Derrin's Vault
Derrin's Vault is a very old, quite large town with a heavy military focus. They have a large naval port and are walled and fortified. Derrin's Vault was originally the name of the castle at the centre of town which was used to store thousands of gold worth of valuables, possessions of a noble named Derrin. The town was established to fund Derrin's strong defensive castle and grew as more and more military and their families moved there. The town is said to have a vast labyrinth beneath it, built to protect Derrin's treasure. It is said that to this day, Derrin's ghost haunts the town to ensure his treasure never leaves.
It is said that when Derrin and his guards and servants died to wealth-seeking assassins, they rose all again as ghosts to defend what was theirs. They now haunt the town, which has grown to accommodate the assassins and so to prevent the hauntings the town has taken to human sacrifice as a methods of driving back the ghosts. The assassins, The Diamond Stave, have proven over the years to be excellent at hunting undead and have grown to be a prominent guild. The plantation owners surrounding Derrin's Vault are mostly shunned by the town and have come together in a brooding council to demand respect.
It is said that when Derrin and his guards and servants died to wealth-seeking assassins, they rose all again as ghosts to defend what was theirs. They now haunt the town, which has grown to accommodate the assassins and so to prevent the hauntings the town has taken to human sacrifice as a methods of driving back the ghosts. The assassins, The Diamond Stave, have proven over the years to be excellent at hunting undead and have grown to be a prominent guild. The plantation owners surrounding Derrin's Vault are mostly shunned by the town and have come together in a brooding council to demand respect.
"They say the treasure beneath that fort is one of the greatest in the Empire besides the great cities. The only catch is, those labyrinth tunnels beneath it will kill you if Derrin's ghost does't first."
Government
Ivellios Yaeldrin is the descendant of the family that captured the castle in the name of the Ravalonian Empire in the second Ravalonian Expansion, and has been passed down patrilineally to the Yaeldrin family in thanks ever since. Ivellios has a strong focus on naval expansion and is easy on crime because he believes a high population is essential to a strong military.
Defences
Derrin's Vault is very well defenced, surrounded by thick and high walls which defend from land and the harbour itself. There are also several towers throughout the surrounding farmland on the request of the Plantation Guild. The town is defended by hundreds of guards, as well as sailors and privateers along the coast.
Industry & Trade
The town mostly survives off of fish from the surrounding waters, namely the giant tuna captured deeper in the ocean, and the large cotton plantations around town. Derrin's Vault also receives funds straight from Ravalon in order to hold the naval powers and the legion that operates out of Derrin's Vault. There is a huge logging industry with military encampments along the Whispering Wood that provide timber for the building supports and to build weapons and walls in neighbouring settlements.
Assets
- The Mother's Chapel - A large temple devoted to the mother. It is known for its' intricate stained glass designs and is watched over by High Priest Anatol, a crafty Antiquarian who loves Halton. This is also the local operation for the Circle of Silver, with the human paladin Ontharr Frume as its very prominent leader.
- Yaeldrin Overpass - A huge bridge built across the large saltwater chasm running through the middle of town. Lovers who want to be together in the afterlife propose on this bridge.
- Ivellios Asylum - Built in Ivellios' lifetime to house those haunted to madness by the ghosts. The madness seems to only spread within the walls, however. Reagan is a blacksmith who is housed here, and he idolizes Gwnyria. Another patient is Mimi, a deformed gnomish druid who lusts for Reagan. Marlene Debberdapp is the human woman who runs the place. She is very spiritual, and is said to have befriended the ghosts.
- The Little Ducky Tavern - A popular boat-tavern floating in the bay, run by Halton, a young bard who is targeted by the Diamond Stave. He is known to perform some great songs every night during happy hour, while his father mans the bar.
- Derrin's Vault - The old castle itself, heavily defended on all sides along its' high walls. Said to be impenetrable, which the Diamond Stave and the Yaeldrin family know to be untrue. Ivellios Yaeldrin, the lord presiding over the town lives and governs from here. Pharamond is a brooding Dragonborn noble who lives here too, who was promoted to then position because he always knows where to find a human sacrifice for the labyrinth. It just so happens that Pharamond is also the Archmage in Derrin's Vault.
- The Iron Doorway - a library established in the labyrinth, owned and operated by the Iron Doorway who hold a lot of sway in Saltport. It functions as one of the few entrances into the labyrinth outside of the castle proper.
- Derredell Port - The naval dock where a small fleet lie. Frequented by Barrett's Privateers as well as many fishermen.
- The Windy Leader Pub - A tavern known to be the operating place of the Diamond Stave. Those who want to hire an assassin must say to the bartender, "I require ale with no grain." Beneath the building is a large convening area for the assassins, where they train and conduct meetings.
Guilds and Factions
- The Diamond Stave - A centuries-old assassin's guild who have grown to be excellent at hunting undead. They take payment from anyone to perform assassinations, but charge extra for undead. They are said to be haunted by the ghost of Derrin and his host, which they believe in and is the only thing stopping them from stealing the hoard beneath Derrin's Vault. Their ringleader is a goblin woman named Wuun, a swashbuckler who was once a local privateer. Some other members are Humberto, a power-hungry inquisitor who wants to murder Marlene, Gwnyria Battleshack, a remorseful dwarven thief, and Rawley, a benevolent assassin who opposes the Plantation owners. The guild, and Gwnyria in particular, are disgusted by the human sacrifices and believe they do nothing to ward off ghosts and sap away possible targets and clients.
- The Plantation Guild - A group of farmers who just want respect. They believe the navy is given too much thanks and that the farmers should be given a portion of their pay for feeding the town. They are led by a council of dreary old men who own the land around Derrin's Vault and don't care too much about the goings on in town.
- Barrett's Privateers - A fleet of privateers payed by the town to raid and loot any enemy ships coming in and out of the Stepaneven Strait. They are led by the town crier, a human named Elcid Barrett. They are mostly a ragtag group of fishermen, former pirates, and retired naval officers who seek gold.
History
Derrin's Vault was originally a well-defenced castle built by Derrin, a baron who wished to protect his vast wealth. A town grew around it, but the Diamond Stave were a group of assassins who moved to town to steal the wealth. They killed Derrin and everyone in his castle, and searched for days and days in the labyrinth under the town for the hoard, but were eventually driven off by ghosts said to be bearing the visage of Derrin and his servants. Derrin's descendants ruled for a few hundred years but when the second Ravalonian Expansion started an army led by the elvish house of Yaeldrin took the castle with a large force, and have manned the town ever since. It was heavily militarized to prevent uprisings and grew into a prominent naval town because of its ideal size and position. When the Yaeldrin family came to the castle, they began to be haunted by the ghosts and decided the best way to appease them was the sacrifice people to the ghosts in the labyrinth below, which has been a practice to this day.
Architecture
Derrin's Vault is almost entirely made of stone and thatched roofs, besides the town proper which is entirely cobbled stone and battlements.
Geography
The town is mostly split in two by a large watery chasm, which can be crossed by the many bridges in town.
Founding Date
356 BB
Alternative Name(s)
The Vault
Type
Large town
Population
1845
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
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