THE REPUBLIC OF EYE TITLE PAGE
 

THE CITY OF EYE

 
 

The city of Eye is the capital city of the Republic of the same name, it sits on a cluster of islands at the mouth of the Grandbrey River in the Peel Inlet. A natural harbor, the site quickly developed after Garda retreated to here during the Arissian Invasion. The shores of the river are a mix of low fields and marshland and access is limited to boat, further protecting Eye from attack. 

 

Before the Duke fled here, the river delta was home to the Tynnal. These fishermen lived off the water's bounty and kept much to them. Ignored by the rulers of Kronland, the Tynnal have been excluded from much of the city's development. 

Today they live much as they did in raised huts along the marshy shores fishing and gathering the shellfish that Eyen's consider delicacies. For this they are called CLAMDIGGERS, and they definitely take the odor of the marsh with them where ever they go.

 

The Duke of Garda held the islands for three years while the Eastern Horde burned and pillaged it’s way west. After their withdrawal, the Duke maintained a community on several of the islands and begins using it as a harbor. These few villages grew and the islands began to be developed. Canals were cut and new foundations were extended out into the water, slowly the islands began to take the forms set by the city's builders.

 

The most distinguishing feature of Eye is its canals. They run like streets throughout the city. What foot traffic there is must take place on the narrow walks and back alleys that wind about in a maze. The quickest most convenient way to travel is by boat. Most wealthy citizens have there own boats. Everyone else makes do with the many charter boats that taxi passengers about. The boats are usually the sleek FERROBOATS and their FERROMEN or the slower bulkier FLATS guided by their PUSHERS. FLATS are mainly used for cargo. Since water traffic is the norm, many residences have their own water level entries and tie ups. Boats can be hired at any waterside plaza. Connecting the islands are the many tiny bridges. While most have rails some don't. Even the ones with rails only lessen the number of people who fall in the drink drunk. The discovery of floating bodies is not that unusual an occurrence either from a fall, or more sinister attack, everyone who is missing ends up down canal.

 

The GREAT CANAL snakes its way through Eye, starting at the north end at RIVERPORT and twisting along to SOUTHPORT and the deep water Harbor. Along the way it passes the University, the Dwarven neighborhood, THE NOMEY, and Cathedral, Council and Assembly Halls and the Ducal Palace. Feeding into the Great Canal are a multitude of many smaller canal that work their way into the depths of Eye.

 

The City of Eye is divided into six districts, each one represented by a member of the STAR COUNCIL except the MUNICIPAL DISTRICT , which is held by the Council as a whole. The other districts are UNIVERSITY, RIVERPORT, EASTERN, SOUTHPORT, and THE INNER DISTRICT. 

 

 

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

This section is under the direct administration of all council members.
 

PALACE OF THE COUNCIL - This is the seat of true power in Eye. It is the headquarters of both the STAR COUNCIL or COUNCIL OF FIVE and the government. The Five Councilors oversee the ten MINISTRIES that are also housed in the Palace. The first five are Minister of the Exchequer, the Minister of Justice, The Marshalty, the Admiralty, and the Commune. The second tier Ministries is Estates, Harbor, State Affairs, and the Chancery. The Palace is well guarded and some say magically warded as well. A vast storehouse of art and treasure, parts are open to the public every Midwoak for petition filing and tours. The offices of the Ministries are open most days but by appointment. Many of the Ministries use nearby buildings as offices for their inspectors, officers and police.

ASSEMBLY HALL - Not as sumptuous or as busy as the Palace of the Council, the Assembly hall is dominated by the vast meeting chamber. Several offices are on the first floor for the Assembly's Advocates and Petition Readers.

DUCAL PALACE - This is the City residence of the Duke of Garda, the figurehead of the Republic. While he holds title to the vast Estate of Garda, he only holds this Palace technically, in the city. The Duke has some properties and business interest. The Palace is well guarded. Of interest are the Lions of Philemon. These giant gold Lions were taken from a Crusader ship by pirates and then relieved from them by the Eyen Navy. Since they were being stolen from the Ji Hassa temple in Philemon, nobody has claimed them.

