Athkatla


 * 1) Athkatla, the City of Coin


 * 1) Overview

Athkatla is the capital of and largest city in the nation of Amn. The city's matron deity is Waukeen, the Goddess of business, exchange, and currency. Almost anything can be bought and sold in Athkatla, including people.

Arcane magic is the primary exception. It is heavily regulated by the Cowled Wizards, and treated with fear and suspicion by the common people. The rich and powerful can often go through the "proper channels" to make use of it, however, and many of the powerful merchant houses have an arcane practitioner or two on their payroll.

Divine magic, on the other hand, is seen as the currency of the gods, which they give in exchange for worship. As such, it is welcomed in the city, and is yet another good to be bought and sold.


 * 1) Organizations


 * 1) The Council of Five

The official governing body of Athkatla, composed of the heads for the five most powerful merchant houses:


 * House Selemchant
 * House Dannihyr
 * House Alibakkar
 * House Ophal
 * House Nashivaar


 * 1) The Cowled Wizards

Officially tasked with arcane law enforcement by the Council of Five, the Cowled Wizards are a secretive organization. Their headquarters, if any, if not generally known. Their membership is largely kept secret, and members wear cowls that hide their features whenever conducting the business of the organization.

Rumours abound about the Cowled Wizards, but the most persistant are those surrounding *Spellhold*, a prison for the 'magically deviant' that the Cowled Wizards are said to operate. Its location, if it is even real, is unknown, as are any details about what goes on there.

- ''"They foster the fear of magic among the people, and use that fear to keep them subjugated. They are the true cowards, the whole lot of them - but dangerous and powerful cowards. I will have NOTHING to do with them. May the light of Oghma shine on all of their damned secrets." - JZ''


 * 1) The Siren's Court

This powerful thieves guild controls major criminal interests throughout Amn. Athkatla is their prime base of operations, and they are the second leg of the tripod of power in the city, along with the Council of Five and the Cowled Wizards.

- ''"To the best of my knowledge, I haven't had any dealings with them. Of course, they're a sneaky lot, so maybe I have and just didn't know it. My father has some rather vehement opinions concerning the guild, and I worry that he has enemies among them." - JZ''


 * 1) Districts


 * 1) Bridge District

The narrow, winding streets south of Athkatla's bridge is home to the city's many poor labourers, who are only slightly better off than the destitute of the River District. It is full of small, shoddy shops selling illicit goods and businesses that serve the great number of caravans that enter Athkatla's walls.


 * 1) Center District

Nestled in the center of the city on the southern bank of the Alandor River, the heart of Athkatla's mercantile class houses a sprawling tangle of buildings and markets with many of the city's upper-class taverns, inns, and festhalls.

Notable locations:

- 'Waukeen's Promenade': Possibly the single-most—recognizable landmark of the city. This open air market stadium houses merchants and shops of all kinds. Nearly anything can be bought here, with the exception of magical items - given the laws against arcane practice, such items cannot be sold openly in the markets. It is named after, and dedicated to, Waukeen, the patron deity of Athkatla. - ''"If you can't buy it here, it probably doesn't exist. Except for magical items, of course, because WHO would EVER want those?" - JZ'' - 'Delosar's Inn': This inn and tavern was frequented by city guards. - ''"Very much not recommended." - JZ'' - 'Sea's Bounty Tavern': An old inn, tavern, and festhall. - ''"Better than Delosar's, but that's not saying much. Why are you here instead of The Five Flagons?" - JZ''


 * 1) Gem District

Home to the "new money" families within the city, who constantly compete with their contemporaries with ostentatious displays of the excesses of wealth.

- ''"Tacky and tasteless. If one is going to flaunt wealth, at least have some style about it!" - JZ''

Notable locations:

- 'Dome of the Rose': An elegantly designed monastery devoted to the god Lathander. - ''"I admit it: it's really pretty." - JZ''


 * 1) Grave District

Within the graveyard of the city are ornate monuments and mausoleums erected in reverence to the Amnian dead. Although it was heavily patrolled by city guards, the district was often used for discreet meetings and rendezvous at night.

