Millstone Lore

Weather

Millstone experiences much of the same weather conditions as the region at large, with the notable exception of its much diminished tropical storms, due to its distance from the sea.

Demographics

Millstone holds a modest population of around 150,000 individuals, including those outside the walls. It is a human dominated city by a wide margin, though officially there are no policies regulating any race at all. The exclusive nature of entry into the city, however, has left the reigns in the hands of a group of largely human nobles, leading to a large degree of homogenization inside the walls. However, outside the gates is a surprisingly diverse mix of races, all united by poverty.

Human 50% Biqaj 15% Mixed Race 10% Lotharro 10% Melting Pot 15%

Religion

Millstone is not the center of religion and worship that Ne’haer proper is, with a focus on immortals that represent the more black and white concepts of life- and those that apply most to the people of Millstone themselves. The most commonly worshipped immortal in Millstone is, of course, Chamadarst. Pier and Pre, Vri, Vhalar, and even Raskalarn are common objects of worship. Oddly enough, religion is very free in Millstone, and short of calling down Faldrun or Lisirra, you’ll likely not be looked upon differently by the authorities. However, it pays to know the household deities of choice for the various noble houses, being a powerful way to win their favor- or make them your enemy.

Trade

Millstone is the end destination of many a merchant. From lavish eateries, to masterwork tailors and smiths, to some of the finest jewelers on the western continent, the people of Millstone have expensive tastes that only the best goods can satisfy. For this reason, all merchants are welcome and the Eastern Trade Route that runs through Millstone is rigorously protected, the only regular exterior deployment of the city military. Trade, quite literally, makes the world go round in Millstone. This non stop demand for fine and specific goods also props up a more unique industry within the city: Finders. Somewhere between courier and concierge, Finders are individuals who brave the world in search of very specific objects, ingredients, and substances requested by those wealthy enough to pay the lofty wage attached to the profession.

Imports aside, Millstone also sits atop a thriving export enterprise, shipping its fine goods all over Idalos, supplying much of the wealth that keeps the city thriving. Clothing, jewelry, weapons, and armor are the primary exports, with Millstone craftsmen providing some of the best quality goods available. Most mastercraft items in the region were made here.

Education

Within the walls, education is quite normal and most children are tutored in a variety of subects from an early age. Even amongst those beneath the nobility, there is a strong culture of apprenticeship, and almost all youths inside the city walls reach adulthood with either a strong education or a marketable skill. Outside the walls, the only education anyone receives is circumstantial, and most have none to speak of.

Culture

The culture of Millstone proper is one defined by a kind of willful ignorance of the outside world. The nobility are consumed in their own worlds, their games, and their power struggles. People enjoy their decadence and wage their little wars with one another, manipulating the lives of those unfortunate enough to be involved as a sort of pastime or sport. When not engaged in such manipulations, the people of Millstone can often be found enjoying their luxuries. The city is packed with fine merchants, restaurants, gardens, and libraries. There are also the business owners of Millstone, who have amassed their wealth both by plying their craft with excellence and by ingratiating themselves to the nobility. Oftentimes, to open a business in Millstone is a foolproof road to success, as anyone setting up shop here has the attention of a very wealthy and powerful audience. In many ways, to live in Millstone is to live in a separate world from the rest of Idalos, save for those occasions when the outside world reaches its hand over the walls.

Outside the walls, the culture shifts dramatically. Many here find work performing manual labor or very basic tasks in the city and make enough to live but no more. Crime is more present, as is the danger of outside threats. Ironically, the outer ring of shantytowns provide an extra layer of protection for the lords and ladies of Millstone, offering a physical buffer as well as an easy target for thieves and monsters. The spirit of the people here has greater variance than inside the walls. Many are, as the poor so often tend to be, content with their lot. But just as many are voices of animosity towards their wealthy neighbors.

Government

Millstone is led by the Lord or Lady of Millstone, an elected individual who holds power for life or until a vote of no confidence is made by the collective Lords and Ladies of Millstone. Beneath the Lord is the Millstone Aristocracy, a group comprised of all residing heads of house in Millstone. This group is half civil leadership and half political cabal, managing the city, but often with selfish motives. The aristocracy is currently led by Lord Marion Montey, an elderly man in his late 60’s who has led the city for over 30 years. While for many, their faith in him is absolute, others whisper that old age and sickness are diminishing the accomplished Lord, and that it may be time for a new ruler to ascend the throne.

Crime

Depending on your point of view, crime is quite rare within the walls. The highly trained and numerous members of the Millstone Battalion keep a tight rein on the city and its residents and visitors. Petty thievery is almost nonexistent. However, there is a thriving underbelly lying just beneath the surface, and an extremely dangerous one for one reason alone: It is sanctioned. Hidden behind a web of bribes and espionage, career criminals thrive in service to the noble houses, selling secrets, stealing heirlooms, and generally getting their well paid hands dirty for their clients. The most notable organized faction in Millstone is known as The Sin Eaters, aptly named for the endless secrets they hold by virtue of having performed so many jobs for so many of the local houses.

Outside the walls, crime is rampant and, aside from brazen murder, rarely kept in check. Thievery is commonplace and many must literally fight for a living. Here, the Battalion operates in what largely amounts to an ‘observe and report’ capacity, intervening only in the case of either capital crimes or obvious threats to the inner city. Most guards outside the walls are stationed on the main roads leading into the city, ensuring that neither monsters nor common rabble get in the way of the cities thriving trade.

Slavery

Surprisingly to some, bold faced slavery is not prevalent in Millstone. Despite the two faced nature of the city, most believe quite strongly that good work deserves compensation. However, in keeping with its nature, there is a very prevalent workaround that satisfies the ethical qualms of the upper crust: indentured servitude. This is a very promising offer for both parties and is, for most, the only way they will ever escape the outer ring of the city. In exchange for a home and job inside the walls, men and women will work, sometimes for free, for as much as ten arcs. Upon completion, however, the rewards are lucrative. A home, bought and paid for, inside the walls, and a permanent position or even a business loan from the noble family that they contracted with. This also serves to build very strong loyalty towards their benefactors, a fact that is not lost on the nobility. Almost every business in the city has strong ties to one house and offers them discounted services, preference when it come to speed of service, and often serves as one more pair of eyes and ears. This is also a lesser known key to the seemingly perpetual wealth of the nobility- many times these contracts include a dividend requirement from the future business, allowing them to effectively sit at the head of large business empires.

Magic

Magic is viewed neutrally in Millstone for the most part. Aberration and Necromancy are outlawed in particular. The primary question asked of anyone with magic or a mark in Millstone is this: "What can you do for me?" The utility of a magic will often determine its level of acceptance.

Locations

Millstone Locations

Credit: Han