Amstaad Old City
History
Amstaad was founded thousands of years ago on the southern bank of the Amtuk River, where it meets the Ocean. It was originally a cluster of traditional houses of the Tiktuk tribe, a group of fisherfolk.
The Tiktuk lived in peace until they were discovered by the Passani Empire. The southerners discovered Amstaad about 2000 years ago. Rather than wage war against superior numbers and arms, the Tiktuk willingly conceded their town to the Passani.
The Passani used Amstaad as a waystation between their capital and the boundaries of their Empire, which stretched towards the north. They kept the original Tiktuk buildings intact, but built around them, incorporating them into traditional Passani architecture. The city was walled for protection, and built up into a maze of winding roads and staircases. The first docks were also built along the Ocean to the south of the Old City.
The Passani spread their forces too thin, however, and were turned back by an alliance of Men, Elves, and Dwarves from the north. Upon their arrival at Amstaad around 500 years ago, the Tiktuk and Passani families in the Old City met in secret, and agreed to hand the city over to the northerners to avoid bloodshed. The northern Briaf army was conveyed into the city at night in secret, loyal Passani guards were killed by stealth, and in the morning the Passani awoke to find that only the docks still belonged to them. Those outside the city fought back, but were unable to win against stronger forces in a better position. The docks were razed by the remaining Passani, as they fled to the south.
The Briaf kept the Old City intact. They preferred more orderly construction, and so rebuilt the docks in their own image. Gradually, as peace spread through the land, development of business and artistic districts outside the city walls drew city life away from the Old City. With the strength of the business community, Amstaad was able to obtain autonomy from the Briaf Empire, and now exists as an independent city state.
It is now a shadow of its former self, inhabited primarily by old Tiktuk and Passani families of great influence, aliens from cultures that no longer exist anywhere else in the known world. The Cenotaph at the centre of the Old City is used for ceremonial purposes annually, but otherwise it is generally ignored by the citizens of Amstaad. All other major functions are elsewhere.
Basic Layout
The walls of the Old City are not linear, but are basically long arcs intersecting at corners. A long wall runs along the south side of the Old City, with two openings. It intersects a shorter one running along the western side, with one opening. The walls then go along the river and Ocean banks. At the opening of the river into the Ocean, the walls rise to an open-topped tower, which has been retrofitted to serve as a light for ships.
Through the three openings in the walls run the only major roads in the Old City. They intersect at the Cenotaph square. From the west wall runs Bylin Way, from the western gate in the south wall runs Independence Avenue, and from the eastern gate in the south wall runs Allel Boulevard (the first and last named after prominent figures in Amstaad’s independence movement). Independence Avenue is itself walled, with gaps at random intervals on either side allowing access to small winding roads and stairways. In addition, there is a staircase leading from the walls near the tower down to the docks, which is used by Tiktuk fisherfolk to get down to the water.
In the spaces between the main roads lies a veritable maze of narrow twisting roads and staircases. Between Bylin Way, Allel Boulevard, and the water-facing walls is the Tiktuk Quarter. The Passani Quarter lies between Bylin Way and Independence Avenue. The Elves who were a part of the Briaf alliance were the only ones who liked the Old City, and they took up residence in the Elvish Quarter, between Independence Avenue and Allel Boulevard.
The Quarters themselves are notorious for being confusing. It is actually very easy to find destinations (simply by climbing the nearest staircase and looking over the Old City), but almost impossible to get there unless one has lived in the Old City for some years. Travellers are strongly advised to hire a local as a guide, or risk becoming lost for a long time.
City Walls
The city walls are all wide, and walking along the tops is possible. Some pathways even make this necessary. The walls do not provide an easy walking circuit of the Old City, however; the tops are at different levels, breaking up the path. In addition, the three major roads pass through gaps in the walls, not gates. Crossing over the roads via the city walls is not physically possible.
Cenotaph
This obsidian obelisk was built to celebrate Amstaad’s independence. Celebrations are held here on Independence Day, traditionally involving a large parade and speeches by government officials.
Lighthouse
This giant oil lamp is located on the top of the Old City’s tower, the highest point on its walls. It overlooks both southern docking areas. The Keepers are a Tiktuk family that has had this job for several generations. The Keepers live in the tower itself, their food and board provided for their services by the city.
Tiktuk Quarter
The original inhabitants of Amstaad, the Tiktuk fared much better under the old Passani Empire than they do in the current city. While before they had much influence and power, the shift towards organized entrepreneurship under the Briaf has left the Tiktuk behind. Today, their Quarter of the Old City is impoverished.
Though their power is gone and influence diminished, the Tiktuk culture remains, preserved for thousands of years. They are still easily identifiable by their tribal markings, three long scars on the left side of each Tiktuk’s face, reminiscent of a cat’s whiskers. Their clothing is generally simple. Many still speak Tiktuk, some exclusively.
Most Tiktuk live in traditional housing compounds. These are square in shape, with rooms for families or individuals opening inwards to a central courtyard that is used communally for cooking and laundry. These compounds were incorporated into the city by the Passani, who used them as starting points for their own buildings. In one case, a Passani housing block was built on a Tiktuk compound wall, only accessible through a twisting path that led far away from the original structure.
The Tiktuk Quarter is home to mostly Tiktuk, but poverty in the area has led to a lot of vacant buildings. A good number of current residents are squatters. This issue has, surprisingly, led to some Tiktuk employing and housing Slith as guards. Slith are still not welcomed here, but are less ostracized than elsewhere in the city.
