Community Worldbuilding Project [Ishka: Urban and Urbane]

[Dragon Elite]

I agree. Also, maybe a bunch of aberrations around the spheres of annihilation? Transmuted by nothingness?

[jagadaishio]

Well, the bottomless pit is still an important place to dispose of waste, but not the normal material waste from most parts of the city. These would have magical waste, like broken wands and mixed, spilt potions. Someone mentioned a few pages back that we would need a specialized sewer system for the mages; this would be it. This is the only stuff that couldn't really be recycled in any safe way, but enough of it would be produced that they would need some sort of depository locale, in this case, the bottomless pit. And while spellcasters are too busy to cast fabricate constantly every day, a single command word based fabricate item could alleviate so much of the city's waste that every district probably has a material reclaiming facility with two or three fabricators.

So, to summarize. The bottomless pit is for the magical waste from the Mages' District and the Academy. Mundane waste is fertilizer or is recycled. If the bottomless pit is filling, it poses a clear and present danger in the same way an overflow of toxic or nuclear waste would.

[Renrik]

Yes, and the being from beyond the spheres of annihilation is an entropic entity that is feeding off the magic.

[50cr4t3s]

We interrupt this discussion of the Garbage Campaign to bring you a new district idea.

Name: Mere
Other Names: The District of Love, Pompousville, Town on the Water
Government Type: Council of Nobles
Police Force: House Guards

Mere is district comprising of the first few layers of the city built over the great lake. While the upper parts of this district look much like other parts of the city, what sets this district apart from the rest of the city is the lowest layer. This layer of the district is made up of island like expanses surrounding the massive supports for the layers above. The waters between these islands are always full of small boats. During the day, these boats are mostly there fishing, but during the night, the enchantments placed on this layer produce a brilliant display of light and color. This display is considered quite romantic, making a night in Mere one of the biggest tourist attractions across the entire city. The district has such a high cost of living that the only permanent residents of Mere are wealthy families of aristocrats. This high density of nobles has lead to a reputation for the district as pretentious and snobbish. The noble families of this district run Mere by convening in a "Council of Nobles" which determines policy and chooses a representative to their district's seat on the City Council. This districts government has face severe scrutiny from the rest of the city by denying less wealthy merchants and other district residents without noble heritage a say in their district. One of the most vocal groups opposing this district's government is actually the radical group Humans First, who oppose the Council of Nobles due to the high percentage of elf and other none human nobles. They claim that a place so beautiful should be put in more capable hands (human hands). The police force of this district, is actually several different police forces, one for each noble house. These house guards patrol the territory of each noble house and punish criminals based on the laws of each house.

[Owrtho]

Just a thought for the Garbage Campaign, but perhaps to help tie the being feeding off the magic in with the rest of the setting more, it might not be from beyond spheres of annihilation. Rather, the pit for the magic is in fact bottomless and possesses no such spheres. What actually happened is that unbeknownst to the city, a ways down in the pit, one of the random gates opened, and with it came gate raiders. Most of them fell and died as they came into contact with dangerous magic waste, and a few managed to make it back through the gate before they fell, but one (or maybe a few that became merged), happened to fall out and come into contact with a rather bizarre concoction of magical waste that mutated them into a large resilient beast, allowing them to feed off the magic waste. After falling a ways, it managed to catch onto the side of the pit, and began moving up it, seeking more of the magic waste. However, as it progressed upward it steadily grew. It eventually got large enough as to almost block the pit, making the magic waste start to build up faster than it could devour it. This has slowed its progress, but not stopped it. The city likely has yet to realize this is what is going on, and as such just thinks the pit wasn't actually bottomless and is just filling up.