PALACE OF JUSTICE - This fortified building holds the CHAMBERS OF JUSTICE where the City's Judges hold court. It also houses the GAOL, with it's Interrogation rooms, cells, and deep Dungeon. The families of prisoners often stand along the Juro Canal to catch their last glimpse of their loved ones as they cross the bridge that leads to the prison. This bridge is known as the BRIDGE OF ASTELLUS, after the old pagan God who guided the soul to the Land of the Dead.

CATHEDRAL

MAIN GUILD HALLS

EMBASSY ROW

BARRACKS - This is the home base of the Marshalty. Captain March is in charge as Marshal Rocke lives in a Palace in the Eastern District. Most of the Republican Guard stationed in the City lives here. The rest of the guard live in billeted quarters in a village across the lagoon and in all major towns.

SHIPWORKS - This is the most defended part of the City and the most important economically. Behind the high walls is the world’s largest Ship Building factory. Several companies work in the enclosure building and repairing the ships that provide the merchant and military navies. The major ship design is the KARUNE, the Eyen Carrack. They also build the sleek Eyen Trireme, a galley that is able to ram opposing ships, though has a limited range. It is next to impossible to gain access to the Shipworms without the written consent of either one of the Shipbuilding families of from the council.

 

UNIVERSITY DISTRICT

The many colleges that make up the University of Eye and the markets and services used by the students and teachers dominate the central section of the City. The University unifies the different Schools for more power and influence, and is no one of the dominant forces in the city. A college or school must accept a student before he can join the University. This usually requires a letter of recommendation by a patron or sponsor, followed by the hiring of a licensed and affiliated teacher. Some courses of instruction are almost like apprenticeships with a master who may have several students. Others, consist of large lectures combined with tutorials. The switching of teachers is common as studies take students in different directions. To be granted a degree, all students must undergo some form of test or examination. Most Colleges have some sort of building for classes, student cells, and or a library, though maybe not all three.
ST. TOMAS ABBEY - The abbey is part of St. Kendal's College. It's cloisters offer housing for the Students and Instructors of the nearby college.

ST. KENDAL'S COLLEGE - This is the oldest and largest college in Eye. They offer a variety of classes and often send students to the other schools after the core courses are completed here. The classes here are the most structured. This college has lecture halls, and a fine library. Most teachers are Kendalian monks who have found their way to Eye.

ROYAL COLLEGE - The Royal

WAKEMAN SCHOOL (ARTS) - Wakeman has neither living arrangements nor a library. It does have an old palace that is used for meetings and dinning. The students who come out of Wakeman have broad instruction in Music and painting. 

ADMIRAL'S COLLEGE - the Famous or maybe infamous Admiral Carelia, the only female admiral for the Republic, founded This College. She got her start, like many admirals in privateering, before building a large trading fleet. With no heirs she donated her fortune to found this school and library.

GALEN SCHOOL (HEALING)

RINGGOLD COLLEGE OF LAW

SCYMON COLLEGE

DUKE'S SCHOOL (MUSIC)

AL JAMIÀ - This is the Ji Hassan school. Many northerners study from the mystics and astrologers who are associated with the temple in the Ji Hassan part of town.

THEATER ROW - Most of the City's theaters are found along this street. Both sides are dotted with them and taverns. A few shops cater to clothing as well. This is not considered a reputable neighborhood, and is home to many of the less serious students. On the alley behind this area are the many brothels popular among the University students.

CHURCH

CHURCH

UNIVERSITY MARKET - This is a small plaza Market whose stalls sell essential items. Open every morning but the 7th day of the week and on holidays.

WATER MARKET - The most unusual market in Eye, the WATER MARKET is located on the INNER LAGOON, a lake in the heart of the canal city. The market is conducted off of flatboats that tie up to the walk that surrounds the lagoon. If it can be bought then here is the place. It runs only two days a week, but has the freshest food products.

BOOK FAIR - This market runs two days a week but some stalls are always open especially in PAPYRUS ALLEY. Here dealers sell books, scrolls, and various manuscripts collected from all over the world. Many dealers are also collectors, or former students disposing of their works for cash or barter. Note that barter will always net a better trade at this market. It is also the major place for scribes to offer their services. All forms of writing, bookbinding, and other more arcane exotica are found here.

