The City Gates

Miner's Gate - Only citizens carrying a miners' or millers' guild card, or special papers, are allowed to pass through this gate. The attached wall and gate extending to the east is always closed except for the transportation of new mining equipment and supplies. Only raw gem materials carried by special couriers are allowed into the city by way of this portal..

Castle Gate - The most boring station. Since the abandonment of Melkotia Castle and the few buildings north of the city, this gate has not used at all. Anyone using this gate is automatically suspected of attempting to visit the Castle, considered "suspicious", and a report will be filed.

Gate of the Dead - This is the most feared post to be stationed at. The guards will allow people throught the gate, either into the cemetary or back into the city, only if they are accompanied by a priest of WeeJas. Funeral processions are counted when they enter the cemetary, and counted again before the gate is opened to allow them back into the city. Any discrepancies are investigated with vigor. No one will under any circumstances be allowed through the gate after nighfall. Any sounds emanating from the cemetary will never be investigated, though they will be reported. No guards of less than 3rd level will be found stationed here.

The Walls - Unlike most cities, the Melkot city walls are not only patrolled, but the guards are vigilant. They are always on the lookout for individuals (mainly smugglers) that are trying to circumvent the Main Gate by either attempting to go around the city and enter through another gate, or by going over the wall. Even the short stretch of free-standing wall projecting to the east of the city is patrolled, looking for individuals attempting to head south towards the mines.
 

The Dark City

There is also an extensive tunnel system below the Dark City, which can be accessed through the Assassins' and Thieves' guildhalls and safehouses, through the cellars of most of the temples and taverns within the Dark City, and through buildings marked with an "E" on the map. The primary tunnels are as much a part of the Dark City infrastructure as the above ground alleys and roads (though there are also many secret tunnels known to only a few), and are irregularly patrolled by the Black Guard. The cellar of the building marked "E" immediately north of the Temple of Marchanter contains a well that taps into the city's water supply system and serves as the public water supply for Dark City residents.
 
 

City Locations

Residence of the Lord Mayor, meeting place of the City Council, headquarters for the City Guard and City Constable. Built around SD 5450

3. Weaponcrafter

4. Garrison Ostler

5. Bonding House and Granaries

6. Bonding/Inspection Station and Guard House

All paperwork concerning the import and export of gems through the city is performed here, as is the collection of all related taxes and tariffs. All single gems of 50 gp or over, and shipments over 100 gp total value must be registered. See the description for the Main Gate above.

7a. The cellar of this guard post building has a ladder used for inspecting a large underground water storage chamber, part of the city water supply system.
7b. This station, directly across from an entrance into the Dark City, is the least-liked assignment within the city guard.
7c. Guards stationed here often visit the Scarlet Mushroom.
7d. This guard post is responsible for the Circle when the market is open or the Games Arena is active.

9. Temple of Boccob

10. Temple of WeeJas

The priests of WeeJas are mainly responsible for the upkeep of the cemetary (what little upkeep it gets) and are in charge of most interment ceremonies, though they allow other city priests to assist or perform appropriate ceremonies for those citizens that worshipped other gods.

12. Temple of Trithereon

13. Temple of Kord

14. Temple of Celestian

15. Temple of Phaulkon and Jascar

The clerics of Phaulkon are entrusted with policing the skies, and are the only citizens who have been granted flying privileges over the city. This is done to minimize the possibility of gem-smugglers attempting to circumvent the inspection station at the Main Gate.

This is a secret temple hidden within the Dark City quarter.

This is a secret temple hidden within the Dark City quarter.

This is a secret temple hidden within the Dark City quarter.

This is a secret temple hidden within the Dark City quarter.

This is a secret temple hidden within the Dark City quarter.

The headquarters of the Sons of Marchanter and the Black Guard in the heart of the Dark City occupies the abandoned Temple of Heironeous. Dark City dwellers also refer to it as "Melkotia Hall".

