Lakeshore was the second city founded in the province of Valys, and has remained the second largest since the nation’s inception. It is the closest port to the city of Valys, which means all lake traffic to the capital passes through Lakeshore.
Being a port city it is also the largest hub of trade on eastern shore of the Endless Lake. Everything from silks to fire rubies to fish are available in Lakeshore. What’s more, enchanted steel, gold, silver and other minerals are shipped here overland to be sold in far away markets.
This has made Lakeshore a bustling metropolis, and it’s commerce is even greater than Valys itself. The city sees over a hundred thousand visitors a week, and has nearly a quarter million residents. The city proper is surrounded by dozens of small farming communities, whose wheat and corn supplement the daily catch of the massive fishing fleet that calls the city home.
The city is dominated by a stone wall that protects it’s heart, surrounding many square miles. At the heart of this walled portion is Lakeshore Keep, which is controlled by the current Proconsul.
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Government
Lakeshore is governed by Proconsul Arulius Enestius, a fact that never ceases to rankle true Valysian citizens. One of the most bitter pills they were made to swallow was that Hasra has the authority to appoint foreign nobles as overseers.
The proconsul could care less about the people of Lakeshore, and sees his appointment as punishment that has taken him away from the corridors of power in the capital. He expresses his displeasure through brutal edicts that have caused the people of Lakeshore to hate him even more than previous proconsuls.
Arulius is aided by about a dozen magistrates, each appointed to serve a specific function. Collectively these magistrates tend to the day to day governing of the city, while the Proconsul only deigns to step in when someone is unlucky enough to earn his ire.
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Factions in Lakeshore
Lakeshore has several very powerful factions. The most powerful are the Temples of Celeste and Dalanthar, which have been a part of the city since it’s inception. Because Hasra worshipped both stewards they were careful not to interfere with the temples after Valys joined the Hasran Imperium.
They were one of the few sacrosanct parts of Valys, so the populace took solace within their walls. This gave each temple enormous influence, which both Celeste and Dalanthar have carefully cultivated in the nearly two centuries since.
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The Temple of Celeste
The Temple of Celeste is ruled by Matron Elza Valys, cousin to the Praetor and one of his most ardent supporters. She has ruled the temple for nearly thirty years, and just celebrated her 55th birthday. Elza is a powerful histor, who survived the catalization at the Hammer and gained mastery over earth magic.
She believes that Valys should stand free of Hasra, but all attempts to get her cousin to cecede have met with failure. Elza is a patient woman though, and she knows that sooner or later the Praetor will come around. Hasra increases taxes and makes more demands of Valys with each passing year. It is only a matter of time before the Praetor has no choice but to declare indepenance.
Elza is fiercely opposed to the pending marriage between the Praetor’s daughter Ashianna and Prince Justarius. She sees the union between Hasra and Valys as unholy, and just one more tool the Hasran’s will wield against the Valysians.
The Temple of Celeste wields enormous influence in Lakeshore, and Elza’s opinions are shared by most of the dedicated. They have quietly shared this with their followers, further fanning the flames of anti-Hasran sentiment slowly building in Lakeshore.
The temple is a sprawling building not far from Lakeshore keep. It serves as library, school and quarters for the imperial battlemages stationed in town.
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The Temple of Dalanthar
The Temple of Dalanthar is ruled by an iron fisted man by the name of High Prelate Gabinius Heracles. He believes in the rule of law and has no compassion. This means that despite the fact that he is a native Valysian he favors Hasran rule, since that is the law the Valysians agreed to when they joined.
The temple is one of the strongest organizations in town and is in charge of both the city watch and the city courts. It’s members wear scarlet cloaks with crimson trim, and are quite distinctive. They are often referred to by the people as the Red Cloaks.
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Lakeshore Keep
Lakeshore Keep is an imposing edifice crafted from blocks of granite carried from Valys. It sits atop a small hill, which has had it’s sides dug away so that the only way to climb it is a narrow spiraling road that can be easily attacked from above.
The keep is ruled by Proconsul Arulius Enestius, and only those with authorized business are allowed entry. There is a large stone building built over the base of the road with a large garisson that will carefully screen any who seek entry to the keep.
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The Grand Arena
One of the most popular forms of entertainment in Lakeshore is gladatorial combat. Though not the largest arena in Valys Lakeshore’s is large enough to host regular games. Up and coming gladiators from Lukantria often seek to make a name for themselves here before moving on the the Grand Arena of Valys.
The games are run weekly and on feastdays, though occasionally the Proconsul will announce a special game. Gaining entry as a gladiator is more difficult than many would expect. Those seeking to supply gladiators must do so through a ludus sponsored by the Proconsul’s representative.
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The Nobility
Lakeshore has several hundred influential nobles scattered throughout the wealthy portions of the city. Most own estates outside town, with a number controlling wineries or farms. These nobles hold a seemingly endless series of balls and other social events, so much so that very few days pass without at least one party.
These nobles cover a vast range of power and influence, from lowly lords to powerful barons. They are always plotting against each other, and visiting adventurers must be wary or they may quickly find themselves drawn into the schemes of the powerful.
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The Hospitalers
The Temple of Aelianna is under-represented in Lakeshore. They are centered in a small hospital built near Lakeshore keep, which has about forty-five dedicated. These dedicated do their best to serve the day to day needs of the city, but their resources are often stretched thin.
They are run by a matronly woman named Ruli Ulpius. Ruli is an old friend of Martos, so she will be happy to aid the players if they require her assistance.
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The Enchanter’s Guild
One of the most powerful factions in Lakeshore if the Enchanters Guild. The guild has ties throughout the imperium, but it originated in Enestius. Because the guild creates nearly all eldimagi it is extremely wealthy, and isn’t shy about using this wealth to generate influence.
The guild chapterhouse is run by Magnus Arminus Garulan, the father of Principus Telivus Garulan. He is incredibly powerful, incredibly touchy and hates provincials with a passion. He firmly believes all those born outside of Hasra to be inferiors, and treats them as such.
He is the second most powerful man in Lakeshore behind the Proconsul, and the third most powerful man in all of Valys itself. Arminus is a close friend of the Proconsul, and the two are often at odds with the Praetor.
