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History of Eagle Talon

The Beginning

Eagle Talon began a little differently than other Haslanti city-states. It had no Greenfield of its own, and even the smattering of Emeralds surrounding it couldn’t possibly hope to sustain the population it would eventually have. No, Eagle Talon was founded not because of its land, but because of its water. While the majority of Eagle Talon’s coastline is very much like any other Southern Haslanti coastsline—seasonally frozen, with harsh weather and tides but a good jumping-off point for the dangerous fishing, whaling, and other sea-going efforts the Haslanti participate in—there was a portion of the Northern coast that was… different. Here, for some reason, was an abundance of life rarely seen in the frozen north. For some reason, the water within a small area of a few miles only froze in the deepest winter, and sometimes not even then. The water was warmer and kelp and plankton were abundant, which drew larger life forms to the area in droves. Long before there was ever a city, there were Haslan fisherman tribes in fierce competition with each other.

The Guild

When the Guild took over, they immediately recognized Eagle Talon for the cash cow that it was. Trade boomed, and the town became a city along with it. Because of its rich and abundant supply of sea life, combined with nearby ore veins and convenient location on both the mouth of Malice Bay and along the primary flight lane that was established later on, Eagle Talon flourished as the crown jewel of Northern trade. The Haslanti themselves have perpetuated what the Guild began since they were overthrown with a surprising shrewdness.

Discoveries and Advancements

The Four towering “talons” that give Eagle Talon its name first appeared directly after an earthquake a few years before the Guild occupation. Experts postulate that they were always there, and the earthquake somehow rendered whatever system was keeping them from being noticed inoperable. The enormous structure spanning the entire area beneath the city, between the talons, was discovered soon thereafter. At first, it seemed simply to be a perfectly flat slab of hard, black stone. The first innovation was when pathways were carved out of the permafrost above to make use of the black stone as excellent, if slightly slippery, streets.

The second major discovery and subsequent innovation was both Eagle Talon’s greatest triumph and most terrifying disaster. Toward the end of the Guild occupation, a fire aspected guildsman named Chorn Hostorillian managed to find the key to entering the Fire Talon. Inside, he discovered that the Talon was a low-level fire manse whose systems were devoted to providing a large area with heat and light, given proper delivery tubes. Using the information found therein, he worked with a team of Guild savants to reverse-engineer such delivery tubes and rig a portion of the area directly North of the Fire Talon with them. He managed to divert a portion of the Fire Talon’s systems to powering the new network, to amazing success. However, less than a week later, the excavation that had been started to find the secrets of what the Talon was powering beneath the permafrost was overrun by horrifying, maddened creatures and utterly destroyed. The creatures poured out through the city, slaughtering much of its population, Hostorillian among them. When the Haslanti came two days later to take back the city for their own, they found themselves having to face and kill monsters rather than people. Only a portion of the city’s residents survived, though the Haslanti natives who were able to take to the water or the Outwall were perfectly fine. The mouth of the excavation from which the creatures originated was sealed shut, and the reconstruction began.

Though the people were shaken by what had happened when the first Talon was tampered with, eventually two more of the four Talons were breached and used to the city’s benefit. The Air Talon was next; the key discovered and used by an air aspected foreign Scavenger Lord named Wendon Rin. Rin discovered that the Talon was meant to control weather patterns between the Talons, and used the Talon without altering it to create an unseen buffer that kept the entire city (or at least, the portion within the talons) safe from the worst winds and cold. Next was the Water Talon, the key to which was discovered by a water aspected Haslanti native named White Siaka. Inspired by the working of Hostorillian and the increasing inventions of the scavengers and savants in the newer excavation on the opposite side of the city, White Siaka used his discovery that the Water Talon was the central control to a water filtration system drawing its source from the sea to carefully research and divert a source of fresh, clean running water along the surface of the city. Though many people feared the worst, Siaka’s collaborations with Wendon Rin assured the two that the Talon had been using only a fraction of its power, and the additional water diverted to the surface should not cause any unforeseen disasters. Unfortunately, the best laid plans often go awry. In the two years since the water system was built and activated, the “warm spot” on the Northern coastline has begun to diminish significantly. Many people fear that this is directly because of White Siaka’s venture, but most dare not accuse him openly due to the power his gift of running water has given him.

