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DYSPROS MODS ([personal profile] powergamer) wrote2013-04-08 05:21 pm

SETTING

SETTING
overview
The city of Goldvale is located in the Kingdom of Vernesse, in the larger world of Reis Alurelia. Goldvale is the old capital of Vernesse, with the capital having moved north roughly a century ago. Characters with knowledge of Earth will notice the very European look and feel of the city, especially French and German influences. Of course, pointing this out to a native will get you a strange look, since they've never heard of such places. As the former capital of Vernesse, there are buildings that are representative of other cultures, but these too are familiar.


districts and notable locations
a. ironwall
1. The Salamander & Gold
2. Steelarm
3. Seven Titans

The main entrance to Goldvale and the busiest district. Most shops are located here, but prices are much higher than the competing Nickelhollow marketplaces. However, it's much safer.
b. tinwick
4. The Godlings Sect

A modest section of the city that's mostly middle-class, with shops and offerings to reflect this. Contains several temples of worship and otherwise peaceful places.
c. steelmount
5. Scarlett Dragons

The governmental district. One of the oldest sections of the city, and also the safest because of the presence of the lancers' guild. Members of the thieves guild will be arrested on sight.
d. nickelhollow
6. Death's Toll
7. The Ugly Jackal

The largest and roughest district, containing the slums and lower class options. Full of bustling marketplaces where you can find more unusual offerings, but pickpockets and crime are common.
e. platmoor
8. The Spider & Herb
9. The Gazelle & Child

The side entrance of the city which opens up directly into forests. Many large plots of land for growing herbs and vegetables, but are constantly guarded by mages or archers.
f. silverbourne
10. Twinwinds

The entertainment district. Bars, clubs, and other nightlife options find their home here. Most shops are only open at night, and it's fairly quiet during the day.
✹ castle dyspros
The ancient castle at the center of the city. A massive fence surrounds the castle as a ward to keep creatures inside, but people are able to pass through the gate freely.
time
Going by the calendar Vernesse uses, the game takes place in the year 789 of the Neugotte era. A year in Vernesse has 12 months and 365 days like our calendar. Each month and day of the week has a corresponding name in Vernesse. There's no need to memorize these! You will only find these terms in IC posts.

months
days
EARTH VERNESSE
January Eislyft
February Hidefrost
March Sacrabois
April Madelif
May Rosefrucht
June Redheiss
July Bloodsaul
August Kopertom
September Eichelfall
October Graskercarve
November Hantergeist
December Cilglace
EARTH VERNESSE
Sunday Sacredi
Monday Glacedi
Tuesday Flammedi
Wednesday Aguadi
Thursday Eclairdi
Friday Ariadi
Saturday Terredi

geography
Goldvale is located in southern Vernesse. The Gassant River bends around the northeastern border of the city. The capital, Etoich, can be found by following the river upstream. Goldvale is surrounded by forests with monsters, so it is an important job to keep them at bay.

The kingdom of Vernesse itself is in the western continent of Reis Alurelia. It shares its borders with two other countries: Zeltok is beyond the northern mountain range, while Meegro is at the west. Among its significant natural resources are silver, copper, iron ore, timber and arable land.

The country has a temperate climate with four seasons—spring, summer, fall and winter. An alpine climate is prevalent in the north.

economy
Goldvale and the rest of Vernesse use copper, silver and gold coins as currency. Copper coins are smaller than silver coins, while silver coins only appear different from gold coins in color. They are all minted with royal family crest in the center. Here's a conversion table for easy reference.
conversion table
200 copper coins 1 silver coin
100 silver coins 1 gold coin
20000 copper coins 1 gold coin
100 gold coins 1 gold bar
10000 silver coins 1 gold bar

Ten (10) copper pieces are equivalent to $1. If you get too much to carry around for your own good, the Goldvale Bank at Ironwall will happily keep it for you.

Goldvale is one of the more prosperous cities in Vernesse despite its distance from the capital, but the living conditions of the lower classes have a lot of room for improvement.

technology

The technology of Goldvale covers about a century of human history, with inventions of the 19th century, and some early 20th century inventions are starting to pop up. You won't be seeing any cars or movies, but telegraphs are popular, and there's much hope in the new invention of The Salamander & Gold that is similar to a radio. However, the kingdom of Vernesse has yet to harness electricity, so all inventions that run on this operate on magic instead. That said, if characters choose to ask around about it, they may find out that the distant country of Ebenoj utilizes electricity and "feuwass," but NPCs won't know much else.

government
The mayor of Goldvale is Nicolas Hubble, a former guildmaster who stepped away from the life of guilds to lead the city of Goldvale instead. He's quite popular amongst the citizens, leading Goldvale with a great sense of justice, but also kindness. His eccentricity and charity aren't beloved by all, however, and the monarchy of Vernesse would prefer a more formidable leader.

The Kingdom of Vernesse is a monarchy ruled by King Palatine Aurarius XV. The Aurarius family has ruled Vernesse for centuries, but the eldest son of the family seems unfit to rule. This especially worries the court as the kingdom stands in a tense spot, trying to decide whether to go to war or not.

history
As legend goes, Reis Alurelia was created by gods whose names have largely been forgotten, confined to mystic texts which are largely forbidden. These old gods created the world, but like with all things, as the world changed, their powers diminished until the new gods that the people of Reis Alurelia worship today could take their mantle. This divides the history of Reis Alurelia into two eras: Viegotte, the time of the old gods, and Neugotte, the time of the new gods.

The downfall of the old gods is also a story largely forgotten by the common person, but the more educated people of Vernesse can at least tell you that the new era was ushered in by a tragedy, and the only remnant of this era in Vernesse is the castle at the center of Goldvale. Goldvale was once the capitol of Vernesse, but the capitol moved north to Etoich about 200 years ago. Still, Goldvale remains Vernesse’s second largest city and has since shifted from a center of politics to a center of commerce, becoming the city hosting the main branches of guilds.

The game begins on year 789 of the Neugotte era, which is considered to be an especially auspicious year. The fact that characters show up this year is considered by most to be an omen, for better or worse. While most people are united in believing that the character’s arrival is considered a sign of a new era, opinion is divided on whether the characters will be heroes to usher in prosperity or minions to bring disaster. Since Vernesse is currently trying to decide whether to participate in a war raging in a neighboring country, this will only be seen in time.