Fountainhead

• Name: Ruined Temple-City of the Marakii
• Location: Utmarii Plateau

  • Founded: Marakii 1530 CA
• Holder: King Merridan
• Liege: none
• Etymology: none
• Land Area: 850 km² (210,040 acres)

  • Woods: 450 km²
  • Cleared: 150 km², 50 km² cultivated (12,350 acres)
  • Ruins: 200 km²
  • Water: 50 km²
• Population: 5,000

  • Human (2200)

    • Theodovans (1800)
    • Sunna 300
    • Other 100
  • Goblin (1200)

    • Blue Fist Tribe (1000)
    • Great Stripe Stone Tribe (200)
  • Elf (600)

    • Forsaken Elf (500)
    • Great Elf (100)
  • Dwarf (300)
  • Orc (250)
  • Gnome (200)
  • Fae (150)
  • Other (100)
• Military:

  • Temple soldiers
  • Individual gangs

In teh Legacy of Marak campaign the gang territory of the Shakker's Gang was destroyed by a necromantic Ice Giant. A few days later Queen Mirasandoral's presence was felt over the city and a large faerie circle of small trees and ferns appeared in the Temple District. A large religious mob led by Father Karl, Quilate, and Keribrar marched through city to newly consecrated ground for Techiuan. They have called for the destruction of all those who seek dominance over their brother.

Surrounded by a dense subtripical rainforest (i.e. jungle) and located less than 100 km north of the great Hurzan swamp forest. All of the city was originally constructed on a large basalt rockshelf that shears slightly upwards pointing towards the Blackthorn Mountains. This shelf peaks 20 meters above the ground.

The Gesalt River has its headwaters at a small lake immediately where the southeast corner of the shelf rises. This river is what cut off the Waterdeep district from the rest of the shelf. It then begins to flow quickly in a southwesterly direction until it empties into the Flumen dei Animas (River of Souls).

Two unusual facts about the river. Far too much water runs out of the headwaters to be explained by the amount of water that flows downstream. Second, when it passes through the chasm that divides the city most of the water flows up over the chasm walls. Most of the water flows over waterdeep and them cascades in a waterfall over the southern edge, but some of it flows up into the city proper where sluices in the stone carries it to grates in the fountains.

The climate is moist subtropical receiving 1500-2000 mm of rainfall yearly. There are numerous rivers and streams that cross through this area with the largest being the Flumen Dei Animas (River of Souls). This large river will often overflow its banks during the winter months. It is deep enough to support shallow-keeled boats and wide enough to permit passing traffic.

There is currently now standing government although several “gangs” have carved out territory which they ruthlessly defend. As newcomers arrive it often ends in violence and several “gangs” have fallen to outsiders. A comment bit of dark humor from the inhabitants is that who controls what changes on an hourly basis. It is common for gangs to use colored flags to mark their territory.

Although the city once comprised several distinct districts criss-crossed by avenues and alleyways most of that is gone in the years since the Marakii were destroyed. There are still several standing buildings, or at least partial standing, but what passes for roads is simply rubble that was cleared out over the years.

Located on the peak of the shelf and thus the most eastern district, Temple is dominated by a large marble building. Although none of the surrounding buildings survived over the centuries, the Temple remains mostly intact. Several of the statues and glazed tiles have been stolen over the years, but the large painting along the south wall of the temple is still intact.

This district is nearly always held by the largest and most powerful gang. Whatever gang banner is flying at the top of the temple is assumed to control the largest section of the city. The King of Kings is commonly referenced.

Although there are rooms beneath the temple none trespass the dead halls. Those that have gone down, or been forced below, either never come back or come back changed. They are never right in the head again. Whatever lives down there has a way of twisting a person both physically and mentally.

This district is centered upon a petrified wood house that has charred fully black. Located down shelf and north of the temple. Those that touch the house believe they can still feel the warmth of some ancient fire. The house itself does still smoulder and give up a faint heat.

Control of this district gives the gang(s) control of over the best arable land immediately near the city. They lands north of the shelf have proven the most arable and great towers built on the northern edge of the shelf give its ballista control over the paved roads to these farms.

Waterdeep is the area along the southern edge of the self that is cracked off the main section. To reach this district you either have to climb along the southern cliffs or use one of the bridges built across. Each of these bridges is controlled by either a watchtower or gatehouse. Despite these defenses the gangs that have controlled this area change at least once a year. Most attribute this to the strange nature of this district - water flows from collapsed wells in the south uphill until they reach the chasm where they flow over the edge. The water itself is clear, clean, and cold. In fact the entire district feels always just a bit colder than other parts of the city.

Crofterton sits near the upper-middle of the shelf is one of the nicer districts in Fountainhead. Comprised of the most skilled craftsmen and even a few people who claim lineage of nobility. The district is all newer construction and while not as solid as the Temple District the buildings are solid and the tradesmen well cared. This is a very isolated community where strangers are encouraged to move along rather than dawdle. Get your business and then get out.

