Muspar'i

File:Musparipic.jpg

Province: Therengia

Currency: Lirum

Population: ~150,000

Established: 225 BL

Alternate Names: "Egg of the Sun" "Sun's Egg"

Dominant Race/Guild: S'Kra Mur

Governing Individual: King Arhhdan

Guild Halls: Warrior Mage, Trader, Bard

Warnings: See warning catagory below.

Overview

Muspar'i is a fabulous S'Kra Mur trade city in the middle of the unforgiving Velaka Desert. The city is only possible because of the mercantile nature of the city, but it manages to not only survive, but thrive on rare and exotic desert goods it exports to the rest of the world. One of its steadiest earners is the salt it recovers from the salty waters of Lake Ratamipak. Built on a low bluff overlooking that large lake, the city is defended by thick walls and tall towers, as well as its isolated location in a harsh climate.

Government, History, and Background

Government Type

The city and surrounding territory is a S'Kra Mur monarchy, currently ruled by King Arhhdan. The monarchs of the city rule from Shorka's Palace located on the west side of the city. The kings of Muspar'i are collectively known as "the Blood of Shorka" after the founder of the city, but any actual blood relation to her is uncommon nowadays.

There is some tension between the city and the ruling power of Therengia, which controls the only access to the city through Hvaral. Therengia's House Dacawla has become very wealthy from this stranglehold and the Baron has used heavy handed tactics in the past in attempts to make Muspar'i submit to his whim. The Baron currently requires people to obtain a passport to travel to Muspar'i.

History

Muspar'i was founded by Shorka the Cobra after her service to Lanival in the Resistance War. She led the desert dwelling Scorpion Clan, along with a contingent of interested Desert Elves, to the shores of Lake Ratamipak and selected the location where the city would be built.

In a time of uncertainty, the first building completed was Lata'arna Keep, located near the middle of the construction site in case they needed to defend themselves. Later, the great walls of the city were erected and the keep became obsolete, but instead of tearing it down, its thick walls were seen as an ideal location for the cash reserves of the city and it has become the local banking facility.

Much of the early construction was done with sandstone and limestone quarried from just east of the city, along with bricks made from local materials. Other stone was dragged from the Gemfire Mountains and as mercantile trade was established, other materials were imported from all over Kermoria.

Locations About Town

For those that enjoy the art of tapestries, it is recommended to visit the western part of The World Dragon Temple. Three tapestries hang from the walls and depict a blink of an eye in the cities history.

For the sculptor or those that enjoy the sleek lines of a well made statue, by far the most prominent statue will be the Dragons Spire. So large that its top can barely be made out. To find this piece, a person will want to stay fairly close to the city gates. Another piece that will grab the attention is located in the Heketha Theatre. While this statue of a dragon is many times smaller than the Dragon Spire, it more than makes up for the difference with the sheer quantity and quality of the gems that quite literally cover from head to toe.

Landmarks

Located in S'zella's Square is the public listings board for those currently wanted in the city. Located inside the Jail on the wall is a scroll with the same listings.

Located on the western side of Great Gate Square is the Great Silver Spire.

On the Street of Scribes, just outside of the Songs of the Sands shop is a monument dedicated to Gulliver VonDeverone the winner of the city song contest.

In the Southwest corner of Hav'roths Square is a building with an eerie glow emanating from it. No way in is known to exist at this time.

In the poorer section of the city known as the Golden Heights stands the Construct.

Unique Shops and Services

Smokethi the facepainter can be found wandering the city. While he could be anywhere in the city the best place to find him is around the Heketha Theatre. There is also the wandering Skra Mur Storyteller. He also is likely to be found in the vicinity of the Hekatha Theatre.

Scattered through the city are food vendors. The vendors on the street currently do not charge for any of the food or drink they have. The Silver Coin Inn does charge for thier food and drink.

Shops

• Shops of Muspari

Bars, Inns, and Taverns

Located on Tuul Yamshuk Staho which is directly west of the gate to the bank is the Silver Coin Inn. The only buisness in the city that has rooms for patrons. Only two rooms are available at any given time as there is no great demand for accomodations.

There is a casino room in the Inn, but no games are running at this time. In the bar itsself, only drink is available. If a patron is hungry they are advised to visit one of the food vendors on the streets.

Prominent Hangouts

While the population of Muspar'i and all of Velaka is very low, there is no one Hangout. If someone was going to actually put a name on where you will pass one or two people the most in a week, that would be just inside the gate to the bank. This location does have a bucket for your garbage and because it is off the streets, the Constables can not come inside to grab and toss a criminal into the jail.

If a second place had to be named, that would be just inside the city gates. Reason for that is in all of Muspar'i only two locations have the waste buckets. It is dangerous for anyone that is wanted within the city of Muspar'i, for the constables can take you at this location.

Important Activities

Favors

While there are a total of three altars within the city, only one is functional for favors. The Construct is something that the clerics use for thier guild. The other altar that does not serve for favors, the Altar in the World Dragon Temple.

The most important thing to remember about trying to get a favor is to bring a cleric friend so they can clean the altar for you. Once that is done, simply place a gem on the altar and pray. If the gem is not good enough for Hav'roth's taste the gem will be tossed off the altar.

Task Givers

No tasks are known to be available at this time.

Quests

There is the Construct on the Golden Heights that from the understanding of this author is part of one of the cleric quests.

Creatures:

• Sand Spider's may be found in Dead Elf Divide. Outside the city and to the west.

• Mottled Westanuryn's may be found in the Velakan Desert.

• Velakan Slaver's may be found in the Velaka desert. They spawn only in the Circle of Stones.

• Zombie Nomad's are found in the Walk of Bones. The plateau to find the Walk of Bones is in the desert.

Maps

• Map 47 - The Trade City of Muspar'i
• Map 46a - Velaka Desert
• Map 46 - Velakan Trade Road
• Map 47a - Musparan Warrior Mage Guild

Miscellaneous

Located on the Velakan Trade Road, you will find the Furrier for all of Velaka. Spend some time with him and watch him work. He is very entertaining at times and brutaly cruel at others.

At this time, there is no known water source that a person would be able to use to wash fleas off from the flea trap on some boxes. To disarm a box with the flea trap in Muspar'i is not a good idea.

Some of the street descriptions do change depending on if it is nighttime or daytime. There is rumor that a ghostly cat walks the street at night but cannot be confirmed at this time.

When a Sandstorm hits the desert and city, the blowing sand will drive all the creatures from outside the the city gates to seek shelter inside the city. They dont care if people are allready there and they will try to kill you so they can have the safe haven. Note on sandstorms, The blowing sand does cause damage to a person and the blowing wind has been known to throw people from room to room.

To get to Muspar'i one must have a passport. The passport may be gotten only in the city of Therenborough. The passport is good for one year. The crossing of the Velaka Desert takes 20 minutes one way. Being on the barge itsself is considered neutral for bonus purposes. The Dock at Hvaral is considered Out of Town for bonus purposes and the platform on the Muspar'i side is considered In town for bonus purposes.

It is advised that if a person decides to go into the Velakan Desert to train, that you must be prepared to map the desert. The sands shift randomly once every 3 hours and it is a random shift. No two configurations are alike so it is likely that each time a person goes in the desert that a new map must be made. If you choose to not have a current map, you must wander around until you find the parts of the desert you want, be it the trail out, the Circle of Stones or the plateau to Walk of Bones.

Warnings

If you die in Muspar'i, do not depart if you are on the platform for the sand barge as you will come back on the other side of the desert in Hvaral. It is likely the Janitor will have found some of your things from your grave before you are able to return to it.