(population: 58,000) Located on the Kratheri Peninsula, along the western shores of the Sea of Orel, Durendar is the capital of Thûle.
Once a shining beacon of Thannish culture, Durendar is now a dark place of fear and suspicion.
The city is sits on a narrow inlet, where the Crescent River spills into the Sea of Orel. Durendar's structures are built upon a series of islands divided by narrow canals.
The city is a thriving seaport and most trade enters via the harbor. For caravans travelling from the surrounding settlements of Avek Nahr, Citadel Rivad, Jharë, and Jhondar, the city is accessible via the Durendar Road, the Morag Road and the Xarian Way.
Towering over the city skyline is Castle Terathar, the royal citadel. Other important landmarks include a massive statue carved in the likeness of Prince Daghon, the fortress of Bloodsworn Keep, the Mysterium, and the Dorjanala.
Local History
Durendar was the first Thannish settlement on the Kratheri Peninsula, The city was once a walled Kratheri settlement called Jha'khar. In the year 179/4, a fleet of Thannish ships landed in the inlet on the banks of the Crescent river and attacked the town. This invaders were from the kingdom of Eldara and were led by Prince Daghon Del Vecchio and his younger brother, Duren. During the very first attack, the young Prince Duren was killed by a stray Kratheri arrow.
The Thannish eventually captured the town and burned it, and the site became their base camp for what would become known as the "Glorious Conquest." Prince Daghon named the camp "Durendar" after his fallen brother. The site was ideal because it was centered around a secluded inlet and possessed a deep-water harbor. Over the decades which followed, the camp grew into the large metropolis that it is today.
City Gazetteer
One’s location in Durendar determines the size, height and opulence of the surrounding buildings. Every building, however, begins with a stone foundation, most often the light stone quarried from the surrounding hills or along the Crescent River.
The richer areas of town contain all-stone construction, if not rarer or more specialized materials. Most places add three or more levels made from wood, either light varieties of local trees or the dark oak felled in the Barrowood and brought downriver. Buildings lean upon each other at the higher levels where necessary, with the sight of freestanding buildings usually denoting the money and influence of nobility.
Streets and walkways in Durendar almost undulate in places, evidence of the random nature of the building spaces. Stone paves every surface within the city walls and while main avenues in richer areas have stone slabs mirror-slick in the rain, cobblestones fill other areas. All runoff gets channeled to sewer grates or back toward the river, and keeping grates clear of blockages becomes an informal task for the City Guard during the rainy seasons.
While there are hire-sweeps to tend to the streets and keep them clear of offal, few folks beyond the rich can afford them and garbage piles up in the alleys of poorer sections of town until cleared by slaves.
The city’s pride and arrogance has dimmed over the decades along with its lost influence as the Morag family moved to the fortress of Avek Nahr. As a result, many locals no longer take as much pride in keeping their neighborhoods clean or in the best repair. Structures exposed to the elements deteriorate, garbage chokes streets and alleys, and things change only by either threats or coins.
Geographic Features
The Crescent River: The Crescent is the largest navigable waterway in the region, and its lifeblood. Near the city, it branches into the West Channel and the main Crescent. Both bodies of water are always crammed with warships, cargo vessels, skiffs, and rafts.
Crown Island:Durendar’s locals call it “Crown Island,” but it’s actually a misnomer. For the “Island” is actually eight smaller islands divided by natural canals. The islands are connected by more than 30 stone or wooden bridges. Above the moss-covered stone walls surrounding the island, rise the tallest and grandest structures in the city. The largest structure in Durendar is the massive Castle Terathar, towering over the northern tip of the island. Throughout the island are dozens of massive noble and merchant estates, for the wealthiest and most powerful of the city residents can be found here. Seven “Chain-Arches” cover the entrances to the island canals. These arches are named for the massive chain booms which can be lowered to prevent access via the internal waterways. Three of the city Districts or “Sectori,” are found here: Crown, Treasure, and Blade Districts.
Canals: Durendar is a city crisscrossed by many small canals. Ancient stone walls rise up to ten feet above water-level, and the last flood to overflow the canals and engulf the island happened more than 400 years ago. Seven-foot-wide stone roads line the edge of the canals, forming foundations for 5-foot-square slab stairs that ascend to street level. In drier seasons, these roads also serve as free market space for those rising early enough to set up here, although most areas submerge during spring and early summer flood seasons. Canal boats and skiffs pull up to stair posts near the walls and unload passengers onto the stairs or allow booms and pulleys to remove cargo goods. The docks on the canals nestle beneath the properties which lie along them. Dozens of small wooden drawbridges cross each canal at least once every 200 feet, and slaves winch them up when necessary to allow the passage of any craft within.