Located roughly midway down the shelf are three large fountains topped by a single woman. These fountains draw water and server as a centralized gathering place. Once each day each woman will shoot water into the air for several minutes. This geyser does not happen at a regular time, but always once each day. This area is often packed with merchants, crafters, farmers, and herdsmen selling their wares. It is loud from sun up to sun down.

During the day this area is often considered a neutral space. The largest gangs controlling the rest of the city have a working understanding to keep this area somewhat free of overt conflict. Dangers still lurk in the alleys and among the stalls, but outright warfare is nipped before it can take root. At night everyone of good will is behind closed doors.

This area is down-shelf from everything else. This means that all of the garbage that flows down the channels ends up piling in Locust watch. This massive collection of shanties house the bulk of the population that lives in the area. Mostly comprised of transients drawn to this area for unknown reasons. These often confused people are preyed upon by the semi-permanent residents of the better part of town.

The most permanent structures have been built from wood, but most of the buildings are large fabric tents treated with an oily sap from nearby trees.

Long before Aegrin defeated the Lords of Marak several goblin tribes had settled into the area. When more humans began arriving in the decades following Aegrin's victory they eventually settled in Fountainhead. As the village grew more and more goblins came to trade and live. In Y462 AH goblins make up nearly one quarter (1/4) of the population. Humans still compose the large demographic.

The mass of humanity drawn to this area is not strictly limited to a small geographical area. Turanians mix with Xianese, while Dakarians drink alongside elven, orcish, and gnome.

There is no organized military or even militia. Each gang acts as protectors and killers in their own territory, but it is unlikely if they could organize should the city itself be attacked.

Given the hodge-podge of people that have come here there are any number of religions to be found, but two very distinct religions have been founded in the area.

The Argrinna believe the powerful spirit of the legendary Aegrin still walks these lands. They do not worship this spirit but instead seek to glorify his life. All manner of legends and prophesies have been attributed to him in the decades since his passing. Those who believe in the legends often gather southeast of the city in a clearing where he once lived. They seek to recover as much of his knowledge and writings as they can find to seek a better understanding. It is known that he was a great scholar and clearly wielding power magic, but little else has yet been recovered with any authenticity.

The Followers of Marak are the largest semi-organized religion among locals - or at least everyone pays lip-service to some of it. The followers believe this land to be a gateway to way lies beyond. The forests are teaming with spirits and undead, strongest near the River of Souls. The followers often have keepsakes of the dead they remember with them. On the new moon before the Winter Solstice each person must travel to the River of Souls and put this keepsake into the waters. If they have remembered them well the spirit of their remembrance will appear before them.

In the time before the Winter Solstice the Followers will erect large remembrances where the dead are said to linger. They will build a path leading towards the River of Souls in the hopes the restless spirits can find their way.

At best described as cowboy capitalism or mercantilism. There is only a veneer of difference between a protection gang and the bandits that hunt in the forest. If you are not willing to defend yourself expect to find yourself owned by someone else. Those left alone are vulnerable unless they have the means to protect themselves. Large families, most often never related by blood, gather to protect themselves from the roving gangs.

There is a large and central market for the buying and selling of goods. The most common goods are rare woods from the forests, pelts, food, and various minerals and gems. Among the more exotic are creatures never seen before along with rare materials sought out by magicians and alchemists in their craft. It is believed that the forest holds things not found anywhere else in the world; however the jungle is very dangerous.

The remote location means that the economy is self-sufficient and self-sustaining. There is enough food hunted, fished, and grown to sustain the population and enough goods to support their needs. Given that much of the population can sometimes be found in a stupor it is not surprising that only those goods packed out individually reach foreign markets. Several trading companies have tried to set up caravan routes, but each opportunity has failed. The surrounding land is simply too dangerous even for a military force to carve out a secure route.

Although each different race and ethnicity brought its own culture and background there is something about Fountainhead that puts its own imprint on the culture. People have left behind many of their religious and social mores they arrive. Drawn by some unknown entity and desire they seem to leave behind much of their own culture and embrace a camp stew of beliefs. A very unique culture has arisen in Fountainhead.

Violence is a daily occurrence in Fountainhead - either from fellow people or the dangers in the forest. This is the reason that only the dead are unarmed and the foolish unarmored. While armed this is not a polite society, instead this can be a rabid dog that chews through its own pups. The people of Fountainhead are capable not just of acts of violence, but act of salvation as well. There is something about this place that drives people to create communities that is not just about survival.

There is no real high society, lords and ladies, or patrons of the arts found in Fountainhead. This is a town on the edge of survival more than one of great artists or orators. Functional, Practical, and Useful are the drives of the populace.