 

 

SOUTHPORT

DEEP WATER HARBOR - Deep water is a natural harbor on the south side of town. The Sedswick Castle and a series of towers guard the Harbor. A steel chain can be raised to seal off access to the port. The dock stretch out into the harbor and the waterfront is lined with Bonding Houses, the Ministry of Harbor's CUSTOMS HOUSE, and various shipping offices. The following rows of buildings are an assortment of Trading Houses, Waterfront Taverns and Hostels, Equipment dealers, and various maritime related craftsmen. The neighborhood gets seedier as you move into the canals.
BARRACKS - SEDSWICK CASTLE rises up from the harbor behind massive stonewalls. Artillery equipment rings the fort, and it houses most of the Cities soldiers. Commanded by Lord Admiral Amos Fospari, the blusterous ex-pirate, and the stern Capt. Faedrick of the Marshalry..

CHURCH

CASINO - This is the official Casino. It must pay a high licensing fee of 15% of its entire take. Run by Lord Bailey of Gelbin a minor noble, it is popular with the aristocracy and the noble shipping families. Visitors to the city like to come and stare but the stakes can be high.

FEDOR SHIPYARD - The Fedor family has run this Shipyard since the founding of the city. It is the only place non-Eyen ships can be repaired. 

MINOR EMBASSIES - The smaller embassies of the Jewel Cities, the Caravan Cities and several Allemanni Provinces.

MARITIME GUILDHALLS

MARITIME MERCHANT HOUSES

MARKETS - There are two-market plazas in the district. The largest is the FISH PLAZA, the major fish market in the city, it operates every morning but 6th day and has a small catch market most evenings. The long market house a covered hall with many stalls anchors the FISH PLAZA. The plaza outside is then full of countless tent stalls and tables. A place to go for harbor gossip, or to find a CLAMDIGGER guide for the marshes. The other market is the SPICE MARKET that sells a variety of exotics from the South and the seas beyond. Smaller than the fish market, the many booths made from bright foreign cloths and a few permanent stores in the plaza service this one. Not only spices but carpets, exotic weapons, animals, and various objects of unusual craft.

 

EASTERN DISTRICT

ABBEY - This Abbey Houses the orthodox military Order and they are affiliated with the adjoining church.
CHURCH - This church's jurisdiction was put under the control of the Archbishop of Lantilo as part of the settlement that allowed the Eyen Caldensians more independence. The Priest Father Hodgdon of Brownovon is also the Abbot next door and is known to be very orthodox and working closely with Lantilo in all things. He does actively maintain the Flygarian Hospital nearby and openly preaches to the Eyens. He does have a following among the orthodox and conservative families.

HOSPITAL - A Flygarian Hospital, they treat all who enter. Payment is based on ability and is in the form of donations. All must offer something even if it is just sweeping up once a week. Brother Monach is the Deacon here. He and his brothers live in the Abbey nearby. They have two Master Healers and several Novices.

PALACES

CASINO - This illegal casino is run by Lady Annetel, a former prostitute who married well was widowed and opened up this business for the wealthy gamblers of the city. 

 

RIVERPORT

RIVER HARBOR - This is the second Harbor of the City. It caters to river traffic and the higher draft COASTERS that travel within the Republic. It is as tough a place as the South Harbor, as the Rivermen feel a need to prove they are tougher than the Seamen. The wharf front houses mainly shipping houses, a few bonding companies and two Rivermen taverns, the HART OF THE OAK, and the IVY RAT.

FERROBOAT SHIPYARD - The fine sleek Ferro boats are built here. It also the home of the FERROMEN'S GUILD, headquartered in the tavern the BISHOP'S DAUGHTER. This is a tough bunch and they will drown any non-member who takes on passengers. 

"AMAZON" GUILDHALL (WOMEN'S GUILD) - The "Amazon" Guild is an association made up of craftswomen either excluded by the other guilds or in areas where there is no other male counterpart. Most Guild members here are either Midwives or Sisters of the Sword, female mercenaries who often work as family guards. This is because some of the larger Guilds in Eye such as the Mercantile Guild allow women unlike in the Empire. This is one of two "Amazon" Guild houses in the Outlands. The other one is smaller, and located in the City of Guildwort. Such independent minded women are frowned upon everywhere, even in the fairly tolerant city of Eye, by the average male.

