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Gladiator's Folly Tavern
Posted by Dawn (http://forum.skotos.net/forum/our-games/the-eternal-city/the-eternal-city-game-world/18197-a-steps-tavern#post18197)
Located in a slightly less seedy area of the Steps (although such is definitely debatable), The Gladiator's Folly was established years ago by an ex-gladiator, Morrius Optimus Maximus. Old-timers could tell you of the amazing feats in the arena that Morrius performed, his spectacular handling of the trident and net, unequaled in the Republic. They could also tell you how he eventually vanished from the arena, yet popped up a few years later, richer, and yet with a closed mouth and harsh glance. He opened the Gladiator's Folly Tavern with his mysterious riches, and it can be seen that the place is better kept up and more lavish than many other bars and shops in the area. The Folly offers a variety of drinks, but one not to be missed is their own house specialty, the Gladiator's Folly. No one knows what is in the golden-sheened scarlet liquor, but they do know it packs a kick like a bad-tempered mule. If you keep your mouth shut, sit down, and order drinks, Morrius himself will serve you, although the secrets of his past will remain his alone.
Posted by Dawn
(http://forum.skotos.net/forum/our-games/the-eternal-city/the-eternal-city-game-world/17792-a-steps-item#post17792)
A Turning Point
A breath of air stirs the fetid smells in the alley. A small child shifts under some rags and looks around with large brown eyes. They settle on a slumped form, asleep with one hand grasping a clay flask. The child shrugs after gazing at the bedraggled form for a moment and stands up, a scrawny androgynous youngster of no more than six seasons. Sharp features watch carefully, as the child drifts through the alley’s shadows straightening much patched clothing before emerging onto a crowded street.
The sun is already warming the twisting lanes through the Steps, intensifying the odor of decay that lingers in every corner. A slight breeze promises to make the day at least slightly more palatable than yesterday’s stillness. The street is clogged with a strange mixing of humanity. There, one can see a merchant with two bodyguards walking nervously toward Forum Axonus, and there, a simple craftsman pushes a cart laden with his wares. A young woman glances at the child, and then away quickly as she adjusts her stola and strikes what she must think is a seductive pose. The child seems but a ghost, winding through the crowds towards the great forum of the Steps.
As Forum Axonus draws closer, the strident voices of merchants hawking their wares can be heard. ‘Bread! Best bread and only 25 sen!’, ‘Come see the amulets! Blessed by the High Priest hisself!’, ‘A potion for what ail’s ya!’, and on the voices go, mingling with the clang of metal, the creak of a wheel, and the cry and cursing of someone caught in the press of some unseen struggle.
Colors break up the monotony of gray stone, and a juggler can be seen spinning his balls through the air. The child stops to watch, eyes large and full of dreams. The child smiles shyly at the familiar wink of the juggler. Then the child ghosts on, snagging a bit of bread and fruit from a stand while the merchant is looking elsewhere. The child munches thoughtfully as Forum Axonus is left behind and follows an eastward road into the territory of the Alati. The cloaked Umbravis in the shadows barely glance at the child as they survey the stream of men and women trudging toward Forum Mico.
The child pauses at the edge of the Forum and looks thoughtful before the young features harden into decision. Quick footsteps lead the child to a young man sitting with his back against a stone wall, dozing in the sun.
‘Aye, Pimi, I’ve decided,’ the child says, toeing the other’s leg and eliciting a grunt from the young man.
‘Leaving your da to his drink, eh? I’ll take you on over to Maphi, she’ll find a place for you. Best you stay in the Turf, though. Dunna want to have to put you back together when your da hears of this.’ The young man smirks and rises in a fluid motion, settling a hand on the child’s shoulder. ‘Your making the right decision, Adi. Maybe you’ll even be a juggler one day.’
The child smiles up at her companion and follows along as they head deeper into Alati turf, leaving the past behind.
