My Daughter

All of which brings us to the end of our tour, right back where we started, outside the PILGRIMAGE INN. I hope, ladies and gentlemen, that you found the tour both educational and interesting, and I thank you all for both the pleasure of your company and for parting with your gold. Now, before I leave, are there are any further questions? Mercenaries? Look no further than that long building practically next door. That's the place to hire sell-swords and the like, at least if you want some legal protection and loyalty that money can't buy (although, it helps). It's, appropriately enough, called the MERCENARIES' GUILD. If you're on the look-out for someone cheaper, trawl the taverns or hang-out at the FIGHTING PITS. The most powerful people in the city, individuals? Well, that depends on who you ask, but if you want my opinion, I'd say that the most powerful magi is THE WHITE WIZARD, old greybeard who lives by the chasm. He has to be powerful, certainl...

The CHURCH OF DIVINE FLESH, or HOUSE OF CONSUMPTION, was the first church built on the battle. The city largely spread out around it, although that's not so evident today. This is a major reason behind the church's power and prestige. It doesn't hurt that they bought up a lot of land, which they later sold for great profit, or rent land to others. It's certainly the richest of all the churches, in influence if not in gold and jewels. They worship DOKONALI, the God of Perfection, Physical Prowess, Pride and Power. A lot of warriors follow him, as do some merchants, and the more energetic, power-hungry and gluttonous nobles. His clerics have to be seen to be believed; and we're in luck, because there's one, together with his entourage. Yes, that bloated man being carried in that iron-contraption, that's the cleric; high-ranking too, judging by his size. Those muscular men, the ones straining under the weight, are the acolytes, studying hard so that they...

A tour of the TEMPLE QUARTER wouldn't be complete without a visit to this temple: WINTER-HOLD, temple raised in honour of the God of Death himself, the RAVEN KING. One of the Northern gods, the RAVEN KING stands guard over the realm of the dead, where the souls of the deceased eventually end up. His ravens are said to shepherd the souls to his realm, which is why they are considered ill-omens and can be found on battlefields. They have a reputation of being scavengers, but they're merely messengers, watchers, and shepherds. You should always treat a raven with kindness, especially if you're about to die. The temple holds the entrance to the largest of the catacombs and crypts, the NECROPOLIS, and some of them are actually rented out to other faiths, who consecrate and decorate if for their own religious needs. The priests run most of the funeral arrangements of the city, largely because they're the best there is. They also sponsor adventuring parties to destroy ...

The Jewelled Halls This ornate stone edifice houses shrines to the entire dwarven pantheon, and the interior is richly decorated in precious metals, stones and jewels. Each of their gods is represented by a specific jewel, and each shrine shines with that gemstone. It must be the richest place in the whole city, and the sight of those bejewelled shrines must be amazing; but if you're not a dwarf, you'll never see them. The stout folk refuse entry to anyone else; even if you lay bleeding on their doorstep. They'd likely tend to your wounds, but would do so outside. The Crimson Church Our next stop is this brightly coloured church; when it catches the sun its glow makes the surrounding buildings and streets look like they've bathed in blood, much to the annoyance of their neighbours. This, is the CRIMSON CHURCH, where the followers known as the CRIMSON HAND worship the warrior goddess AADILA, the Crimson Goddess, the Red Hand of Justice, with domain over war, ...

The Maze Not all the temples, churches and shrines belong to the human pantheons. We have quite a few of the demi-human, or non-human ones too. After all, their gods Avatars took part in the great battle, same as all the rest. This obsidian temple is one of them. Known as THE MAZE, or the WEB OF FATE, this is where the loppe worship their creator deity, the spider goddess, MOTHER WEAVER; at least that's how it translates into the Common Tongue. I don't have the mandibles to pronounce her true name. Inside is a maze of webs, with their High Priestess at the very centre, in eternal commune with the Goddess. Anyone can enter the maze, and if you can find your way to the centre, you can ask three questions, to the WEAVER herself, through the High Priestess, and have them answered truthfully. Take a translator with you if you don't understand their language, but be warned, I'd heard of people who have entered, only to get lost and come back out, scared witles...

