• Lore • [Rharne] Lore

[Rumour]

Rharne Lore

Contents

The City
History
Concept
The Four Quarters
 
Geography
Appearance
Climate
Surroundings
 
Culture
Demographics
Attitudes
Religion
Holidays
Marriage & Divorce
Food
Music
Language
Attire
Rituals
Symbols
 
Society
Education
Employment
Economy
 
Politics
Government
Military
Laws
Crime & Punishment
 
Factions
Lightning Knights
Thunder Priesthood
Merchants Guild
Shadow Quarter
Order of Adunih
 
Opinions
Race Relations
Views on Domain Magic
Slavery

Welcome To Rharne!

Welcome to Rharne, the city of lightning and good brews. Rharne is home to the Lightning Knights, the Thunder Priesthood, and Ilaren herself.

Useful Links

• Office: Rumour
• Site-Wide Rules
• New Player: Starting Guide & Starting Package
• Player Guides Forum
• Immortal: Ilaren

Credit: Lore developed by Zenith, Rumour, & Basilisk. Lore layout borrowed, with love, from Kingdom and Jade.

[Rumour]

History

Rharne was founded by the Immortal Ilaren in arc 161. The mountain that the city now sits upon was raised from the grasslands by the Immortal Moseke as a personal favor to Ilaren. At first the only things that sat upon the mountain were Ilaren’s home, what would later become the Lightning Cathedral, and the homes of the few mortals who followed Ilaren at the time.

The history of Rharne begins there, but before Rharne rose to the sky, a small village sat on the edge of Lake Lovalus. Settled early on in human history, circa arc 99, the village was small, quite, and peaceful. Years passed and the settlement prospered until, during the 160th arc, the village was raided by pirates and its population was all but wiped out. Ilaren, who was away from the village at the time, returned to find the settlement destroyed. To commemorate the fallen, Moseke raised the mountain on the edge of Lake Lovalus and Rharne came into existence.

After Ilaren founded the city of Rharne, people slowly started to move to the mountain. Over time, the citizens carved into the stone and from it sprang the Four Quarters. They used the stone that they excavated to build and better the city. At its pinnacle they built the Lightning Cathedral for Ilaren, and at its base they built a wall to protect the city from sharing the same fate of its predecessor.

By the 250th arc, the Glass and Sky Quarters had been completed, and the Earth Quarter was well on its way to being done. During that year, Ilaren marked her first Champion to lead the men in the defense of the city. Shortly after, the Lightning Knights were formed.

Years later, a woman, grief stricken and angry, entered the Lightning Cathedral and demanded to speak with the Immortal of Lightning and Thunder. The woman’s son and husband had died in their service to the Lightning Knights, and in her grief the woman blamed Ilaren for the tragedy. After hearing the woman out, Ilaren led her deeper into the cathedral. A day passed before the two left the cathedral. Both were red-eyed and looked sleep deprived, but the woman was Marked, like the leader of the Lightning Knights, and seemed filled with new purpose. She sent out a call to the women of Rharne, asking for any who would devote themselves to the city and Ilaren herself.

Today, it is widely believed by the majority of the city’s residents that Ilaren wanted to build a thriving city in which to drink and party, and they do their very best to abide by her wishes.

Ilaren’s History:
Arc 99: Humans start a settlement on the banks of the Lake Lovalus. Ilaren lives among them, not known as an Immortal, with her daughter Leviana.
Arc 154: Leviana is murdered
Arc 154: Ilaren returns to Emea to confront Faldrun about Leviana’s death.
Arc 160: Settlement is attacked, and razed by pirates during Ilaren’s absence. Ilaren later returns to find the settlement destroyed.
Arc 161: Moseke raises the mountain of Rharne for Ilaren to start a new settlement. Ilaren lays Leviana’s remains to rest at the top of the mountain.

[OOC Note: Ilaren’s history is not widely known. PCs must have approval from the city’s Prophets before learning it, as the knowledge can only be obtained from Ilaren herself, a handful of Immortals, or someone very close to Ilaren in the Thunder Priestess faction.]

[Rumour]

Concept

Rharne is a bustling port city standing proud where the River Zynyx, flowing east from the ocean, meets Lake Lovalus. Rharne serves as a trading city for any ships traveling along Central Idalos’ eastern shore line. The city is also home to the Lightning Knights (Rharne’s military force), the Thunder Priesthood, and the Immortal Ilaren.