And, thus, Adi set upon the path that would one day take her to heir apparent to the most celebrated actor and juggler in the Steps. Sanis Obertu leaves teaching to her now, contenting himself with criticizing her technique and bemoaning the lack of talent in those who seek them out. No one knows who her father was, and no one really cares. She’s made a name for herself, that’s what to remember.
~ Amiona, storyteller
Posted by Dawn
(http://forum.skotos.net/forum/our-games/the-eternal-city/the-eternal-city-game-world/16858-some-steps-landmarks#post16858)
Ludus Quintus
While certainly not the most prestigious gladiator academy in the city of Iridine, the Ludus Quintus is by far the oldest. According to local legend the school was founded by Quintus the Marauder as a means of getting rid of political dissidents. Reportedly hundreds of wealthy equestrians who had crossed Quintus were forced into the school to be trained for his own personal enjoyment. Since that time the school has survived 4 fires, an earthquake, and countless riots. While the exterior of the building shows its age, the interior tends to be very well kept. The school provides a variety of tempting services for prospective gladiators not least of which are food, medical treatment, and access to various animals – for a price of course. These benefits are often times more tempting than a down on their luck Steps denizen can resist.
The Ponsessium
The Ponsessium is comprised of two tall buildings and they form a fairly well recognized landmark in the Steps. Not generally visible by the rest of the city, both solid granite buildings rise above many of the surrounding structures, though neither is the tallest building in the Steps. A great stone bridge once connected both buildings at about the fifth story; however, it now lies shattered and broken, the remains of older times. Indeed some surmise that the Ponsessium may be older than the reign of kings. While the upper stories house residents in surprisingly large apartments, the first floor is filled with shops. The northern building, in fact, houses the only still functioning bank in the entire Steps.
Posted by Dawn
(http://forum.skotos.net/forum/our-games/the-eternal-city/the-eternal-city-game-world/16276-steps-more-tidbits#post16276)
Gardens of Sunset
Along the road running east from Forum Axonus, past Forum Mico a good ways, is a large garden north of the road. There are five entrances that lead to the wilderness that was once obviously a formal and well-tended city garden. Trails lead to the remains of two large columned expanses with broken and worn ornaments of another time. At the center is a spiral that seems to be tended more carefully. For those that leave the overgrown trails, ancient trees choked by brambles with a smattering of small clearings can be found. Some claim that broken statues are scattered through the garden, choked by creepers and broken by time. The saying ‘You may have to take a plunge into Sunset’ is an allusion to the dangers of wandering off the paths, and the need that drives some to do so in difficult circumstances. Often, a person could hide in the overgrowth and evade pursuit; however, it is rumored that dangers lurk in the wilderness, too. Some of the more foolhardy that have wandered from the path speak of desperate men and women hiding in the shadows waiting to ambush the unwary. Perhaps they merely saw a tree’s shadow cast in the fading light of sunset.
The Eyeball
Located in the quietest area directly inside the gates, Balso's Eyeball Tavern is a common meeting place for inter-gang conversations. Balso, a stunted dwarf of a man, opened the tavern after a short stint in the Legio. Finding nothing but mockery and false comradery in the ranks, he returned home to provide drinks to, and gain respect from, his old neighborhood.
Posted by Dawn
(http://forum.skotos.net/forum/our-games/the-eternal-city/the-eternal-city-game-world/16035-a-steps-smattering-sorry-running-out-of-subjects-p#post16035)
The Thirsty Mug Tavern
The Thirsty Mug is deep in the heart of Alati turf and a favorite haunt for those that appreciate the finer points of posca. Boasting four varieties plus several options for the fainter of heart, the Mug has been in business for longer than most can recall. Raolces and Euredian are brothers, and they inherited the tavern from their uncle. The establishment does serve some simple foods; however, it is of dubious quality and content. Indeed, the regular clients affectionately refer to the Mug as ‘The Cockroach’. Some have even speculated that perhaps the bugs that call the Mug home give the poscas their singular flavor.