Cults in the City of Bones Now, one thing you won't see are any of the cultists I mentioned before, not during the day. At night, especially in the back alleys deeper into the quarter, towards the North-East corner, you might catch a glimpse of one or two cultists attending to their nefarious business. Most are actually harmless, and a few are nothing more than bored nobles playing with darkness; but for every ten of them, there'll be a true believer up to no good. Keep an eye out, and if you see one, find the nearest patrol of the City-Watch and tell them; whatever you do, don't approach them yourself, especially if you're alone. If you see someone dressed in a red mask and a black cowl, run! That's the most dangerous of the lot, one of the Destroyers , followers of the unholy God of Destruction, RUIN. Don't fret, it isn't his name you need to fear speaking aloud; you're thinking of that other one, the NAMELESS DREAD of the Southern Kingdoms...

The Music Hall Hear that? They call that the Divine Cacophony , and this 'music' is unique in all the city, the kingdoms, and possibly the world. Why? Because that's an actual Avatar playing that awful music, the physical manifestation of DISCORD herself, Goddess of Music, the Arts, and Creativity. Her temple doubles as a theatre, focusing primarily on music. It doesn't always sound as bad as that, at least not when her priests and followers take to the stage and play. They host elaborate plays on holy days, play music the rest, sometimes with choirs too. Those choirs are something else; the voices of those children are amongst the most beautiful and haunting I have ever heard. Bards come here to learn the deepest secrets of songs, to study the mystical musicality that the priests study daily. Some of the most famous bards have passed through this Hall at one time or another; PHAGEAL the RED, the example, before he went South and was never seen or heard from...

Temple of Light Our first stop is this temple, which, on a clear day, you can see from miles away. Called THE TEMPLE OF LIGHT, this is the temple of YELANA, the Goddess of the Sun, Moon and Stars. The second most popular religion, and one of the adopted gods from the Southern Kingdoms; many of her followers migrated here when the South fell. The temple has an almost intact skeleton in its Reliquary, gathered together after centuries of searching. The clergy are probably the nicest in the city, dedicated to healing the sick, helping those in need, and they run most of the charities trying to clean up our city. I admit, I have a fondness for this faith; her clerics are the sort you want guarding your back. They run a hospital too, based close to the WEEPING CHASM, from where most of their patients crawl out from. If there were more of them, the city would be a very different place. The House of Dreams This domed church actually descends several stories into the g...

The Church of Divine Flesh The Temple of Light The House of Dreams The Music Hall Lårs Dig The Maze The Ancestors' Tree The Jewelled Halls The Crimson Church House of Cards Winter-Hold The Pious Pilgrim (tavern) The Holy Chalice (tavern) This is the final part of the tour, through the most diverse of all the quarters and districts of the city. Some call Godsend  the City of a Thousand Temples , and this quarter is why. No one knows how many temples, churches, shrines and monasteries are to be found in the TEMPLE QUARTER. The main ones haven't changed or moved in centuries, but smaller ones come and go, with the waxing and waning of faiths. And it's not just the established, recognised and respected religions; there are numerous cults, hidden in plain sight, worshipping all sorts of demons, devils, and chthonic gods. They're constantly being banished or stamped-out, but new ones replace them, and other sects take over their preaching. It's ...

The House of Mind, Body and Soul (Council Chambers) Courts City Prison City Hall Tax Office Academy Barracks You can see why it's called GREEN HILL; it's the only expanse of grass for miles. Took them years to cultivate it, and a fair amount of magic too. Trees line the main streets, bushes elsewhere, and every building has its own roof-garden. Only councillors, their assistants and families are allowed to live here; although you will note that none of these buildings, save the Council Chambers, are as richly decorated as those in the NOBLE QUARTER. The other buildings are council-owned, where are laws are passed, enforced and the breakers of such as tried and sentenced. That grand building at the centre of the hill is the HOUSE OF MIND, BODY AND SOUL, the city's COUNCIL CHAMBERS. That's where the council of priests, nobles, and Guild Masters hold their weekly meetings to discuss the concerns of the city. They're split into three factions, each wi...