The Channel Islands: spread across West Channel are four small islands, which are home to many warehouses and commercial buildings. The various islands serve as docks for many of the merchant vessels clogging Durendar’s busy harbor. These islands are named: Highpier, Midpier, Lowpier, and Eastpier.
City Districts: The city is divided into ten districts, called “Sectori,” . Each is described below. The numbers refer to the corresponding entry’s on the city map.
Rego Corna; “Crown Sector”
This city district encompasses the former stronghold of power in Thûle—the Imperial Court of House Morag and its attendant holdings and homes. This district of the city is still the most desirable and expensive, and is home to the wealthiest and most influential city residents.
Castle Terathar: (#1) Once the great royal castle of Thûle, this massive fortified castle remains an impressive sight. The hundreds of intricately -carved stone gargoyles atop its walls give the fortress an ominous look. Today, it is still used for as a garrison for soldiers and a meeting hall for city business, Rumors persist of secret, haunted dungeons below that haven’t yet been fully explored.
Del Vecchio Estate: (#2) While the family’s main estate lies west of the city within the Turanian Hills, Del Vecchio manor still represents the influence and wealth of the city’s most powerful house. This massive three-storied manor, unlike many buildings in Durendar, gets scrubbed clean by its slaves every single day. It is a center of the city night-life, with lavish and debaucherously excessive parties hosted there regularly.
Oberigo Estate: (#3) This sprawling, opulent estate is the center of power for the ancient and influential Oberigo family.
Rasdovian Estate: (#4) This sprawling, opulent estate is the center of power for the ancient and influential Rasdovian family.
The Dorjanala: (#5) Once a secondary palace built for King Caronius, this massive structure serves an elite social club and brothel for the city’s wealthiest residents.
The White Swan: (#6) This large, slate-shingled building is the most luxurious and well-known inn and tavern in Durendar. Its three stories of richly-appointed rooms are usually fully-booked with wealthy merchants, ambassadors from faraway lands, and royal emissaries.
Ghelfan House: (#7) This small manor house was once home to the wealthy Ghelfan family. Today, it is in a sad state of disrepair, indicative of the waning fortunes of that once great house.
Corna Barracks: (#8) This two-story wooden structure is located on the water front, built directly against the city walls of Crown Island. At one time, it was an important military base, but is today unused and in a state of disrepair
Rego Laina; “Blade Sector”
Comprising two adjacent islands, the name of this district derives from the smithies, and armories situated therein. The Thannish are world-famous weapon-smiths, but many dwarves have also migrated here and set up shops as well. The streets in this district echo all day with the ringing of hammer upon metal.
Lombard Estate: (#9) This sprawling, opulent estate is the center of power for the wealthy Lombard family. Not of pure noble birth, the Lombards earned their stature as successful merchants and today enjoy considerable influence at the Royal Court.
The Garrison: (#10) Built by Kratheri slaves at the order of King Raynor the Cruel, this ancient stone structure is one of the oldest buildings in Durendar. It serves as the barracks and headquarters for Durendar’s City Guard.
Durendal Estate: (#11) This sprawling, opulent estate is the center of power for the wealthy Durendal family. Not of pure noble birth, the Durendals earned their stature as successful merchants and today enjoy considerable influence at the Royal Court.
Merchant Guildhall: (#12) Durendar is a city of vibrant trade. This grand building serves as an exchange, meeting hall, and a court of civil disputes between parties. Every day, hundreds of merchants gather within its halls to conduct business.
Vittorio Estate: (#13) This sprawling, opulent estate is the center of power for the wealthy Vittorio family. Not of pure noble birth, the Vittorios earned their stature as successful merchants and today enjoy considerable influence at the Royal Court.
Skarix Warehouse: (#14) These ramshackle buildings are owned by the Skarix family, a notorious group of merchants and, some say, smugglers.
Walcourt Estate: (#15) This once luxurious estate is home to the Walcourt family. It is currently in a decrepit state. The Walcourts once possessed immense wealth, but a series of tragic ventures left them financially devastated.
Rego Aerum; “Treasure Sector”
This district is named for the many markets and shops found here. Throughout history, ships laded with valuable, exotic goods from across Corwyn would unload their cargoes here and the local merchants became fabulously wealthy from their sales.
City Market: (#16) The largest open-air market in Durendar is located here, comprising hundreds of canopied stalls where every conceivable item can be bought or sold.
Nighshade Theatre: (#17) Part of the massive wealth of the city ‘s merchant class went into culture. Centuries ago, a merchant named Markos Thelsing invested in a grand theatre to host plays and opera for the elite. The theater is today, one of Durendar’s most popular attractions, although its high prices exclude all but the wealthy merchant and noble classes.