Layout of Eagle Talon

The Agora

Main article: The Agora

The Agora is the center of social culture and trade in Eagle Talon. Located literally in the center of the city, it borders on the Apex to the South, the Walk of Winds to the West, Fisherman’s Wharf to the North, and the Sprawl to the East.

The Apex

Main article: The Apex

Situated on the slope against the Fire Talon at the Southernmost point of the city, the Apex is the upper class neighborhood in Eagle Talon, and the only place within it beyond the Guild Hall, the Laughing Emerald Inn and the Round House that enjoys essence heating and lighting piped in from the Fire Talon. The cost of living in this neighborhood is exorbitant, and only traders, scavenger lords and inventors who have already found their fortunes tend to be able to afford it. (Static Res 3 required to maintain a small townhouse, up to 5 for a mansion)

The Walk of Winds

Main article: The Walk of Winds

The collective name of the neighborhood in Eagle Talon that’s made up entirely of martial arts dojos and a grand arena is The Walk of Winds. Inside it, martial artists from across the North and even across the rest of Creation gather to test and teach their skills. Nowhere else in the North has attracted such an impressive array of terrestrial styles and competitive dojos.

Fisherman’s Wharf

Whereas the rest of the city seems to be booming, the old heart of the city, Fisherman’s Wharf, is in decline. Hit hard by the shrinking of the Warm Spot, the tribes dependant on the once-abundant catches to be had there are growing poor, and many have gone out of business entirely. Piracy, petty thievery and other crime is on the rise, and with the newer, darker atmosphere, black marketeering and protection rackets have found a home in the once-flourishing district. Those families who have refused to compromise their principles have been reduced to scraping and fighting amongst themselves for what small catches are left, or forced away to find newer, tougher, more dangerous water and ice to work. The constabulary has found the district frighteningly difficult to police, and in the last months has begun leaving it to its own entirely and focusing its efforts on parts of the city that are still manageable.

The Fish Market

Despite the difficulties the district faces, Fisherman’s Wharf still has the best fish market in the city. Those who want to pay fair prices for seafood, as opposed to those driven surprisingly high by the difficulties now inherent in getting catches out of the district safely, must venture here for their produce. Doing so is an inherently hazardous thing, as con men and starving pickpockets are numerous; however, most who emerge with their purses intact consider the trip to be well worth it.

The Doomed Oyster

What was originally meant as a tongue-in-cheek title in reference to the fact that this inn and restaurant served the best shellfish in Haslanti has become more of an ominous warning to those who would take rest within its doors. Located in the dirtiest, most dangerous part of the district, The Doomed Oyster is a known haven for privateers, black market moguls and other such unsavory sorts. Patrons are advised to tread at their own risk, though the shellfish served within are still the best around.

The Ice Docks

There is a long series of docks both on the Northern and Eastern shore of Eagle Talon, with several steep pathways up to the city cut into the cliff that lead to the city proper. The only place there are no docks at all is in the Warm Spot itself; old superstition dictates that to dock ships there would be to spoil the bounty it offers.

The Lifts

Though there are several pathways leading up to the city, there are only two lifts: North Lift and East Lift. Created entirely from second age material and ingenuity, based in part on the technology discovered near Gear Town, each lift is capable of transporting several tons of material from the base to the top of the cliffs at a time.

The Warm Spot

The Warm Spot is an area directly north of Eagle Talon with nutrient-rich water several degrees warmer than the surrounding seas, allowing it to remain unfrozen nearly year-round, and attracting an abundance of sea life. No one knew what caused the Warm Spot to be as it is until an investigative diving party was sent down shortly after the beginning of its decline. Jutting out from the cliff face many yards below the surface was found a pipe of some kind; because the nutrients it expels have been tested and revealed to contain fecal matter, it has been colloquially termed “The Shit Pipe”.

