Lusteris is a bustling, cosmopolitan city-state located at the edge of the Deadlands, the vast desert that stretches east of the Pale Mountains. As the only major settlement in the region, Lusteris serves as a melting pot of cultures, religions, and traditions. The city is known for its vibrant nightlife, bustling markets, and thriving underworld activities. Despite its harsh desert surroundings, Lusteris is a hub of commerce, culture, and intrigue, attracting travelers, traders, and adventurers from all corners of the world.
The city is ruled by a council of guilds, each representing a different aspect of society. The guilds are:
- The Marble Academy: a prestigious institution of higher learning that serves as the intellectual heart of Lusteris. The academy is dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, research, and magical studies. The academy is governed by a council of scholars, mages, and administrators who oversee its operations and ensure that its traditions are upheld.
- The Silver Chair: represents the nobility and aristocracy of Lusteris, serving as the political and social elite of the city. The guild is made up of wealthy landowners, influential merchants, and powerful politicians who wield considerable influence over the city’s affairs.
- The Sapphire Temple: the spiritual center of Lusteris, serving as a place of worship, healing, and divine guidance. The temple is not dedicated to a single deity but rather to a pantheon of gods and goddesses who are revered by the people of the city.
- The Obsidian Army: the military force of Lusteris, responsible for the defense and security of the city. The army is made up of professional soldiers, mercenaries, and adventurers who are trained to protect the city from external threats.
- The Emerald Bank: the economic powerhouse of Lusteris, serving as the financial heart of the city. The bank is responsible for managing the city’s wealth, trade, taxation, and commerce.
Each guild has its own power and influence, and they often compete and cooperate with each other to achieve their goals. The council of guilds meets regularly to discuss matters of state, make decisions, and resolve disputes.
There are many other smaller guilds in Lusteris, each representing a different trade, craft, or profession. These guilds have less power and influence than the council of guilds but still play an important role in the city’s economy and society. There are also many criminal guilds operating in Lusteris, such as:
- Black Thorns: a bandit faction known for stealing from the rich and distributing their spoils among the poor. They often clash with the Duskrunners over territory. The Black Thorns see themselves as champions of the downtrodden, while the Duskrunners view them as reckless idealists.
- Duskrunners: a ruthless and efficient guild that specializing in smuggling contraband between Lusteris and other cities including Southaven, Solara, and Seawatch.
Description
Lusteris is a bustling, cosmopolitan city-state located in the heart of the Deadlands, the vast desert that stretches east of the Pale Mountains. As the only major settlement in the region, Lusteris serves as a melting pot of cultures, religions. Just like a modern city, there are skyscrapers, neon lights (powered by magic), and bustling streets. The city is divided into districts, each with its own unique character and purpose. The city is known for its vibrant nightlife, bustling markets, and thriving underworld activities. Despite its harsh desert surroundings, Lusteris is a hub of commerce, culture, and intrigue, attracting travelers, traders, and adventurers from all corners of the world.
The Five Branches of Government
Marble Academy
The Marble Academy is a prestigious institution of higher learning that serves as the intellectual heart of Lusteris. Founded centuries ago by a group of scholars and mages, the academy is dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, research, and magical studies. The academy is housed in a grand marble building that serves as a beacon of learning and enlightenment in the city. The academy offers a wide range of courses and programs, covering everything from history and philosophy to alchemy and spellcasting. The academy is home to a vast library that contains rare tomes, ancient scrolls, and magical artifacts. The academy is governed by a council of scholars, mages, and administrators who oversee its operations and ensure that its traditions are upheld.
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Silver Chair
The Silver Chair represents the nobility and aristocracy of Lusteris, serving as the political and social elite of the city. The guild is made up of wealthy landowners, influential merchants, and powerful politicians who wield considerable influence over the city’s affairs. The guild is named after the grand silver chair that serves as the symbol of its authority. The guild elects a ruler known as the High Lord, who represents Lusteris in matters of state and diplomacy. The High Lord is chosen from among the noble families of the city and serves for life or until they are deposed.
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Obsidian Army
The Obsidian Army is the military force of Lusteris, responsible for the defense and security of the city. The army is made up of professional soldiers, mercenaries, and adventurers who are trained to protect the city from external threats. The army is led by a council of generals and commanders who oversee its operations and strategy. The army is known for its discipline, skill, and valor in battle, and its soldiers are respected and feared throughout the region. The army is also responsible for maintaining law and order within the city, patrolling the streets, and enforcing the will of the council of guilds.
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Emerald Bank
The Emerald Bank is the economic powerhouse of Lusteris, serving as the financial heart of the city. The bank is responsible for managing the city’s wealth, trade, taxation, and commerce. Unlike the other guilds, the bank is governed by a congress of elected representatives who oversee its operations and policies. Despite this, much of the bank’s power is concentrated in the hands of a few wealthy families and influential merchants who control its operations. Lately, though, a majority that values social justice and equality has been elected, leading to better conditions for the common folk. Many of Lusteris’ most powerful and wealthy citizens aren’t happy about the direction the bank is taking.
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Sapphire Temple
The Sapphire Temple is the spiritual center of Lusteris, serving as a place of worship, healing, and divine guidance. The temple is not dedicated to a single deity but rather to a pantheon of gods and goddesses who are revered by the people of the city. The temple’s leader, called the High Priest or High Priestess, has always been an Elandria worshipper. The temple is a place of solace and sanctuary for the people of Lusteris, offering healing, counsel, and spiritual guidance to all who seek it. The temple is also a center of learning and scholarship, with its priests and priestesses studying ancient texts, performing rituals, and conducting ceremonies to honor the gods.
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