Ravok
From Mizahar Lore
 |
This article is about a location with its own forum to roleplay in. You can find it here. |
 | |||||
| Region | Sylira | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notability | Home city of The Black Sun | ||||
| Leader | The Voice | ||||
| Population | 15,000 | ||||
| Races |
| ||||
| Languages | Common | ||||
| Currency | Miza | ||||
| Imports | Fruits and Vegetables, Miscellaneous Trade Goods | ||||
| Exports | Art, Religion | ||||
Ravok is the most northern settlement in the Sylira region. The most unique aspect of the city is that it is built in the center and on the surface of a vast lake which also gets its name from the city; Lake Ravok. The buildings of Ravok are constructed on wood piles, spaced very close to one another. Due to the nature of their placement and construction, the wood does not decay over time and is said to be as strong as stone. Building foundations rest on the wood piles while brick, stone and wood buildings rest upon the footings. Canals offer the main form of transportation throughout the city while small bridges connect upper levels and docks on the lower ones to allow foot traffic. Protected by its location, Ravok offers a home for those wishing to escape the chaos of the post-Valterrian world. It is also the home of The Black Sun, the main religious organization serving, Rhysol, the God of Evil.
Contents |
The City
Ravok is not a dank, dirty cesspool of crime and disgust. It is a beautiful city, safe if you know where to go and what to do and the people are filled with a sense of pride for their home. Even the slaves, many of them educated, are proud (not all of them of course and certainly not right away). On the surface, the city looks and feels like an ideal place to live. Few, if any of the general population has any notion that Rhysol, The Black Sun or the Ebonstryfe are anything other than symbols of greatness, love, and protection. The city is clean and the people are content. Of course, there is so much more behind it all; so much more that takes place in the shadows and behind closed doors but overall, Ravok is alluring and exotic, luxurious and inviting.
It would not serve Rhysol or his faithful followers to present an image of darkness and evil. Thus Ravok would not be a city if people were not attracted to it in some way. I mean, who wants to live in a dirty, crime-filled cesspool of violence and filth? A beautiful city of luxury, excess that is safe, clean and where the people are proud is the perfect lure to bring others into the fold.
The most noticeable feature of Ravok is the simple fact that it is on a lake. All the buildings float on large platforms since the bottom of the lake is much too deep to touch. In between houses and other buildings are canals, some wide, and some thin enough to jump across. There is the occasional bridge, but those are few and far between. An adventurous runner could make their way through the city by jumping over canals, or crossing over the thick ropes that tie most of the floating platforms together... lest they drift and the whole city falls apart. However, most citizens prefer traveling by Ravosala, taking the easy way through the city's canals.
The buildings themselves are made of a variety of materials, though mostly wood. This is because the resource is easy to find on the Lakeshore, and quite simple to transport, compared to stone, as well as the lighter nature of the material. They are tall and multi-story, to save as much space as possible, and create as much living or working area on a single floating platform. The roofs aren't too steep and generally covered with wood, or shingles for the richer residents. The mild weather means that protection from the elements isn't as important.
Because the city is in the middle of a lake, vegetation is particularly... lacking. Window boxes are popular for those who want a little bright color around their houses, and there are a few gardens here or there, for generally practical reasons. A herbalist might have a small plot of (transported) soil behind their work so they can easily gather supplies without having to take the long trip to shore. The richer citizens also have the money to build gardens, but they are few and far between. There are no trees, period, as they require too much soil and space to be practical.
Though there are streets closer to the center of the city, including a large plaza, most ways of getting around (by foot) are taking small and thin paths between buildings and the canals. Sometimes there is no flat space between these, and buildings drop straight down into the water. Paths will abruptly end, sometimes crossing over on bridges, sometimes slipping through covered walkways between and under buildings. Getting from one point to another by foot can be a dizzying experience for even the most sensible Ravokian, and the way can turn into a labyrinth for any unwary newcomer.