Skydock - The Eagle's Nest

At the highest point just outside of Eagle Talon, on the mountainous overhang to the southwest of the city, lies the skydock where gliders and airships of the Haslanti League alike are freely able to dock. The infamous Storm-Petrel has a hangar here, this new addition to the Haslanti air ships is enough to make the engineers of Gear Town weep at the sound of her name, a feat of remarkable ingenuity. Cable-car and pulley systems are implemented to help unload cargo and move it to the hub of the city where the trade takes place or from the craftsmen to the air ships for export. Some of the older craftsmen and those with little resources still use the domesticated Muskox and mountain goats available to pull heavy loads by sledge back up to "The Nest". Far below the overhang that houses the hangars and docking bay for the city's airships are the geyser fields, titanic jets of steam burst forth from under the surface of the ice and rock. The jets have long cooled in the freezing air before they reach the level of the airdock but the updraft gives a great boost to the gliders that leave from the station. The condensing steam in the air about the Eagle's Nest is often called "The Levante" by the locals as it sometimes gives the impression of a vast banner cloud drifting away from the skydock.

The Talons

Each of the four talons is a curved structure similar to an obelisk, made almost entirely out of the same shiny, dense black stone that dominates the construction of the Edifice, starting the size of a large house at its base and tapering to a needle-fine point 300 yards above the city. The four talons are all manses of different elements—Air to the North, Fire to the South, and perhaps paradoxically, Wood to the West and Water to the East. Each talon is heavily inlaid with the appropriate color of jade on its inward-pointing surface (the South face of the Air Talon, for example), along with an intricate tracery of the four other magical materials. Only three out of the four Talons have been entered in the Second Age—the Wood Talon remains inviolate—and since the death of the once-owner of the Fire Talon, no other has managed to enter it either.

The Fire Grid

The Fire Grid was originally created to bestow light and heat throughout an area spanning from the Fire Talon to the Guild Hall and Round House. Transparent tubes connected in a long network carry a colorless substance that emits both heat and light when infused with fire-aspected essence. Thaumaturges discovered early on that the color of the light emitted could be changed by coating the inside of the tubes with different chemical compounds, and the Tinkerer’s Union has created a thriving trade based on changing the lighting of the houses of the affluent to match the décor—or even the season.

The Wind Wall

An unseen buffer of air-aspected essence connects each of the talons, sheltering the city from the worst of the Northern winds and weather. It can be felt when it is crossed as a static sensation that sets one’s hair on end, along with what is normally a gentle “push”. Citizens and visitors are urged not to approach the Wind Wall during storms, as that “push” becomes far more forceful to counter the weather beyond, and can be hazardous to cross.

The Water Works

The majority of the city’s water works—the pipelines controlled by the Water Talon that pump fresh, clean water to wherever they reach—are restricted to the Apex, where temperatures are warm enough year-round to keep them from freezing. One single pipeline runs just below ground to the center of the Agora though, to an open fountain that provides constant fresh water for some of the city’s population. Several wells are also situated around the city. Fire elementals are constantly bound to this pipeline to keep it from freezing.

The Sprawl

The major residential area of Eagle Talon that spans its Eastern quarter contains many different neighborhoods named either for the tribe that founded them, or after the home region of the foreigners that call them home. The area is spotted with many ethnic restaurants and low-price inns and sees a moderate crime rate, which gets worse the closer one strays to Fisherman’s Wharf..

The Public Hospital of Eagle Talon

A large building in the heart of the Sprawl; the Public Hospital is a recently renovated apartment building with many rooms that has been cleaned out and prepared into a rather nice hospital. The care there is quite good, especially with the hospital recently having an influx of Shogunate Era healing supplies and equipment all in good condition. The hospital is funded by the city with taxes, and in part by its backer the Ivory Orchid Maiden.