JIN HAS AL EYE - This is the Jihassan Neighborhood, while not very big it still occupies several plazas and nearby side streets. The place is exotic, the smells rich and spicy. The few wealthy Ji Hassa Traders have their palaces here, the rest of the residents are craftsmen and Ji Hassa who have settled here with Eyen spouses. The women keep fairly covered up. Rumor has it that smuggling and some slave trading goes on in these dark alleys but that could be just Caldensian prejudice. This is the place to go for strange southern delicacies and spicy food. Near the temple is the Teahouse THE DANCING BLOSSOM, which is the finest most authentic Ji Hassan restaurant this side of the sea.

AL JAM’I - The Ji Hassan Temple. The Tower displays the Eternal Flame and also acts as the Prayer Tower. A worship hall, and cloisters surround the central courtyard for the priest and Ji Hassa travelers. The Temple is closed to outsiders except one day a year for the Al Màr Bazaar, a yearly fair.

 

ABBEY/CHURCH/HOSPITAL

 

INNER DISTRICT

 The Inner District is the oldest part of the City. The original refugees built their village and fort here. It is said that nothing is ever torn down in this district, it just is built upon until it sinks and another level is then added.
THE WARREN - The WARREN is a maze of winding streets, dark canals, and hidden alleys and courtyards. It is a rough place, home to thieves, cutthroats, and pirates. One who enters the Warren can easily disappear; and if you are not a local, to ever come out again. The City Patrol known as BLACKSTICKS due to their black oak cudgels, only venture into the Warren in force. It is the home to the most poor and desperate that the city has to offer. Many buildings have been added onto so that the upper stories have almost grown together, preventing the light of day from reaching the walkways and canals below.

THE NOMEY - The NOMEY or NOMEYTOWN, is the Dwarven ghetto. Located next to the Warren, it is the largest Dwarven community in the Empire/Outland region. Many have settled here fleeing Orthodox Caldensian and pogroms in the High Empire. But this region has always had a large Dwarven population as a result of its close proximity to the fabled Dwarven Kingdom of Azinnzabar. The neighborhood is known for its artisans, craftsmen, and Dwarven folk ware. Many of the Dwarves work in the Armories, producing the fine armor and weapons that Eye exports.

 A large Balagoth or Bogg community lives with the Dwarves in the Nomey. Both outsider peoples have often lived together in mutual support and protection. This is one of the few permanent homes ever established by the Boggs. Other Boggs also reside in the Warren. They are very active in the Eyen black-market and smuggling. The clan connections throughout the High Empire and Outlands add to their networks. The Balagoth seers and soothsayers are popular in the tolerant City. Respected and approachable, they are often the closest most people get to any magic.

 The SHRINE OF ENDLESS TEARS is the Nomey's central structure. It is a mysterious and sorrowful place. The central chamber is a tall cylinder of black smooth stone, with the names of thousands of ancestors who died during the siege and fall of Azinnzahar. While the chamber is made of black stone the flame in the center of the floor is enough to read by. The Dwarven mystical movement is strong in eye and is often found tending the shrine. A few smaller ancestor shrines exist in the Nomey but they are for more mundane request and receive little attention except by the women.

MARKET - The one true market in the Warren is the FESTUNE MARKET in the Festune Plaza, the home to many fences and disreputable dealers. Most items sold under the tattered awnings are cheap and or rotten, the good stuff is offered out of the backrooms and alleyways. 

RUINED TEMPLE OF ILLIOR - A spot often avoided by the locals is the site of the Temple for the Ancient Allemanni God Illior, the god of the night, dreams, and prophecy. It is said that a groups of mages occasionally come here to sift through the remains studying the few surviving inscriptions. The pit of the prophet has caved in, but it is rumored to be the source of an extensive tunnel system.

CHURCH

CASINO - The ROYAL CLOWN is an illegal Casino run with the protection of the Old Man (see Eye: Underworld). The front is a simple tavern, but the connecting buildings house a dozen gaming rooms as well as a brothel.

