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Copyright © 2005
Issaries, Inc.
except for the text and map of Jonstown which are
Copyright © 2005
  Patrik Sandberg

Jonstown

Web Adaptation by Nick Eden

The New City

Merchants Quarter

1. Sojinna Brass-oak  has recently commissioned Horgal the Stonemason to add a third(!) level to this richly ornamented stone house, where she lives with her household. A rich Cinsina Goldentounge, she lives here with her household unless on a trade mission. Recently widowed from her third husband, rumor has it that his share of their profits now finance her building plans.
   
   
2. In one of the two-storied stone houses lining New Market a slick man named Tall-Rungar heads a shop for small magic trinkets functioning like Charms and Fetishes. Most of this magic seems amusing rather than helpful and important. Tall-Rungar is connected to the Net Work of Gold-Gotti.
   
   
3. Kenstrel household is one of six Torkani steads which combine trading rights with small crafts and gardening to make a meager living. The distance to their kinsmen in north-eastern Sartar make profits from exotic insect goods less than the scarcity would indicate. Strange cocoons surround a small altar to Argan Argar on their backyard.
   
   
4. Toothless Torban is hard to understand when he bargains, so you never know until afterwards if you received a good or bad deal. Since his contacts include traders from Tradethink market in Dragonewt land, many are willing to take the risk. Some say he once traded all his tooth for some Dragonewt beads.
   
   
5. The deteriorated state of the shingled roof of Angtyr the Implacable is but a small sign of the need of this formerly successful Garzeen household. The penalty tax laid on Culbrea trade in Jonstown takes it’s toll. Angtyr has never given up his tribal affiliations. It’s a tribute to the quality of the Ystrad locks, the Culbri leatherworks, and the Barlamani woodcarvings, that Angtyr is still in business. Josaran the Humble, an Etyries installed on the Culbrea tribal Ring, has made some advances trying to bring Angtyr into the light.
   
   
6. Hops-Brandalyar is a very skilful brewer who learned his art from the Malani King’s Master Brewer. A young lass from Jonstown stole his heart, so with a sack full of Ormthane hops he moved to Jonstown. Now his household of 15 persons are all involved in the Minlister secrets, supplying quite a few of the inns of the city. He also sells ale on the premises, but many potential customers are repelled by Kotorl Brown, a wart-filled  assistant who constantly curses and offends most visitors. Brandalyar’s brother is involved in the cider trade from Apple Lane.
   
   
7. This small, circular stone building is the headquarters of the hero band “Servants of the Almighty Dragons”. Their leader, Fendi Blackdragon, spends most of his time meditating here. For more info, see “Masters of Luck and Death.”
   
   
8. Although not in the middle of a specific market, this great Issaries temple commands a good view over both New Market, Cattle Market, and the former Central Market. Issaries used to trade with Quivin at this spot, so the Arsgol clan has always maintained a shrine to the trading god here. The shrine grew to a temple with the founding of Jonstown, and now merchants from every direction offer some of their best goods in the gaping box in the lap of the exquisitely carved Issaries wooden idol at the center of the main building. There are also meeting halls for the Jonstown Trade Ring here. Currently, this includes traders of the Malani, Cinsina, Torkani, and Culbrea tribes, but due to the pressure of Lunar taxes the four tribes are trying to bring in Issaries worshipers from the Lismelder and Colymar tribes as well. The Issaries temple is also – awkwardly enough – the place where Rindol’s Scales are situated. A pair of magic scales which reveals fake metal and jewelry, the scales forces you to ascend the hill instead of carry the weighing out at the market.
   
   
9. Herasin’s household controls the firewood supply for many of Jonstown’s inhabitants. Not glamorous, but necessary, Herasin has a cadre of small peddlers collecting and purchasing wood on the local clan tulas. Herasin’s strong, almost ape-like body is striking, and his gruff, discontent behavior makes him a profile among the small traders of Jonstown.

Market Quarter

10. As a young man Mikhil One-arm was a famous and successful Finovani raider from the Culbri clan. Having lost an arm in a raid, he married Rianna of the Greenhaft. They soon had a very rich herd and began making cattle trades with the city folk. Five years ago they moved with their entire household to Jonstown. Mikhil has shifted his worship to Garzeen while his wife maintain her Uralda affiliations Persistent rumor abounds that he sponsors dozens of cattle raids, caring nothing for tradition or clan politics. A bellowing wooden head of Uralda adorns the roof ridge of his stately house.
    