Delicacies
I remember once I was working in a snug little place off of Mico, we got a few young sods with more money than brains come to slum. One young peacock would always come in and start an argument about how much more refined his tastes were than us poor slobs from the steps. Said it more fancy, but we all got his drift. Said he’d bring some examples next time he was by. We all shrugged and forgot about it. Then, one cold night he came in, just as proud as can be and slapped a silk pouch down on the bar. Said that we’d see what he meant. The barkeep raised an eyebrow and pointed at the pouch. Our young friend started extolling the virtues of dried bread sprinkled on a hearty soup. Told how it added crunch and flavor. Asked old Tosi to put some in a bowl and bring it to him. I watched Tosi take the pouch back to the kitchen, humming an old drinking song as he left. I seemed to recall something about the song, but couldn’t quite remember the words. After a bit Tosi came out and didn’t say anything, just plopped the bowl down and waited while the young fella started to eat. Tosi kept humming the song, and a few of the regulars started coughing in their mugs. All the while the young fella was snarfin’ the soup, and saying how much more flavorful it was. How the bread just added to the experience providing all that crunch. Finally, the young fella got up and looked around in confusion as everyone was having coughing spells or were laughing. Thinking they were laughing at him he stiffly told them they didn’t know what they were missing out on, and that they obviously couldn’t understand the finer delicacies of life. Then he walked out, head high, and the regulars all burst into the chorus of that song, stomping their feet and clapping:
A sen for a crumb of bread
A cent for a mug of mead,
A buggy for the crunch!
The Gatehouse
Originally part of the massive gates at the entrance to Iridine, the gatehouse fell into disuse and neglect with Tulcas’ expansion of the city. Over the years the walls and gates became a husk of their former selves until the Great Riots of 117. As the fires still smoldered across the city, the senate began to work on a plan to ensure that such riots were never again allowed to spill over into the rest of the city. In 116 the gatehouse was rebuilt, and a massive iron portcullis lowered across the only entrance to the Steps.
This portcullis closes whenever riots start in the Steps, or to enforce one of the frequent curfew edicts imposed by the Senate. Manned by the constables of Station XI the gatehouse, with its squat hardened features, marks the clear presence of the law in the otherwise dark Steps.
Posted by Dawn
(http://forum.skotos.net/forum/our-games/the-eternal-city/the-eternal-city-game-world/15902-who-runs-the-steps#post15902)
Relfir Tyrannes
Relfir Tyrannes, 69 - An aged man in his later years, Relfir has been a prominent figure in the Steps since he was exiled from Remath at age 21, for reasons unknown. He has risen in prominence within the shadowy organization of Sinistrals. Now in his later years and inclined towards senility and idle amusements, Relfir is the undisputed leaderthe Preceptof the Sinistrals. He has been seen about the town with a young man known as Tysian One-Eye, a feared rogue. Some of the boldest denizens have whispered rumors of an involvement between the two, but even then only quietly.
Asthera Penta
Asthera Penta is Second in command of the Black Centurions, and successor to the gang's current leader. Although there are women in the Black Centurions, none have ever risen as far as Asthera. There were a few rumors after her selection as successor, that she had perhaps performed some "services" to get her position, but she quickly and efficiently silenced these rumors by calling out all who repeated them in hand to hand duels and killing them. Whipcord-lean and hard-muscled, Asthera is tall for a woman and keeps her black hair shorn close to her head military style. She is cool and reserved, rarely showing emotions except anger or contempt. Rarely do people ever cross her, but some call her "Lady Ice" behind her back….and well out of her hearing.
