The City of Cellam
The Capital City of Arthea is old and densely populated. Like many of the county-towns of Ticetia, it has seen industrial expansion and the growth of the city structure over the past two hundred years, and has sprawled beyond its traditional boundaries, and out to cover what used to be surrounding villages.
Brief History
The first settlements in this region date from somewhere between 500 and 550, when southern Ticetia was first occupied by humans. It is situated in the middle of a low-lying plain, which provided shelter and even in the earliest days showed it to be one of the best farming regions available at the time. Originally, it was two discrete settlements, only a few hundred yards apart, both on the southern side of the wide and fast flowing River Rhoub. The western settlement was established as a port on the river just behind the mouth of the river, which initially became a fishing community. The eastern settlement specialised in farming, making the most of the plain to the south of the settlements. As time passed, the settlements expanded on the proceeds of their farming and fishing exploits, and latter development of coastal trade by boat, to become one town sometime between 650 and 670. At first it was surrounded by a large bank and dyke, but expansion was needed which caused this to be re-dug frequently.
Slowly the town expanded to the north to the river and to the south out onto the farmland plains. The first river crossing was built here in 703, but was a poor quality wooden bridge which did not last well. It made a significant contribution to the wealth of the city, though, which grew rapidly after this. The bridge was eventually replaced with a stone bridge which was built in 733-734.
The first city wall was erected in 855, the first such construction in the north. It set a trend among many of the richer southern Kingdoms of the Ticetian region. The first construction was largely wooden with some stone sections, erected to supplement the banked defences. Once the stone wall was commenced, plans for the town's castle and palace structure were drawn up. Work began on the castle in 861, and it was completed in 867, with Cellam becoming the north's first city. It originally housed the palace for the Cellam throne, but this was moved to a newly built palace site in the city in 1002 during the reign of King Egar, when the political structures of the region were beginning to unify. The palace was rebuilt in 1057 by King Dairmot; his grand new building reflected the massive wealth of the region which had largely been created by the diamond trade. The building was designed to rival many of the decadent structures of the Empire, and was intended to show how far the Ticetians had come in civilisation. This building is still a majestic sight, and still raises a few heckles among those from the former Empire, as it now holds the seat of power for the whole nation.
City Layout
There are eight districts in the sprawling city, with several more in outlying areas. At the heart of the city are the two oldest districts, Cellam Port and the district that used to be called 'Old Cellam' but it is now often referred to as 'The City'. Cellam Port is still a busy trading port on the river, but now caters mainly for heavy ships. The City is the heart of the capital, government is largely carried out here, and this where Cellam Palace and Ticetia Square are located. This square also houses the primary Ticetian cathedrals of the main church organisations. Cellam Port lies on the river's edge, while the City is immediately to the southeast of there.
To the north of The City district is a staging area for light traders, this is known as The Docks district, in which also congregate a market area and traders from both up and down the river. The eastern bound of this district is the city's main river crossing, the Rhoub Bridge. North of the river Cellam has just one district, the Rhoubbridge District, which is partly residential but is also the staging ground for many traders who travel to Cellam by road from the north.
To the south of the Cellam Port district is the area where the rich seem to have gathered, the Cemdell district. To the west of this, and forming part of the city wall, is the Royal Castle, now an old building but which is still in use. The houses in Cemdell are well spread out, and there is little trade carried out here. There are carriages available here to cover the short ride to The City for a very small fee. To the east of the Rilston Road is the main commercial area, the Barkage District. This place is alive with small retailers and service providers. There are plenty of inns and taverns here for weary traders or travellers to rest.
South of the Barkage and City districts is the cheapest housing district inside the wall. The Covernan District is densely populated, and many consider the district to have spread outside the wall too. There are many homes just outside the wall, and these spread off towards the farmlands to the south.
