.: Broken Empires :.: Ladroa

Showing posts with label Ladroa. Show all posts

RIYAD

The Prince of Beggars

R I Y A D

Ht: 5'9 / Wt: 150 / Hair: dark brown / Eyes: brown

Age: 18 / Creed: Mendigos / Status: ACTIVE

Riyad is the heir apparent to the leadership of Los Mendigos in Ladroa. Once, he served as the protege and lieutenant to the old king, Salvador, and headed up the Mendigos youth gangs in the Bosque with a mix of cunning and smirking bravado. Now it falls to him to lead the clan into a new era... or to ruin.

Dona D A N I R A D E L O S A

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Ht:5'5 | Wt:120 | Eyes:Brown | Hair:White

Age:65 | Creed: Iagosi | Status: ACTIVE

Lady Delosa is a lifetime resident of Ladroa, the last member of a minor noble house that owns slate quarries in the Kastros region to the south. She is affluent and well-established, with ties to various trade associations within Ladroa.

Delosa has lost two sons, one killed during the War of the Phoenix, and the other lost at sea during the last Expedicione. Her older husband died of natural causes more than a decade ago, leaving her with their slate interests, a respectable fortune, and a small estate in Kastros which she has not visited in quite some time.

Once, her family was more directly involved with construction within Ladroa, as well as the trade and transport of slate, but since her husband's death, much of that administration now rests with Pardo, a notary and accountant who serves the family.

The CASA VANDERBILT

The Tyrson Company - Ladroa Branch Office

The back cellar entrance on Beco dos Trapos

Tucked away on an unassuming side street in the upper Armacenes district of Ladroa, the Vanderbilt is the new home of the redoubtable Tyrson Company.

Formerly a disused storehouse with a questionable dive bar operating out of the cellar, the Company quietly purchased the building last year and has remodeled the interior for their needs. Few know of the building's sinister history, and fewer still know of the catacombs located beneath it...

LADROA: The LEGEND of LA LADRA

The Saint of Ladroa

The Santa La Ladra has always been a controversial figure for the Church of the Holy Wheel. Braicosi fundamentalists ignore her, theologians question the latter-day proliferation of dubious Saints, and the conservative Iagosi royal court have threatened to have her decanonized.

Nonetheless, the people of Ladroa today all celebrate the image of La Ladra, and mosaics, paintings, and statues of her can be found in many locations around the city. The largest of these is the great statue of the Saint that now stands upon a plinth in the Plaza de La Ladra at the center of the Puerto - her marble body arched and wanton, her arms outstretched towards the sea, welcoming, beckoning...

ROOFDANCERS of LADROA

The Legacy of La Ladra

The famed Roofdancers of Ladroa are daring scoundrels who make the rooftops of the city their home. These troupes of acrobatic young performers have taken their name and inspiration from La Ladra, the patron saint of the city. This sensuous woman once danced over the buildings of the Puerto to seduce the notorious Sultan of the Waves and prevent his armada from sacking Ladroa.

These ties link the Roofdancer tradition of today back to the namesake and the very spirit of Ladroa, a fact which allows these colourful rogues to be tolerated and even celebrated for their own sake.

LADROA: Introduction

The City of Masks

The Kingdom of Iagos is known for austere tradition and deep piety. For this reason it is all the stranger that such a famous city of sin as Ladroa is allowed to exist within its borders.

Ladroa has a reputation as both a lawless den of thieves and a lurid playground for the privileged. This teeming cosmopolitan port traffics in every commodity and contraband, and the riches that flow through the city have helped to fashion its dissolute lifestyle, where high and low mingle, and nothing is sacred.

For the wealthy, Ladroa is an unending carnivale of rare delights and forbidden pleasures, promising discretion behind the traditional masks worn within its walls. For the poor and downtrodden, Ladroa may be just as cruel and unjust as any city in the Empire, but it is also an anarchic realm of opportunity... as long as you have something you can sell.

ELKË

Sister of Mercy

E L K E M A R E V N A

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Ht: 5'10 / Wt: 85 lb / Hair: red / Eyes: red / Age: ~160 / Creed: Vaara

Elke is a sister of the Varantine Order, steward of the Schola Santa-Vara Infirmary, and the personal apprentice of Doctor-Curate Cardena Dela Vara. Like most members of the Varantine Order, she is also secretly a member of the Vaara race (called vampires by some).

LOS MENDIGOS

The Beggar Clans

THE MENDIGOS PEOPLE...

The people collectively known in the Southlands as Mendigos came originally from many different regions around Duatha and beyond.

Some were nomads from the reaches of Malochovia, or even from distant Phinsk or Rastania. Others are known to be descended from the Talumar peoples who once occupied Iagos during the era of the heretical Daramadi Caliphate. Still others are rumoured to be descendants of Sankarite exiles from antiquity.

