Where the adventure begins

The Golden Triangle

Ricmorn, Niverhall, & Idelstone

This region on the eastern edge of the Western Empire which includes the capital, Niverhall, represents the greatest concentration of wealth and power in the west, and some say of the entire world at this point in history. Although mostly human, this region is very cosmopolitan and almost every human-friendly race (and some who are not) can be found wandering the streets of these cities and villages. The cities, towns, and farming hamlets are all ancient, and most farms and estates have been in the same family for hundreds of years. Cobblestone roads connect the strongly fortified cities, a necessity given their proximity to and ancient conflict with the Old Kingdom (though it should be pointed out that this conflict is not with the Elven government of the Old Kingdom).

Ricmorn (pop. 37600)

This is the city where you will all begin. Ricmorn is a busy port city that has attracted merchants and nobles who prefer the easy-going port authority and relaxed oversight of the customs officials here as opposed to Morel. It is an ancient city, and like much of the construction of the Western Empire, layer upon layer has been built up over many hundreds of years, creating an underworld of catacombs and labyrinths beneath the streets which provide home to all manner of cults and organized crime syndicates. Nevertheless, Ricmorn remains a clean and well mantained city, especially in comparison to the larger cities of Morel and Norben, and thus is considered a fine second choice place to live if you love the ultra-cleanliness of Niverhall and its pastoral location but crave the activity of a trading center.

The city is heavily fortified and surrounded by low (3 meter, ~9 foot) granite walls on all sides except for those areas directly on the river. The architectural style is typical of the Devonian era of the Western Empire and integrates stalwart stone foundations and supports with ornamented structural wood work. It is a style so unmistakably human that it is considered synonymous with human architectural aesthetic: strong, purposeful structure executed with a craftsman's touch. The city's port is large, heavily fortified, and faces the river Iskur, which opens onto Arbomar Bay. The city is clean but crowded, so many nobles and merchants have built their estates in the beautiful hilly forest west of the city. Two such estates of note are the home Lord Hasder and the merchant noble, Omunis.

Morel (pop..674000) approximately 85 miles north of Ricmorn

“The gateway to Niverhall”, Morel sits at the mouth of the Tabor river which leads to the capital. In architectural style it very similar to Ricmorn, although it lacks much of the charm of its smaller sister. Morel is a very busy port and is crawling with Imperial guards and also soldiers awaiting deployment. Every ship that wishes to travel up the Tabor to Niverhall must have its cargo carefully inspected and the ship's crew must pass inspection and be given special papers. Although the system is remarkably efficient, there is such a volume of traffic through here that ships are often waiting 5 or 6 days before being allowed to move on. The effect is that a large portion of the city is actually made up of transients, who effectively increase the population by nearly 10%.

Idelstone (pop. 553000)

For a brief time after the “Blood Moon War”, Idelstone became the seat of the Western Empire. However, at the end of Gheran's reign, the capital was moved backed to Niverhall where it remains today. Geographically it sits on the line between the Old Kingdom and the Western Empire and has at times been claimed by Orc and Ogre tribes that inhabit the western slopes of the Talton Range of mountains in the surrounding areas of the Old Kingdom. It is a melting pot of human and elven architectural style and would be stunning if it were not for extensive damage that has occurred from years of on and off war.

Milltall (pop. 181000)

This Tabor river city has more the feel of an overgrown agricultural village on the water rather than a city. In truth, if it were not for Niverhall a village is all this quiet town would have been. Although well fortified, the town is comprised mostly of modest houses and lacks the infrastructure of the other cities in the area.

Norben (pop. 256000)

Norben is like Idelstone's smaller coastal cousin, only slightly less damaged from conflict. Most consider this to be the dirtiest, most dangerous city in the Golden Triangle.

Niverhall (pop. 477000) Capital of Western Empire

Man endeavored to create a city as beautiful and majestic as any of Elven renown, and most would say he succeeded. It is a grand city of earthy granite and strong timber that sits between the ancient inland forests and pasture lands. The city is very clean and has more the feel of a park or well-groomed garden than a buzzing cosmopolitan center; but representatives of almost every race that can tolerate humans can be found living and working here. Part of the strategy for preventing crime involves a strict 9pm curfew that has a massive quantity of guards combing the streets and removing any vagrants or curfew violators. As such Niverhall proper is probably the safest place a person could be in the entire empire. The safety of the forests just outside the walls are another matter entirely. Some posit that the capital city's safety is guaranteed by the wild forces that inhabit the forest, while others theorize that those who live in the dark woods pose the greatest threat to capital and the emperor.