Gladria- Capital

City History, Culture, Trade and Description   The Gladria capital is a shining city of prosperity and progress. The largest port city in the northern kingdoms, it is a powerful trading center and has become very wealthy as a result. It was founded by King Strauss the 1st who conquered it from the elves and turned it into the city it is today. It is located on a peninsula, which creates a very large and well protected cove just underneath the city.   The streets are wide and well maintained cobblestone, the buildings a uniform metropolis of 2nd and 3rd stories buildings packed together, with the constant smell of sea salt and the sound of the busy harbors on the breeze.   Serves as the capital of Gladria   Important Characters   King Strauss II- He is heavyset, with brown hair and hazel eyes. He is selfish and enjoys his luxuries and vices, often has beautiful woman hanging from his arms. Only thinks in terms of trades, rarely if ever does anything out of the goodness of heart. He protects his throne above all else, as a result usually listening to Warwick over Everly as he immensely distrusts her, but is hesitant to openly dismiss her advise as he does not want to alienate Gladrian from the magic and power of the mages.   Commodant Warwick- a polished and handsome paladin who led several assaults against the Somicks in his youth. He has dyed brown hair cut short, blue eyes, ornamental armor, and hold himself with an air of status. Son of a wealthy family, renounced it for service, and has been appointed as head of all Gladrian forces. Works directly for the King, and represents him in most matters that do not require his direct attention. Has a reputation for kindness and understanding, but vicious in battle. Once had his life saved by Gunvald after being attacked by a Green Dragon in Murkwood.   Ambassador Everly- a humane woman mage, she is elegantly beautiful, perfect golden hair dressed in flowing white robes with gold trim, snow white skin and a small smile. She is tactful and very careful with her words, a subtle influencer and practiced politician. Despite her controlled outward appearance, she is a vicious and dangerous woman.   Father Mernad- a halfling man who runs the temple. Very pious, can be a bit prideful and look down on others not adhering to the same strict disciplines.   Book Keeper Rea- an older human woman who keeps track of the books and such.   Torval of Clan Steelswords- leader of the local steelswords Chapter, Gorvin is a bulky dwarf with a large red beard and a love for fine food and drink. He is cousin to the head of the clan, and is well accustomed to the privilege he feels he deserves. Does not deal well with disrespect.   Local Quests   Smuggling Ring- there is a prolific smuggling ring here in the city that must be dealt with. They are encouraging theft of goods, mainly dwarvish metals, bringing in sub quality tools that have lead to accidents in workplaces, and are now forging counterfeit currency. Warwick believes that the operation is running out of Cracked Cup, but his own men are too recognizable. Needs someone to investigate, find where the stolen goods are being stored, and which ship or ships are transporting them.   Notable Buildings And Districts   Seaside Citadel- a tall castle nestled at the tip of the peninsula, with towering white spires that glisten in the sun.   City Center- heart of the city where the majority of private businesses are located. Have a very vibrant artisan population who run small shops selling trinkets and artworks.   Steelswords Guild Hall- The Steelswords guild has a very large presence in the city, and as a result their guild hall is large and easily identified. It is a large and imposing building, several stories and towering over its neighbors in the city center. Inside is a number of different workshops for different crafts and rooms for apprentices living and working there. The front desk is manned by a halfing named Vinneon (short brown hair, dark eyes and round glasses, bookish).   Kings Bay- created by the large peninsula, Kings Bay is a large natural harbor just under the city center.   Residential- the wealthy, artisans and specialized workers live in the north city located above Kings Bay. The working class lives in the South city, which is on the other side of Kings Bay and is not nearly as grand as the city proper.   Shops   Shipwright- In the harbor in the South city, a small rundown blacksmith workshop can be found by the water. It is run by Dainan of clan Barrelchin is a dwarf blacksmith with short white hair and cyan eyes. She is a bitter woman, having been apprenticed to Funda and then dismissed when she ruined a particularly expensive commission against his instructions to not mess with it. Now she's stuck making ship fittings and barrels because of Funda's "sexism".   