    
11. Jondalan Madrakson is the city’s most successful cattle trader, doing big business transferring Red Cattle, White Sheep, and Black Pigs to meat for the food market, both because of his Cinsina tribal affiliations and his conversion to Etyries some years ago. Jomes Wulf and Agairuch Self-Centered, the local Lunar tax collector, are often entertained guests at his house. Of note is his three triplet sons, one blind, one deaf, and one mute – all of them red-headed. They would no doubt be a magnificent trio deeper in the Empire.
    
    
12. The Hot Rooster, the inn of Kollus the Smooth, has always been the favorite haunt for many travelers to the Cattle Market. Presumably, they’re not disturbed by all the cattle grazing and bellowing on the slopes of the Issaries Hill. Kollus is famous for his meat dishes, but patriotic Sartarites find his switch from ale to Pelorian wine repulsive. Kollus’ wife, Veosa Moss Woman, is Jonstown’s most often consulted Match-maker.
    
    
13. “Pella passed through my attic and gave me the pattern”, Avareen the Old said when he abandoned his wayfaring life as a Tatouth scout, and took over his dead brother’s house in Jonstown. Now, he is the head of an extended household making fabulous pottery that even the lunar occupiers find fanciful and “barbaric chic”. Secret curvilinear cubist series of vases and pots designed by his wife are quite in demand among native customers.
    
    
14. Simbal Table-Turn is a nice and kind man heading a cozy and warm inn. Wafts of apple pie wends its way among the rafters of the spacious common room. Lunar and Sartarites can sit side by side. The seasonal puppet show is hugely popular. No one can imagine that Simbal is a paid spy for the Empire. The dozens of doves flocking at his back yard are his eyes and ears, spying on suspicious travelers.
    
    
15. Illig Bare-Leg is the head of the Barrelmakers Guild. He has recently married off his oldest daughter to the Brandalyar household. Illig acted as a juror for the barrelmakers until recently. Now he advocates cooperation with the Lunars and apply Lunar laws to cases he is involved in. Illig sees no contradiction between this and being a stout follower of Durev.
    
    
16. Until 1613 this was the central marketplace of the city, but after Starbrow’s Rebellion the Lunar occupants raised their garrison right in the center of the city, partially as a demonstration of their power. Surrounded by a wooden palisade the stone barracks are home to rotating and bored regiments of the Provincial and Imperial army, most recently the 1st Dunstop Foot and the Beryl Phalanx. While in the city, they all have to take orders from the Yanafal Tarnils Commander Glahugorven Iazorsos.

Craftsmen’s Quarter

17. Tarri Tungorson is a skilful craftsman in charge of a flourishing business. He and his many apprentices make quality parchment, selling mainly to the Sage’s Quarter. Tarri is a sombre and sad man since his wife deserted him four years ago, dying her hair red and joining a free-wheeling Vinga band. Being the illegitimate son of an unhappy union between a drunken mother and a youthful Gringle Goodsell, Tarri wonders if every normal kinship will be denied him.
    
    
18. The smithy of Kamil Crooked-Tales. His kin comes from the Malani. He’s an example of tribal quarters breaking up in the city, being neighbor with an Cinsina redsmith and a Tarshite carpenter, the last having married a daughter to one of Kamil’s sons. By clever politicking Kamil is about to maneuver himself to the head post of the influential Redsmiths Guild. He’s a devotee of Gustbran and presiding over the local cult. Some claim to have seen a chip of Gustbran’s Anvil in his apron during rites.
    
    
19. Dilfaran Bat-Bane is known as a very skilful negotiator and evaluator of cattle. Not many animal trades and deals are made at the market without this timid man being present. His quiet demeanor has made the Lunars overlook that Dilfaran is in fact a son of Entarios the Supporter of the Greenstone Ernalda temple. He is one of the most important “Bread Rebels” in the city, covertly supporting the Rebellion.
    