History
When the war of the gods reigned down upon and ravaged the land, countless numbers of people lost their lives. Those that survived were forever changed. In the wake of the destruction, chaos, and evil set in and took root. Of course, this was all as Rhysol had planned. He reveled in the new world that he helped to create until one of his own followers, his greatest and most loved, The Voice, helped give birth to a new idea. As grand as chaos was, it would inevitably end as soon as the other gods renewed their own influences upon the world. The best way to counter this was to act in a way that none, not even the gods would expect.
Thus Rhysol revealed to The Voice, the location of a special landmark; a black shard found in the center of Lake Ravok. This shard had grown from the bottom of the lake at a point where a single drop of Rhysol's blood had fallen during his short but deadly conflict with Sylir. The shard was a direct link to Rhysol and thus could focus a bit of his divinity into the area surrounding it. The Voice traveled to Lake Ravok and constructed a temple around it. From that temple and with the help of her Druvin, she spread the word that Ravok was a place of safety, a place of protection from the chaos and uncertainty of the outside world. In the wake of the Valterrian, people looked for some sort of salvation and The Voice along with the yet young but growing religious organization offered just that. People began coming to the temple by boat or anything else they could find that floated. Over time, the hodgepodge of floating debris grew. The Voice and her disciples worked to educate and train the people on how to survive. She helped provide them shelter and food and gave them new hope. This was, of course, all due to the mercy of Rhysol and by accepting help from The Voice, the people were accepting Rhysol into their lives.
Over the next few centuries, Ravok grew and flourished. Five hundred years after the Valterrian, Ravok is a city of art and culture; of religion and prosperity. While not everyone is wealthy and powerful, everyone who lives in the city and accepts Rhysol as their savior and protector finds that they are safe from war, safe from chaos and safe from the uncertainty that awaits them outside of their glorious city.
Society
See Race Relations
The society of Ravok is an oddity in itself. While maintaining a surface appearance much like that of any other city, complete with varying social classes, trade, crime, etc., the majority of the city population is devoted to Rhysol. Small shrines to the god can be found in many homes and at the very least, dedications and prayers are given to him on a daily basis by thousands of city dwellers. To outsiders, Rhysol is seen as a monster, a liar and betrayer, bringer of chaos and father of all that is evil. To the people of Ravok, such talk is considered blasphemy. For them, Rhysol is a father figure much like The Voice is their mother.
Though Rhysol is their primary deity, the people of Ravok look highly upon The Voice with many even going so far as to worship her alongside Rhysol. She has lived long enough to see generations of people born and grow into old age followed by death. During her time as the undisputed leader of the city, the people have seen no war. Even famine and plague have taken but a small toll over the centuries. The weather, while cool, is never severe. Art and culture flow freely throughout the city and trade is prosperous. Even the poor of the city believe their lives could be even worse if it weren't for The Voice.
The majority of the city inhabitants are human although there is a scattering of other races as well. Nearly all races, regardless of their faith, find themselves at least somewhat interested in the romance and beauty of the city despite the close presence of Rhysol and The Black Sun.
All citizens, young and old, must register with the Black Sun in order to be declared full citizens. Citizens are given papers that identify them as such and copies of these papers are kept on record at the Temple of the Black Sun. Full citizens enjoy immunity to slavery and benefit from the protection of the Ebonstryfe and the city guard.
The Black Sun runs all aspects of government within the city and even if they do not have direct control, their influence remains strong. The Ebonstryfe is responsible for the actual implementation of the will of the Black Sun.
While any race may be granted entrance into the city, it is important to emphasize that the city population is 90% human with only 10% non-human. Of that 10%, 90% are slaves. Non-humans or those that can't pass for human are not highly regarded by many of the full citizens of Ravok. Truly unique, non-human visitors to the city run the high risk of being harassed at the least all the way up to being captured and auctioned off at the slave market.