What unifies these disparate folk is their place on the fringes of society, and their rootless and peripatetic lifestyle. Over time, different groups of these nomadic peoples have crossed over, bartered, intermarried, or banded together, forming new bonds of elective kinship.

SALVADOR

The Beggar King

S A L V A D O R

Ht: 5'9 / Wt: 160 / Hair: black+grey / Eyes: green / Age: ~60 / Creed: Iagosi / Status: at large

Their leader squatted on an old bushel of thatch, with a gnarled walking staff gripped upright in one hand, like a king holding court. A wineflask was tied across his chest and a patchwork quilted mantle was thrown over his shoulders, somehow both shabby and majestic at once. He was the oldest among them, his face a thicket of iron-flecked whiskers and his brow webbed with creases - but he was still likely younger than he appeared.

Salvador is the former leader of the Mendigos of Ladroa, and is still often referred to as Ladroa's “King of Beggars" -- even though he has not been seen in the city for some time.

AL-SIJAD

The Silk Merchant of Ladroa

AYAN AL-SIJAD

Ht: 5'8 | Wt: 175 | Eyes: brown | Hair: black | Age: 50

Ayan Al-Sijad is a prominent Talumar silk merchant who has made his home in Ladroa. Although not a full citizen, he wields substantial influence over the textile market, and has many connections with the caravans and sea trade going in and out of the city.

The Kidnapping

Al-Sijad's 12-year-old son, Amaro, is the apple of his eye. While slumming with youth gangs in the Puerto against his father's wishes, Amaro was kidnapped by procurers for the Cult of Agruesh that was operating out of the Colegio district

Not trusting local authorities to get the job done, Al-Sijad devoted considerable monies to turn up a lead. Unable to find local muscle to help him, he hired the brash young Capracian pistolero named Lonzo to get his son back.

In a fortunate coincidence, Lonzo encountered his former comrades Jack, Kuan, Kian, and Korvuus at the cult's hideout, and the heroes joined forces to raid the secret temple together. They were able to liberate the abducted children before the followers of Agruesh could subject them to untold horrors. Appalled by what they discovered, they meted out harsh justice to the members of the cult.

Gratitude and Charity

Al-Sijad was extremely grateful for the return of his son. As most of the other rescued children were orphans or kidnapped children far from home, Al-Sijad agreed to take responsibility for the other liberated prisoners. He has also found jobs for some of the older children in the Calle Seda, but the youngest children were remanded to the care of the newly-opened Orphanato del Cinzento (sometimes called "the Grey Shelter") operated by the Grey Stripes, and subsidized with donations from Al-Sijad.

Al-Sijad is considered friendly to the Tyrson Company, and to the Grey Stripes as well. He is a valuable ally in the Mercado of Ladroa.

AMARO AL-SIJAD

Ht: 5'5 | Wt: 110| Eyes: brown | Hair: black | Age: 12

Amaro is the son of one of the richest merchants in Ladroa, but has no interest in silks or trade at this stage of his life. Instead, he is fascinated by the Roofdancers of Ladroa, especially by the fact that many of them are barely older than himself - a fact that causes his father no end of consternation. He often neglects his studies and sneaks out to mingle with the rough-and-tumble kids who make the streets of the Puerto their playground.

The LEONERA

The Arena of Ladroa

The Leonera is a fighting pit located in the Playa district on the outskirts of Ladroa. Here sailors, commoners, and thrill-seekings tourists can gather to bet on various quasi-legal bloodsports. Once a holding controlled by the Grey Stripes, it now operates independently, ostensibly under the watchful eye of the adventurer Captain Jack Tyrson.

HEXCORA

(aka: Chantress of the Einherjar, the Battle-Witch of Bousoy, the Caller of the Dead)

H E X C O R A the W a r s i n g e r

minstrel, sorceress, spy

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Ht: 5'10 / Wt: 135 / Age: 30 / Hair: black / Eyes: violet / Creed: Londais

A traveling minstrel specialized in plying her trade in the war-camps, Hexcora has crossed Duatha several times over in the trains of many armies. Although mainly known for her poetry and song, it is rumoured that her talents extend to sorcery as well.

While most are charmed by her jocular presence and musicality, others call her a witch, and whisper that wherever she goes, strange events and bad luck follow. Despite these misgivings, most are satisfied to have her on their side, to ensure such misfortunes befall the enemy instead.

Spellbound and Unbound

(STORY)

from: CHAPTER SIXTEEN ~ HOMECOMING characters: KIAN (pov), ELKE, CARDENA DELA VARA

Kian has returned to find a Ladroa no less complicated than when he left it. It seems that all around him is suffering - the kind that cannot be solved with simple violence.

Rather than succumbing to self-pity, sometimes one must step out of the shadows and instead choose light. And so, Kian makes an appointment with a doctor...