Free House of Knowledge Museum of Oddities Twin Towers Theatre You can see the difference gold makes straight away. The streets are maintained, every pathway swept clean, and the buildings almost dazzle with their white-washed walls and coloured shutters. It's always bright here, even at night. See those poles, with the hanging glass bulbs? Lanterns, lit by the Watch every dusk, with enough oil to last until dawn. Locals call this 'Sunny Side', because it's like the sun is always shining. Only the rich live here. The rest of us pass through to visit the library, museums, or one of the galleries or theatres. There're some top-class restaurants, but unless you're a noble, you can forget about getting a seat, let alone eating there. You'll also note that there are no common taverns or inns to be found. Instead there are exclusive clubs, wine-bars, and coffee-houses, all rather expensive. You might be wondering what reason these rich people have...

The Gates Sorry about this, but everyone going into or out of the quarter is searched, unless you're rich enough to live there, of course. They don't even search you going into GREEN HILL. Gold and religion run this city, remember that. A quick word about the gates while we queue. They're open dawn to dusk, but as soon as night settles in, the gates are shut. You can still pass through, between quarters, but the Watch have to let you through and everyone passes through the smaller gates cut into the main oak doors. There are other ways to cross; secret tunnels, passages through the catacombs, but you'd have to ask someone else about them. The only gate that refuses to open at night, unless there is some dire emergency, is the gate we've just passed through, WATCHERS GATE. The risk of some monster slipping through is just too great. All right, our turn now. Best behaviour everyone, we're about to enter the NOBLE QUARTER.

Delvers' Guild White Wizard's Tower Monastery of the Silence Hospital of the Guiding Light I can see you're impressed. Hard not to be. I've had visitors stand in awe when they've seen the chasm for the first time, and still be here after the tour's finished and their friends come looking for them. Formed during the battle all those centuries ago, THE WEEPING CHASM stretches due West for roughly twenty-seven miles. It's about a mile deep, and at its widest point, about midway, it's easily five miles across. Smell that? Blood, that is. It's the reason its called THE WEEPING  CHASM: look closely at the edges. That darkness is the blood, oozing out of the torn stone. It drips down into the depths of the chasm; there're rivers of blood down there, so I'm told. You talk to the clerics, priests and monks, and they'll tell you it's the blood of all the gods that died here; the magi will tell you it's the blood of the Wounded...

Camel's Hump The Friendly Cockatrice Travellers' Rest The Aquarium The smallest and quietest of the quarters, the RESIDENTS QUARTER is where the people of the city have their homes. Some of the traders, merchants, workers and artisans live above their shops, the rest living here. Although, many of the people who live here, actually work outside the city, in the outlying farms or the mines in the hills. It's safer, more comfortable, to live within the walls than outside. Expensive though. There's no space to build on the ground anymore, and the council have refused to expand the city for the time being– they made a start on the East side, but stopped when funds for construction ran out– so new builds are built atop older ones, and that costs gold. You can rent, however, and there are plenty of blocks with single room homes in the shadows of the walls. Thy're not particularly cheap either, but if you ever want to settle down in the city, it's the cheap...

The Offal Pits That smell, that's the stench of a city packed full with 13,000 people; and that's just those who live here. Double, even triple that, and you come close to the number of people who pass through the city. All the waste they produce, all the food that's not eaten and thrown away, the corpses of those who can't afford a burial; all of it is hauled across the city, and dumped down the pits. It's a stony splodge of land, full of natural fissures, pits and sinkholes, which lead down to caverns and tunnels that lead to the gods only know where. There are parts of the catacombs that are said to connect to these caverns, but no one's proved it. It's also rumoured that amongst all that filth is treasure to be found, but you'd have to have the constitution of an ogre to go into those caverns, and no sense of smell. Even then you'd have to deal with the well-fed Otyughs, or Offal-Eaters  that live down there, feeding off our waste. Disgu...