The wealthy of the city are made up of a variety of individuals. High ranking members of the Black Sun are among the richest and most influential with merchants close behind. As Ravok is a city in the center of a vast inland lake, they import quite a bit. Powerful merchant families, some controlled directly by the Black Sun, oversee much of the goods imported into the city. These families come as close to nobility in Ravok as anyone can. They flaunt their wealth in many ways, not the least is by holding grand parties of epic proportions. These parties take many forms including carnivals, dances, feasts and even debaucherous orgies. Exotic costumes and masks are essential to these parties and are usually tailored to specific themes set by those hosting them.
Organized crime, while not officially legal in Ravok, is not heavily hindered. In fact, the Ebonstryfe supports a good amount of illicit activities throughout the city. Assassinations are not uncommon and brothels are allowed though heavily taxed by the Ebonstryfe. Slavery is allowed in Ravok although slaves almost always come from outside of the city. Official citizens of Ravok are immune to enslavement no matter how low they are in society. The only exception are those who have their records altered or destroyed by the Ebonystryfe. Slaves are branded with a special symbol indicating their status. Half of a black sun is burned into flesh of the top of the slave's hand. A slave's misbehavior reflects upon their owner and the owner may suffer the consequences for such an occurrence.
Citizens are allowed to possess weapons within the city as are visitors. Weapons of many kinds are made and sold within the city however if one were to raise a weapon in any fashion; even in self-defense, against a member of the Black Sun, Ebonstryfe or City Guard, it is considered a crime and is punishable by public torture and possibly death.
The Ebonstryfe
Regarded as being the militant arm of The Black Sun, the Ebonstryfe is in fact much more. While indeed being a small yet elite force of trained combatants, the Ebonstryfe also serves the role of secret police. Often working in secret, members of the Ebonstryfe infiltrate their own settlements, temples, shrines and properties on the look out for traitors and potential threats to The Black Sun and their interests. When found, voices of dissent are quickly silenced and enemies to The Black Sun vanish without a trace. Members of the Ebonstryfe are also found in command of various military units and city defense forces located in Ravok as well as throughout the rest of Mizahar. Their main headquarters is said to be located beneath the Temple of the Black Sun.
Ravok Families
There are five major families that hold power in Ravok, as well as several other lesser families. Each of the five major families has a particular area of influence. The Lazarins are known for their close ties to the Ebonstryfe, the Nitrozians for their wealth and business connections, and the Valdinox for their ties with the Isur and Black Sun. The Larks are best known for their lavish lifestyles and extensive slave trade, while the Galatos family, who have perhaps the darkest reputation of all, are generally rumored to involve themselves in assassinations and other less-than-honest ways of making money
The City Guard
There’s a lot of power and influence in Ravok. There’s also a great deal of pride for the city dedicated to Rhysol. While many types of unsavory acts are committed within the shadows, there is a group of men and women who spend their days and nights safeguarding the citizens. These people are members of the City Guard.
Anti-Rhysol Factions
Throughout Ravok's history, there have always been those few, for whatever reason, that have been against Rhysol and the city in general. Usually, these people operate alone, or simply live with their problems and keep them hidden.
Geography
Ravok is the most northern settlement in the Sylira region. The most unique aspect of the city is that it is built in the center and on the surface of a vast lake which also gets its name from the city; Lake Ravok. The buildings of Ravok are constructed on wood piles, spaced very close to one another. Due to the nature of their placement and construction, the wood does not decay over time and is said to be as strong as stone. Building foundations rest on the wood piles while brick, stone and wood buildings rest upon the footings. Canals offer the main form of transportation throughout the city while small bridges connect upper levels and docks on the lower ones to allow foot traffic. Protected by its location, Ravok offers a home for those wishing to escape the chaos of the post-Valterrian world. It is also the home of The Black Sun, the main religious organization serving, Rhysol, the God of Evil.
The lands around Ravok Lake feature no specific roads of travel. As such varieties of forests riddled with marshes surround the southern parts of Ravok. In areas to the west and east are mountainous terrains with jagged and strange rock formations.