 

 

EVERYDAY LIFE IN THE CITY

 

THE UNDERWORLD

The City of Eye is rife with smugglers, cut throats, pirates and thieves. It can be said that many of the founding families of the City were members of the above trades, their wealth bought some titles and paid for the Republic. Smuggling is almost as big apart of the economy than the official trade that moves past the Harbor agents. Almost every ship's captain does a little smuggling, the smaller the ship the more they need to. The islands and marshes that line the Peel Inlet are havens to the many smugglers. It is hard to tell in the swamps, which shacks are honest CLAMMDIGGER'S and which belong to a smuggler. If it exists, there is a good chance a smuggler can get it for you.
 

Illegal Casinos are another part of the underworld. The City has just recently recognized the Gambling house of Lord Bailey who recently converted his Palace into a Casino. Of course their are illegal gamming houses, the two largest are run by Lady Annetel out of her Palace and the Royal Clown in the Inner District. Smaller games of chance occur anywhere more than two people gather, but neither the Commune nor the underworld regulates this.

 

Drugs and Narcotics are another vice common in Eye. The large number of students and the many mages and scholars has driven up the need for proscribed herbs and drugs. The worst is the locally found STICKLE made from the tongues of the Ivy Bat. A hallucinogenic when brewed into a tea or chewed provides hallucinations for 10-60 minutes. It is often used by Mentalist to increase their powers but can be addicting. Other proscribed but smuggled drugs include ACAANA (poison), ALANAL (brewed), FANOSEL (infusion), FARPINE (brewed), GEATHIPA (poison), HACHA (smoked), KARFAR (poison), TIRAGEYTH (chewed), and many other poisons. Of course with so many scholars in need of silver it is not hard to find someone who can prepare many raw herbs into a proscribed product. Many of the herbs and poisons that are illegal are made in Eye and smuggled to the rest of the Outlands and the High Empire.

 

The other interest of the underworld is the usual crimes of extortion, forgery, burglary, strong-armed robbery, and murder.

 

The underworld of Eye is divided at the moment into to main factions. The larger and more powerful is the syndicate run by the "OLD MAN", a shadowy crime figure who controls most of all the action that happens in Eye especially in the Warren via his lieutenants. The other is ANDRU THE BEAR who is cutting in on the empire built by the Old Man. His power base seems to be among the Ferro men who have access to the entire city.

 

There are several secret Dwarven organizations. Political groups such as the Khor Kul and the Anzack League are operating openly in the Nomey. The darker criminal element among the dwarves are represented by the thug Guurluibon gang and the more open but definitely connected Red Raven Society, a shadowy mafia like organization that is involved in legal and illegal activities.

 

POLITICS

 
Politics in Eye are very complicated. Factions are born as people jockey for power in the Assembly, on the Council and in the streets. Every noble family and mercantile house has chooses an Assembly member or members who the support. The also back various Councilors; either from mutual interest, family connections or due to a particular ministerial interest. The nobles are very political, allegiances to one another shift as money plays an ever-bigger role and heredity counts for less and less. The influx of new title bought by the wealthy traders has changed many of the old feudal allegiances. Also the strongest nobles are those who put their own resources into the market economy, upsetting the alliances among mercantilist. 

 

On the Council level, the factions consist of three groups. Lord Allred represents the traditionalist. His seat overseas the Marshalty and the Ministry of State Affairs. While the lone Traditionalist on the Council he has great backing in the Assembly among the nobles. 

 

Then there is the Trader's Faction. Led by Lord Strothes, a wealthy trader/ noble. The recently vacated seat held by Lord Sestas, who died in an attempted coup is up for grabs. The Assembly may put a Trader supporter just to balance out the last group.

 

Made up by Lord Att and Psoas of Maegir this group has the backing of the University and the mages who have settled in the city and who's influence has grown. Many fear this last group but their ability to overcome most opposition has left them fairly secure. Worry is common in the Traditionalist camp the Lord Att plans to consolidate power and establish himself as Tyrant of the Republic. But no proof has come forth. The attempted coup by Lord Sestes a repudiated Sorcerer himself has both fueled these fears but also allayed some about Att and Psoas who reacted swiftly against the overthrow attempt.

 

The Assembly's factions are even more Byzantine. It divides the City from the outer states. The Freetowns conflict with the landed nobility. The Shippers vs. the guilds and land traders. Not to mention some families who have been feuding often with bloody street brawls for the last hundred years. 