Old Sins Have Long Shadows

VALKE'S TALE

from: CHAPTER SIXTEEN ~ HOMECOMING
characters: KIAN (pov), VALKE

When the Red Spite was carried back across the Winter Gate, it brought a potent arcane power into the world - one that corrupted the body and mind of all those with Fae blood, and turned them against humankind.

Valke of the Vaara folk was one of the first to suffer these effects. As the madness crept over her, she rebuked her human comrades, and in a fugue state, fled. Kian searched high and low for his friend, but in the end, he found her at the beginning again, in the port of Ladroa.

He did not expect to find her in such a state...

No Laughing Matter

(STORY)

from: CHAPTER ELEVEN ~ WINTER SOJOURN
characters: KORVUUS (pov), RAAF, and an unexpected visitor...

Managing the branch of an espionage network is hard work when you're traveling. This Korvuus learned when he agreed to keep an eye on some matters in Ladroa on behalf of the Baron Cordova, and then soon after embarked on a journey to Auspenheim that became an extended stay.

As the bird flies, Ladroa was not so far away, but it required Korvuus leave Auspendstadt for days at a time. Later, after he devoured an ailing earth spirit and learning of its secrets, he taught himself how to walk the green path of the Grovestrider, which made the commute that much easier.

Even so, it was truly his regular visits with his trusted partners in the city that truly made the balance possible. Discretion was important for all parties. On such occasions, he was always careful to wear a different face - was Ladroa not the city of masks, after all?

However, on this occasion, he discovered to his dismay that some in the city do not sleep. Instead they stand guard ever-watchfully, and prowl the shadows for any scent of their prey...

The World's Cruelty

( STORY )

from: CHAPTER SIXTEEN ~ HOMECOMING characters: KIAN (pov), MISERO

With the Tyrson Company's return to Ladroa, it is time for Kian to check in on the various pots he set simmering before his departure.

In addition to providing Kian with intelligence from the streets of the city, the hidalgo Misero was left with a very special portfolio - to provide special protection services to the urchin roofdancers known as The Cats.

As always, in the Port of Masks, there are always entanglements...

What is to be done with Kian Grey?

(STORY)

from: CHAPTER EIGHT ~ LADROA ELEGY

characters: JUDEX, RIGOLO

The assassination of the Imperial Legate remains unsolved. This event and the recent tumult in Ladroa has led to unwanted scrutiny on the city from external forces... attention that may pose an existential threat to Ladroa's autonomy.

After interrogating the imprisoned Kian in his cell in the Carcelario, Mariscal Rigolo makes his report to the Grand Magistrado Judex. It is clear that Kian Grey is somehow embroiled in the recent threats to Ladroa. His avowed crimes are more than enough to put his head on the block... but is he more useful to the Mariscales alive... ?

Visiting Hours

(STORY)

from: CHAPTER EIGHT ~ LADROA ELEGY

characters: Mariscal RIGOLO, KIAN

Tyrson's company makes a triumphant return to Ladroa after defeating Captain di Frezzi and saving the kingdom of Thessios. However, in their absence, the name of Jack Tyrson has become entangled in a string of violent crimes and intrigues. Jack and Kuan are arrested and brought before Grand Magistrado Judex.

Unwilling to let his comrades or the young Lady de Cinza become implicated in the clandestine activities he set in motion, Kian crashes the tribunal and claims responsibility for the crimes, while also defiantly challenging the court's authority. The mysterious Mariscal Rigolo appears as well, tugging at threads that Kian finds himself unprepared to answer for.

Judex adjourns and Kuan and Jack are detained. Kian is imprisoned separately in a tiny dungeon in great tower. Under cover of night, Cardena dela Vara visits his cell to counsel him, but Kian refuses her help. As Dela Vara departs, Kian learns that another visitor has also come calling...

The CIRCLE of the COPPER GOBLET*

The Tavern of Blood

There are many drinking establishments in Ladroa, both high and low, but even most locals have never heard of the Copper Goblet. This tavern on a narrow, ill-traveled Arcmacenes sidestreet is mostly beneath notice - an unremarkable hole-in-the-wall, with only a crooked and mostly illegible signboard to indicate its presence.

Behind the shabby cellar door, one once found a small, dank basement space located under a disused warehouse. Here, both the ambiance and the patrons seemed musty and unwelcoming to newcomers, and this is how they preferred it.

ARRIAGA

Boss of the Colegio

N I N O A R R I A G A

Ht: 6' / Wt: 400 / Hair: black / Eyes: brown / Age: 50 / Creed: Iagosi / Status: active

Arriaga is a well-established loan shark and criminal boss in Ladroa. He is known to operate several gambling houses in the Colegio and Mercado districts, but his organization also dabbles in narcotics and prostitution. All three of these things are technically legal in Ladroa, but of course one does not rise to such a position of power without crossing certain lines. In the case of Arriaga, intimidation, extortion, blackmail, and murder are all tools of his trade.