Ravok is a city of immense beauty and romance shadowed with darkness and corruption. Built to effectively float upon the water, a spiderweb of canals both large and small, weave their way between buildings like roads. One may access nearly all buildings via a canal; many of which actually run through the lower levels of various structures. Most people move around the city via bridges connecting various buildings to one another, over one of the many docks or of course by traveling down a canal aboard a Ravosala; a long, slender, elaborately carved boat steered by a pilot wielding a long pole.
Established around 150 years following the Valterrian, Ravok began as little more than a jagged black shard in the center of Lake Ravok; a strange object that grew up from the depths shortly after the Valterrian. The city itself came when, around the shard, a floating temple was built. The temple was dedicated to Rhysol and the god's priests set out to spread the word of his mercy and protection from the chaos that reigned across the land. Little by little, people began coming to the temple for safety. At first, there was not much beyond a handful of boats tethered together around the temple. However as the temple grew and expanded, so did the newborn "boat-town". Eventually, boats gave way to more permanent structures over the next 350 years leading up to the current city of Ravok.
It was through the leadership of a woman known only as "The Voice" that the people coming to the temple were educated and trained in the ways of survival. She guided them to grow and flourish and under the protection of The Black Sun. The people came to love Rhysol. To the inhabitants of Ravok, Rhysol is their protector and The Voice is their mother and teacher. Of course many know the true nature of Rhysol and The Black Sun, they accept his protection both out of respect and of course fear; fear of the god's wrath and fear of what it would be like without his protection.
From the mainland, Ravok is only accessible by boat as there are no bridges or other connections linking the city to anywhere else. There are a series of forts and trading posts located at various points around the lake which offer authorized transport to and from the city. Traveling from the shore takes a long time, averaging at 10 knots it can take anywhere from three to four bells to reach the city, even longer for slower ships.
The main form of travel for citizens to and from the city is by Water Glider, a special boat built by the Ravokians known for its speed. These boats consist of two or three hulls joined together, and often have a netted "deck" for passengers to lounge on during transit. The boats are built for speed, easily reaching 10 knots in average wind conditions, though they have been known to reach max speeds of up to 30 knots with enough wind. It is approximately 40 miles from the nearest point on the shore to the docks.
The waters of Ravok are cool due to its northern location. They do not freeze however due to the protections placed upon the city by Rhysol. Thus the climate remains moderate to cool with periodic storms that also have their fury lightened due to the close presence of Rhysol within the city.
Local Travel
Ravok is a relatively small city in comparison to others, in that it is rather compact. It is built on floating platforms all bound together with ropes and other, more secure, forms of binding. While there are walkways and bridges, there are many locations accessible only by water. These locations are accessed by the canals, the openings between the platforms that the buildings float on that crisscross throughout the city. Ravosala, gondola-like boats, are the only form of water transportation allowed on the canals and are largely piloted by the Ravosalamen, though it is possible to own your own Ravosala and pilot it yourself. The Ravosala are moved through the water using long poles to push off the buildings on either side, allowing the boats to glide along through the canals. It is not possible to push off the bottom of the canal.. unless you have a pole that can reach about five hundred feet down to the ground below the water.
Trying to walk from one end of the city is much slower than taking a ravosala because not every platform connects to every platform around it. Sometimes a person would be required to take a very roundabout route just to reach a platform right next to the one they are standing on, simply due to there not being a bridge connecting those two together. It is much easier to simply take a boat and pay the boat keeper a minimal fee. These fees are considered part of your living expenses in Ravok.