Most hiring for personal guards, caravan escorts, and mine guards are normally done through the guild, but there are no laws mandating this.

While during the Years of Dark Terror (Marchanter Melkotia's rule) the Games Arena saw some less than enlightened exhibitions, today the Arena is used mainly for contests of skill and for city celebrations and festivals. Periodically monster kills do happen, however.

25. Miner's Guild

As a mining town, this guild is certainly one of the most important in the city.

The headquarters of the Melkot Merchant Guild. It was built with money bequeathed by Danin Kelbar, a wealthy and prominent merchant (now deceased). See Location 39.

Melkot's main market square almost completely surrounds the games arena.

There is a gem vault in the cellar of the guildhall that was designed by both dwarven engineers and high level members of the wizard's guild. It has never been compromised.

While once a quite prestigious school, the outer planar creatures and psionically sensitive monsters attracted to the area during the Years of Dark Terror (probably due to experiments being performed by Marchanter) made life almost unbearable for anyone using psionics. The Guildhall, though hidden, was easily found out by those entities. A truly massive infestation of cerebral parasites finally forced the closure of the Guild, and most of its members moved on to other areas of the Flanaess. At the time, some expressed the belief that the parasite infestation was no accident. The underground school (beneath the building visible on the map) has been sealed since 6061 SD.

The Melkot wizard's guild. While it had a very long history already, it was greatly expanded during the reign of Lord Arabis Melkotia II. Previous to the building of Melkotia Castle, the Academy building served as the home for the Melkotia family, but was then deeded to the guild.

This is a secret location within the Dark City quarter. Buildings marked with a "T" are safehouses or armed posts maintained by the thieves' guild

This is a location hidden within the Dark City quarter. Buildings marked with an "A" are safehouses or armed posts maintained by the assassin's guild

The largest and most famous brothel in Melkot. The best or the worst, whatever you can afford. Anything goes if you can pay for it. The madame of the house is an enchanter wizard, specializing in charm magics.

The illusionist's guild hall. Some unknown conflict dating back at least a century caused a split within the wizard's guild, and the rivalry has continued to this day.

36. Temple of Norebo

37. Temple of Fortubo

38. Temple of Lendore

39. Danin Kelbar's Estate

The estate has been abandoned for many years, as have most of the buildings in the vicinity. The Castle Gate now goes unused.

This inn is frequented by Fighter's Guild members. A huge sword and shield captured from a fire giant by the barkeep hang on the wall over the fireplace. The tale the owner tells of the great adventure varies from telling to telling, and no one knows what the truth is anymore. But he does tell a good story! While there are often hired swords between jobs hanging out here during the day, the place comes alive with raucous activity in the evenings. Brawls are common. Prices are fairly low.

This quiet inn is frequented by members of the wizard's guild. Just inside the front door is an inlaid ivory pentagram in the floor of the tavern composed mainly of baku tusk and other expensive components. It is designed to prevent outer planar fiends from entering the building. What only the higher level mages know is that an imperfection in the diagram allows baatezu through, though tanar'ri, yugoloths and gehreleths are successfully blocked. Only two years ago, several rather terrified apprentices witnessed the wrathful frustration of a babau who tried to enter the building while polymorphed. It left in a hurry when three high level wizards immediately began casting on it from their table. The babau's original intentions are unknown.

This inn is frequented by mining foremen, owners, gemcutters, and others of similar station. It tends to have a more subdued atmosphere and prices are fairly expensive.

This rather dangerous drinking establishment is a front for the thieve's guild. Located at one of the two entrances to the Dark City, newcomers are as likely to loose their valuables as their health. If a visitor can bluff his way around, he may be able to pay for information or hire a thug. Prices are low.

