Glitzspire
The Gambling capital of the world situated in the scortching deserts of Anauroch.
Now a metropolis of greed, glitz and glam, thousands of travelers make their way to this unforgiving beacon in the desert to try and push their luck.
Originally created when a band of elves were cast out from the elven fortress city of Evereska, the small gambling town has expanded to become a giant tourist draw out in the desert.
Demographics
- 30% Humans
- 15% Tieflings
- 10% Half-Elves
- 8% Dwarves
- 8% Halflings
- 7% Elves
- 6% Gnomes
- 5% Dragonborn
- 3% Yuan-Ti
- 2% Undead (Including Vampires, Revenants, etc)
- 6% Other (Aasimar, Genasi, Changlings, Minotaurs, etc
Government
The "Government" of Glitzspire is more along the lines of a syndicate of criminal enterprises/Casinos operating together. The main authoritative organization, the Glitzspire Gambling Commission, is the de facto ruling power that is in charge of Glitzspire, made up of a cabal of the various casino owners and heads of other groups that have staked their claim in the city.
Needless to say, the Commission has made it easy for tourists to come and enjoy their time in their city, but any complaints about how the town is run are pretty much ignored. So as long as you don't cheat the house or peak behind the curtain, Glitzspire is a safe and well run operation.
Additionally, each casino has their own enforcement arm that tenuously follows the guidelines set by the commission, and will readily rough-up and eject patrons who may be pushing their luck a little too far.
Needless to say, the Commission has made it easy for tourists to come and enjoy their time in their city, but any complaints about how the town is run are pretty much ignored. So as long as you don't cheat the house or peak behind the curtain, Glitzspire is a safe and well run operation.
Additionally, each casino has their own enforcement arm that tenuously follows the guidelines set by the commission, and will readily rough-up and eject patrons who may be pushing their luck a little too far.
Industry & Trade
Most income generated by the city is done through the major casinos located on the Gilded Row, and while other portions of the town are wealthy in their own right, the Casinos are the major draw for tourists.
Infrastructure
Despite its original founding being only a small set of horse-drawn gambling carts, Glitzspire is now an architectural hub out in the desert. With the various casinos having their own theme and each having accommodations to give a weary traveler a shelter in the scorching desert, the city has become a regular Oasis in an otherwise featureless wasteland.
There are paved roads, sewage service and indoor plumbing (for casinos and other wealthy establishments). There are also several architectural designs at play that passively help cool down the desert city. With such designs as high-towers to act as wind-catchers, shaded water features, and Qanats (underground aquaducts).
The staggering amount of engineering gone into the region has also resulted in the town becoming a tourist destination for engineers and city-planners the world over.
There are paved roads, sewage service and indoor plumbing (for casinos and other wealthy establishments). There are also several architectural designs at play that passively help cool down the desert city. With such designs as high-towers to act as wind-catchers, shaded water features, and Qanats (underground aquaducts).
The staggering amount of engineering gone into the region has also resulted in the town becoming a tourist destination for engineers and city-planners the world over.
Districts
Within the city lies several districts that divide up the more "legitimate" enterprises from the more seedy ones.
The Main attraction would be the Gilded Row, home to all the major casinos with their magical illumination and outlandish theming.
There is then the Spotlight Wards, home to many entertainment venues. Bards, illusionists, acrobats, and various other entertainers make this area their home in order to entice travelers to part with their coin in the name of a performance.
Rogue's Run is a maze of underground gambling dens, speakeasies and other less-than-ideal business takes place. With the amount of illegal activity that takes place here, it would make Xanathar blush.
Finally there is the Oasis of Tymora, or just "The Oasis", home to Glitzspire's untold hundreds of brothels, bathhouses and spas. Any type of service you could ask for, for the right price.
The Main attraction would be the Gilded Row, home to all the major casinos with their magical illumination and outlandish theming.
There is then the Spotlight Wards, home to many entertainment venues. Bards, illusionists, acrobats, and various other entertainers make this area their home in order to entice travelers to part with their coin in the name of a performance.
Rogue's Run is a maze of underground gambling dens, speakeasies and other less-than-ideal business takes place. With the amount of illegal activity that takes place here, it would make Xanathar blush.
Finally there is the Oasis of Tymora, or just "The Oasis", home to Glitzspire's untold hundreds of brothels, bathhouses and spas. Any type of service you could ask for, for the right price.
Guilds and Factions
There are several "Organizations" with their fingers in the pie that is Glitzspire, each shaping the city with their influence. In no particular order:
- The Varnassi Coil- A family of wealthy Yuan-ti "hoteliers" who run most of the bathhouses and lounges in the city
- House Gemcradle - A dwarven clan that runs various vaults and loan houses. Known for their security golemns and possible illegal coin minting
- The Lantari Trust - A tiefling-run financial family that manages high-end gambling and infernal credit systems. Known to enforce debts with fiendish deals
- The Hollowhands - A "family" of liches, Vampires and revenants with a twisted sense of showmanship, with their casinos allowing travelers to gamble literals years of their lives away.
- The Moondagger family or as they are more commonly known, "The Ma-Fey-a" - A dreaded eleven family of fallen nobility who now align themselves with art, culture, and their invisible reach into the politics of the region.
Climate
Situated in the rain shadow of the Greycloak hills, there is very little to no rain year-round. With very hot summers and cold winters, it is unforgiving as it is enticing.
Natural Resources
Surprisingly, there is almost nothing in the way of resources in the desert. Only the flat empty land itself is the resource used by the inhabitants to add to the sprawl of this sin-filled city in the desert.
Alternative Name(s)
Jewel of the Desert, Sin-spire, The Arcane Strip
Type
City
Inhabitant Demonym
Glitizen
Location under
Included Locations
Owning Organization