 |
Out of character note: The other aspect of local travel involves those with professions that take them outside of the city. The main reason I am bringing this up is because I often see characters who will leave the city for a few hours, go kill a deer or two, then come back all in the same day. Unless you are very lucky, this is not a very efficient way of doing things. Traveling from the shore to the city, or vice versa, can take as long as four bells (hours) depending on wind conditions and the type of ship. The average is about 3 bells, though particularly fast or magical ships might get you there in two. Also, most captains will not sail at night, so you can usually only travel to and from the city from dawn until dusk. So.. leaving the city is a long trip. Using the hunter example again, because they are the most common travelers to and from the city, if you woke up early (let's say 6a.m.), it would be 10a.m. by the time you reached the shore. Then you would actually have to go out an hunt.. that is usually an all day affair, but let's say you got lucky. You hunted for five hours, and made it back to the docks by 3p.m. Then you took a boat back to the city, another four hours, and finally made it back by 7p.m, just in time for dinner. So you spent 8 hours on a boat, and five hours hunting.. that really isn't very productive. Most hunters should expect to spend at least one night outside the city if they want to be effective hunters. This goes for almost any profession though.. most of your day will be wasted traveling, so it would be best to make plans for extended trips when heading for the shore. This season I plan to make several new lakeside locations, including an inn, to make this easier, but the time constraint is not something you can get around. And it is highly unlikely that you can make multiple trips to and from the city in one day.. unless you are hiring a private boat, or using your own maybe. But even so, you would be spending a whole lot of time out on open water. |
Long Distance Travel
Lake Ravok is miles away from the nearest city, nestled in the center of a dangerous forest filled with wolves, bears, and other monsters. There are no official roads to Ravok, only game trails and various land marks used by those who know where to find them. One can also come from the North, taking the sea route, but there is no official landing spot along the northern shores of the Sylira region, and after that it is still a few days travel to the lake.
One might ask, why does anyone visit Ravok at all? In truth, not many merchants do and Ravok is highly self sustained, but those that do visit find themselves generously rewarded and rarely leave the city without their purses heavier than when they arrived. Traveling merchants are perhaps the only outsiders to Ravok that are welcomed with open arms.
Any trek to or from Ravok should be undertaken with the utmost caution. Your trip will likely take you an entire season, if not more, especially if you do not have a map or lores regarding the various trails and landmarks in the Wildlands. It is also dangerous to travel alone, so if you are planning a trip, it would be best to travel with a group. You will never find a merchant, or one alive anyway, that made the trek without an armed guard to escort him.
Overall, travel to Ravok is dangerous, there are no roads to guide your way, and it takes a really long time. Be careful when considering this, remember to bring plenty of gear, and don't go alone.
Locations of interest
City Center
City Center is one massive plaza with the structures being interconnected either in an obvious way or through passages known only to certain ranks within the Black Sun and Ebonstryfe. Canals offer access to everything either from the edge of the buildings or from a maze of the oldest canals in Ravok which runs underneath it all. These were built over to accommodate for the growing city but not blocked as the architects and Black Sun understood the importance of such routes. The Temple of the Black Sun dominates everything in the city but is most impressive when viewed from the inner courtyard. Large bridges connect the central platform to the Noble District but most people come and go by ravosala.
The Temple of the Black Sun
The Temple of the Black Sun is the heart and soul of Ravok. From here, The Voice presides over all aspects of faith as well as commanding The Black Sun who among other things, run the city. The temple's origins revolve around the ominous black shard which grows up from the depths of Lake Ravok and dominates the central temple's central worship chamber. It is the shard which grants the city some amount of protection from the natural elements and also grants a direct link to Rhysol, himself. The temple itself is massive and adorned with exquisite, painstakingly crafted carvings. It's glistening marble facade hides the true nature of the temple and its purpose.
Canals offer entry by water into the base level of the temple. It is from here that the central worship chamber may be accessed via a set of black, iron doors adorned with huge, white pearls. At all times, members of the Ebonstryfe, the militant arm of The Black Sun, guard these doors and keep an eye on those who would enter. The rest of the temple's base level houses numerous galleries and museums containing a wealth of art and artifacts from all across the history of worship to Rhysol.
The upper levels of the temple contain offices and personal quarters of high ranking members of the faith including, The Voice. It is rumored that there are even levels located beneath the city that extend down into the depths of the lake. If such a place exists, it's entrance and purpose are known only to those who need to know.