The Perfumed Privy Welcome to one of the best kept secrets in the city. The name puts most people off, the stink outside too. That's the smell of the OFFAL PITS; and believe me, it's a breath of fresh air compared to how it smells close up. That stench stays with you for days. This is as close as I'm bringing you, so don't frown so. I'll take you the long way to the RESIDENTS QUARTER. In the meantime, step inside. First drink's always on the house, so choose something good. I can heartily recommend the Bearded Ale , a dwarven brew that'll put hairs on your chest, regardless of your sex. See how quiet it is inside? It'll get busier later in the day, but not as crowded as the other taverns or drinking dens you'll find along CHEAPSIDE or even the GRAND BAZAAR. That large fellow, he's the owner, runs the bar most of the time, and cooks up a lovely stew once a week. Hey Barney, got another lot. What'll you all be having? We can sit in ...

Artisans District Separated from the dwarf community, the STONE DISTRICT, by narrow streets, the ARTISANS DISTRICT is where all the craftsmen make their goods. Most are sold elsewhere, and most of the workers actually live in the RESIDENTS QUARTER. This district is made up of workshops, forges, smiths and warehouses. If you want anything made, bespoke or otherwise, this is the place to come. Stone District We won't tarry here, as the dwarves like their privacy; but this is where the majority of them live. They have their own workshops and forges, but many of them are miners who work up in the hills beyond the city. They can be gone for days at a time, and rumour has it that they've started digging out a new home for themselves. We'll move on now, and we'll stop for a drink and maybe a quick bite to eat at what, in my humble opinion, is the best tavern in the city; and thankfully not one of the better known or popular.

Someone once said that this is a city of markets, and it is true that there are an abundance of markets and travelling traders. We even have the NIGHT MARKETS, which appears in the dead of night, vanishing before sunrise, selling all manner of vices. None, however, compare to the great edifice, the GRAND BAZAAR. As you can see, it's enclosed in this peaked, towering, arrow-shaped building, several stories high. It's a wide-open space, filled to bursting with stalls, booths, tents and shops along the walls. If you look up, notice the lack of additional floors; instead are three wide balconies, each catering to a particular merchandise. The first balcony is a collection of drinking dens, taverns and stalls selling  everything from the finest golden brandy, to fresh milk and freshly squeezed fruit juices. Above that is the market's best places to eat: restaurants, food stalls, and private dining rooms too. The topmost balcony is dedicated to entertainment. There's a...

Pilgrim's Inn Torch-Bearers' Guild Grand Bazar Traders' Guild The Perfumed Privy Hammer & Anvil Stone's Throw Orcs Skull Soldiers' Arms Owl Bear & Wyvern The Fighting Pits The MERCHANT QUARTER lines one side this street, TEMPLE AVENUE, and occupies most of the South half of the city. It's by far the largest quarter, housing businesses of every kind, numerous taverns, inns, brothels and markets. Further in are the ARTISANS DISTRICT, where the craftsmen work their trade, and the STONE DISTRICT, where the majority of the dwarves live. It's the liveliest part of the city, bustling with trade and revelries, busy night and day. This quarter never sleeps. As you can see, the avenue is lined with numerous shops, eateries, and drinking dens; it caters to travellers and tourists. Let me fill you in on a little secret: we locals call this CHEAPSIDE. Not that their goods aren't expensive– because they are– but because the quality is...

The City of Bones Welcome, welcome, come closer, don't be shy. Allow me to introduce myself: I am Hamesh, and this morning I shall be your guide. Our tour begins here, at the start of TEMPLE AVENUE, the main thoroughfare of Godsend ; or, as it is better known, The City of Bones . To the North is the TEMPLE QUARTER, crammed full of temples, churches, shrines, and the homes of the clergy. Any god you care to mention, well-known or obscure, has someplace of worship in that quarter; and below lies the extensive network of catacombs and crypts that attract many a treasure hunter. Not that I'd advise you to have a go yourself; aside from the disapproving clergy, there're things down there that'd rip your face off, before you even realised you where in danger. Why so many temples? Well that you ask, for the answer to that also explains the name of the city, its reason for being, and why the WEEPING CHASM– which we'll get to later– exists. Several centurie...