    
20. When the Lunars invaded in 1602 Kurash Three-Sticks was but a young thrall. When released, he joined the Seven Mothers Church and his career has ascended from Black to Full Moon. Presently he is a prosperous businessman and father of 12 children, all involved in a trade link between Jonstown, Furthest, and Mirin’s Cross. Kurash Three-Sticks’ dream is accumulating enough silver coins to be able to move his residence to fabulous Mirin’s Cross, which he has visited many times. His Tarshite-style stone mason is among the smartest of the city. Currently Kurash is very upset that someone has killed his magic Jajagappan hunting dog.
    
    
21. A year ago fire and flames took the former building here. Torvall the Southener bought the plot for a ridicously low prize, forcing the former owner to take up a living as a stickpicker in the Poor Quarter. Now it is rumored that Torvall’s new Longhouse is haunted. At least one nightly visit by Baresta Lowfire, a Ty Kora Tek, has done nothing to suppress the speculations.
    
    
22. Here lives Gundorn the Ralian. A former trader from Saug in Ralios, he gambled away all his fortune and belongings after a wet night in Boldhome. He sobered up to a new life when he met his current wife, the widow Roistina, and now the couple heads a fine leather workshop, with many apprentices from the Cinsina tribe. Still Gundorn dreams of showing his new kinsmen the wonderful highlands of Saug, before he dies. He is collecting a new fortune.

Poor Quarter

23. The so-called Poor Quarter is largely made up of tents and sheds of a very temporary character. Beggars, thieves and ne’er-do-wells  are trying to make a home here. Continually harassed by lunar soldiery and established Sartarite Citizens alike, some find employment keeping an eye on grazing sheep, other revert to crime. Every day at dusk they all join in on a common song - “the Cottar’s Lament”.
    
    
24. In a small stead the simple porter Aransand Broad-sole lives with his parents. Aransand came to the city, tired of escalating feuds among Malani and Colymar clans – he has personally slain six men in the strives. Now, he tries to forget about the past and live a simple city life without sword and honor. In Aransand’s small stead Kagradus the Dreamer also stays. He is a former lawspeaker failing to make a living on his knowledge in the city. Also failing a career in the Lhankor Mhy temple, Kagradus soon became destitute. For the last year he has been troubled by stirring dreams. Visions in his sleep concerning people in Jonstown has had an alarming symbolic coherence with their fates and futures. Rumor has spread and now many are beginning to pay Kagradus to “dream” about them.

South Market

25. A grand statue of Esrola has been joined by an Etyries bust in front of Trader Trim’s house. Trim – responsible for much of the grain surplus passing from the near vicinity of the city – has also purchased slaves recently to handle his bakery, which delivers the best bread of Jonstown.
    
    
26. Young and ambitious, Orlkarnor Yellowhead already has 10 children and a flowering business; “Honey and herbs” deliver exotic spices and sweet things to most of Jonstown’s population. Even the Lunars are regular customers. Orlkanor has sponsored at least one successful expedition to the Vale of Flowers, but otherwise his more exotic herbs are bought from the trade network of Gold-Gotti. Secretly, Orlkanor is a Bread Rebel.
    
    
27. Jeresrola the Vacant is a rich widow, whose extended household are all involved in clothing business. Her traders pass through Cinsina lands on their itinerary collecting wool or cloth. Other women in the city weaves her tapestries or sew her tunics and trousers. Her late husband’s brother has recently advanced in the Irippi Ontor cult at the Lhankor Mhy temple. All in all Jeresrola is more than suited for being an informant in the Bevegoroi’s Open Eyes (see “Masters of Luck and Death, p 32).

Sage’s Quarter

28. Three levels high, the soaring Lhankor Mhy temple is one of the most striking buildings in the city. Built in stone, and with a shining tiled roof, a number of magic signs and runes are chiseled in the walls of the temple to protect against fire. The Jonstown Library is one of a kind. When King Sartar founded his cities and made the roads, the Lhankor Mhy sages of the land gathered and combined their resources to build this great temple. It is so large that it supports several hundred sages, researchers, and other staff. It is home to famous sages such as Tosti Runefriend and Minaryth Purple. Its bewildering number of factions are skillfully, but also desperately, handled by Chief Librarian Frindil Goodword.
    
    
29. These new stone buildings are built in latest Tarshite style, housing Irrippi Ontor, and a few Buserian, worshipers. Here, children of progressive Sartarites are offered education for ridiculously low fees, undermining the influence of the Lhankor Mhy cult.
    