Noble District
Ravok's upper class holds a great deal of wealth and influence in all parts of the city as well as the Lakeshore. The Noble District is where they live, shop and socialize as they view themselves to be above the rest of Ravokians. The buildings are close together and there are plenty of walkways to get around though there are places where ravosalas are the best means of transportation. The bridges are elegant and sturdy as they form tall arcs over the canals and braziers light up the waters every evening in reflections of the gorgeous architecture.
Merchant's Ring
The Merchant's Ring is a small plaza south of the City Center where average people try their luck at running a business. There are a few places to eat or grab a drink as well as a handful of specialty shops. It's like a small town tucked away next to the big city. The architecture of the buildings and walkways is sound but much simpler than that of the Noble District and pales in comparison to the beauty of the City Center. Walkways are narrow but solid though foot traffic can be confusing since maintaining the bridges and catwalks can be so expensive. It's not uncommon to walk out of a shop and start home only to find yourself staring at an unfinished crossing. In a city of faith, sometimes you have to make a literal leap to reach your destination. The Merchant's Ring also acts a buffer between the City Center and the Docks.
The Docks
The most common sight for all who either enter or exit Ravok is the area known as The Docks. Although effectively consisting of the entire outer rim of the city, the largest part and most well-known section of The Docks are largest on the southern side of the city where one of the main canals joins with Lake Ravok. Large plazas line each side of the canal as do docks of various sizes. There are docks for larger trading vessels as well as seemingly countless ravosala's in a variety of colors and designs. The Docks are a place for gathering, be it for commerce, romance, or darker activities. The plazas are surrounded by merchant warehouses, shops, taverns and even housing. Great bridges span the canal and connect the two main plazas of The Docks, The Nitrozian Plaza and the Plaza of Dark Delights.
The Nitrozian Plaza
The Nitrozian Plaza is named after the merchant who owns most of it, Sitanos Nitrozian. It is home to numerous taverns, boarding houses, shops and other forms of business. On the outskirts of the Nitrozian Plaza and lining a variety of small branching canals are the mass housing units of the Nitrozian Housing Commission. After the city was founded and began to grow, it was obvious that housing would soon become an issue. The Nitrozian family of the time devised a way to maximize housing space and created the NHC to solve the problem. The NHC is a series of large buildings each containing a large number of small housing cubicles. These cubicles resemble rooms one may find at an inn and in fact, each NHC building is designed much like a very large inn complete with common room and eating facilities. The rooms are cheap, far from extravagant, but offer citizens a place to live. The Ravokian Shipyard is also located on the lake side of the plaza.
The Plaza of Dark Delights
The Plaza of Dark Delights is quite the opposite entity compared to the Nitrozian Plaza. The "Dark Delight" as it is commonly referred to is a place where nearly anything can be found for a price. Brothels, slavers, the black market, assassins and criminals of all kinds frequent the Dark Delight. With all of these activities supported and regulated by the Ebonstryfe, individuals partaking in such activities need not fear operating openly in the plaza. The danger comes when someone oversteps their bounds and/or is caught interfering with the lives and businesses of those of influence within the city. Although still routine in its occurrence, such a thing incurs deadly repercussions.
The Southern Trading Post
The Southern Trading Post is located along the southern edge of Lake Ravok. A large, fortified tower on a small hill overlooks an impressive system of docks where a number of small ships are tethered. Down the opposite side of the hill from the docks, exists a small village of sorts. Made up of semi-permanent storage structures and tents, this 'village' is the first step in trade with the city. Nearly all trade goods, as well as would-be visitors, must pass through the trading post before being allowed to the docks. The tower, docks, trade village and surrounding land are heavily patrolled by city guards trained and employed by The Black Sun.
Law & Order
Ravok is not a militant state. Ravok is not run by a military. Ravok, in all appearances, is just a normal city though to the pride of its residents -it's better than everywhere else. The City Guard are normal people. The men and women who watch over the everyday life of Ravokians believe that Rhysol is their savior and protector. As such, they consider themselves to be an extension of that protection to the rest of the civilian population. They work hard and take pride in keeping the streets and waterways safe; free of petty crimes as well as major ones. These people are public servants who dedicate their lives to upholding the paradise they call home to the high standards that all Ravokians set for their fair city.
