Greymeadow
| settlement name | duchy | district/province | type | population | founding year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greymeadow ¶ | Kirvan | — | free city | 27,015 | 4311 |
Greymeadow lies just west of the Grey Swamp, on the coast to the west of the Province of Arawn. The city is a sink of iniquity, and is not in favour with the Crown. Possibly only its isolation keeps it from being rehabilitated by the king. Travel to Greymeadow is most strongly discouraged.
Almost 400 years ago, the second king of Kalderesh, Ebrardus of Kalder, granted the magic user Palantel of the Elder Dawn the right to establish a free city. Palantel founded Greymeadow, and established there a magnificent mage’s guild and a temple to Sahir. The city grew rapidly, and became known as a haven for the magical arts. Over time, however, the city became corrupted. Persistent rumours blame the Grey Swamp, others the Aranites.
The current city lord has been in power for many decades. He is the fancifully-titled Archduke Askell, High Priest of the Meadows. Very little is known about him.
The Grey Swamp, only 7 km from the city, is infested with iku and other horrendous beasts, and it is rumoured that Greymeadow has an alliance of sorts with these creatures. Other accounts say that the “Archduke” is himself a giant iku.
The city has a large harbour, which lies in the dangerous and rocky Slocum Bay. It is an important trade stop, and ships from all across Tem are said to regularly berth there.
An island in Slocum Bay, known as the Royal Purple, is believed to house the most dangerous criminally insane.
The Greymeadow Wizard’s Guild is infamous. It is led by the Grand Archmage Yarrick Zahn, who is regarded as the most notorious and powerful arcanist in the world. Magus Albin Gide and several Enchanters and Conjurers are also known to be associated with the Guild.
Many Razimites and Saar call the free city home. The Temple of Sahir has two leaders: the Saar Grand High Priest Aemma Blue and the Arcane Dominac Mayr, the Master of the Crystal Orb. Many powerful mages worship at the temple, including the Grand Archmage Alivyr Cotton. The Razimite faction is led by Chief Priest Ryderus Nutman and has two Defenders, Oscarus Wahls the Prince of War and Nathylie Dunneman the Elder. Furthermore, a Dark Temple is said to operate openly in the city, controlled by a Grand Sorcerer. The other faiths have at best small chapels as places of worship.
Several organizations and clandestine groups are said to have their headquarters here: the Illuminants of the Black Sigil, the Flames of Violence, the Circle of White Adepts, the Illuminants of the Ineffable Shadow, and the Radiant Colleagues.
Many other notorious characters, outlaws, mercenaries and malcontents make Greymeadow their home, including Hettar the Sharp, Magus Caerlotta Foxx (the Mother of the Sands) and Enchanter Eddy (the Serpent of Memory).
Numerous scholars, associated with Kalderani guilds, live and work in the city. The most prominent of these are the Enchanter Yago Farmor (Royal Guilde of Magic) and Senior Sorcerer Vincentus Pott (Royal Guilde of Mariners).
Elite residents of Greymeadow are known by their elaborate and garish hairstyles, often blue or green in colour, and usually decorated with skull bone fragments and turquoise hair combs, clips, or other jewellery.