Coth-Rom

settlement name	duchy	district/province	type	population	founding year
Coth-Rom, City of the Night	Toreen	—	city	191,324	4313

The spacious offices of the Niuewe Coerier Incorporation in Upman Street.

The heaviest haulers have recently been bypassing Coth-Rom as the harbour is sometimes congested.

Altar cloths, runners and other fine fabrics are traded in Green Market.

One of the famous Moving Statues of Coth-Rom.

An Aranite of the Order of Voices at work somewhere outside Coth-Rom.

Coth-Rom lies on the western shores of Toreen, at the mouth of the Krethes River, on the Bay of Twilight. It is known for its massive city walls, healing waters, mysterious moving statues and imposing palace.

The city – regarded by some as the finest in Kalderesh – stands at a three-way junction of the Royal Road, and is built astride the Krethes River. Coth-Rom is a social melting pot: within it’s walls are a university, a sprawling industrial area, a smelly harbour, and a gladiatorial arena. Aristocrats and bush workers rub shoulders in the markets, and the celebrity storysmith and narrator, Harper Shore, is seen about town and always has time for a chat.

The majestic multi-towered residence of the Marquis of Coth-Rom can be seen from all points across the city. It’s architectural style is second-to-none, and manages to project both power and serenity. The Marquis of Coth-Rom, Hugo Raolin, is a peer of the realm and a High Priest of Salaah. Administering of the city is left to the city council, although Lord Hugo attends most senior meetings, and advises on important matters. Most of the Lord’s time is spent working in the Temple of Salaah (see below) using his knowledge of rhetoric, teaching, and hypnosis. It is said that his council is much sought-after by the King.

A large city council manages the many affairs of Coth-Rom. City Hall is not a glorious structure: rather, it is a set of rather dull buildings, occupying a city block, and resembling barracks. The lord mayor is Raen Bolter, a modest and energetic man capably assisted by legal council Nathanus Thyme. Lord Haryld Miller is at the helm of economic affairs, while Senior Sorcerer Haryld Rhoads heads the city watch. Master Alyn Storm, a retired sky helm, manages aerial traffic over Coth-Rom.

Throughout the city there are rusty, copper statues which can move extremely slowly and are able to answer questions and give directions to various locations.

The mighty Krethes River empties into the ocean after passing through the city. About a kilometre inland is one of the most curious phenomena in the kingdom. A section of the Krethes is permanently shrouded in steam, rising from the river which is heated by some localized underwater source. The healing power of these waters were discovered early in the kingdom’s history, and was one of the main drivers for establishing a settlement here.

When the first city walls were erected, a bypass canal was dug to split the flow of the river, so that barges and ships could travel up and down river, without passing through the section of healing waters. The Grand High Temple of Qidra stands in the river here, incorporating the healing waters in its layout.

A short distance from the river mouth lies the well-appointed harbour, capable of berthing the largest ships. A third of the docking space is reserved for military use.

In the last decades, however, harbour traffic has steadily increased. More merchant ships have been arriving and departing than the original harbour was designed to handle. This difficult situation is an ongoing source of controversy. The harbour cannot be sensibly enlarged because the water depth is only sufficient for larger ships in a small area. Some ship traffic is now re-routing to Strongfield and Welledge. Merchants warn that Coth-Rom’s exports may drop significantly if the transportation problem is not resolved. Some even advocate that the naval harbour should be relocated elsewhere.

The University of Coth-Rom, with its many academies, colleges and institutes, is seen as the best in Kalderesh. Noted sages that work here include Docent Maeson Pickleman (music theory), Instructor Lucus Swymmer (communications), Pupil Christo Bird (law) and Pupil Jacus Stillwater (animals and natural beasts). The Bhez-Rizma Institute, administered by Professor O. L. Draven, is one of the oldest institutes. It studies mythic structure, semiosis, and accentance theory. The Brogzin Academy, which trains some of the finest map makers in Kalderesh, is affiliated with the University, as is the United Order of the Eastern Star, the largest Bardic College in the kingdom.

Several eminent independent scholars are at home in Coth-Rom, including Aelina Hood (specialist in physiology), Ezrus Brickhouse (avian species), and M. Gabrael Ploughman. Sr. Barnby Lasvica of Coth-Rom, a retired sage of the Coth-Rom Conventicle, now has a private school offering tuition to nobles and aristocrats.

Lord Vagel is the senior paladin in the city. Known as Vagel of the Blade, he is a member of the Circle of White Adepts. He commands a cohort of 15 paladins, quartered in White Hall.

The commander of Coth-Rom’s military force is Lord Aedyn Shwimmer. The Razimite cleric Aelinea Meadows is his second-in-command. Patrols are organized by Corporal Haesys Grills; his subordinates man over 100 patrol houses throughout the city. A group of rangers, led by Victorus Orr, are bivouacked outside the city.

Two magnificent Grand High Temples grace the city. The Qidranian Grand High Temple, standing partially within the River Krethes and incorporating the mystical healing waters of the river, is overseen by Arch Priest Leonyrdo Pytch, noted for his knowledge of ocean lore.

The Grand High Temple of Sahir is led by Holiness Delyla Curry, a noted astronomer and botanist. Her ecclesiastical advisor is Junior Captal Allysann Bayer.

Coth-Rom hosts six temples (only Camfor has more), of which the Temple of Salaah is the most well-known. Lord Hugo, the Marquis, frequents the Temple, and is the current custodian of the Watchful Eye, a scrying font that is widely regarded as the most perspicacious in Kalderesh.

The Razimite Temple enjoys the support of Lord Aemilya Sheerer, a well-regarded designer of war machines.

An important fane to Arawn is run by Grand High Priest Aryanna Masen. The Order of Voices has their headquarters here.

Rumours persist of a covert temple in the city dedicated to a dark lord, and that the notorious murderer Jaxus Townes is associated with it.

Extensive farmland, over 40 km across, sprawls around the city to provide food for the thousands of city dwellers. All basic crops are grown here, and quite frequently sufficient excess is generated that goods are exported.

All Kalderani guilds are well-represented in Coth-Rom. Three guilds have their Great Halls here: the Royal Guilde of Map Makers & Surveyors, the Guild of Medical Workers, and the Guild of Watermen. Small Halls are present for the Royal Guilde of Mariners, Architects & Engineers, and the Guild of Professionals.

Craft and manufacturing guilds oversee the production of a bewildering array of goods and products. Of particular note are ceramic artworks, fine clothing & quality linens (sold in Green Market), vellum parchment, fine glassware, spectacles, lenses and optical instruments.

The city’s Law Bench of 13 judicial agents is governed by the Learned Aaro Wahl, a Senior Judge Advocate.

Many festivals, revelries and fetes are celebrated in Coth-Rom, the largest of which is the Harvest Festival, sponsored by the Marquis.

The home of celebrity narrator Harper Shore is the venue of weekly parties, usually attended by visiting bards, scholars and members of the aristocracy. The famous monster hunter Tomass Graff has an explorer’s compound near the naval harbour. The sensation-seeking myrmidon Aelyssa Gold maintains a fane to Razim in the city. Her long-standing opponent, Champion Hynrus Hayward, is much-loved amongst the sports fans here. The apportation expert Cyprian Asflag offers his services to the wealthy of the city.