The sign hanging over the door of this tavern is a painting of a skeleton sitting on a headstone, drinking ale, with the ale splashing out of its ribcage. Being right next to the Gate of the Dead, and located at the second of two entrances into the Dark City, makes the name particularly appropriate. This is not exactly the busiest establishment in the city, and strangers are likely to loose their lives. The tavern is a front for the assassin's guild, and the regulars don't take too kindly to intruders. It doesn't matter what prices are here. You won't be buying anything. ;-) For the regulars, the prices are low.

This inn, located just outside the city near where caravans usually set up, is frequented by travellers, visiting traders and local merchants looking for good deals. A generally friendly environment. Prices are a little above average.

This inn is frequented by many merchants within the city, and has been the site of many business deals. Prices are higher than average.

This is the best and most expensive inn in the city. An extremely high class establishment.

This inn is the favorite of the lower class miners and prospectors. Empty until the miners get off work in the mid-evening, it fills quickly and is always a fun place. Drunken dwarves are a common site. The establishment is run by a dwarf who "hit it big" while prospecting in the mountains to the west.

This inn is owned by a retired merchant, and is frequented by other merchants and tradesmen.

This is not a fun place. The only inn deep within the Dark City, it is often frequented by off-duty Black Guard.

A gambling hall run by the clerics of Norebo outside the city walls. Frequented by travellers and caravan members. What is not known is that it is also being used as a front for smuggling things in and out of the city, with traffic being contolled completely by the Sons of Marchanter.

A popular gambling hall within the city.

Horses are only allowed within the city walls on special permit, so most visitors stable their mounts here for a small daily fee.

The residence and former shop of Rathin, a retired grandmaster alchemist. Although he sometimes takes on rare jobs, any visits are by appointment only

The owner is a retired master thief, and he is one of the best locksmiths in all of the Flanaess. He sometimes contracts the Academy of Arcane Arts to use magic in some special locks. He is also known to use poison.

Owner of Marchanter's Staff, Location 50.

Caters mainly to the Academy of the Deceptive Arts.

Good quality, above average prices. Has a contract with the Academy, and members get a discount.

Herth Xyrin is currently the wealthiest merchant in Melkot, and wields a lot of influence at Kelbar Hall. Ironically, he was an intense rival of Danin Kelbar, and would like nothing more than to rename the Hall after himself.

Always hired guards on duty.

Usually very busy.

Highest quality and fairly high prices.

Will pay well for old, rare, or unusual maps.

Good quality, reasonable prices.

Rare and used books.

Good quality, reasonable prices.

Blank books, some of high enough quality for spell books; scroll paper, etc.

Inks, special paper dyes, etc.

Average work and average prices.

Best in the city, above average fees, usually has a backlog of work because he refuses to rush anything.

Average skill, does not do large stones.

Precious metal work

Specializes in gemstone rings and small brooches.

Gemstone necklaces and larger pieces. The highest quality and the highest prices. He has made several pieces now in royal treasures across the Flanaess, and is currently working on a new piece for the King of Keoland.

Repair and resale of used jewelry, resells older gems to other jewellers who may place them in new works. Also buys from the thieves guild, but sends larger stones to be recut in another city.

Specializes in mounted gems and jewelry. Often ships outside of Melkot. Buys from thee thieves' and assassin's guilds.

Average work, no questions asked. Specializes in bladed weapons.

Dosar specializes in bladed weapons. Good quality and high prices. Often deals with the fighter's and wizards guilds.

Bowyer/fletcher

Mainly a metalworker, but also sells on consignment leather and padded armor made by others.

A minor alchemist/herbalist that mainly caters to the general public. Average prices.

The real deal! Her predictions have an eerily high chance of coming true. People rarely return, fearing what they might learn.

A fraud, albeit a very entertaining fraud... therefore, ironically, alot of repeat business.

Brothel. Average for this sort of establishment.

Brothel, and a pretty low class one at that.

The commercial branch of the Academy of Arcane Arts. For a fee, spells are cast, objects identified. They also help the city guard in market security and take on escort contracts with caravans..

In the Future...

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