54 lines
2.6 KiB
Markdown
54 lines
2.6 KiB
Markdown
---
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type: location
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region: "Northern Aethrune"
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kingdom: "[[Valdris]]"
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population: ~35,000
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---
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# Valhold
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## Overview
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The capital of [[Valdris]] and seat of the [[Crown Concordat]] assembly. A walled city of white stone built into a cliffside overlooking the Silver River. Valhold is a city of intrigue — courtiers scheme behind silk curtains, merchants bribe customs officials, and agents of every faction watch from the shadows.
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## Key Locations
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### Blackthorn Keep
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The ducal palace at the city's highest point. Home to [[Duke Edric Blackthorn]] and his court. Contains:
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- **The Assembly Hall** — where the Concordat meets
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- **Ducal Apartments** — heavily guarded, rumored to have secret passages
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- **Council Chamber** — where the party receives their commission
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- **Undercroft** — discovered in Arc 1 climax to be a cult ritual site
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### The Spire of Silence
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Headquarters of [[The Silent College]], a towering silver spire that absorbs all sound within 30 feet (Silence spell, permanent). Home to Archmage Mordecai Valdus and the Vault of Sundered Truths.
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### The Gilded Market
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The city's trade district. Fences, alchemists, blacksmiths, and enchanters. **Hallen's Emporium** sells magic items up to Rare rarity (at 150% DMG price).
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### The Iron Quarter
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Garrison district. Contains the city watch headquarters, barracks for 1,200 soldiers, and the Iron Concord's regional office. [[Marshal Aldren Voss]] trained here.
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### The Dock Ward
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River-side district. Smugglers, sailors, and riverside taverns. The **Silt & Silver** tavern is a known information market — rumors cost 5-50 gp each.
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### Temple of the Seven
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The city's main temple. Dedicated to the seven gods of the Concordat pantheon. Clerics here can cast *raise dead* (1,250 gp), *greater restoration* (450 gp), and standard healing services. **High Priestess Callista Vane** is a potential ally — she knows more about the seals than she admits.
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## Intrigue at Court
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| NPC | Position | Secret |
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|-----|----------|--------|
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| Chancellor Harlan | Duke's chief advisor | Witness of the Hand of Ruin (Arc 1 climax) |
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| Lady Marchessa Blackthorn | Duke's wife | Knows Harlan is corrupt; afraid to speak |
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| Watcher Seline | Court musician | Verdant Circle agent |
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| Lord Commander Bryce | Military advisor | Loyal but ambitious; can be turned |
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| Ambassador Vex | Kethran envoy | Spying for [[Kethra]]; not a cultist |
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## Quest Hooks
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- Decode the [[Cult Cipher]] at the [[Spire of Silence]]
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- Investigate Chancellor Harlan's suspicious meetings
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- Infiltrate the Undercroft to find the ritual site
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- Protect Lady Marchessa from cult retaliation
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