Owrtho

[BRC]

Historical Figure: Kenrik the Fallen AKA Kenrik the Protector AKA Kenrik the Boneguard
During the Era of Baltin's Crusade and the dread plauge, it was traditional for several paladins to receive special titles and duties. Of these, the most important was the title of "Protector", the paladin charged with defending the occupants of the city from evil. Now, this was an unofficial position held up by the churches with no support from the state, but the position of "Protector" was still a powerful one. At the time of the Crusade, the Protector was a paladin named Kenrik. Baltin called upon Kenrik to lead an elite strike force into the Necropolis to establish a foothold there and draw undead troops away from Baltin's main force. However, upon arriving Kenrik found, not sinister undead brewing up plauge cauldrons and feasting on the flesh of the living, but simple working folk, indistinguishable from most of the city's population except by their rotting state. When the time came to give the order to attack, Kenrik halted. He turned towards his troops and loudly proclaimed that these undead were no less citizens of the Ishka than any other, and that it was his duty as Protector to defend them as he would anybody else. His forces didn't listen, instead they attacked him, stripped him of his armor and weapon, left him for dead, and proceeded to slaughter Undead. When the paladins finally left, Kenrik was found and nursed back to health by some undead that had hidden and survived the initial purge. Having been disowned by his own people, Kenrik was taken to the obsidian citadel of Graveborle, who charged him with creating an official force to help defend the necropolis. Before, his emblem had been a shield of steel and gold, now he took up one of bone, and began training those undead that were willing in the ways of the warrior and the paladin. These new undead took up Kenrik's emblem, and began calling themselves the Order of the Bone Shield. Throughout the crusade, the order battled the Holy Swords, serving as their most formidable opponents. Kenrik was a skilled strategist, and he taught his disciples the same. Most of the undead in the district were able to fight, but it took a Boneshield to take command and provide the strategic guidance to make them truly effective.
During the war, Kenrik was slain, many claim by Baltin himself, and his body was hacked to pieces by Baltin's followers in order to prevent a ressurection. However, the Bonesheilds managed to make off with his equipment, most of which stands in their hall in the Obsidian Citadel, though the famed shield itself, along with a replica of the equipment, is kept in the Museum. After the war, the Order of the Bone shield moved from a military force into a policing role, both ensuring the law is upheld in the Necropolis, and protecting the undead and living from each other throughout the city.

Edit: Hrmm, it appears Renrik's name subconsciously influenced my naming choice.

[Renrik]

Other things Humans First may be involved in:

Using political influence to get the city council to designate new landfills in non-human districts.

Framing non-human nobles for scandals and crimes.

Arson in Ungul, Smallville, and Gulliver's Heights.

Working against the Collective and the unions, due to the number of non-human workers.

[Strawman]

I'm reworking the introduction to The Garbage Campaign based on the newer ideas about how garbage works in the city. As the pit only has arcane garbage, the whole campaign will be about establishing The Arcane Sewers, where the arcane garbage can go safely. I'll try to restructure some of the quest hooks that have to do with regular garbage so they can still be used, and I'll expand the arcane section.

Also, I think it would be cool to create a high level campaign where you can play as Kenrik, Baltin, or that cleric who fought the plague. The history around the plague is getting really rich.

A place of interest in Mere-
Letty's Dive Bar - This dive bar is more literal than most. Mostly attended by water breathing creatures, this bar has both and above-water and under-water section. Many of the bored rich folk of Mere enjoy the novelty.

[50cr4t3s]

Idea for important figure
Bretre the Peaceful

Upon the end of the dread plague, neither the Holy Sword nor the Order of the Bone Shield were willing to end their fight outright. Even with Kenrik and Baltin gone, their most devoted followers were determined to achieve a final victory. And so Bretre stepped in to help. Bretre was a scholar who had taught at the academy for many years, and some say he was the most respected member in the Collected Colleges at the time. He approached both groups and convince them to meet him and discuss a peaceful solution. Both sides believed it to be a waste of time, but Bretre convinced them that if they agree to a meeting, then they could claim the moral high-ground by saying they had at least made an attempt at peace.

