Torbeck

settlement name	duchy	district/province	type	population	founding year
Torbeck, City of Storms †	Toreen	—	city	82,670	4286

“The Watcher” is a statue of a local hero known only as Rain. In 4432 this mysterious stranger prevented the assassination of the mayor of Torbeck outside Marleth House. The stranger was never seen again, and the mayor had a statue commissioned in his honour. Today, the statue is visited by rangers, who attempt to make the same shot that saved the mayor’s life.

The HMNV Adelysa approaching Torbeck harbour. This royal galleon has been refitted, giving up cargo capacity for more spacious accommodation and a significantly higher travel speed. It belongs to HRH Adelysa Raimond-Kalder and is sometimes used as her base of operations.

Arya Hall, the Royal Castle of Torbeck.

Specialist alchemical equipment made by Grand Wizard Towns of Torbeck. These large natharine vessels are used in sclerochemistry, where the specific shape of the vessel determines the nature of the alchemical reactions.

Sunrise over Blue Bay, looking towards Torbeck.

The steps of Naval House, where new mariners are inducted into the Royal Navy.

Torbeck is a royal city on the east coast of Toreen, and is also the ducal seat. It is the economic hub of the duchy, and is famous for its huge marble temple to Salaah, and the magnificent castle Stormward within Lake Tor.

The city lies along the Royal Road to Camfor, and many travellers from Kirvan, Krethes and elsewhere in Toreen include it on their itinerary to the capital. With visitors from all over Kalderesh pouring into Torbeck, it is a melting pot of people, things, and ideas. One may sample street food from crowded vendors in Black Alley or dine at Maximer’s on the esplanade.

Torbeck is home to Her Royal Highness Lady Adelysa Raimond-Kalder and her husband, Lord Chaerles. Lady Adelysa is the king’s granddaughter and the daughter of Sovereign Prince Raimond and Princess Graece. Lady Adelysa is a gifted marksman and in her free time enjoys hunting on Lake Tor or in Aldwynne Swamp. Lord Chaerles, an exceptionally talented limner, is a scholar of divine magic and metals; he is an illusionist by training. The royal couple and their young children live in Arya Hall, a royal castle that dates back to the founding of Torbeck. Arya Hall is set in a large estate which borders on the city.

Torbeck is also the ducal city, being the traditional home of the Duke of Toreen. The current duke, Lord Bardolph Gifford, is a member of the Big Council and a devout Razimite. Stormward Home is the residence of the Duke, the Duchess, and their family. It stands in the centre of Lake Tor, and is prominently visible from the Royal Road into Torbeck. The Duke has offices in the city, from which he administers and manages the duchy. The Duke is a devotee of Salaah, and is well-loved by the people. He is a wise law-giver and his writs are carefully studied by legal minds throughout Kalderesh.

The Grand Arcane Cartus Poleman has been retained as Wizard to the Duke; Poleman and his family also reside here. Ancillary buildings in the castle grounds include workshops, chantries to Razim and Qidra, a foundry, barracks, and stables.

The world-renowned narrator Naethynel Silvermoon is the resident artist at the Golden Spectator, one of the largest performing spaces in Kalderesh. His speeches, tellings, and recitations encompass a wide range of styles, from cutting satire and ribald comedy to thoughtful philosophical discussion.

While Silvermoon appeals to both the wealthy and the less well-to-do, the particular creations of Maximer Shipman are definitely only for the extremely rich. Shipman is the most famous chef in Kalderesh, and quite some rivalry exists amongst the upper class to engage his services. He has been in Torbeck since 4679, having previously been in residence with Jeffroy Barret, the Duke of Krethes. Shipman is a house-hold name in towns and cities, too, because of his creative but easy to follow recipes that busy cooks and homemakers are eager to adopt.

Torbeck’s large city council building, Marleth House, would pass for a fort in a lesser city. Despite its grand appearance, the trappings and furnishings are austere and functional. The Lord Mayor is Astyn Pynes, an artist of some note but also a canny merchant and capable administrator. His first assistant is Councillor Jianna Dayes, a wizard who is hard-working but not fond of the outdoors. The Division of Public Works is run by Victorus Tanner, while Master Bryne Salter is responsible for security. The Torbeck Judicial Board is directed by Judge Graysen Greene; Nicolus Gardiner is the Master of the Court.

Torbeck’s extensive agricultural lands stretches from the city limits to include Deepsage in the west, and almost as far as Cape Nuisance to the east. Primary crops are vegetables, grimble, harfy, barley, wheat, leather leaf, milkworte, urvine, and murkberries. Outside the harbour perimeter, sea root and ocean melon are widely cultivated. Extensive livestock ranges lies beyond the eastern fields and along portions of the coast of Tor Bay.

A wide range of items are produced in the busy industrial workshops of Torbeck. These include bucklers, scale mail, plate barding, flight arrows, horse-hair gambeson, padlocks, special locks, hinges, bolts, cutlery, bronze and brass ornaments, horseshoes, nails, buckles, distilled spirits, alembics, titration tubes, glass beakers and flasks, vellum, lamina (flax paper), siphon paper, tarpaulin and yard cloth.

Torbeck has a magnificent harbour, capable of berthing 24 galleons, similar to the capacity of Camfor and Barforos. Four naval brigantines, equipped with double ballistae and long-range piercing mangonels, and three longships, are permanently stationed here and form the core of the naval force. The longships, operated by elite mariners, are regularly seen exercising in the harbour, manoeuvring at break-neck speeds between other vessels. The mariners are accommodated in Naval House, and are under orders of Commander Cameryn Laine.

