Solanth
Type: Major City | Population: Significant | Region: Chrysanthia
The City of Trade, where everything worth doing is organized into a professional association and everything worth having is made by someone who belongs to one. Famous for its craftwork, infamous for its union disputes, and notable for having a guild for people who don’t believe in guilds.
"In Solanth, the question isn't whether you can find it; its whether you can afford it." — Nelvania de Arnos, Lesbian & Thespian "And what do you do for a living?" "I'm a thespian." "You're a lesbian? For a living?" "Well, yes. But I said thespian. An actor."
Overview
Solanth represents Imperial craft and commerce at its most organized. The city’s guild system, which developed over millenia, now encompasses virtually every profession, trade, and activity that could conceivably benefit from professional organization. Critics call it bureaucratic; supporters call it quality assurance. Both are correct.
Key Features: - Comprehensive guild system covering all trades, most of which are under the umbrella of one House or another - Famous craftsmanship across multiple disciplines - Complex political balance between guilds, Houses, and city government - Regular inter-guild disputes (sometimes colorful) - Quality guaranteed (if you buy from guild members)
Population: Second-largest city in Chrysanthia, with significant transient craftworker population.
Notable Locations
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Argent Sol Memorial University
Function: Education | Access: Scholars Welcome Originally named Ser Tomas’ Arcane University and Wonderment Center. Renamed 300 years ago after the tragic death of then Head Dean Argent Sol in the same incident that created the Spirit Wilds.
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House Lupanar Presents: Sadie’s Place
Function: Entertainment | Access: All Are Welcome On the brightest stretch of La Ember street sits Sadie’s Place. People come from all over the Empire to it’s subterranian halls to have their desires fullfilled. Somehow Sadie always knows what you need, even when you don’t. And somewhere in her many rooms is the person, or device, to give you it.
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The Blue Dragon Theater
Function: Entertainment | Access: Tickets Available at the box office out front Home to the Saltierian Troupe, Chrysanthia’s premier theater troupe. Composed of young scions from some of House Neuros’ lesser influential families, they put on shows six nights a week, with at least one new orignal play every two spans. Currently two nights a week are devoted to “A Gentleman of Generous Credit”, a play debuted before Emprix Jania themself.
Districts
Villae Alea
Gold Market
Quaerens Square (“The University and The Hollows”)
Union Square
Villae Tarea
Guard’s Ward
Heart Market
Market
Synae Square (“Sin Square”)
Rim Gate
Heart Gate
Sun Gate
Villae Populea (“The Dredge”)
Governance
Power Structure
Regent of Solanth: Capriarch Malkia vel Dann (House Neuros) The city’s official head, representing Imperial authority.
Notable Guild Leaders: - Palm Theodora Artel (House Aeth) — Assassin’s Guild - Sir’ram Thalin Breccia (House Carthas) — Pressmasters Guild - Sir’ram Lux (House Lupanar) — Hedonites Guild
The actual governance involves constant negotiation between Imperial authority, House interests, and guild power; a dance everyone has learned to perform extremely well, and most enjoy quite thoroughly.
The Guild System
How It Works
- Every recognized trade has a guild
- Guild membership certifies competence
- Non-members face significant restrictions
- Quality standards are enforced (usually)
- Inter-guild disputes have formal procedures
Notable Guilds
The Pressmasters Guild (printing, publishing) The Hedonites Guild (entertainment, hospitality) The Assassin’s Guild (murder) Dozens of others covering every conceivable profession
Guild Politics
The guilds have their own internal politics, external alliances, ancient rivalries, and ongoing negotiations. Understanding Solanth politics requires understanding guild dynamics; and that could be a lifetime study.
Visitor Information
Getting There
- By Airship: Regular service
- By Road: Well-connected to Chrysanth and other cities
- By River: Harbor facilities adequate
Accommodation
The best accomodations are those provided by House Lupanar. But most accomadations outside The Dredge are adequate.
Things to Know
- Hire guild members for professional services
- Non-guild work is technically available but risky
- Guild disputes occasionally disrupt services
- Quality is generally excellent
- Prices reflect organized labor