The meeting was held in a neutral pocket dimension, but even as both sides arrived and entered the people of the city knew the negotiations would fail. No one emerged from the extradimensional space for three days and nights, and a rumor began to circulate that the parties had in fact killed each other. But just after dawn on the fourth day, Bretre and the representatives from both groups emerged, and declared that the fight was over.

To this day, no one knows how this feat was accomplished. Bretre never spoke of how he'd convinced these mortal enemies to lay down arms, and the representatives from either organization claimed to have sworn an oath to Bretre to never speak on it either. It is a mystery that confounds the City's scholars to this day.

Idea for a new organization
Clerics of Passion

The Clerics of Passion, is actually not a religious group in any way, though any member will tell you it is. The founder of this group was a bard by the name of Olliden, who was deeply in love, with love. Olliden loved the very concept of love. He was amazed at how in the whole multiverse, two beings (or more) could come together and share even a brief moment of pure happiness in their lives.

He was determined to bring love to everyone he met. He would travel the city, playing his instruments (he was a master of many) trying to inspire people to chase after their love. His songs could give men and maidens the courage to confess truly profound feelings of passion, a gift he gave without need of thanks or praise. Olliden's message of love touched the hearts of many bards, so much so that a group began to follow him, aiding in his work, and listening to his musings on the nature of romance.

Upon his death, his followers were determined to continue his work, and so they spread throughout the city, inspiring love, where ever they could. The organization has very little structure to it. In fact, the only thing that makes it an organization, is the many lodges it has spread throughout the city. These lodges are places where followers of Olliden's path can meet and share stories of how they have inspired true love in their travels through the city.

[Strawman]

I've made a revised introduction for the Garbage Campaign.

Intro-

Spoiler

Show

The Garbage Campaign

You are standing in your boss’s office. She is sitting behind a wooden desk covered with stacks of paper and scrolls. She quickly makes red marks on documents while she talks to you.

“Hello everyone. I’ve called you here for a very important duty. As you all know, the city put its magical garbage into a large pit deep underground. The idea is that we can avoid dangerous complications of trying to keep so much arcane materials near the city.

The idea didn’t work out well. As it turns out, a planar gate opened up near the bottom of the pit. Letting the trash go into some other plane would be fine, but apparently the trash attracted something to the gate. Clerics all over the city have been getting warnings from their gods that a creature of disturbing strength is trying to get through the gate.

Now we need to close that gate. The city is devoting a significant amount of resources to moving all the trash outside of the pit. Once all of it is moved, the planar gate can be sealed. But all that trash needs someplace to go. That is where you come in. You will be helping the moving of trash, and securing a safe place for all the trash.

“You have been commissioned as an Emergency Garbage Task Force, or E.G.T.F. for short. There are several objectives that you must complete as quickly as possible. This document here lists all of the objectives. Essentially you are helping to build The Arcane Sewers.”

The DM hands each player a copy of Document 1A.

“Now, The Academy predicts that the pit will take three months to empty. Any delay in that will increase the chances of that terrible beast reaching the gate before it closes. “

The players’ boss looks at them sternly, “Make sure that you do not cause ‘any delay.’

“Oh, about objective E, I’m sorry about that. I don’t think there’s any point to it, but the City Council put it on there.”

Your boss stops doing paperwork and looks up, “The city needs you. You’re all we can spare, everyone else is working on maintaining the city or other garbage related duties. Don’t expect any help. That being said, do you have any questions?”

After the players ask questions, they can decide where to go next. The DM may decide what the player’s boss would or would not know. Depending on what objectives they decide to complete first, the DM should adjust difficulty accordingly.

Document 1A-
---------------

E.G.T.F. Objectives
The following are a list of duties assigned to you, a member of the Emergency Garbage Task Force.

