Westgate is an ancient settlement, which only recently became a city. It lies in the middle of Serpent's Pass, the only overland route between the different parts of the continent. Commerce between dwarves and humans must pass through this area, and so communities would spring up along the route to take piece of the action. After the Dragon War, High Prince Reginald the Dark consolidated these settlements into one port city, and made the collection of tolls and fees by others along the route a crime.
Unlike the lordcity, Westgate is dark, crowded, and tangled. Its docks are huge and sprawling, with banks of catapults and ballistae to defend against pirates and raiders. Enormous warehouses hold goods traded by humans, dwarves, elves, orcs, and even goblins. Nearby is the Blocks, a huge paved square scattered with granite cubes on which merchants stand to auction goods of every imaginable description.
In the center stands a tall, black granite spire. Its center is hollow and its surface is pockmarked with openings, which gnomes dutifully fill with slates showing current prices for various goods and services. This spire, called the Gauge, is also sometimes used to announce important news and proclamations.
Nearby is the Gold District, occupied by moneylenders, moneychangers, insurance sellers, and other financial services. With the fall of the gnomish nation, these merchants are becoming the heart of the continent's economic service sector.
Right through the center of this area runs the High Prince's Way, an enormous, paved road that traverses the length of the Serpents Pass. Trade caravans often meet merchant ships here to do business and make a profit.
All of this is overseen by the Viceroy, who rules in the High Prince's name. The position is appointed at the pleasure of the High Prince, and usually promised to a contender for the throne by another candidate in exchange for stepping aside. It offers the opportunity for impressive wealth, but since the lordcity's economy depends on Westgate it is watched closely. The current Viceroy is William the Fair, an honest if pragmatic overseer.
The Viceroy occupies a palace known as the Rookery. The name comes in part from the building's imposing black granite construction, and partly from the flocks of ravens that constantly surround it. By law these birds are the property of the Viceroy, and they are absolutely everywhere. Legend says that the Viceroy uses them to watch and listen to the citizenry.
The unique geography of Westgate means that it is beset by constant fogs and mists, especially at night and early morning. It also sees frequent rain and storms, and sits in the shadow of the looming Dragonstail mountains. Combined with buildings largely made from local black granite, the city is dark, cold, gray, wet, and miserable. The recent growth of industry combined with the lack of proper planning or sanitation mean that smoke and filth are endemic, and illness is common, especially among the poor. Alcoholism and overcrowding are everywhere the city.
Westgate is well known for an unusual drink called Noto. It is made from beans grown in Orcish islands, and it is black and bitter. It is usually served hot with honey, cinnamon, and goat's milk. They also make pastries called Posole, which can be filled with meat, vegetables, eggs, fruit, or any combination. These are small and can be purchased everywhere. The doughs are often colored yellow, red, green, or even black, and sometimes have intricate patterns pressed into them. Upscale versions have exotic herbs and spices in the crust and filling, while cheap Posole are rumored to be filled with rats or worse.
Dogs are held in high regard and Westgate, and every family owns at least one. The larger the animal the better, and some Westgate bred dogs can look a hobgoblin in the eye while on their hind legs. The preference is for dogs that are either spotted or black, and completely dark, large specimens can bring surprisingly high prices. They are called Gravul.
The dress of Westgate natives is strange to outsiders. Given the odd and variable climate, residents favor many thin layers that can be added, dropped, moved, tied, rolled, or detached as temperatures change. To make matching and mixing easier, muted colors are preferred, which adds to the area's dreary reputation. Both men and women constantly keep their heads covered, which is believed to ward off sickness. Men favor enormous beards, and both sexes keep their hair very long, though men often tuck it under their hat. High, laced boots are worn year-round, though made of lighter materials in warmer weather.
Westgate music strongly favors wind instruments. While undeniably beautiful, much of it has a haunting, melancholy quality. In a similar vein, their poetry, songs, and stories tend to focus on pain inflicted and hardships endured, rather than on heroic deeds. That said, Westgaters can drink and dance with the best of them, and throw themselves into their festivals and celebrations with wild abandon. The drink choice is neither ale nor wine, but spiced liquors consumed either straight or mixed with a sour fruit juice.
All Westgate residents age 13 and older and in good health are part of the Princes Militia. Members of the militia may be called up for anything from a pirate raid to all-out war. Primach (land-owning) citizens are exempt, while Dumach citizens may either hire mercenary substitutes or pay a fee in place of service. These fees help to build and maintain the city's defenses.
The most commonly hired substitutes by far are Burrowmen, and they form the bulk of the militia as a result. These halflings find the service a good way to earn both coin and respect from the citizens. Their contract is held by the Warrant Officer, typically a volunteer hoping to earn Dumach citizenship. These halflings are fierce fighters, and particularly adept with missiles. Their uniforms are covered with pockets holding sling bullets and throwing knives. They typically wear a specialized crossbow strapped to one forearm, which folds for convenience and springs out of the touch of a switch for combat. Clever quivers built into each leg of the uniform keeps plenty of bolts at the ready. A hail of these weapons from the cliffs above can be devastating to raiders, as the nimble Burrowmen leap from crag to crack.
Burrowmen also account for more than half of Westgate's Rogue's Guild. The organization includes thieves, acrobats, assassins, bards, spies, street performers, and other shady characters. All are overseen by the Old Crow, who is not only a halfling, but actually a member of the Viceroy's Court. The Rogue's Guild includes the Storm Cloud, an elite force of halfling thieves and bards mounted on gravul as black as pitch. Combining power with stealth, the Storm Cloud are a terrifying weapon of war and espionage.
Under the Old Crow are the nine Grackles, each of which is responsible for a portion of the city. The Grackles speak, or vouch, for the rogues under them, each of which speaks for their own underlings, and so on. If a rogue commits an offense, such as not paying their share, whoever spoke for them is also held responsible, and so on up the chain. Ultimately, then, the Old Crow is accountable for the entire guild. To join, a new applicant must find a member to speak for them.
All members of the Rogue's Guild have a tattoo of a black feather somewhere on their body. For spies and assassins, this is obviously much harder to find.
Type: City
Parent: Kragland