Nephire

Nephire is a prosperous city state that thrives on trade done between its neighbors. It is one of the largest cities within several hundred kilometres, and is a kind of the hub and a major point of entry to the Western continent.

The climate is generally warm and dry, though there are occasional small monsoons. The most serious of inclement weather is deflected at least in part by abjurative magic from the pyramids of Nephire.

The city itself consists of 4 massive, levitating, 3 sided pyramidal arcologies made of gleaming silver metal. There is a larger pyramid about 50m tall at the center, and the other 3 smaller pyramids float off to the side, about 100m away. Each pyramid is made of shining, silvery metal, sandstone, and coloured glass. Colorful banners fly in the air around the pyramids and provide shade. Domestic dragons are used as a form of transportation and a common sight. Though located in a desert, the pyramids of Nephire are lushly planted and bustling with activity.

There is a sizeable water, sky, and sand fishing industry, and there are many farmers who cultivate all manner of succulent produce, spices, and dry climate animals that live in the area surrounding the city. Obsidian data obelisks dot the landscape surrounding Nephire, between the the small farming communities and along roads to the north and south. Their purpose is unknown, but locals like to use them as news boards. Ships come and go from the the large sea port, bringing all manner of goods to and from the East. Honey Ring is a major trading partner of Nephire. There are very few airships that dock here, as the structure of the arcology and the night winds make it difficult to land.

• Mehali Pyramid: The largest central pyramid that houses the majority of the residential, retail, and garden space in the city. The pyramid is split in half (Seaside and Landside), with a wide bridge about 100m long between the two halves. Wind often blows through the gap between the halves, and gliding through is a popular pastime of the brave.
• Shirah Pyramid: The pyramid which floats above the sea. It is surrounded by docks and ships almost all the time. The sea port of the city is here.
• Marjii Pyramid: The pyramid which faces northwest towards the grasslands and forest in the direction of Zermax. It contains an ‘inland port’, as well as many inns for passing travellers or farmers from the surrounding visiting the city to sell their goods
• Ramil Pyramid: The pyramid that faces the vast desert between Nephire and the Ateros Divide. The Mihuri Academy, a well known historical institution that studies a wide variety of subjects, resides in this tower. The residences here are primarily dorms, inns, or housing for members of the Mihuri academy.

Population:

• Approximately 20,000; very mixed race, high number of lizardfolk and dragonborn

Government:

• Nephire is governed by 6 main rulers. 3 for the Mehali Pyramid, and 1 for each of the others. Nephire is home to a wide variety of guilds. The largest among them have non insignificant lobbying power and their own enforcers.
• Rumours in certain circles say that a certain shadow faction unknown to the general public is seeking to gain control over the Mehali Triumvirate.

Notable Places:

• The Pavilion of Veils: A large public pavilion enchanted with illusion magic that creates a plethora of large, pastel coloured veils to drift about the air around it. A popular place for street bards to perform. There are often ad-hoc bands that form when multiple bards want to play at once.

A few NPCs:

• Briga: Female Human Assassin, Good. Briga is fey in appearance, with white hair and amber eyes. She wears leather armor and wields a dagger. Briga has an animal companion, a raven named Chelry.
• Heahfre: Male Lizardfolk Fighter. Heahfre is willowy, with grey skin and blue eyes. He wears banded mail and wields a battle axe and light crossbow. Heahfre is scheming but fair.
• Churey: Male Human Fighter. Churey has short copper hair and amber eyes, and pointed ears. He wears splint mail and wields a ranseur. Churey is easily distracted by arcana.
• Gery: Female dragonborn guild enforcer. Gery is short, with brass scales and amber eyes. He wears leather armor and wields a halberd. Gery has an animal companion, a hawk named Robern.

Grove District

A lush district in the upper portions of the Mehali pyramid. A series of walkways and platforms connect the two halves, and form quite a bit of solid ground suspended over 100m above the ground. Vines and tropical plants cover the entire district and drape down from the platforms. Waterfalls flow from holes in the top of the pyramid and run down the inner sides. The air is relatively cool and humid in this district. The Grove District is home to several smaller, non trade oriented guilds that are valuable in their own right.

Notable Places:

• The Gentle Nutt: A popular tavern for adventurers and guild members alive. It is a rather out of place half timber building that sits on a flat terrace in the lower portions of the Grove district. Prices are fair and food and drink are good.
• The Dionysian Guild: A guild that researches all manner of hedonistic activities in cultures around the world. The guild sends capable agents to investigate these practices, try them out, and report on them. There are several divisions in the guild that focus on different things. They publish a well regarded journal enjoyed by revellers across Acidalia.
• The Artist’s guild: A guild which hires talented and skilled artists from neighbouring city states and villages, and welcomes people from lands afar too. This guild creates works of art, large and small, of all manner for appreciation and sale. Artists often teach classes on their area of expertise
• The Brewer’s Guild: A guild which collects and creates all manner of experimental alcohols. They truly specialize in utilizing local flora to create unique flavors.