Spoiler

Show

a. Discover the reason for rampant vandalism in Hedon. The vandalism is using up a considerable part of the Street Builder’s time, preventing them from building The Arcane Sewers as quickly as needed.

b. There is an old sewer system surviving from before the city became a thriving metropolis. It barely still stands, but we plan on turning it into the basis of The Arcane Sewers. You need to map the sewers out, and clear out any dangers inside them.

c. Acquire donations from prominent families in the Mithral District. The donations will go to creation and maintenance of The Arcane Sewers.

d. Convince one of the city’s more well known arcane magic users to become the head of the Arcane Sewers. Anyone on the following list would be acceptable.

i. Alabaster Grant, retired guard from The Museum.
ii. Onigh, first half-orc professor of the arcane in The Academy.
iii. Elinor Crinne, talented daughter of Mithral Height’s Crinnes.
iv. Dr. Despair, a lich that was once in the employ of Dr. Hope.

e. Raise the citizenry’s awareness of the garbage problem. It will be helpful if teh amount of arcane garbage in the future is reduced. Convince a well-known theatre troupe to put on a play addressing the issue of garbage. Find a large suitable location for the play to be held on a regular basis, and attend the play on opening night to make sure it goes smoothly.

[BRC]

Possible Campaign Idea


Kenrik's Origional Shield has vanished from the museum. The Order of the Bone Shield blames the Holy Swords, who arn't exactly helping things, and the PC's, under the employ of M.I. must race against the rising tensions to recover it before the two organizations go to war.

[Renrik]

Does Humans First hate the undead, too?

[Strawman]

Maybe they're okay with human undead?

[50cr4t3s]

I'd imagine they'd have a problem with anyone who isn't human. So the question becomes whether you considered a human undead to still be a human or a non-human.

[Renrik]

I'd say they'd probably be okay with human undead, because they are biologically (er... necrologically?) human, with human minds (unless they're brainless) an human souls. I imagine they would be unhappy about human zombies and skeletons being used as labor for the primarily non-human grove.

[50cr4t3s]

Much earlier in the project someone asked what gods were worshiped in the city. I've been thinking recently, that while the gods found in normal DnD campaigns may be present, what if the city has it's own pantheon of "Patron Saints." We've already established that the city canonized Baltin and Merkiel, why not others.

ideas, feel free to add more.

The Ishka Pantheon
Kenrik
Patron Saint of undead, lost causes, and the oppressed

Baltin
Patron Saint of paladins, law, and those fighting defense in of their homes

Merkiel
Patron Saint of healers, medicine, and community Service

Bretre
Patron Saint of negotiators, diplomats, and all those who work for peace

Olliden
Patron Saint of love, bards, and truth to one's self

Personally, I like the idea of a city with it's own pantheon.

[BRC]

Much earlier in the project someone asked what gods were worshiped in the city. I've been thinking recently, that while the gods found in normal DnD campaigns may be present, what if the city has it's own pantheon of "Patron Saints." We've already established that the city canonized Baltin and Merkiel, why not others.

ideas, feel free to add more.

The Ishka Pantheon
Kenrik
Patron Saint of undead, lost causes, and the oppressed

Baltin
Patron Saint of paladins, law, and those fighting defense in of their homes

Merkiel
Patron Saint of healers, medicine, and community Service

Bretre
Patron Saint of negotiators, diplomats, and all those who work for peace

Olliden
Patron Saint of love, bards, and truth to one's self

Personally, I like the idea of a city with it's own pantheon.

Ooh, I like. I imagine Kenrik dosn't have anything devoted to him in the temple district, but he's probably very popular in the necropolis, as well as in poorer areas and areas with oppressed populations.


So lets say that, origionally, the city used the standard DnD Pantheon, but that at this point, pretty much all the prayers go to on patron saint or another, depending on the nature of the prayer.

[BRC]

Sorry for the Double Post.

The First Builder, Patron saint of Workers, Structures, and Architects.