Slave Docks: (#18) One of the darkest chapters in Durendar’s history is the shameful buying and selling of Kratheri slaves. For centuries, thousands of pitiful souls have been loaded here onto ships to carry them off to a lifetime of servitude. Today, as a testament to the cruelty of House Morag, the docks remain as busy as ever.
Parego Dospera; “Despair’s Altar”
The name of this district refers to the abject poverty and filth prevalent in the sector. Here, most buildings and roads are in various states of disrepair. In addition to being the poorest sector, the slums are city’s most crowded and dismal region.
Cader Boneyard: (#19) This massive cemetery and mausoleum complex is named for the ancient Cader family, to whom King Raynor gave the responsibility for the burial of Thannish soldiers killed in the “Glorious Conquest.” It is said that the King felt House Cader were cowards and, as an insult, ordered the family to be custodians of the heroic dead. In any event, the last members of the family died off years ago, and the grounds are now maintained by the priesthood of Eiryundal, Goddess of the Night.
Thelsing Tower: (#20) This tall, stone tower is home to the Thelsing family. Although not Thannish nobility, their wealth derived from ownership of the Nighshade Theatre has allowed them an opulent and lavish lifestyle.
Rego Cadera; “Dead Sector”
Its rather ominous name derives from the fact that all city cemeteries are located in this district. Among the living residents, the district is home to many members of the “low trades,” including many forges, smithies, tanners and other unsavory industries.
Sisterhood of Eiseth: (#21) The Sisterhood are a small sect within the priesthood of Eiryundal, Goddess of the Night. Its members maintain the city graveyards and mausoleums.
Sunset Gate: (#22) This entrance to Durendar is extremely important to city commerce, for it is the terminus of the Morag Road; the main commercial land route into the city. Every day, dozens of caravans line up outside this gate to pay the fees for entrance.
House Verannic: (#23) This relatively small estate is the center of power for the wealthy Verannic family. Not of pure noble birth, the Verannics earned their stature as successful merchants, but enjoy little influence at the Royal Court.
Temple of Shua: (#24) Once a glorious hall to worship the Goddess of Peace and Order, the Thûlian authorities ordered it closed when the Kingdom recognized Ethenghar as the official state religion. Since that time, the temple has remained shuttered.
The Dusk Market: (#25) Whereas Durendar’s city market is the most well-known, this sprawling street bazaar is much smaller and much seedier, with many illegal substances and products bought and sold under the eyes of City Guardsmen paid to look the other way.
City Arena: (#26) Paid adventurers, skilled knights, and slave-gladiators fight to the death within the confines of this blood-soaked arena. Seating on the upper levels is for commoners, whereas the lower levels are restricted to nobility and wealthy merchants, who wager vast sums on the blood sport taking place for their enjoyment.
Rego Crua; “Blood Sector”
This district once held all slave trade and a wide array of low-end or less-desirable businesses, from tanneries to slaughterhouses. As a result of the stench and filth, this sector also contained the northern slums of Durendar, nestled up against the walls of Rego Cader (which sometimes makes them safer due to the near-constant presence of run the City Guard above them). The farther south one travels, the buildings rise in both height and cleanliness until one crosses the eastern Pegasus Bridge into Parego Spera.
Bloodgate: (#27) This infamous site was where the slave revolt of 1203 was finally put down. Hundreds of slaves were cut open and hung upon its barbican as a warning to others. Their entrails drenched the gatehouse red and it has been known thereafter as “blood gate.”
Slave Market: (#28) One of the largest building complexes in the district, the massive slave market is a place of horror and misery for the Kratheri men, women, and children bought and sole therein. It is heavily guarded and access is restricted.
Temple of Ethenghar: (#29) The six-story “Cathedral of Destiny” is the largest temple in the city, as befits the official religion of the Kingdom of Thûle
Jacovo’s Stables: (#30) One of many such establishments in Durendar, but with a far-better reputation than most. Jacovo was once a royal horse groomer, and he is said to have almost a supernatural understanding of beasts.
The Broken Dagger: (#31) This ramshackle establishment is a popular watering hole for sailors, soldiers, and adventurers. The upper floor contains a dozen rooms for rent at very low rates.
Parego Spera; “Hope’s Altar”
Once looked down upon by the city’s elite, the Spera contains the City's thriving merchant district and now recognized as its money-making life-blood. This district is home to many minor noble families as well as hundreds of estates belonging to the city's merchant-class.
The Pegasi Bridges: (#32) Two great bridges which span the Parego Canal. Constructed of stone and wood, the base towers of both bridges contain friezes of a Pegasus. The center portions can be raised to allow passage of larger ships and to protect the city in time of war.
Parego Canal: (#33) This is the longest and widest canal within the city of Durendar, running beneath both Pegasi Bridges which arch more than 30 feet overhead. The Parego is twice as deep as any other in the city, and is the only canal that is navigable by larger sea-going vessels.