A few NPCs:

• Haryon Marte: Male Human Concierge of the Artist’s guild. He wears fine clothing and a multicoloured dragonscale cloak. Harry is capricious but kind.
• Cyna: Female half elf Cleric of the Dionysian Guild. Cyna has a round face, with long white hair and soft blue eyes. She is cheeky, wears what would be considered barbarian armor, yet somehow always seems to have everything she needs on hand.
• Reksys: Lizardfolk brewer of the Brewer’s Guild. They wear modest garments and a yellow cloak. Wene is a skilled brewer with a passion for local ingredients and a strong curiosity about foreign beverages.

Bridge Village

The districts on either ends of the bridge between the two halves of the Mehali Pyramid, elevated around 50m above ground. Lush vegetation spills from the sides of the bridge and from the inner walls of the pyramid on either side. The Seaside and Landside ends of Bridge Village are bustling with restaurants and retail, and a few upper class inns and residences.

Notable Places:

• The Stone Dragon: A colossal petrified dragon stands over the street. It is said that the dragon will be made flesh again if any descendant of the wizard who imprisoned it passes by without leaving a coin.
• Bine’s Clocks: A large clockmaker’s workshop, built within what was once an aristocrat’s manor.
• Misha’s Mish Mash: A popular cheese (or mish) store that sells artisanal fermented cheese and related snacks

A few NPCs:

• Misha: Human female cheese maker. Misha has wavy black hair, amber eyes, often wears a colorful headscarf, and is in her upper middle age.
• Enlodrel: Male Half-Elf Fighter. Enlodrel has golden hair and narrow brown eyes. He wears plate mail and wields a battle axe. Enlodrel lost his left eye to an injury.
• Folke: Male dragonfolk Scofflaw. Folke has a narrow snout, with thin green scales and soft amber eyes. He wears modest garments and riding boots. Folke is fearless but callous.
• Reda: Male halfling Assassin. Reda has red hair and bright brown eyes. He wears leather armor and wields a poisoned club. Reda has an animal companion, a giant spider named Brica.

Drakesfair Ward

Built on the sunward face of the Ramil Pyramid, and home to a large number of domestic dragons who function mainly as transportation. The ward is a common tourist destination, and dragons can often be seen passing in and out.

Notable Places:

• The Tanyin Pavilion: A two-storey half-timbered theatre, known for its fiery draconic operas.
• The Frond: A fanciful elven tavern, built within the leaves of an abnormally massive fern plant.

A few NPCs:

• Kenti: Male dwarf stable manager. Kenti is broad, with copper hair and grey eyes. He wears practical clothing and several small tools hang from his belt. Kenti is knows many of the usual dragons by name and manages the stables.
• Nerwyne: Female Elf dragonologist. Nerwyne is tall and slender, with messy black hair, dark skin and bright purple eyes. She wears flowing garments, a headscarf, and wields a brass staff.
• Gilmirie: gnome sellsword. Gilmirie is beastly in appearance, with red hair and large hazel eyes. She wears modest garments and a wooden holy symbol. Gilmirie has an animal companion, a ginger discord kitten named Finde.

East Court District

Located on the Eastern face of the Marjii pyramid, this district is home to many small gardens and walking paths. A tranquil space in an otherwise bustling port district.

Notable Places:

• The Merchants’ Guildhall: A grand stone and glass building, extending out from the structure of the Marjii pyramid. It contains a large meeting hall and several smaller rooms, and is shared amongst several local merchant guilds.
• The Trader’s Emporium: A low, wide roofed building made of sandstone and glass. Curators find the most interesting goods passing through the port and offer to display them in the Emporium for visitors to see. They take a portion of profits made from goods sold in the Emporium.

A few NPCs:

• Selfir: Male Half elf merchant, Good. Rancent has a narrow face, with golden hair and amber eyes. He wears chain mail and wields a bardiche. Rancent is searching for a legendary blade named Vile Nemesis.
• Lasym: Male Human trader, Good. Lasym has red hair and grey eyes, and prominent ears. He wears modest garments and several pouches hang from his belt. Lasym is thoughtless but wise.
• Kater: Female dwarf Scholar, Good. Kater is common in appearance, with white hair and green eyes. She wears expensive clothing and a dragonscale cloak. Kater has an animal companion, a hawk named Hilia.
• Belia: Female half orc Illusionist, Good. Belia has a narrow face, with red hair and grey eyes. She wears modest garments and wields a dagger and darts. Belia is haunted by the ghost of someone she killed.

Margin Ward

Location, function, and aesthetic tbd.

Notable Places:

• An ancient menhir of hewn crystal, placed to honor Lady Abeth.
• The Golem’s Pottery: A neglected potter’s workshop, served by a single clay golem. The golem will accept commands from anyone, but only follows commands to craft goblets, bowls, and other simple thrown wares.

A few NPCs:

---

GM navigation: 00 - Cytgard GM Home · 00 - Cytgard Map Gazetteer · 00 - Locations Index

Related notes: Honey Ring