The final district inside the wall is west of the Covernan district and south of the Cemdell district. The Balmar district used to be an overspill for the Cemdell district; it has traditionally housed those who were not affluent enough to live in Cemdell. This has slowly changed over the last 150 years or so, as this district had become more and more the home of the ethnic communities of the capital. The dwarf quarter here is now particularly strong, but there are many Halflings and gnomes that dwell here too.
Outside the wall but closest to the city the houses of the poorer residents are packed more closely together; this is particularly true near to the city's gates. As the suburban sprawl gives way to farmlands, the housing quickly becomes less dense. To the north and spread to the east of Rhoubbridge is the Evorlen district which extends in an arc around the east of the city, along the wall all the way around to the Barkage Gate. To the west of the Rhoubbridge gate, and extending along the river opposite the docks is the Fennis district.
The area around the south of the Covernan district, and spreading off along the road is the slum-like New Covernan, which extends to the east, and the Garlan district which extends to the west.
Outline Map
Places of Interest
Religions
All the major religions of Arthea are represented in the city. They cluster around Ticetia square squeezing in between inns and the houses of the important. As this is a large city, most of the religious groups have a cathedral presence - although for some it is a stretch to use that description.
Anbartae
They have the largest of the cathedrals, and are set very close to the Royal Palace. Having secured their plot of land long before the current palace was built, the church grabbed enough land for an expansive cathedral. The church is well supported in the city, it is the choice of King James himself. Their refectory is adjoined to the cathedral, and they have a separate monastery nearby.
Pendaroch
Although the smallest presence of the four big churches, the building is dominated by a tall tower. They pride themselves with their architecture, which is more ornate than usual for this church. The building sits opposite the palace, and is one of the major markers of the square. The tower is the highest point across the City district, and contains a bell. Since the first formation of Ticetia as a single nation, the bell in this tower has chimed the hours of noon and of sunset every day. The bell is the Verdin bell and people are said to come from all over Arthea to hear it chime, although those that see it are often disappointed by its small scale.
Danethrae
The original Danethrae cathedral sat a couple of streets away from the square, but in the early 1320's the church paid a huge sum of money to buy this plot and construct their edifice. They secured their location on the square opposite Suldurn, which was their preferred location. The newest cathedral and, due to their late arrival at the side of the palace, relatively small (only slightly larger than Pendarochs building). The church did go town on the decoration, however, and what they lack in size is made up for in ornate carving and symbolism. The church is complimented by the site of the much larger old cathedral just a few streets away which is now used as a monastery, refectory and orphanage, from where the church's contribution to the local community is extensive.
Suldurn
The oldest of religious sites on the square, Suldurn's cathedral is relatively understated. It has the largest floor area of the cathedrals here, but is not a new building. Its age is reflected in the quality of its architecture, but the church are unwilling to rework the building and lose what they consider to be its attractive charm. It is a low cathedral, and unlike its competitors, its upper tier overhangs the lower tiers, and is supported by decoratively carved but weather worn stone pillars. Since Unification, there have been many proposals made for the redevelopment of this site to construct a new building, one larger than Anbartae's cathedral. None of these proposals has yet been taken seriously.
Ascheinar's Cult
The cathedral used by Ascheinars Cult is inherited from the Cult of Sigmayne, who joined Ascheinar's cult when it formed in 1271. As a result some of its symbols are not the expected ones in normal use by the church, although additions have been made to try and bring the building up to date. It is another of the 'old' church buildings and is seeing some signs of decay. It is a large cathedral, and sits to the side of (and is overshadowed by) the Cathedral of Anbartae on Ticetia Square.
Nature
To try and be close to the seat of Power, nature has established a grove right in the heart of the city. More of a garden than a building, at first glance it has the look of the home of a wealthy businessman or noble. But this is just an outer wall, a 'skirt' the druids call it, enclosing a garden set with trees. This area is well maintained, and used for all levels of worship, it is open to the sky save for one small corner with an overhanging roof and a place to entertain visitors and dignitaries.
Where to Stay
There are many inns and hotels in the capital, here are a few that player characters may want to consider.
