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Solacia on 5 Silver
a Day:
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1) Dunbouri Market |
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This
is the pride of the merchants of New Dunbouri, and rightfully so.
The sprawling market place is a huge area. The main square itself
is large enough to land dragons in, which has happened in the past.
If you can't find what your looking for here, then you probably wont
find it anywhere else in Solacia. There are some great deals to be
found here, and we found it to be a great place to just spend the
afternoon wandering and taking in the sites. There are merchants here
from nearly everywhere, and we found a great selection of goods. The
center of the market square is given up to the semi permanent booths
and stalls, while the houses around the square are where the more
permanent shops are located. Don't miss out on some of the great delicacies
from the land renowned Three Bakers bakery. There are numerous inns
on the square itself, but we suggest finding a place in a quieter
section of town, which is cheaper. The Market itself is open every
day, from sun up to sun down. Except on Wednesdays and Saturday evenings,
when the entire area is lit by rods with globes of light, for night
shopping. On the weekends, the market spills out into the adjoining
streets and parks. Don't miss the Buskers who play on most of the
street corners, some great talent out there. If you get lost, the
Dunbouri Guards are more than happy to get you oriented. |
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2) Dunbouri Hall |
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The
centerpiece of New Dunbouri. This huge place is generally off limits
to the public, unless you somehow manage to get an invitation. There
is a tour, which takes visitors, under guard, through the public rooms
of the Hall, but it is only once a week. Still, it is worth a glimpse
through the gates, and the Hall itself is visible from outside of
the compounds walls. The entire Hall, its gardens, and its walls were
transported from a location just outside of Rhydin City, to this land
when the Brotherhood of The Rose first moved here, 30 years ago now.
This is the focal point of the Brotherhood, and the center of its
efforts to defend all that is Light. The changing of the Hall Guards
is something to watch, if you are in the area at the right time. There
are several shops and inns nearby, and the Hall is located more or
less in the center of the city. If you are lucky, you may even spot
a BoR member; in their midnight blue with silver trim uniforms. |
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3) The Gardens and
statues of the past GC's |
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The
Dunbouri Gardens are among the most beautiful cultivated gardens in
the known world, and it is obvious that the Gardeners who work in
them love their jobs. The formal gardens, and the maze are an ever-changing
tapestry of colors and scents. The Gardens are open twice a week for
tours, with an escort. The Brotherhood, understandably, gets a bit
on edge when people try to wander around unescorted, and you will
be politely, but firmly asked to leave if you do. The guided tours
will bring you past the statues of the Brotherhoods past Grand Commanders,
which occupy one of the lanes in the gardens. The past Grand Commanders
are detailed in our section on the BoR history, so we won't go into
it again here. |
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4) Dunbouri Library |
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What
can we say about this place, other than this is the place to find
that elusive book. This five story tall copper covered dome is easily
visible from most areas of New Dunbouri. Its distinctive green dome
makes an excellent landmark for those of you who have never been through
the sometimes-winding Dunbouri Streets. The statue on the top of the
dome, of a young woman reading from an open book to the children at
her feet, was cast by the famed artist: Rinolo T'Rili. The majority
of the books in the library itself were donated by Merchant clans,
and BoR members, or bought by donations from these same people. Inside
of the dome are rows upon rows of stacks. The interior of the library
was destroyed by fire shortly after its construction, and be warned
that warding spells are now used to dampen any fire inside of it,
while alerting the librarians. Smoking a pipe is strictly prohibited,
as is eating or drinking anywhere near the book stacks. |
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5) Storm Haven |
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Want
a place to get away for a little bit of rest and touring? We would
like to suggest taking the time to go and visit Storm Haven, a lovely
port city located near the edge of the Brotherhoods lands. Merchant
ships depart nearly daily from New Dunbouri, headed to this port by
way of the Sutton Canal. Most are quite agreeable to having passengers,
or you can even work your way there if money is tight. The port is
considerably smaller than New Dunbouri, but was built to anchor the
western side of the Sutton Canal. The famed Storm Haven Citadel has
aided the port in surviving even the worst siege. Almost all of the
traffic, which comes in and out of the Canal stops here for supplies,
and the Market, although smaller than the one in New Dunbouri, is
quite well stocked. If you care for a day trip, there are any number
of small fishing villages up and down the coast to visit, as well
as a clan of Dwarves in the Silvershield mountains to the north of
the port. |
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6) The Sutton Canal |
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The
Sutton Canal is a true marvel of engineering. The Canal stretches
over ten miles, across the isthmus of land, which separates the Eastern
and Western Oceans. The Canal cuts its way through a pass, now called
the Shangbeir pass in honor of the masons who died here in a landslide
during the Canal's construction. The Canal itself has eleven locks
in total, through which ships are raised or lowered, to get over the
pass. Take a good look at the two large windmills located inside of
the pass, on its slopes. These are the pumping station for all of
the water, which is used to fill the lower locks, and powers the canal.
It takes about two days for a ship to safely make its way through
the Canals, being pulled along by pack mules on the shore. The Canal
itself is two days sailing, in good weather, south west of New Dunbouri,
or six days by land if you want to take the Yuis Road. |
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7) Pawprint Islands |
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These
Islands are located just south west of New Dunbouri, where the Red
River empties into the Ocean. There are actually quite a few islands,
but the larger ones together form a paw print type pattern from above.
The entire area has been under the control of a group of Knights from
another land for quite a few years now. A gate is located in the keep,
on the fourth and largest island, which has been traditionally named
after the current BoR Grand Commander. The Knights aided the BoR in
an invasion, and have stayed in the land keeping the islands as their
outpost. Be warned that none of them speak common, and it may be better
to admire the islands from the safety of the Great Wall, which surrounds
New Dunbouri. |
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8) Heartstone Castle |
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This
Castle is located in the southern section of the city, and borders
the cliffs which overlook the ocean. The Great Wall is anchored to
this unusual castle, and it is an interesting site to visit. No one
is allowed within its walls, for it is rumored that a magical artifact
called the Heartstone, is kept within. What makes the castle truly
unusual is the fact that it was built to keep something in, not out
as most others are. Aspiring mages may be able to sense the power
which permeates this place, and more information can be found in our
History of the BoR section. |
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