gryphons to giant eagles, patrolling the skies for any trespasses. In the underbelly of the city, the sewage pipes, thou old and brittle, are heavily reinforced with iron grates and magical glyphs preventing anyone from sneaking in.   The Emerald Knights is the main army of Wizars crossing. Since the city has no shortage of mercenary bands, it is not uncommon for The Flawless Emerald to hire them if the situation is dire enough.

While most of the local raw material is produced elsewhere, the refining process more often than not take place within in the city. This means that there is no shortage on craftsmen, tanners and smelters.   But arguably one of its greatest resources of late is the entertainment industry. Since there is such a wide spread in culture and ethnicity, the Jewel had a cultural boom unlike anything the Thorns had seen before. It didn't take long before people began flocking to the theaters, casinos and music halls. Here they can enjoy plays and stories from the north, new and exciting games of chance from the west and beautiful musical scores and songs.   There is no official gladiatorial arena. Rumors have spread of underground fight clubs but officially, none exist. It is a place born from peace after all.

The city is built on an old ruin, using most of the old infrastructure for sewage and waste disposal. Some buildings remain even from before the war from over 400 years ago and in some parts of the city the local residents take pride in having old monuments and temples.   In the newer parts of the city however, most of the older building have been torn down, the monuments replaced with golden statues and tall towers and building fitting of a city at the height of its golden age.   The city harbor makes other ports in the Thorns pale in comparison. Goliaths and warforged work day and night with the cargo of fully loaded ships, quickly and efficiently handling any cargo from wild animals to raw materials. Exotic elven dancers greet the sailors with promises of wine and fine dining while the gnomish bankers take care of the official business. Always with their noses in their ledgers and the ship logs they make sure everything is by the book and that not a minute is wasted needlessly. All this happens under the watchful eyes of the proud Emerald Knights who are making sure that the law is upheld, and that any troublemakers soon regret their trespasses.   It is indeed a marvel to behold, a fluent and beautiful display almost resembling a dance or a masterful clock.

Anything and everything is for sale in Wizars crossing. Items from far and wide within the Thorns, but also from lands far away.

The city core is close to the river, with the older less prosperous districts branching out the further you get from the water.