Rhoubbridge Inns
The Wheel. This used to be a trader support tavern, providing blacksmithing and grooming facilities for horses, and a waggon repair station. This part of the business has recently been closed, the blacksmith retired and, there are plenty of good quality services available on the same street now. This place is situated just off the main bridge, on Waterside Road, and is run by Kevin and Dora Banks.
Tafarel’s Station. This is a newer inn, having been recently taken over by Edly Tafarel. Edly is a gnome, and despite his height, he operates a full inn for all kinds of travellers. The place has a distinctly gnomish flavour to its décor and styling, and the food draws upon dwarfish and gnomish cuisine. It caters well for all races, and has smaller rooms and beds available for Halfling and gnomish guests. It is located on the western side of Lanrieth Road a few hundred yards north of the bridge.
Minxtons Inn. William Minxton has several inns in the city; his Rhoubbridge establishment is on Fellows Lane, just off the main Lanrieth Road not far from the north gate. Minxtons have a reputation for being reasonably clean, tidy and dull, although they are slightly more expensive than their counterparts. This Minxtons Inn is managed by Reg O’Grady, who is a big, burly former barrel maker.
Barkage Inns
Eastman’s Inn. Donald Eastman is a freelance innkeeper who has operated taverns and inns over the whole of the south for the last fifty years. Now in his seventies, he is still going strong, and runs a popular lively inn and tavern along the Lanrieth Road, 250 yards south of the Rhoub Bridge. The place is often quite lively, with rowdy singing in the bar until late (and often with Eastman himself leading the singing). The popularity of the bar here keeps the prices slightly lower than other inns of this size.
Covernan Inns
The Old Pheasant. This is an old, long established inn located on Pheasant Lane near the wall at the south of the district. It has traditionally been a meeting place for the criminal fraternity, and still has many who come here to fence their stolen goods. It is said in the city that anything can be obtained in the Old Pheasant. Thief guilds from across the city often send people here to move on goods. It is run by Roger Henders, who worked previously as a bodyguard for some of the better off members of the wealthy classes in the city. He is well equipped personally to deal with trouble in his inn.
Minxtons Red Dragon. This is William Minxton’s newest addition to his chain, after his former inn in this district suffered a fire which destroyed much of the building. To set this place up, William Minxton bought out a tavern owner and converted the building to an inn by adding rooms upstairs for guests. The name was also kept, as the place was something of a landmark on Rilston Road where it sweeps to the left northwards and becomes the Lanrieth Road. The Red Dragon is much like Minxtons other inns; it is clean, tidy, dull and slightly overpriced. This is managed by Duane Frampton and his wife Margaret.
The Cold Blade. This place is managed in partnership by a couple of former adventurers, Aaron Velmet, and Marty Finkle (who once earned some small-time fame). Marty was a wizard, but always put himself forward as the planner and organiser of the team to the public, while Aaron was one of the group’s tougher fighters. They had other friends too, but these two set up their own running a tavern. They set their establishment out to appeal to the boisterous, high spirited adventurous types, but there are very few of these around, hence they seem to spend more time meeting the needs of the steady flow of traders that passes north up the Rilston Road every day. The inn is on the Rilston Road, maybe 100 yards south of the Red Dragon.
The City Inns
The Grande. This is a high-class hotel, situated on Ticetia Square. It is used by the City to house visiting dignitaries from other places (usually Caldonacian or Carrodian Dukes). It is very expensive (10gp per night) with extra cost for stabling, but some will tell you that it is well worth the money. The beds are scrupulously clean and the food is of the very highest quality. There is no clear tavern owner, such as may be found with other inns, and the management team for this place operate in shifts. It is believed that the hotel is owned by someone close to the King – but it doesn’t matter for the purposes of the campaign stories.
Hotel Metropolis. Another city-sponsored hotel. This is situated just off Ticetia Square, to the side of the main palace complex; it offers much simpler hospitality than the Grande, and costs much less (but still more than a regular inn). It is used by the city to allow politicians (mostly Marquises, Earls and Viscounts) who are visiting from the furthest reaches of Arthea to have a comfortable stay in the capital.