The First Builder's name has been lost to time, but his (or her) deeds have not. The First Builder noticed that the city was growing, and predicted that it was only a matter of time before it began to grow upwards as well. He founded the Streetbuilders, laid out the basic plan for the city's eventual growth, the rules he wrote for keeping the city intact are still used by the Streetbuilders, and Museum contains, as one of it's most priceless artifacts, a set of tools supposably used by the First him/herself to help build and design the first grand support pillar in the city, and his blessing is invoked for every new structure built.

Nobody knows what race the first builder was, but he is generally depicted as a dwarf with his face hidden under a helmet. In his hands he either holds a hammer, shovel, or architect's compass.
Humans First is constantly petitioning to have him depicted as a human, and in certain parts of the city he is depicted as a Gnome, Goblin, or Stone Giant. However, no matter the race or gender, the First Builder is always depicted faceless and holding his tools.

[50cr4t3s]

Here's two new Saint ideas

Cassandra the Brass Saint
Cassandra was a gnome of great vision and even greater ambition. As she saw the city growing around her, she envisioned a way to power the entire city without the use of magic. She spent years tinkering in her shop on the edge of poverty, until she was finally willing to unveil her great work. Cassandra built the very first Steamworks, and the system that delivered the power of the Steamworks to the rest of the city. Unlike many of the Saints, very much is known about Cassandra, as she kept meticulous records and journals. She is the Patron Saint of the Steamworks, technicians, and development of new technologies.

The Twin Dragons
The same dragons that dwell at the center of The Draconic Heritage Collective. Because of their continued contribution to the city's development throughout it's history, the City Council accepted a petition to have them canonized as Saints. Because they are still living, they are often considered to be the least revered of the Saints. Despite this, the dragons have a small, but very devoted following. The dragons have on several occasions asked to be listed as separate Saints, but they have been continuously denied, as it is believed that their contribution would never have existed without both of them.

[Owrtho]

On the first builder, I would suggest that they came up with they're plans after the first few layers, and they're responsible for the standardizing of how layers are built instead of having them just built by whoever could afford to extent they're structures. They would also be responsible for the early reenforcement of the lower layers.

Owrtho

[Renrik]

On the Wild and Saints: I don't think the Wild should have a saint that represents them- the city would never canonize such figure, and they don't seem like the type who would worship a set saint figure anyway.

Just to nip it.

[UserShadow7989]

We could even cut out the basic D&D pantheon and have the saints as a complete replacement, if we want. I'm not sure if that'd be a good idea, but it's possible. Anyways, here's a saint idea:

Minerva, the Unbreakable Saint (Edited on 8/25/09 to flesh out concept)
Patron Saint of determination, physical ability, and quick thinking.

Minerva was a human with no talent for magic, but unbelievable physical strength, endurance, and agility of both mind and body. She was one of the first members of the Gatekeepers and the most well known. She was fascinated by the art of war, the grace of a duel and the tactics of a large-scale battle. Her obscession with combat lead her to refining both her body and her mind to the best of her ability, training in the most horrid conditions and strenous courses available.

Minerva would always be seen fighting tirelessly against massive numbers of raiders and beasts deposited by gates. She never backed down from a fight unless continuing would lead to harming bystandards. In exceptionally dangerous situations, she would send her allies away and continue fighting alone, and many times had to be dragged from the field of battle by companions fearing for her health.

She retired at age 60 after settling at least 89 incidents (with 132 more commonly atributed to her but never confirmed, not counting small scale skirmishes that were never documented), losing her right eye and use of her right arm, and penning the training manual for aspiring fighters that is still used by the Gatekeepers today. She passed away at the impressive age of 84, happily married and with many descendants. A small group of people insist that she was proficient in magic capable of boosting physical strength, but there is no evidence of this. Her lance is still on display in The Museum.

[jagadaishio]

I'm liking the saints. What exactly would the Twin Dragons be considered saints of now that they've been canonized? Dualities, wealth, commerce, and dragonkind? I agree that the Wild would never have an official saint of their own, though districts having unofficial saints wouldn't be uncommon, whether they are unrecognized because of having too small of a following or because they are too controversial. I think that the Glades would likely have some kind of elder treant canonized.