Fish Town

As the neighborhood closest to the Fisherman’s Wharf, fish town wass the most rundown shabby collection of huts and shacks that can be found in the Sprawl, however recent development has brought this part of town into better standings, with new and remodeled houses. The smell of fish still permeates the air here as the odors from the wharf drift through. Ironically, even with the new housing hunger is a major problem amongst these slums as the people strive to survive, and the constant smell of fish has been known to drive many inhabitants to theft.

Eagle Town

Made up of lower middle class homes, Eagle town is one of the most visited parts of the Sprawl. Filled with inns and beer halls, the feel here is one of a never ending party. The Haslan have always loved a good celebration and the slightly gaudy and bright feel of their homes makes that obvious. Sadly, most of the wealth they earn is spent on their never ending celebrations so the district can appear slightly shabby. Drugs and partners can easily be found here… for the right price.

The Academy

The largest building in Eagle Town, the academy stands an impressively two stories tall. It is painted in the slightly gaudy style of the rest of the district, it favors white, blue and gold color scheme. The large red double doors stand open during the day, giving the building a welcoming air.

Bear Town

Bear Town is upper middle class.

It was recently hit by a plague, but due to Nostaw Holmetor, it was kept safe.

Little Nexus

A hodpodge of different families from the River Provinces, Little Nexus is named for the resemblance its mixture of peoples and cultures as well as the Great City so far to the south east. Here one can hear dozens of dialects from as many cities and nations. The variety of cultures has resulted in dozens of bistros, diners, and restaurants serving some of the most flavorful food in the city. Of course, locals say nothing compares to home as the spices and ingredients must either be imported at a cost, or cheaper local substitutes found. Non the less, if one wants to see diversity, this is the place to go.

Outwaller Camp

The nomadic tribes of the Outwall have established a permanent camp to the Southwest of the city, beyond the Skydock. There, land-bound traders and herdsmen mingle with the flying contingent of Haslanti, striking many deals outside of the eyes of city officials and offering a market free of the tariffs that those trading within the city must pay. Crime is not rampant here so much as shrewd, backhanded dealing, though any who would take advantage of the Outwallers must be prepared to face the wrath of entire, highly clannish tribes. The camp itself enjoys none of the pleasant weather and warmth of the city within the talons, and during the worst storms, entire tents may be torn off the ground and carried away.

The Blackened Finger Inn

One of very few more permanent buildings outside of the talons, the Blackened Finger Inn is a sturdy structure of wood and stone built in the lee of a rock face and partially underground. The prices are cheap, the food is bland but filling, and the atmosphere is friendly—as long as they know you. If they don’t, you may have to prove yourself; which generally means either drinking, or fighting, or both.

The Outer Market

As safe and sheltered as any series of stalls protected by a massive canvas tent can be in the harsh Northern clime, the Outer Market combines fur traders with butcher shops with bootlegged goods depots, and a huge external corral in which elk and reindeer (and rarely, other livestock) are bought and sold.

The Underground

Two major and several minor excavation efforts ring the outer edge of the city, just outside of the talons. Some of these efforts have connected into networks and mazes of tunnels in which it’s possible to get lost for weeks—if you have enough food and water to survive that long. Others have created places like Gear Town, and uncovered wonders such as the Great Wheel.

Heroes of Creation

Eagle Talon City: The City | The Agora | The Apex | The Walk of Winds | The Underground

Eagle Talon Area: The Outwall | Emeralds and Greenfields | Outside of Eagle Talon

Organizations: City Guard | Haslanti Military | Light in Darkness | Tinker's Union | House Jarah

Life Outside of Eagle Talon: Foreign Relations | The Silver Pact

People of Eagle Talon: Notable People | Player Characters

Rules: House Rules | Rules Clarifications | Custom Material | Character Advancement | Character Creation

Other Information: Map of Eagle Talon | Art Gallery | In-Game Quotes | Time and Calendar | Icon Key

Eagle Talon