- *"In Amn, the wealthy dead sleep in beautiful houses, while the living poor sleep in the gutters."* - JZ


 * 1) Guards District

This district caters to the city's mercenaries and adventures. The adventuring lifestyle is looked down upon in the Athkatla, and were not often commonly found in other areas of the city.

Notable locations:

- **The Five Flagons**: A popular tavern, serving a wide variety of beers, wines and spirits from across Faerun. It has a stage downstairs and features nightly musical and theatrical performances. Formerly owned by **Arynn Shorecaller** when she lived in the city. She sold it to a good friend of hers who is always willing to help Arynn out. - *"The best tavern in all of Athkatla, if you ask me! Come on, I'm buying!" - JZ*


 * 1) River District

Home to the slums of Athkatla, the river district is where Athkatla's poorest and most destitute citizens try to scrape by. The mean streets near the Alandor river stink of trash, which is shipped out of the docks by means of barge. Life here is hard and dangerous, and anyone passing through must be wary.

Notable locations:

- **Copper Coronet**: A dangerous and seedy dive whose regulars include smugglers, pirates and other for-hire ne'er-do-wells. The Copper Coronet is large and sprawling, and most residents of the city give it a wide berth. It includes a fighting pit, and extremely questionable rooms for rent. - "*This is not a place to visit for a nice drink, but it was sometimes necessary when I had to persue 'less-than-legal' avenues for my studies." - JZ*


 * 1) Scepter District

The most exclusive section of the city is home to the administrative office of the Council of Five and contains the sprawling estates of the most influential Amnian aristocracy.

Notable Locations:

- **Zendai Estate**: Home of the Zendai family, and headquarters of Zendai World Mercantile - *"Home sweet home. Most who know me think I am an addled fool for ever leaving. Perhaps they are right. And yet, the restlessness still will not let me be." - JZ* - Most of the other powerful merchant houses are here as well. - **Council House**: The seat of power for the city's ruling Council of Five.


 * 1) Temple District

Large temples to various deities are located here, and many smaller shirnes as well. Various inns catering to religious pilgrams are scattered throughout the district.

Strangely, there is no major temple to Waukeen here. The priests of Waukeen see the Promenade as her true temple, and they circulate there, blessing the business transactions that take place daily.

- *"The gods and their temples never held much interest for me when I lived in this city. My wanderings have changed me." - JZ*

Locations:

- **The Temple Bell**: This shop specializes in the sale of religious texts, priestly vestments, holy symbols and other divine accessories. - **Temple of Oghma**: the monks of Oghma maintain a substantial library in their temple, which includes an extensive collection of works across a variety of subjects. - *This, of course, was the single exception to my lack of interest in the temples. I have spent many an hour in the library of Oghma. - JZ*


 * 1) Trades District

Home to many of independent merchants and tradespeople of Athkatla - the aspiring middle-class.

Locations:

- **The Black Frog**: tavern of choice for most of the locals. - *"Yes yes, it's perfectly fine. Look, I just really like The Five Flagons, OK?" - JZ*


 * 1) Wave District

The city's primary port and harbour. This region of the city houses a number of seafaring business such as cartographers, shipwrights and other nautical craftspeople, as well warehouses belonging to the various merchant houses.

- *"Even as a child, my sister knew she would captain a ship, sailing the seas with the salt wind whipping through her hair. I came to these docks many times to watch her ship set out on yet another voyage, secretly fearing that this time, it would not bring her home. I miss Laurel. It's been too long since I've seen her last." - JZ*

Locations:

- **Great Griffin**: This massive bell is used to warn ships docking in the harbour during storms - *"Once when we were kids, Laurel dared me to stand under it when it rang. I never did that again." - JZ* - **The Moonhall**: A well-recognized temple of Selûne.