Small sections of the harbour are privately owned. Wealthy individuals and influential organizations moor their vessels here. The rich usually own coasters, retrofitted to provide luxurious facilities and accommodation. Organizations who can afford it, and who require specially modified vessels, usually select cogs (brigantines refitted to carry fewer passengers and more cargo).

Adjacent the harbour is an extensive shipyard and dry dock, bordered by warehouses and timberyards. Several large shipwrights work here, producing some of the finest vessels in the kingdom. The three largest shipwrights are The Black Legion, Rogerius & Sons, and Titan Works.

A strong military presence is maintained within the city and is commanded by Regiment General Jaxyn Gardner, a well-travelled soldier who served in the Gallentene army as a youth. The soldiers are garrisoned in a large strategically placed barracks and parade ground, and are often seen about the city in marching orders. City parades are led by the flamboyant cavalier Alivyr Whitewater. The tea is that regimental bruiser, and current city champion, Maeson Thick, is dating Whitewater. Corporal Joceline Small, a herbalist by training, creates various balms and healing elixirs for the troops.

Outside the city gates is a secondary stronghold manned by cavalry and under the orders of Brigadier Nycola Buck. The contingent is ably assisted by the Scout Aedyn Byrdman, whose tracking skills are legendary in military circles. It is said that nobody can escape Torbeck if Byrdman is put on their trail.

A noble detachment of paladins is garrisoned at Arya Hall, commanded by the Paladin Lord Josayah Jewels, a paladin of Oohm. Lord Jewels was a carter before joining the military, and he specializes in logistics, giving council to General Gardner as well as the City Council.

A guard detachment of paladins is stationed at Stormward Home. It is led by the Honourable Paladin Johnus Herd. Herd, a Paladin of Sahir, is fast friends with Cartus Poleman, Wizard to the Duke.

The impressive Grand High Temple of Salaah is the largest in Kalderesh, and is overseen by Holiness Helius Hooke, Grand High Priest of Salaah. Holiness Hooke has a large staff of lesser clerics, all of whom are financially supported by the Duke.

The Grand Temple to D’Aad is one of the focal points of the city. Naethynel Silvermoon regularly worships here. Holiness Lylia Sower is the Grand High Priest of D'Aad. She is known for her beatific sight, obtained from reading water, the weather, and the stars. The Arch Priest Ridyr Schippman divides his time between ministering to the faithful and collaborating with the independent scholar and Grand Wizard Leah Towns on projects of magical engineering.

At Pauper’s Gate stands the High Temple to Razim, an impressively solid structure resembling a fort on the outside. Holiness Victor Planter is the Grand High Priest of Razim, and he is a strategic thinker about missile warfare. Holiness Planter officiates over the annual Lost Souls Parade, held on midwinter to commemorate those who passed on while on military service during the previous year. The presence of many paladins, soldiers and mariners requires the hard-working assistance of the High Priest Levy Shelley, an intimidating figure who used to be a miner.

Temples to Arawn, Oohm, Sahir, and Qidra are also found in the city.

A large ward in the city is reserved for guild halls, a unique practice in Kalderesh. Two fine Great Halls are present: of the Guild of Clothing & Accessories (led by Master Ezro Towers) and the Guild of Glass Workers (Master Vincentus Moller).

Small Halls are present for the Guild of Bowyers & Fletchers (Harperia Wackes), the Guild of Jewelers (Master Yosef Cotton & Steward Aliya Gardiner) and the Guild of Metal Casters (Androe Bowman).

Grand Sorcerer Zoesia Threddler is the most influential member of the Royal Guilde of Mariners, which is the only guild to not have its headquarters within the city proper: instead, it is located on the southern breakwater.

Probably the most powerful organization in Torbeck is the Guild of Merchants, led by Master Stylla Smoke. Smoke and her calculating staff work tirelessly to ensure that Torbeck remains a financial powerhouse in the kingdom. Working with many other groups, they ensure that trade flows through the city, both by road and sea, and that funds can be procured for speculative investments that are likely to return a high profit. One of Smoke’s closest and most profitable collaborators is Steward Aliya Gardiner of the Guild of Jewelers. It is said that the best and most luxurious jewellery and art items are available not in Camfor or Pai, but in Torbeck.

Famorel the White has gathered about him several scholars and sages, and his tower is fast becoming one of the leading centres of learning in the city. Famorel’s colleagues include Researcher Daevo Shipps (cross-planar communications), Lecturer Nathanus Dougherman (magical armour), and Pupil Bryanna Raftman (artificial parchments).

Art, culture, and theatre play a big role in the life of city residents. Besides the Golden Spectator, and the gilded presence of Naethynel Silvermoon, there are many smaller performance spaces in Torbeck, each with a resident performer.

The most well known is probably Ryla Strider, resident at The Prince's Arrow Theatre in Red Market Street. Strider is an outstanding performer, with unparalleled skills in wordsmithing, singing, dancing, acting, and composition. Strider loves cats and also generously supports the orphanages and children’s homes in the city. When not composing, or taking long walks on the beach, Strider writes for the Donnalaich Niuewe Courier.

City tours are offered by the entertaining guide Emilyan Broiles, who works out of Laybeeth Street. Some scholars say that her command of the historical facts may be spotty at times, but it is well worth booking a spot on her tours well in advance.

The conjurer Maximo Waller offers a messenger and delivery service, run by Aeli Barre, which is becoming increasingly popular across the kingdom.

Famous explorers and mercenaries associated with Torbeck include Ariella Archer, Oscoe Strider, Andreya Oates, the folklorist Archmage Kayla Pykes, and Magus Aemo Berriman.