The city has three gates, one on each end of the arching wall and one at the center of the arc, that are able to be bolted shut as a form of minimum defense. The docks sit at the base of the cliff wall, where Lake Lovalus meets the mountain upon which Rharne is built. The docks are separated from the rest of the city to keep them from being an easy point of access for invaders. The Lightning Knights man the walls, patrol the city and, with the help of a fleet of Biqaj ships, protect the lands of Rharne from invasion. At the pinnacle of the city is the Lightning Cathedral, home to the Thunder Priesthood and the religious center for those who follow Ilaren, Immortal Lightning, Sound, Brawling, and Alcohol.

Being largely open to strangers, Rharne’s population is highly diverse. Once one gets past the grandeur of Rharne, they will find themselves in a wild and energetic city where people are always active. Impromptu parties can and will form at the slightest provocation, and the whole town seems to be constantly bubbling with a sort of manic joy. This energy carries over until the very late hours of the night and the very early hours of the morning when Rharne finally sleeps, if only to have the energy to resume the joyous frenzy that defines its populace.

As a port city with access to many farms in the Stormlands, Rharne has very little difficulty obtaining food or water. In fact, they frequently have an excess of it, which is part of the reason for their frequent parties and celebrations. With wide streets and a great many taverns and restaurants that keep at least part of their seating area in the open, life in Rharne is open and friendly - so much so that privacy is sometimes difficult to maintain.

Due to the loud and happy nature of the city, life in Rharne is chaotic and unpredictable, with people rarely doing the same thing trial to trial, other than their jobs (and even some of those are variable). From roughly the 10th break to the 18th break, most of the city can be found at work, though there are some that work later than others. Due to the frequent parties, citizens of Rharne tend to both stay up late and rise late.

There is no standard work schedule and the trials off work are frequent, if scattered. It’s rare to see the entire city working at once. This is believed to be part of the reason the city always seems to be so energetic, because those off work are busy enjoying themselves and their excited and joyous energy overwhelms the quieter energy of those at work.

[Rumour]

The Four Quarters

The city of Rharne is split into four Quarters: Dust, Earth, Glass, and Sky. Each Quarter has distinct physical and cultural characteristics which separate them from one another.

 

Dust Quarter

The Dust Quarter sits just outside the walls of Rharne proper. Made up of ramshackle homes and temporary lean-tos, the streets are little more than dirt paths between homes, and are usually full of garbage and sewage. This Quarter is populated by those who have little to no wealth and who are unable to make a living with the city walls. The few jobs offered on the regular are often either dangerous, or the pay is almost insignificant. Crime is heaviest in this Quarter, as guard patrols only travel through the area on rare occasions. Those who seem to thrive in the Dust Quarter are said to have ties to the Shadow Quarter faction.

Update as of the Rebirth Cycle 719

Due to her actions as the head of the Order of the Adunih and the leader of the Isonomia Faction, Faith Augistin has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Rharne. The effect of her actions can be seen no clearer than within the once litter filled roads of the Dust Quarter. People of the Dust Quarter are now being provided for by way of the new soup kitchen, community center, and clinic, provided by the Isonomia Faction. Rather than scrounging for food, or engaging into illegal activities to make a quick nel, many inhabitants of this area are now holding down jobs. Repairmen are seen frequenting the area to fix broken windows and mend damaged roofs. People are happier now and children can even be seen playing in the streets that are now kept clean and tidy by local youngsters paid as sweepers.

As the Rebirth Cycle of 719 progresses, new homes are being built now that the locals can afford a higher standard of living. These are simple cottages but they are far and above the old lean-to's and sheds that were once the norm of the area. Crime has dropped within the area significantly and the Lightning Knights are even working to provide more patrols to the area in order to ensure the safety of the inhabitants.

 

Earth Quarter

The Earth Quarter is the first Quarter within the walls of Rharne and sits at the foot of the mountain that Rharne is build into. The buildings and homes in this Quarter are made mostly of wood and cheap stone. The main road that runs along the wall is made of stone and kept clear of debris. Roads within the Quarter proper are mostly made of well-packed dirt, though, in some areas, are made of cobblestone. The cleanliness of the streets is maintained by the businesses in that area.