Vizeo’s tavern: (#34) This ramshackle establishment is a popular watering hole for sailors, soldiers, and adventurers.
Phandros Estate: (#35) This relatively small estate is the center of power for the wealthy Phandros family. Not of pure noble birth, House Phandros earned their stature as successful merchants, but enjoy little influence at the Royal Court.
Rego Scripa; “Scribe Sector”
This District was once the center for the bureaucratic work of the entire Kingdom of Thûle, an area once dominated by ink-makers, printers, binders, scribes, sages, and messengers. Now, precious few such businesses remain beyond cartographers, trade warehouses and shipping-related businesses, including rope- and sail-makers, navigators, and shipwrights.
Taranik House: (#36) This small, run-down estate is home to the downtrodden Taranik family. Not of pure noble birth, the Taraniks were once successful merchants, but today, the family is said to be nearly bankrupt.
Rego Pena; “Coin Sector”
This District houses the more lucrative trades and many houses of dubious standing, politically or monetarily. This also acts as home to a rising class of rich merchants who, by choice or fate, lack the political clout or connections to gain noble status or the notice of the Imperial Court.
Rolan the Tinker: (#37) This small shop is famous throughout the city for its locks, clocks and other magical and mechanical gadgets. Rolan, its dwarven owner, has a remarkable degree of skill few others possess.
The Mysterium: (#38) The Mysterium is a private hall, founded three-hundred years ago by a group of adventurers called “the Explorer Society.” The Society spent decades exploring unknown lands and ancient ruins, then bringing back untold treasures and artifacts. Rumors about the vast treasures contained within its halls made the Mysterium a marvel of Durendar. About 70 years ago, two society members; Dantalon and Izrek, led a disastrous expedition into the Sanjaara Jungle. Their return from the ill-fated expedition brought a curse down upon the lodge, and the Royal Court later ordered the building closed and permanently sealed off. Even today, many locals believe the closure of the Mysterium and the rise of the shadowy beasts which stalk the city streets are somehow connected.
Rego Sacero; “Priest Sector”
“Priest Sector” refers to the fact that the district contains more shrines than any other part of the city. For centuries, priests from a dozen different faiths kept temples here. But when House Morag decreed that the only official Thûlian faith was to be the Church of Ethenghar, many of the temples were closed down, and their followers forced to worship in secret. The city does allow the Goddess of Night and a few other faiths, but it strongly encourages worship of the God of Destiny.
Mhartis Estate: (#39) This sprawling, opulent estate is the center of power for the ancient and influential Mhartis family. The family keeps mostly to themselves and has a rather dark reputation for illegal activities.
Arvanzio Estate: (#40) This sprawling, luxurious estate has belonged to the Arvanzio family for centuries. Its current Patriarch has expanded the complex considerably in terms of size and defenses. Rumors persist that some powerful evil is imprisoned under the mansion, whose arcane powers are used to provide a source of infernal energy to both the estate and its lord and master.
Sunrise Plaza: (#41) Priests, pious artisans, and the hands and feet of countless pilgrims shaped this large hill into the double plateau that rises more than 200 feet above the rest of the surrounding city. Residents refer to the uppermost plateau containing Daghon’s massive statue as the “Vacant Throne.”
Daghon’s Walk: (#42) Alongside the long northern ramp, priests long ago built a series of steps specifically for pilgrims to ascend the hill both physically and spiritually. Pilgrims often climb the 166 steps as they recite their prayers aloud.
The Empty Throne: (#43) Standing 90-feet-tall from its gleaming white marble base this massive statue of Prince Daghon Del Vecchio is the city’s most well-known landmark. The statue depicts the prince standing in his armor, his sword outstretched to protect his subjects. Below the statue is a large plaza and fountain.
Kasada Academy: (#44) This college is the most prestigious learning center in the entire city. Here, the scions of the best Thûlian families are trained in a wide curriculum of studies. The Sages of the Academy are often called upon by royalty, nobility, as well as adventurers to decipher ancient mysteries
Bloodsworn Keep: (#45) This sturdy fortress of iron and stone is home to an important base for the Thûlian Navy. At any time, several warships are tied alongside its lichen-stained walls which abut the shoreline. A great bell in the tallest tower of the keep has long been used to warn city residents of an invasion.
Janiven’s Home: (#46) This small, non-descript townhouse is located off a back-alley in the Priest Sector.
Cyrucci Estate: (#47) This sprawling, opulent estate is the center of power for the ancient and influential Cyrucci family.
The Gargoyle: (#48) This sturdy, three-story inn is constructed from stone, wood and plaster, with a red tile roof. Astride the main entrance is an ancient stone gargoyle statue, a centuries-old gift from the Morag monarchy for some long-forgotten service.