Posted by Dawn
(http://forum.skotos.net/forum/our-games/the-eternal-city/the-eternal-city-game-world/15388-hmmm-where-to-go-in-the-steps#post15388)
The Bank
Located off a disheveled forum north of the portcullis gate lies the only bank in the Steps. It sits smack in the center of the Black Centurions' territory, and the iron-faced doors attest to the gang's control, boasting embossed designs of the gang's symbol. The once-grand marble building still shows signs of its splendor in its black-veined white marble construction, graceful columns, and skillfully carved friezes within. The Black Centurions take care to keep up the building, although it is plainly worn and very old. No one knows if it originally started out life as a bank, or if the Centurions made it over for their purposes. Either way, the Centurions aren't telling.
The Dream Ruins
Shrouded by ancient mysteries and fearful rumors, the so-called Dream Ruins sit in a heap on the border of several gang's territories. No one is precisely certain who claims the Ruins or the surrounding areas, but strange silver and purple symbols mark the buildings in the near vicinity. Tales of those who lost their way and stumbled into the Ruins speak of staring purple eyes and frightful visions of Hell itself.
Posted by Dawn
(http://forum.skotos.net/forum/our-games/the-eternal-city/the-eternal-city-game-world/15222-ah-the-steps#post15222)
Black Centurions
Just north/northeast of the Steps portcullis is the territory of a gang known as the Black Centurions. The edges of the territory are very strictly controlled, patrolled regularly by teams of gang members who observe all coming and going with alert gazes.
The Black Centurions use the symbol of a centurion's crested helmet in profile in black on a red circle. It has been observed that most gang members will wear some sort of strip of black cloth knotted about the left wrist for identification among themselves. One would think this an easy method to copy, and thus infiltrate the gang, but real gang members have been unerring in ferreting out impostors and teaching them the error of their ways. This leads one to the conclusion that there must be some other means of identification from one gang member to another. What that is, remains unknown. This gang carries themselves with a certain martial formality, their movements marked with the grace of skilled warriors. They walk boldly in their territory, alert and poised for action. The great bank in the center of the Centurions' forum is rumored to gladly give loans to qualified individuals for almost any reason whatsoever, but there are whispers of a higher price extracted should any individual fail to repay them on time.
The Black Centurions also run a bustling market with many and varied goods for sale, goods both domestic and foreign, and if the buyer refrains from asking too many questions, he or she may be allowed to see a good deal more than what is currently on display.
Despite the rumors of their activities, the Black Centurions display an odd respect for their fellow Step denizens, as long as they do not interfere with or antagonize them. Black Centurions have been known to protect denizens from their territory when riots sweep the area, sealing off the streets with barricades and manning them much like a legion against rioters and looters. With such disparate activities, one can only guess which to be rumor and which truth.
***
"……it is the joy of Heaven to observe a well-disciplined man. It is the joy of a man to protect and serve his people, whether they appreciate it or not."—-a Black Centurion gang member, replying to the question, 'Why did you join a gang?'
"…..if you hear the sound of one hand clapping in Centurions' territory, you better run."—-Portcullis guard advice
__
Nathanial Raius - Nathanial is the current head of the Shrikes. Now 32 years old, he joined the Shrikes as a small child whilst smuggling items into the city under his shirt for rich merchants and patricians. Since that time, he has slowly worked his way up the gang's ladder to his current position at its head. While he is quite skilled at most of the gang’s endeavors, Nathanial's gifts in the area of diplomacy and subterfuge are definitely lacking. It remains to be seen whether or not he can keep control of his office.
_
Revealer Pravia Eliber – The leader of the Temple of Illumination was one of countless orphans roaming the streets of Iridine. Like those she grew up with, she spent her days eking out an existence in the steps. When she was still quite young, a priest in the Temple of Illumination noticed her, and perceived an aptitude. She was adopted into the Temple as an Eliber child, one raised by Ereal. She has quickly risen through the ranks in the Sect of Revealing Light, and is in charge of her own temple at the young age of 35. This was partially due, no doubt, to her desire to work in the little sought after Steps Temple. She is known for her desire to help the street children and her knowledge and understanding of how the Steps work. Some whisper that she has close friends in several gangs, but there is no evidence of this.