    
30. In this grand stone house lives Tosti Runefriend, expert in all things draconic. His finely decorated rooms can hold most visitors in awe. Draped in Kralori silken, they hint at hidden knowledge and arcane wisdom.

Lunar Ward

31. This hastily constructed, Sylila-styled, and pillared shrine to Etyries would be a typical unremarkable provincial trading post, except for two things: First, it is centered on a Holy Pouch and Brazen Ledger, blessed and inscribed by the Red Dancer of Power herself. Secondly, displayed as triumphal loot, a small amount of valuable items from Gringle’s Pawnshop in Apple Lane grazes the interior. A member of the Shrine was one of the key figures behind the burning and looting of the home of the elderly Issaries priest some years ago.
    
    
32. The villa of Glahugorven Iazorsos, the Lunar military commander. A stout unit of hoplites guard his beautiful slave-managed garden, where magic globes of Red Light illuminate the fortunate visitors invited to the extravagant parties hosted by Glahugorven. Otherwise, the Commander is most proud of the wall-painting spanning his atrium, depicting the Crimson Bat descending on Runegate Fort. Glahugorven’s wife is deadly tired of his extensive hauberk collection.
    
    
33. Azmykemus the Eloquent, the Lunar Provost of Jonstown, lives in this luxury villa. Splendor and magic light surrounds him. Imported Dara Happa-style statues of Sairdic origin crowds his garden. His dining hall is illuminated by Yelm in daytime and Buserian’s stars in nighttime. Never do the raindrops stain his tables, even though the room is open to the sky. But dark rumors abound of some terrible secret hidden away in the cellar. All workers who constructed the foundation of his villa had died or disappeared within a year after construction was ended.
    
    
34. There are more than one Lunar inn in the Ward, but Yagos Candyman runs the most popular. Maybe because he has managed to be inclusive, combining Dara Happan, Pelandan, Carmanian, and Sylilan cuisine and style, providing something for everyone – all with a true Lunar veneer. His wife, Fermerela, was once a drop-out student of the Lunar College of Magic, and many suspect her behind the mixture of recipes and style.
    
    
35. Azmykemus has even sponsored the construction of a small theatre. The austere and chaste recitations of Dara Happan poetry was never popular, so the program has recently included both Donandari dancers and the Garden of Delightful Mobility.

The Old City

36. A ramp connects New City to Old, climbing over the ridge called Sartar’s Seat. The ramp merges into a long, wide bridge, a striking piece of architecture credited to the Sartar dynasty. There’s no other way into the Old City.
    
    
37. A landmark of the Old City is Grizzly Gate, so named since it honors the brave fallen of the Battle of Grizzly Peak in 1582. Weapons, armor and mortal remains of 24 unidentified warriors from the Jonstown tribal fyrds were burned, placed in urns, and put deep into the foundations of the gate. Thereby the strength of Hauberk Jon, the City Wyter, was augmented and especially directed against Lunar Tarsh. Lunar Magicians has countered this by binding their own spirits in the gate. Thus, Lunar and Provincial Soldiers, can now safely pass through the looming shadows of the gate.
    
    
38. The local temple of the Seven Mothers is primarily dedicated to Teelo Norri. Every morning shy and shameful beggars line up for the Free Soup. Beggars are a new phenomena in Sartar, kinless folk drawn by the lure of the cities, where their failure are only saved by the generous conquerors. To the north of the temple, two simple stone houses have been erected to house the temple staff, including the High Priestess Sylivithis.

Hill Quarter

39. A traditional long house, albeit splendidly and intricately crafted, the Hornos household have added a second story and installed two chimneys. Having made a fortune trading fabrics they are among the richest in the Arsgol clan. Many observers find their statues on the roof much too “Youfish” for proper tastes. They were all carved by the same wandering carpenter three years ago.
    
    
40. In this remarkable and statue-cluttered, three-story, stone house lives Lyris Goodspeech, mayor of Jonstown as well as headman of the Arsgol clan, and devotee of Issaries Garzeen. He attempts to make the best out of the situation for Jonstown, despite increasing pressure from the occupying Lunars. Surrounding his house, are some splendid gardens tended by his wife Olende the Green.
    
    
41. Bolted and bricked up, the Dinacoli tribal house is unoccupied since the Dinacoli shifted their allegiance to Alda-Chur and Harvar Ironfist. Its wooden idol is that of a horse’s head inscribed with Elmal Runes.

