### **Pitax - The City of Art and Intrigue** #### **Basic Information** - **Name:** Pitax - **Type:** City-State - **Region:** Western River Kingdoms, bordering the Stolen Lands and Rivermarch - **Scale & Population:** A bustling city, diverse and highly populated; humans make up the majority, but elves, ratfolk, half-elves, and others dwell within. - **Primary Inhabitants:** Humans, elves, ratfolk, rogue scholars, mercenaries, spies, and performers. Strong criminal and guild presence. - **Climate & Terrain:** Temperate forests and rolling hills, with the Rushlight River running through it. #### **Geography & Layout** - **Key Features & Landmarks:** - **Irovetti’s Palace:** Lavish yet imposing, the home of King Irovetti stands as a symbol of opulence and control. - **The Rushlight Arena:** A grand amphitheater where tournaments, performances, and public trials take place. - **The Hidden Catacombs:** Secret underground tunnels rumored to contain ancient artifacts, smuggling routes, and hidden prisons. - **The Muse’s Garden:** A massive, twisted hedge maze said to be inspired by a powerful fey patron, hosting illicit gatherings and duels. - **The Grand Menagerie:** A collection of rare creatures, some magical, some mundane, kept by Irovetti for both study and entertainment. - **Notable Districts/Areas:** - **The [[Artists’ Quarter]]:** Home to musicians, sculptors, and playwrights—though most are closely monitored by Irovetti’s enforcers. - **The [[Steel District]]:** Houses the forges, weapon smiths, and engineers responsible for Pitax’s formidable arms trade. - **The [[Dockside Market]]:** A sprawling riverside trading hub, filled with exotic goods, black-market items, and espionage opportunities. - **The [[Whispering Court]]:** A shadowy district known for its gambling dens, secret meetings, and intelligence brokers. - **Connections & Accessibility:** - Situated along the **Rushlight River**, allowing trade and travel by boat. - A major crossroads for trade routes leading into Brevoy, Numeria, and Mivon. - Irovetti is rumored to maintain **magical portals** for personal use. #### **Culture & Society** - **Local Governance:** A **monarchic dictatorship**, ruled by **King Castruccio Irovetti**, a cunning and ruthless leader known for both his military strategy and patronage of the arts. - **Economy & Trade:** A hub of **espionage, mercenary contracts, art, and weaponry**. Pitax controls several valuable mines and forges. - **Religion & Beliefs:** While various gods are worshiped, Irovetti heavily promotes **Calistria (trickery, lust, revenge)** and **Hanspur (rivers and travel)**. - **Laws & Customs:** A mix of artistic freedom and **authoritarian control**. Speech against Irovetti is illegal, but grand theatrical criticism (thinly veiled) is tolerated. - **Languages Spoken:** Common, Elven, Riverlands Pidgin, Thieves’ Cant. #### **History & Lore** - **Origins & Founding:** Originally a **trading post and artist commune**, Pitax rose to power when Irovetti seized control through **political maneuvering and conquest**. - **Major Historical Events:** - **The Iron Rebellion:** A brief but deadly civil war where the merchant class attempted to overthrow Irovetti—crushed mercilessly. - **The Rushlight Controversy:** An infamous festival where Irovetti **rigged the competition**, leading to tensions with Mivon and Brevoy. - **Expansion into the Stolen Lands:** Recent years have seen **Irovetti’s spies and agents infiltrating Rivermarch**, hoping to weaken its leadership. - **Current Conflicts or Issues:** - **Rivermarch’s Defiance:** Brinn Whitewood’s recent letter rejecting Irovetti’s “cautionary advice” has painted Rivermarch as a potential **threat**. - **Spymaster Operations:** Grigori, a known agitator, has been stirring discontent in Rivermarch, likely under Irovetti’s orders. - **King Irovetti’s True Agenda:** His **long-term plan remains unclear**, but he appears to be **waiting for Rivermarch to crumble from within**. - **Rumors & Mysteries:** - **The Hidden Vault:** A secret **treasure hoard** said to contain relics of the First World. - **The Fey Bargain:** Irovetti allegedly gained power **through a deal with a powerful fey**, which may explain his erratic behavior. #### **Notable NPCs & Factions** - **Key Figures:** - **King Irovetti:** A dictator with a passion for art and **an iron grip on his city**. - **[[Grigori (Deceased)]] the Orator:** A **charismatic propagandist**, known for infiltrating foreign cities to incite **dissent and rebellion**. - **General [[Vascari Lomond]]:** Irovetti’s **military strategist**, rumored to be working on secret weapons. - **Factions or Power Groups:** - **The [[Black Harlequins]]:** Irovetti’s elite enforcers, **assassins masquerading as performers**. - **The [[Artists’ Syndicate]]:** An underground network of **rebellious artists** who secretly oppose Irovetti. - **The [[Pitaxian Engineers’ Guild]]:** Craftsmen working on advanced war machines—possibly **clockwork automata**. - **Major Monsters or Threats:** - **Fey Guardians:** Strange, **half-mad fey creatures** rumored to serve Irovetti’s will. - **Artificial Constructs:** Automata and golems used as enforcers. #### **Additional Notes** - **Vibe & Inspirations:** - **A Renaissance city ruled by a totalitarian artist-king**. - A mix of **Venetian intrigue, Shakespearean court politics, and Orwellian control**. - Think **Machiavelli meets Phantom of the Opera**, with a hint of **steampunk war machines**. - **Adventure Hooks:** - **Unmasking a Conspiracy:** Irovetti’s spies are embedded in Rivermarch—**who can be trusted?** - **The Art of Rebellion:** Players must **infiltrate Pitax’s high society**, gaining favor through wit, deception, or force. - **A Duel of Minds:** A public **verbal sparring match** with Irovetti’s propagandists. - **The Mechanical Horde:** Discover what **new war machine** Pitax is building **before it’s unleashed**.