Would the saints be able to possess willing hosts as per the Vodoun Loa? It would be like being a deity's avatar, but instead of having a massive divine boost, they just gain control of your actions. Tiny street shrines tucked away in nooks and crannies to the saints like shrines to the christian saints tucked away throughout Rome? People dressed up in exaggerated costumes of saints during carnivals?

Speaking of carnivals, we haven't really designed any holidays yet. In a city of this size, there would be a number of holidays in a smattering of districts every day, and probably some kind of a minor city-wide holiday or festival every week. Major city-wide holidays would probably be limited to once a month at most. I would imagine that, depending on the holiday, there could be anything from subtle decorations and street shrine overflowing with offerings to massive parades and revelry in the streets that puts Mardi Gras to shame. The should run the gamut.

Fleet-Footed Jack: Unofficial patron saint of athletes, anarchists, and thieves. Nobody ever knew exactly who Jack was; even the name is just a fabrication of his fans and patrons. What is known is that a humanoid always enshrouded in a long cloak and loose clothes would descend upon a member of a district's guard, steal an item of insignificant value, and then flee the guard(s), always keeping the hem of his cloak just out of reach. Jack would sprint great distances, scale buildings, run across walls for short distances, and engage in other acts of extreme athleticism, occasionally sprinting ahead and then stopping to taunt his pursuers. The whole time, he would cackle madly to himself, apparently greatly amused with his own antics. After he grew bored of a chase, he would drop the stolen item and sprint off, disappearing into the district's layers. He was active for the better part of a century before never being seen again.

His greatest heist is universally considered to be the time that he stole every single historical, priceless document from the museum, leaving behind a sheet with a drawing of a grinning face left in each of the documents' place. It was half an hour before one of the curators discovered what happened, and Jack ended up being chased by hundreds of M.I. agents from district to district for weeks. At certain points they would close off entire districts only to have him turn up in another district hours later. It's rumored that M.I. even offered Vault prisoners in exchange for Jack if the Alliance ever managed to grab him. After weeks of chasing, Jack finally spun about and handed a large folder to a very confused rookie M.I. agent chasing him and then sped off. In the folder was every stolen document, all undamaged. To this day, mages concoct divination spells just to try to figure out how Jack did it.

The most curious fact about Jack is that in none of his heists, even the Museum heist, did any sort of lingering magical aura appear, and the scrutiny it was given my M.I. mages was QUITE exhaustive. It's believed that Jack did all of this without magic. It's what made him so endearing. Anarchists, thieves, and athletes will mutter a prayer to him before doing anything particularly risky and will leave offerings in his street shrines, all of which are hidden in parts of the city that don't have walkways to them; you need to climb or jump to an overhang or some such thing to reach it. These days, copycat thieves attempt crimes in the style of Jack, but they almost all get caught, and none seem able to go about it in so nonchalant of a manner as to laugh the entire time.

[50cr4t3s]

I like the recommendations for the Twin Dragon's portfolio, I forgot to add it but i like what Jagadaishio has added.

As for the possession idea. I don't consider the Saints to be as obviously involved with the city as the rest of the divine beings of the DnD world. If we run with the possession idea, then tensions like the one between the Holy Swords and the Purge Squads wouldn't exist, since they could just get someone to channel Saint Baltin and ask him which group has more accurately interpreted his teachings. Perhaps in this setting, divine power should be procured from the faith and devotion to the Saints rather than being directly given by the Saints themselves. Of course, so as not to alienate the idea of divine campaigns in the City, it should be possible to contact and commune with the Saints. However, so as to avoid the aforementioned issue, it should be significantly harder than merely heading down to the closest shrine of Saint Baltin.