The Old Market

42. The tribal longhouses belonging to the confederation tribes all share the same pattern. Each has a cottar caretaker (with family); a couple of distinctive guards; an idol in front of the entrance; a magic tapestry inside; and a symbolic item used to wield power at the city ring meetings.
The Cinsina tribal house is frequented quite often by visiting tribesmen. Its caretaker is One-legged Viturian, who never let the house run out of honey. Its guards are Pavis-Jarstak and Harmast the Maladjusted – they greet every visitor with staves and poetry. Its idol is that of a fat rugged cow, whose udder is coated with magic scribbling. Its tapestry shows Issaries negotiating a deal between the Vingkotling King Korol and two Ludoch Mer-Kings. Its symbolic item is five Keys made of gold, silver, bronze, aluminum and iron.


43. This is the grand “Strong House”, a landmark of the city, and the meeting place for the Jonstown Ring. The house is constructed from a combination of bronze, brass, and wood, which makes it gleam from a distance. A great bronze bell on the attic summons the Ring members to meetings. Hard pressed by the Lunar adminstration, the Ring, with Lyris Goodspeech in front, does its best to keep the rights of taxation and distribution of food. Peace-keeping in Jonstown is in Lunar hands, the former small police force disbanded.
    
    
44. The Malani tribal house is frequented quite often by visiting tribesmen. Its caretaker is Brandgor Bisonbane, who sings so sad and softly that even the hardest warrior shed a tear. Its guards are Darkot the Fat and Dilfaran the Thin – both of them accompanied by three ravens. Its idol is that of a boar charging on a bolt of lightning. Its tapestry shows a great trade center where Harst, Gultha, and Garzeen admire all the wares presented by Ernalda’s household goddesses. Its symbolic item is a green and red pot of ever-fragrant spices.
    
    
45. The Culbrea tribal house is most seldom visited by that politically isolated tribe. Its caretaker is Estavar Bultson, who makes a small wooden statue resembling every new visitor – they take up a whole wall in the house. Its guards are Enothan Hot-blood and Askul Jawbone – and their spears can sing. Its idol is that of a badger, a fox and an owl chasing each other in a spiral. Its tapestry shows Issaries holding a speech at the founding of the Storm Tribe. Its symbolic item is a long staff ending with a pair of scales.

Temple District

46. This small shrine to Elmal are struggling heavily to keep Yelmalio and Far Point influences at bay. Cinsina tribesmen in particular want to re-dedicate it to the god of the Sun Dome. But as long as the grizzled old priest Rurjang Goldhelm keeps winning martial duels the shrine will remain pure.
    
    
47. A few years ago, this local temple of Ernalda Allmother, was visited by a holy woman who claimed to come from the Wild Temple. She instructed the devotees how to begin weaving a new kind of complex tapestry, adding a bit on every holy day. At the end of a holy day the tapestry sinks into the earth of the temple and vanishes. A complex pattern has begun to emerge by now, and the women of Jonstown return to their homes with a secret smile on their lips on cult evenings.
    
    
48. Being so close to important Humakti holy places like Death Hollow, Two Ridge Fort and Swordvale (and in the past being overshadowed by the Boldhome Household of Death), the Jonstown Death House of Humakt has never been anything more than a small hiring hall for mercenaries and private guards seeking employment as escort along the King’s Road. The transitory flock is tended by a sorry sight, Grivtonus Rumbling, who can’t lead ceremonies or teach swordplay unless extremely drunk. His hangovers are understandably terrible.
    
    
49. The House of Peace is the largest Chalana Arroy temple in Sartar. Its lofty pillars and high gabled windows let the healing winds sweep out sickness and disease. Being the center of the Sisters of Mercy subcult and making Resurrection magic available, the House of Peace is the second reason (after the Lhankor Mhy temple) nobles and important people from all over Sartar make the journey to Jonstown offering gifts and donations.
    
    
50. Geo’s Jonstown is a traditional, but finely crafted long house, where rough guards make even lunar soldiers hesitate to trample the ground. The proprietor, Antonor Lukewarm, is a former dinosaur-hunter who has decorated the hall with bones and hides from his exploits. His wife and blind son make wonders with the little vegetable- and herb garden attached to the stead.