The Docks Inns
Minxtons Inn. William Minxton has his largest inn at the western edge of the Docks, just back from the waterfront. It serves both the Docks and the Cellam Port region, and has plenty of private function rooms upstairs as well bedrooms; this place gets used during contract negotiations between those who transport goods by land and the sea or river traders. This keeps it a pretty lifeless place, and like other inns owned by Minxton, is overpriced and characterless.
Dockers Rest. This inn is aimed at those who work the ships in the docks rather than those who own and operate the trader vessels. It caters for the lackeys and sailors who would want a change from their ship-based beds. This makes it cheap and basic, with a dull but filling food menu.
Cellam Port Inns
The Sea Trader. This is a newer inn situated just south of the port complex, on Wharf Road. Unlike many of the inns in other parts of the city, it has no storage facility for trader waggons, and very little stabling. It is a busy port inn, and often doubles as a meeting place between sea-traders and those who transport shipments around this part of the country. This legitimate trade also makes it a little popular with those who want to move on stolen goods, exporting large stolen items by sea is a much less risky sale than trying to sell large items locally where they may be recognised.
The Jolly Fisherman. This is an old inn, situated near the wall at the western end of the port region. An inn has sat on this place for hundreds of years, but it no longer serves the fishing community, as these have long since moved from Cellam; they moved to the west up the coast when the port was built up for heavier shipping many years ago. The inn has been rebuilt at least twice in its recent history, but the current stone and wood building has stood for nearly a hundred years. It still has close links with the fishing community up the coast, and provides some excellent fresh seafood cuisine, including jellied eels, whelks and mussels.
Other Services
Warrior Guilds
All the national guilds are represented in Cellam, that is|
Local guild groups are represented as follows:
Other stores and outlets
If anything is available in human society anywhere in Arthea, it will almost certainly be for sale in Cellam somewhere. Here are some of the more popular shops to look out for|
Armourers, Smiths and Weapon Makers
Cleaver’s Cleavers
Jack Cleaver is a sword and blade maker. He can produce good masterwork weaponry of all kinds to order, but his speciality is swords, knives and axes. Cleaver’s shop is in the Barkage district on Lanrieth Road just south of the Rhoub Bridge.
Covernan Shield and Armour Supplies
Located on Carter Street, which is just off the western side of Rilston Road at the north of the Covernan district and very close to The City, this establishment specialises in off-the-shelf armours and shields. They have armoury and smithy facilities to resize armour where necessary, but do not make much on their own premises. They largely supply imported standard armour, and charge something close to the book price for it. Occasionally they’ll stock masterwork armour, but this is not often – if someone were to need masterwork equipment to order, then they’d probably be better going elsewhere.
Davids' Executive Leather Store
Despite its name, Jeremy Davids supplies mostly standard leather armour and small to medium sized shields. While he does make armour, he’s found it cheaper recently to import it at standard prices. This shop therefore caters for a range of customers who may want different levels of service. Jeremy can make masterwork armour quickly and easily to measure and to order, but sells cheaper standard leather armours too. He can also supply some weaponry and weapon services. The shop sells whips and slings and has a handle re-binding service for well-used swords. The establishment is on Peddars Lane which runs from the Rilston Road along between The City and Covernan districts. The shop is a couple of hundred yards along this road, and this makes it hard to see from the main road.
Felmarinatis and Gravelbeard Bows
It is unusual for elfish and dwarfish businessmen to work together, but it seems to work well in this case. The business makes bows and crossbows for hunting, adventuring and general defensive uses.
The wood elf, Felmarinatis, takes care of the longbow and shortbow business, he can also supply arrows. Gravelbeard on the other hand takes pride in his crossbow making skills. They are both capable of supplying bows to order, and can create masterwork bows of good quality. There are rumours of loud arguments taking place in this shop during the evening after closing time, wish shouting being heard sometimes well down the street.