If the Dust Quarter is the home of the poor and the stricken, then the Earth Quarter is the home of the working class. Most in this Quarter make their living in a tavern or stable, or in some sort of lower craft, like forging horseshoes. Those who live in the Earth Quarter, are able to get by well enough, though few ever live comfortably. Guard presence in this area is a constant, and heavy around the gates.

 

Glass Quarter

The Glass Quarter is the quarter of wealth and extravagance. Characterized by sprawling open air markets, and lush green public gardens, this Quarter is filled with luxury and lavish beauty. The streets are all made of stone and are well maintained by the Merchants Guild. Inns and taverns are as popular here as in the Earth Quarter, but their style and amenities show a clear difference in the wealth of the Quarters.

Most buildings have a least one, if not multiple, stained glass window, giving the Quarter its name. The windows often depict Ilaren or imagery characteristic of one of the Immortal’s domains. Stores and workshops are abundant, as the Quarter is populated mostly by merchants and master craftsmen. Guard presence in this Quarter is constant, with multiple guard stations throughout the Quarter, patrols on streets, and standing guards in the markets and gardens.

 

Sky Quarter

The Sky Quarter is not as luxurious as the Glass Quarter, though it is just as well-maintained. This Quarter is home to the Lightning Knights Barracks, Training Grounds and Command Post, as well as the Lightning Cathedral. Though populated, this Quarter is not a chaotic as the Glass Quarter, and seems almost tranquil in comparison. The streets are made of cobblestone and are kept clean by the Lightning Knights. Patrols in the Sky Quarter tend to focus on the residential areas for the high class merchants, the command area of the Knights, and the Lightning Cathedral’s gates.

 

Shadow Quarter

The Shadow Quarter is not a physical space. It is the name given to an underground group that specializes in illegal goods and illicit dealings. Some aspect of it exists in every Quarter of Rharne, but while most citizens know of the Shadow Quarter through whispered rumours and gossip, very few know exactly how to find it.

[Rumour]

Appearance

The mountain city of Rharne stands, like a lone guardian, on the banks of Lake Lovalus, reaching a height of 2000 feet at its peak and a radius of about 1600 feet. The city can be seen for miles around by those both on land and on the lake due to the relatively flat nature of the surrounding areas.

The city itself is built of a gray granite. Most of the older buildings in the city were built from the stone cut directly from the mountain and have a similar color. The wall at the base of the mountain that defines the border between the Dust and Earth Quarters stands at 20 feet tall and roughly 10 feet thick. The three wooden gates, one at each end of the arching length of the wall and one in the center at the base of the staircase, are constantly manned by a contingent of Lightning Knights and a few representatives from the Merchants Guild.

The city itself is split in half by a massive staircase running up from the Earth Quarter all the way to the Lightning Cathedral itself. The staircase is called Pilgrim's Ascent, named long ago, before the city was the thriving metropolis it is today, when those who wished to live in Rharne had to climb the mountain to reach the village at its peak.

Throughout each of the three Inner Quarters, there are systems of lifts and pulleys lining the cliff faces of the mountain. This system is used to transport goods up and down the mountain as needed. A similar system is used on the lake-facing cliff to bring in goods off the docks below.

Rharne’s wood docks sit right against the base of the mountain and extend from a stone pier built into its base. A lighthouse helps give direction to any trying to make port at night.

[Rumour]

Climate

Rharne is known for its relatively mild climate, though most people find that the temperatures grow cooler the higher they climb. Being on a mountain next to a large lake, the city has a tendency to attract strong winds, but this generally affects the higher Quarters more so than the lower ones. As a whole, the city’s climate avoids extreme temperatures on either end of the scale and makes for a pleasant living environment during the vast majority of seasons.

The typical characteristics of Rharne's seasons are as follows:

 

Ashan

Coming right on the heels of Cylus, Ashan starts out cold and bitter, even for the relatively mild climate of Rharne. By the 30th trial, the weather has warmed up some and the ground has thawed, allowing for planting to begin. By the middle of the season, the temperatures have reached a point that heavy clothing is uncommon, though occasional rains and the nights still cool the air enough to call for a cloak or coat.