New Saint Idea
Hulutch of the Underdark
Hulutch is not a very popular Saint in the city. Hulutch was a mindflayer of incredible power, but unlike the rest of his kin, who are methodical and calculating in their ever evolving and horrific plans, Hulutch was the living embodiment of Choas. He was a terrifying force to behold and would seek to reap madness and destruction where ever he went. He was so terrible, that even his own Illithid kindred feared him. They betrayed him, and sealed him deep in the earth, inside a cavern so deep, they believed he would be trapped for all eternity. What his kin did not foresee, was the ever expanding tunnels of the city. The miners who discovered Hulutch fell into a deep madness the moment he entered his presence, and returned to the surface screaming of horrifying things. With Hulutch's release, his madness swept through the city. The City Council sought out Hulutch with the intent of killing him, but when he was found he offered no fight, and instead asked to speak with the Council. Although they would not meet him face to face, they arrange a method to speak to one another. Hulutch's captivity had done more damage to him then simple deprivation, he was dying. Hulutch had learned much of the city, and had actually found it fascinating. He offered the Council a deal: canonize him as a Saint, and not only would he end his disease of madness within the city, but he would use his powers to help the city.

The Council accepted his deal, and ordered his canonization. But as you have most likely guessed, Hulutch should not have been trusted. The moment the ceremony was complete, Hulutch let out a sickening laugh and killed himself. Now with the powers of a Saint, his maddening hold on the people of the city increased. Fortunately, Hulutch had not realized the price at which his canonization came. The moment he became a Saint, he was subject to the direct scrutiny of the rest of the city's pantheon. Saint's who had been mortal enemies in life, like Kenrik and Baltin, joined forces to stop Hulutch and his ever expanding madness. While they could not undo Hulutch's canonization, they imposed a fate on him similar to the one his kindred had once imposed. He is now sealed in a personal hell, from which he cannot escape.

Despite his despicable nature, Hulutch still has a small following within the city. His followers meet at secret shrines hidden to those not willing to surrender themselves to madness. The primary goal of his followers is to release Hulutch from his prison, and while it is not documented by any agency (other than The Eyes) they have come very close on several occasions. He is the Patron Saint of madness, anarchy, and destruction.

[BRC]

The only problem I have with Hulutch is the idea that the city conciously canonizes the saints, and that the act of Canonization itself causes them to get power.I imagined they would rise to power due to the devotion or adoration of people due to their deeds, not the council just saying "Okay, you're a saint"



Also, when it comes to "Contacting" saints I more imagine this. The one wishing to contact the saint will throw themself into a frenzy of some activity appropriate to the Saint. Simple Prayer in a vigil. Working (For the First Builder) exersize (For The unbreakable), stealing somthing and leading the guards in a chase (For Flat Foot Jack). They do not stop this vigil, not for food or drink or rest, until they receive a vision from the saint. If people disagree with a vision, they simply say it was a hallucination brought on by the vigil.

[50cr4t3s]

Alright, let me amend the back story of Hulutch. He did not become canonized by the order of the city council. How about this:

Hulutch studied the city extensively once he escaped his prison. Even as his madness began spreading through the city he obsessed over every detail of this massive nation-state that had been over his head all these years. He quickly formulated a plan that was to be his most sickening act ever. As more and more citizens fell into the clutches of Hulutch's madness, he planted a thought into their tormented minds. These screaming and wailing people fell to their knees and praised the name of Hulutch. They mutter prayers and oaths of devotion so terrible, I dare not repeat them here. When Hulutch was confident that his madness had infected a large enough portion of the city. He took his own life, absorbing the blind devotion of his followers, and ascending to Sainthood. But Hulutch was careless, and had not realized the price of Sainthood.

After this point the story would be the same. Hulutch has never been officially accepted into the city's pantheon, but nonetheless, his shrines are very real, and his followers, even more fanatical.