The shop is located along Peddars Lane, not far from Davids Executive Leather Store. Strictly speaking, they’re in the Covernan district, but the shops business cards (“Dwarf and Elf in Harmony” it says on them…) says ‘Peddars Lane, The City, Cellam’.
Johnsons Smithy
The Johnson family have a trade empire through the city. This member, Derek Johnson, is the smith of the family. He works mostly with the local farriers and cartwrights providing small services to other service industries, but is capable of making most metal items to order. The shop is located on Charcoal lane in the Barkage district, just off Lanrieth Road (round the corner from Cleaver’s Cleavers).
Swift Iron
Frances Swift runs a general weapon and tooling business in the Covernan district. He makes mainly blunt weapons such as hammers and maces, and axes, but has plenty of skill to make blades if needed. He is skilful enough to make masterwork weaponry, too, but not blades.
Tebbits Bespoke Armoury
Greg Tebbit is a master craftsman specialising in metal armours, but he also has experts in his team that can work leather armour to the very highest standards. They use dwarfish technology to provide their metals, and Halfling experts to provide the finest leathers. Tebbit only makes masterwork items (and the premium for these is significantly higher than stated in the player’s handbook. Prices will be 50% to 250% more than standard list prices, depending on what is required. Tebbit goods come with a lifetime guarantee, however, so there is no need to worry if an item should break at a later date. Tebbit also provides special ‘lightweight’ armour that provides little in the way of protection, but looks like the real thing. This stuff is for show, costs twice as much as the real thing, and should not under any circumstances be used in a real fight (this is exempt from Tebbits lifetime guarantee for this reason). Tebbit’s shop is on the Lanrieth Road at the east of The City district.
General Stores
There are a number of general purpose hardware stores in the capital, along with everyday markets in both the Rhoubgate district and in Covernan. There are also wide ranges of specialist shops that supply livestock or can manufacture items to order. Encourage the party to investigate such places, but remind them that the cheapest places to buy such equipment are in the markets. Also remember that the Johnson family has at least three general stores in various parts of the city. Some of the others are covered here.
Brewman’s Apothecary
Aiden “Jock” Brewman’s store is on the northern end of the Covernan district, near to the Barkage district. His store smells strangely of unusual chemicals, particularly sulphur, but he keeps a stock of useful goods, such as bandages and (non-magical) healing supplies. He can make stuff to order too, provided he can acquire the ingredients; this can put the prices up, however, because he normally makes what he can, and if he’s delivering specifics, he often ends up paying more for the raw materials.
Pendells Hardware
The city of Cellam doesn’t have an Adventurers General Stores – there are too many other trades to support directly – but this store comes pretty close. Based in the Docks district, the store focuses on supporting the most of all the river-going traders that pass upstream from here, they supply rope, lamps, sails, poles, spikes and all kinds of miscellaneous equipment that a demanding party may need.
Penn Livestock
Based in the Rhoubbridge district of Cellam, Ian Penn has a small in-city stable where he sells working livestock of all kinds. He also has a larger stabling facility outside the wall where the majority of his stock is kept. He mostly deals with horses, oxen and mules, and can also get working dogs either for shepherd work or as hunting dogs.
Quilley’s Hardware
Another hardware store, this one is based in the Barkage district, and supports the traders and market-goers. They stock many goods that could be used as adventuring equipment. The proprietor is Jackson Quilley, a rather dour glum man for whom going the extra mile in service terms never seems to happen.
Sumleys Tack and Leather Supplies
Michael Sumley run his own leather goods outlet in the Barkage district. The place specialises in horse riding gear (tack, saddles, etc.) but also does mundane items such as wineskins, leather thongs and footwear. Sumley does not normally produce armour, but could if pressed.
Markets
There are markets daily in the Rhoubbridge and Covernan districts; price-wise these are the best places to buy general equipment from.