Shrine of the Three Mothers
The only green space in the Tiktuk Quarter, the Shrine is in the middle of a small park. The altar itself is tripartite, with sections devoted to the three sacred Ladies of the Tiktuk religion: Lady Sky, Lady Water, and Lady Death. Each has her own priests and priestesses, who live on the grounds. Ceremonies for each Lady happen daily, at dawn, noon, and dusk, respectively, and generally involve drumming, meditation, and burning large quantities of various incenses.
Tiktuk funerals are conducted on-site by the priests and priestesses of Lady Death. After bodies are cremated, a portion of the ashes is rubbed ceremonially on the altar to Lady Death. The rest of the remains are then placed in an urn, and given to Lady Water by casting them from the Lighthouse into the Ocean.
Chief’s Meeting House
Although government is conducted outside the Old City’s walls, the Chief of the Tiktuk is still an important person. His role is now mostly ceremonial, but he does mediate in disputes in the Tiktuk Quarter, and is the Tiktuk advisor to the government of Amstaad. Chief Wali Alubi II is available for meetings on request. Those meeting with him should observe the proper rituals involved in meeting the Chief, including an appropriate gift for the privilege.
Fratuk Market
This small market is always bustling with traders, though there isn’t much here to buy of import. For the most part, the market provides food for inhabitants of the Old City. There are a few stalls devoted to selling cooking supplies and tough cotton fabrics for clothing, but not much else. Prices here are on the whole more reasonable than elsewhere in the city, and do not have fixed prices. That is, bargaining is a requirement for shopping here.
Kitili Market
This market is considerably more organized than the Fratuk Market, and is devoted to the reagents and products of Tiktuk herbalism. Rare herbs and fetishes are available here, as well as potions derived from ancient recipes. Wares from the Kitili Market are likely to be rather unique and harder to find than magick from elsewhere in the city. Foreigners, however, are likely to attract considerable curiosity here.
Passani Quarter
The Passani have been better able to fit into the newer order of things than the Tiktuk. The existence of Passani banks and large institutions that used gold to back currency enabled them to transfer seamlessly into the Briaf economy. The Passani Quarter today is quite well-off for this reason.
As have the Tiktuk, the Passani have also endeavoured to keep their culture intact (though the Passani Empire has long since ceased to exist, destroyed by the Briaf advance and barbarian invaders). The Passani are fond of colourful fabrics, and can be seen wearing vibrant robes throughout the Old City. Many speak the old Passani language, though all are versed in the Trade language of business. The Passani are also a very closed society. They have gotten used to Tiktuk and Elves, but are uncomfortable around other cultures and races, and downright hostile to Slith.
This Quarter of the Old City is the most confusing. Housing generally consists of blocks of two stories, with families or individuals living on each level. Pathways are twisting, and it often appears to foreigners that they loop back on themselves.
El-Uzh Temple
This large domed building surrounded by high walls is the temple of the Passani. One gate allows entry to the compound, watched by armed guards. Slith are not allowed inside, under penalty of death. The Passani may allow other foreigners inside, but decide on a case-by-case basis and will have them accompanied by an armed escort at all times.
The Temple Prophets are comparatively friendly. They lead prayer services for the one God of the Passani people every morning and evening. The Passani are expected to come as often as possible, so the Temple grounds are packed at these times.
House of Az-Iluni
The most powerful of the old Passani families, Az-Iluni is based in a large mansion. They were the primary bankers under the old Passani Empire, and still carry on the tradition. The Az-Iluni Bank is on the grounds. They are very picky about who they consider trustworthy enough to have an account with them, and so far only cater to residents of the Old City.
House of Al-Edjah
Second only to Az-Iluni, the Al-Edjah family is also based in a large mansion. Al-Edjah were the old Empire’s engineers and weaponsmiths. They still keep the Old City running smoothly (under contract now from Amstaad’s government), and still maintain a business in arms and armour, located on the grounds. Al-Edjah are famous for their signature scimitars, all of which come with a lifetime guarantee (and cost accordingly).
Mausoleum
This large monument is more important as a landmark than anything else to people from outside the Old City. The cellars here are extensive, and are used to intern dead Passani. As with the Temple, this is considered sacred ground, with the similar customs and consequences.
Elvish Quarter
The Elvish Quarter is unique in that the Elves combined Passani city planning with their own love of the forest. The Elves planted trees all around this Quarter upon moving in, which have since grown into a veritable forest. This has forced some re-planning of the city streets, making them simpler than the Passani Quarter. On the other hand, it has also introduced some unique attributes, as the trees themselves now are used as a foundation for staircases and paths.
Elves have a good relationship with those in the Old City, and have tried to involve themselves with local Tiktuk and Passani politics in a positive way. Besides the location, however, the Elves are still a part of Amstaad at large. They have no local government for the Quarter, but participate more directly in the affairs of Amstaad.
Shrine of the Great Tree
Although unplanted by the Elves, this house somehow ended up with a sapling growing in the middle of it. The Elves living there realized something special was happening, and tended it carefully, eventually knocking out the roof and moving out to give it room to grow to full size. The tree now towers over the Quarter. What little remains of the house has been converted to religious purposes.
Lodgings
Since the Old City is not popular with travellers, there are no organized inns. The people of the Old City are quite hospitable, however, and a family can usually be found to lodge travellers for the night. Alternately, there are enough vacancies in the Tiktuk Quarter than a squat should be easy to find. This has considerable risks at night, but many travellers have reported being able to squat for a night or two without incident.
Entertainment
The Tiktuk Quarter is generally vibrant at night, with impromptu concerts by local bands and cheap drinks. This presents quite a contrast to the Passani Quarter where drinking is non-existent, as it is prohibited by their religion.