Guild Blacksmith- A very pristine and clean workshop located in the city center with a number of young dwarven apprentices running about the place. Run by Funda of clan Wraithmail, a middle aged dwarf who has long, wavy, brown hair tied behind his head, brown eyes, incredibly muscular frame and a hammer tattoo on his right arm. He is an experienced metal smith who is known for high quality work and the ability to craft magical weapons and armor if provided the correct materials.   Guild Healing and potions- an alchemist named Garrin can be found at the Steelsword Guild Hall. He is an older halfling with white hair often covered in soot, a permanently dirty and blackened face outlines by raccoon eyes from his goggles. He is an experimenter in alchemical and magical components, and is generally known to be a bit off. Sells potions to fund his research, but will take requests if adventurers are willing to go and get him components, always willing to make a trade.   Guild General store- a large 3 story building catering to adventures and travelers. The front desk is run by a young human girl named Carling, who has blonde hair tied in a braid and a workers apron. Her father is named James Fathom, who is always in the back room going over books and counting profits.   Golden Chateau- Toted as the best night stay on the continent, it is an extremely fancy hotel located in the north city just outside city center, which attracts the wealthy from far and wide. Front desk is manned by a halfling named Nimvon.   Cracked Cup- A run down Tavern in the South city, a building that is structurally sound but has seen better days. Run by a dwarven woman named Camera, who is a rough and tough woman used to dealing with unsavory characters, she has dark hair and a stern look. A young dish washer works for her named bliff, a meek halfing just trying to make ends meet.   Dragons Heart Inn- A modest tavern and inn located across the street from the Cracked Cup, known in the city to be a tavern of higher quality (though not by much). It is filled with gaudy decorations and tapestries, the food is fancy but poorly cooked and has low quality ingredients, basically the entire inn attempts to present a feeling of wealth and prosperity while also cutting corners and costs. The innkeeper is a fiercely competitive female dwarf named Dela Halidotr, who is determined to drive the Cracked Cup out of business so that hers is the only tavern in town (will help the party in cracked cup quest, but will be very unhappy when the party gets the tavern, offering a low ball payment for the tavern and scheming against them if they try to revive the business).   Baker- a very small but clean bakery located in the city center. Run by Berka, a older human woman with black but graying hair pulled into a messy bun, a black apron covered in flour, and a soft smile. She is well known for her baking skills, but is renown for her cinnamon bread and fairie dragon cupcakes. She has a orange and black cat named Cinder who weaves in between the legs of visitors.   Techlar's Emporium- a narrow but tall shop squeezed between several others just off the city center. Inside is a maze of leaning piles of random bits and bobbles stacked up to the ceiling, threatening to topple over at any moment. Run by an old halfling woman named Techlar, who is hunched over and eternally squinting. She has an eye for valuables, and is eager to make trades for item rather than coin, with even a good enough story could possibly be trade.   Tailor- a small shop that has just recently been set up, still has much of his stock in boxes. Run by a man named Oswald, who is dressed in surprisingly boring clothes, and is a very un-enthused tailor, and not very skilled either. He sells only the most basic of things, and its a wonder that his shop is still open.   Other NPC’s   guard- Simmons, dressed in chest plate with Gladrian crest, Halberd and short sword. Young new recruit and tries to be stern but is helpful.   farmer- Kater is exceptionally beautiful, with long grey hair and amber eyes. She wears modest garments and a wooden holy symbol. Kater is energetic and well-spoken.   merchant shop owner- Wilhye is short, with cropped copper hair and grey eyes. He wears modest garments and riding boots. Wilhye is astute and flirtatious.   Personal Ship- The Salvation is a reconverted and repaired small merchant sloop, freshly painted and repaired from its time served as a raiding ship. It is captained by the slightly inexperienced but enthusiastic Thomas, who has shoulder length black hair and is just beginning to grow a beard. It runs merchant routes all along the coast, working as a raw material runner for the Steelswords guild, but it's captain feels a debt of gratitude for Sol and Gunvald for giving him this ship, and will accommodate any requests made of him to the best of his abilities.