 

The Republic is not immune from the religious struggles that are taking place in the young Caldensian Church. The Orthodox resent the Republic's hostility toward the Archbishopric in Lantilo. They along with his agents in the city are often stirring up trouble, declaring heretic the local Church and its backers. The large number of infidels (Boggs, Dwarves, Ji Hassan, Llynerians and such) is easy to exploit for the sake of the Orthodox Caldensians and even among the Traditionalist politicians.

 

On the streets the clash of politics is bloodier, as all the above parties act out their maneuvers and power plays in the darker alleys of the City. Mob brawls, political murders, and accusations of crimes and treason keep the canals full of floating bodies. 

 

It can be safely said the GAME OF STONES is lifted to a new level in the Republic of Eye.

 

TAXES AND TOLLS
The Ministry of the Exchequer is good about making sure everybody pays. Tolls are collected on all who enter the city at the shore side docks. Also there is the ferry over the Granbrey, the bridge from Hammoth, the road to Sadia, and at Highbridge in the east. 
Republic Taxes and Tolls
Entry fees at borders- 3 Ducats/ person, 5 Duc/ per vehicle 
Tolls (Bridges,roads, and docks)- 1 Farthing (1 cp)

Non-Residency- 25 Ducats per person over ten

Residency- 10 Ducats/ per person a year at entry

Property (residential)-  8% of value  

Property (Business)- 6% of value

Boat License- 1 Ducat per foot per year

 

 

Harbor Taxes and Tolls
Hawking - 10% value of items
Bonding-   2% of value per month (Tariff) 

Pilot Fee- 60 Ducats

Wharfage- 3F per foot length

Registry -   1F per foot length

 

RELIGION

The Faiths practiced in the Republic and the City itself is the most varies of any in the known world. This is because the realm is a hub for trading around the world. The many people who have come to the City have brought their varied faiths. The government along with the University has done a lot to foster tolerance.
 

The dominant religion is Caldensian, but the followers of the Prophet vary in the Republic. The above-mentioned tolerance has created a tolerant strain of this faith. Most merchants and craftsmen are happy to for go some of the more ascetic aspects of Orthodox Caldensian. Still their are many Orthodox especially among the nobility and among the lower craftsmen. 

 

There is also a large Ji Hassa population in the City as well as out at Seik Al Jamash and they add their belief in Astrology and the Twin Gods Istah and Churikhan, Lords of the Light and the Dark. The Temple in the City the Al Jam'i and its nearby school the Al Jamia offer religious and secular instruction to its faithful. The Flame if Istah is allowed to burn from the top of the Flame Tower of the Al Jam'i. And even Caldensian Eyens are said to patron the Al Jam'i Astrologers, especially during period of economic instability.

 

The resettlement of LLynerian clans in the east has added their religious beliefs into the mix that is the Republic. While many are Caldensian, or a babaric version of the faith, many still practice their strange superstitions and follow thru rites set by the Druids. Still this is most common in the east.

 

The Boggs and Dwarves of the Nomey both maintain their neighborhood shrines. The tolerance of the Republic has led to a large influx of both of these people from the pogroms in the High Empire, particularly from Adwick.

 

The Ancient Religion of Kuist, or the Great Four, was the major faith before the coming of the Caldensians. The Goddess Dalna was the dominant as she was through out the eastern half of the Empire. Interest in the God Illior, has grown with the arrival of the University. The Ancient Allemanni scholars who are pursued by the present day scholars and mages have encouraged this as Illior was god of Mysteries, Magic, and Prophecy. Astellus and Sakor had some adherents and artifacts dedicated to all are common in the proper markets. It must be noted that an underground system of cults has continued the rites of the Great Four, in spite of Caldensian proscriptions.

 

Other more dangerous cults are known to exist. These follow the Dark Gods Gologoth, Seriamaius, Gron the Ancient, and others whose names are avoided. These sects are often blood cults, whose black rites include human death and mutilation. The Nocturni are said to be mages who follow the Dark Way.

 

 

GUIDE TO THE CITY OF EYE

REPUBLIC OF EYE TITLE PAGE

THE REPUBLIC OF EYE

EYE AND IT’S ENVIRONS