Posted by Dawn
(http://forum.skotos.net/forum/our-games/the-eternal-city/the-eternal-city-game-world/14968-so-you-live-in-the-steps#post14968)
The Umbra Alati
The southern quarter of the steps is home to a garish array of acrobats, actors, and prostitutes and marked by the characteristic Alati black circle with a silver or gray A at the center. During the day, the streets are alive with the riotous colors of these professions, a sharp contrast to the squalor of the streets themselves. Being close to the neutral zone, and offering a number of desirable services, the Alati welcome outsiders to the fringes of their turf. Off of Forum Mico, east of Forum Axonus, the visitor can find entertainment of all kinds, for a price. The forum itself has a public platform that performers can rent for a small fee. Indeed, Forum Mico is awash in the sounds of revelry both day and night. But, keep a tight hold on your pouches, lest some nimble fingered waif lightens your load for you.
There are darker rumors about the Umbra Alati, and, indeed, those that wander beyond Forum Mico talk of the Umbravis, enforcers of Alati territory, quietly but firmly directing them back to the fringes of Alati turf. Stories abound of hooded figures accosting those foolish enough to delve deeper into the Alati turf; and some speak of these hooded figures nimbly springing up the sides of buildings, and disappearing into the shadows. What is truth and what is the over active imaginations of victims of an alley mugging, who can say?
***
‘The Umbra Alati, hmm? If you mind your manners and stay around that forum of theirs, you’ll be safe enough for the steps. You go putting your nose where it don’t belong or traipsing around with a badge and those Umbravis fellas will set you straight quick enough. My old Captain led two of us in there, all full of himself from a new promotion. Things got real quiet when we passed the Fidesara and then ten Umbravis appeared, quiet as can be. Just seemed to glide up to us and knocked us on the head before we could do much. Me and the other grunt woke up with a headache in a back alley of the neutral area. The captain’s body was returned with apologies from the Princepi. Said he’d wandered into an alley and been mugged. We just agreed. Making ourselves enemies of the Umbravis would have been fatal and wouldn’t have brought him back. And, we wanted to go in there for the entertainment when we wasn’t on duty. ~ a retired constable who worked the Steps
"…and I take especial umbrage at the accusation that the Sinistrals have employed assassins and various other dishonorable means to destroy various of our neighbors over the last century of our existence. Anyone who knows a Sinistral knows a man who carries himself with dignity and aplomb. It is a known fact that no Sinistral has ever been revealed as some sort of assassin, and I would like to rem- excuse me, settle down! This laughter is uncalled for. I state it as a fact, a veritable fact that none of us have ever been caught!…
"…thank you for settling down. I was somewhat afraid of a riot there for a moment, heh heh… okay. As I was saying, the Sinistrals have a long and proud history of helping to build this city, not destroy. We saved all the peoples of our fine community from anarchy after 117, and this is how we are repaid? Thank you, I say, but no thank you! We comport ourselves properly, and expect no less from our allies and friends."
-Comments made by Relfir Tyrannes, YR 216, when accused of orchestrating the assassination of several key personnel in a rival gang.
*
"It was really dark out… mommy had just gone to bed, and I was layin down looking at the roof and counting raindrops when I heard something outside. I went over to the window an' looked outside, an' there was my daddy walking down the lane. As I watched, a shadow seemed ta come off of Widow Lesset's shack and just jump on him… before I could blink, the shadow was one and daddy was nothing but a lump in the street…"
-Elsian Trivoles, son of the late Shrike Deputy Fepnes Trivoles.
___
Fidesara
You can find Fidesara located through out the Steps. They are small shrines built by the gangs or temple in memory of various people or events. They all have donation boxes supplied by the gangs themselves. The temple is given a portion of the proceeds, and the gang uses the remainder to keep the Fidesara in repair. Generally, Fidesara are considered neutral territory, but that hasn’t prevented people from being drug from them in the past.
Maps » The Steps