 

Ymiden

As the arc continues forward, the weather warms a bit more but doesn’t regularly reach a point where being in the sun becomes uncomfortable. This season is characterized by frequent thunderstorms that roll in from the sea to the north, and mild nights that the citizens of Rharne capitalize on for their festivals.

 

Saun

Saun is by far the warmest season for the city. The city’s residents often take advantage of the extra light provided by the second sun and extend the length of parties throughout the city. With both suns bearing down on the city, temperatures can get a bit uncomfortable for those in armor or robes. For the most part, a short-sleeved shirt and a thinner pair of trousers are more than enough to remain comfortable in the sun.

 

Vhalar

As the weather again begins to cool in Vhalar, the city starts to prepare for the coming colder seasons. Crops are harvested and stored as need, or shipped off to be sold. As the season progresses, many joyous gatherings are held in the Glass Quarters’ public gardens. Though temperatures do begin to drop, it still remains remarkably pleasant during the day. Some nights do get chilly enough to require a coat or cloak.

 

Zi'da

When Zi’da starts, many of Rharne’s citizens can be found wearing moderately warm clothing - mostly a decent pair of pants and a long sleeve tunic of some kind, with a light cloak or jacket. As the season progresses, however, and the snows start to fall, Rharnians start to dress more warmly. Though none of the snows are all that heavy during this season the winds coming off Lake Lovalus and the Stormlands often have a way of driving the cold straight through to the bone.

 

Cylus

Cylus is, by far, the coldest season in Rharne. The city often experiences light to moderate snowfalls and strong port winds. The cold and unwelcoming weather also means that residents tend to spend the majority of their time indoors - usually clustered around a fire in a local tavern, telling tales and singing songs of times long since past.

[Rumour]

Surroundings

The surrounding area outside the city itself is mostly made up of farmland and pastures for animals, known as the Stormlands. The farms tend to specialise in wheat, barley, and other grains used to produce both bread and alcohol. There are even a few vineyards dotting the vast farmlands of Rharne, which support the production of local wine. Most of the farms that raise animals tend to raise those that produce milk (primarily goats and cows), though there are a few horse breeders among them.

Closest to Rharne, approximately half a day's ride south and hugging the edge of the Mistral Wood lies the Mistral Village. A collection of several dozen homes responsible for the majority of lumber used in shipbuilding and construction make the bulk of the populace, with the remainder tending to small farms for food and - most notably - beer and ale to supply the local pub.

In the heart of the Stormlands and about two and a half day's ride from Rharne sits a town called Caervalle Town, a moderately-sized self-sufficient population of farmers, ranchers, hunters and other small rural folk, with a reputation for high-quality wines and a friendly population that provides a safe and comfortable stopping point for many travellers on their way out or in of Rharne's city.

Finally, to the far west and sitting at the mouth of the Zynyx River, sits Volta. Only accessible by floating down the river due to the strange geography, it sits atop a large zinc deposit that, when mixed with the salty air of the ocean, creates powerful electric storms that attracts curious alchemists and men of science to experiment on the unusual phenomena. As one of the furthest outreaches of Rharne territory, it takes as much as six trials to reach Volta from Rharne, and requires travel through the Zynyx Market, a riverside marketplace approximately a day's walk from Caervalle Town and makes its profits as a so-called 'port town' dabbling in trade of all types.

Along with Rharne’s sea of farmlands is the occasional forest. To the west of Rharne is a massive forest that houses one of the Hearts of Unabor, Ywyngyll. Though her forest is not as malevolent as some of her brothers, it is still not advised to enter without a guide.

Lake Lovalus is roughly 200 miles in diameter. Those who look out on the lake see nothing but water and rolling waves. Even from the peak of Rharne, the other side of the lake isn’t visible. The lake feeds into the sea down the Zynyx river. The river is approximately sixteen miles long at its widest, and is the main trade and travel route in and out of Rharne.

[Rumour]

Demographics

Population of Rharne: 6 million residents

43% Human
20% Biqaj
12% Ithecal
10% Mixed
8% Sev’ryn
7% Other

[Rumour]

Attitudes

Daily Life

The people of Rharne are known for being a happy and energetic group. They are, for the most part, open to outsiders, and can often turn a simple night at the tavern into a festive event filled with stories and good cheer. That said, Rharnians aren’t pushovers. It is just as common for a disagreement to end in laughs as it is for it to end in fists - though it’s unusual for a grudge to be held (and rarer still to remember the disagreement in the morning).