[BRC]

Alright, let me amend the back story of Hulutch. He did not become canonized by the order of the city council. How about this:

Hulutch studied the city extensively once he escaped his prison. Even as his madness began spreading through the city he obsessed over every detail of this massive nation-state that had been over his head all these years. He quickly formulated a plan that was to be his most sickening act ever. As more and more citizens fell into the clutches of Hulutch's madness, he planted a thought into their tormented minds. These screaming and wailing people fell to their knees and praised the name of Hulutch. They mutter prayers and oaths of devotion so terrible, I dare not repeat them here. When Hulutch was confident that his madness had infected a large enough portion of the city. He took his own life, absorbing the blind devotion of his followers, and ascending to Sainthood. But Hulutch was careless, and had not realized the price of Sainthood.

After this point the story would be the same. Hulutch has never been officially accepted into the city's pantheon, but nonetheless, his shrines are very real, and his followers, even more fanatical.

Mindraping your way to sainthood, that works to create a nice "Dark God" for the city.

[BRC]

Festival: Builders day
This is the holy day of the First Builder, it celebrates when he first approached the city council with his ambitious plans, as well as the point, exactly a year later, when the first Streetbuilder projects were begun.

Traditionally, there is a big party, centered around the Big pillars. It, and the day after it, are the only days of the year that no streetbuilders work, this is not because of any festive spirit on the part of the management, in fact it would be in the spirit for the Streetbuilders to work their hardest on this day. However, because the city is very short on people willing to let the boys in grey pay for drinks on the Builders Day. As a result of this, pretty much every streetbuilder parties constantly, and as a result is in no shape to work. The next day they spend recovering from the festivities.

[Owrtho]

So, just thought about it, but will Graveyard Shift be continued?

In other thoughts:
Saint Idea
The Stone Raven
The patron of impartial justice, laws, observers, and law-keepers.
Given the rather well known nature of Ravenshome, it was only a matter of time before some began revering the raven statues found throughout for they're impartial keeping of justice. As such small shrines soon began appearing around the city with one or more raven statues in them. An odd, or perhaps expected, thing is that there are no shrines to the stone raven within a mile or so of Ravenshome in any direction. Similarly any who have some kind of dedication to the stone raven can almost be guaranteed to have never been to Ravenshome themselves, or if they have, only in passing and never for any length of time at that. Most who visit the shrines however are those who have recently been wronged and hope for justice to be carried out, or law-keepers currently on a difficult case hoping for guidance in punishing the culprit. All the shrines also seem to give the unshakable feeling of being watched however, making them among the most unpopular to visit without reason. They are also considered the most unpopular among lawbreakers, yet very rarely do any risk vandalizing them, afraid that the same enforcement found in Ravenshome might fall upon them at the shrines if they do.

Owrtho

[BRC]

So, just thought about it, but will Graveyard Shift be continued?

In other thoughts:
Saint Idea
The Stone Raven
The patron of impartial justice, laws, observers, and law-keepers.
Given the rather well known nature of Ravenshome, it was only a matter of time before some began revering the raven statues found throughout for they're impartial keeping of justice. As such small shrines soon began appearing around the city with one or more raven statues in them. An odd, or perhaps expected, thing is that there are no shrines to the stone raven within a mile or so of Ravenshome in any direction. Similarly any who have some kind of dedication to the stone raven can almost be guaranteed to have never been to Ravenshome themselves, or if they have, only in passing and never for any length of time at that. Most who visit the shrines however are those who have recently been wronged and hope for justice to be carried out, or law-keepers currently on a difficult case hoping for guidance in punishing the culprit. All the shrines also seem to give the unshakable feeling of being watched however, making them among the most unpopular to visit without reason. They are also considered the most unpopular among lawbreakers, yet very rarely do any risk vandalizing them, afraid that the same enforcement found in Ravenshome might fall upon them at the shrines if they do.

Owrtho

I could imagine a devotee of the stone raven who goes on a pilgramage to Ravenshome, looking for a glorious utopia, and ends up breaking some obscure and irrational law (Like "Do not wear a red hat on an odd numbered day when the day of the week has a vowel as the second letter") and ends up vanishing.