Most would describe a typical sober Rharnian as being a friendly, cheerful individual in public. Get a few drinks in them, however, and many will instantly become the life of the party. Loud, wild, and perhaps a bit obnoxious, a drunk Rharnian is capable of seeing anything as a good idea.

Thanks to the frequency of celebrations that often continue into the early hours of the morning, the standard workday begins at the 10th break and finishes at the 18th break. That is not to say, however, that Rharnians do not have a good work ethic. The vast majority are diligent in their trade and it is the rare Rharnian who will miss work because of a hangover (although that is usually more a matter of pride than fear of reprisal). Rharnians are very much aware that the nel is what makes their world go ‘round. When the nels stop flowing, so do the kegs.

 

Alcohol

Rharne is known for their high quality alcohol, and one would be hard-pressed to find a location in the city where there isn’t at least one bottle of liquor. Rharnians believe drinking should be a social activity and a way for people to connect with each other. Many a friendship or an alliance has been solidified over the pouring and sharing of drinks. There is no drinking age in Rharne, so children are raised from a young age to treat alcohol with respect and reverence (though most born-and-bred Rharnians have at least one story of getting accidentally wasted on liquor from their parents’ personal stash).

Rharnians who were born in the city tend to have a higher alcohol tolerance than the average mortal in other Idalosian cities. While Rharne does have its fair share of functioning alcoholics, Rharnians tend to view alcohol as a supplement to fun rather than the end-all-be-all. It is more commonly the visitors to Rharne who abuse alcohol and can’t hold their liquor.

 

Adultery

Marriage is a celebrated event in Rharne, and the bond between two (or three, or four) partners is considered something to be cherished. That said, most Rharnians have very loose idea of what marriage entails. Adultery is not considered a crime in Rharne. Rharnians value their freedom, and this includes their sexual freedom. In addition, they widely believe that it is foolish to expect one person to fulfill all of his or her partner’s physical and emotional needs. Though it is not often talked about in polite society, many a married man or woman has been known to stray - perhaps for a trial, for a season, or for an arc.

 

Ilaren's Enemies

Loyalty in marriage may not be highly valued in Rharne, but loyalty to Ilaren certainly is. The vast majority of Rharnians hold a fierce loyalty to their patron Immortal, and would defend her and her values to the death. Defeating Faldrun and his aukari army is a common theme that has been baked deeply into Rharne’s culture. Triumph over evil appears again and again in Rharne’s stories, music, and art, and children are raised to believe that anyone who rises against Ilaren is the enemy.

[Rumour]

Religion

It is an inescapable fact that Rharne is Ilaren’s city. The Immortal of Lightning, Sound, Brawling, and Alcohol sits at the forefront of everyone’s minds when it comes to religious worship. Her image is everywhere, and there are countless temples, events, stories, and songs used to honour her throughout the city. The Lightning Cathedral itself becomes home for Ilaren whenever she visits Rharne. The Cathedral lies at the very top of the mountain and is looked after by the all-female Thunder Priestess faction, who are tasked with governing religion in Rharne, gathering intelligence across Idalos, and advancing Ilaren’s goals in the Immortals War.

Still, Ilaren is not the sole religious focus. Thanks to Rharne’s diversity and its constant flow of visitors, a wide variety of Immortals are worshipped throughout the city. Ethelynda tends to be revered by Little Ivorian’s ithecal, while U’frek is well-loved by many of the biqaj who float in and out of port. Temples devoted to Qylios, Moseke, and Cassion are not uncommon, and even Ralaith and Vhalar have their share of followers within the city and the Stormlands. Both prayer and action are seen as legitimate ways to honour Immortals in Rharne, with dedicated ceremonies and festivals being particularly popular choices.

The only Immortal who has ever been looked upon with complete hatred by virtually all of Rharne’s population is Faldrun – the city’s one true enemy. Worshippers of Faldrun are abhorred and cast out of social circles with deep prejudice. While praying to the Immortal of Fire, Sun, and Turmoil is not explicitly against the law, the practicalities of worshipping Faldrun are near impossible – keeping most true followers in complete secrecy or sending them out of the city altogether.