There is no doubt that the Black Sun oversees everything in Ravok as well as all of Rhysol's interests on Mizahar. Within the city proper, law and order is handled by the City Guard. The Ravokian Navy patrols the waters of the great lake and the Ebonstryfe guard the Lakeshore including the surrounding area up to the North Ravok Outpost.
The guidelines for behavior are simple. If you are a citizen, you have rights. If you are not a citizen then you do not exist and therefore crime cannot, by the law, be committed against you. So what does this mean? Citizens of Ravok are expected to treat one another with respect so long as the pecking order is maintained. That's not to say that one of the more affluent families would outright bully an average person. However, wealthier people have more access to the Black Sun and Ebonstryfe as well as easier means to remove someone who disrespected them.
Non-citizens walk a fine line. Too tough and you're disposed of for being a threat but if you're too weak or too slow then the wash of chaos, lies and betrayal that float along unseen in Ravok's dark alleys and canals will remove you. Don't expect a warm welcome in Ravok if you don't belong. Even those outsiders claiming to follow Rhysol are viewed through a lens of skepticism, apprehension and distrust.
Rights of Citizenship
- To Life - Murder is a capital crime.
- To Freedom - No citizen shall be enslaved.
- To Possessions - Theft is considered heinous.
- To Protection - Citizens are the most valuable resource in Ravok and are to be treated as such.
- To Expression - Diverse thoughts and opinions are welcomed so long as they are shown with respect and in the proper forum.
|
Out of character note: Whether citizen, slave or non-citizen, murder for the sake of murder is not acceptable IC in this city. With good development and reason for murder, we'd love to see a bit of death but what we will not accept is a brand new player rocking on up and committing murder in their very first thread. It is a lazy shorthand to appear "badass" and it's not appreciated. As such, as a courtesy, we would like it if you would fling a PM in the direction of a local ST, sharing a synopsis of the plot, just so that we are forewarned or can advise you. If you neglect to let us know, the local STs reserve the right to intervene in such a thread and arrest relevant PCs, with the possibility of execution. Don't say you weren't warned. |
Slavery and You
In Ravok, having citizenship is very important. It means that you have rights and responsibilities, protection from the Ebonstryfe, and so on. Those without citizenship have literally no rights. They are not worthy of Rhysol’s protection until they decide to apply. However… slaves, despite not technically being citizens, still have rights. In fact, quite a few are in better situations than most non-citizens.
There are two ways to gain citizenship. First is to be born in Ravok, where one is immediately a citizen and goes through no probationary period. Usually, the parents handle the paperwork. This is the most common and easiest way to become a citizen. However, there is a second way. For those coming into Ravok, and planning to stay there for a while, there is a place where they can apply. They fill out a form and end up on a probationary period for two seasons. During this, they cannot leave Ravok or they forfeit their citizenship, and any trouble with the Ebonstryfe will probably result in the removal of their citizenship. After the two seasons, they are considered full citizens of Ravok.
Most average residents of Ravok are citizens, though they always carry their certification papers with them in case questions arise. Without the papers… they are no longer citizens. They have more rights than slaves and non-citizens and generally live quite peaceful lives. They have free healing at the Healing Hand and the protection of the Ebonstryfe. They are also immune to slavery, so anyone with citizenship need not fear slavers, as they go after non-citizens instead.
Slaves are in a limbo between citizen and non-citizen. Their treatment depends purely on their masters. Some are treated quite well, and slaves of some of the major families are viewed with respect. However, others are treated badly and often end up doing less than pleasant things. There is one cultural view of slaves that is quite interesting in Ravok. The actions and presentation of a slave are quite important and generally reflect on the master. So well treated slaves are more common than in other cities… but are not exclusive. Kelvic slaves are also common, though are generally seen as pets, or live in the KRI simply as test subjects.
All slaves, whether NPC or PC, must have monies exchanged for their complete value. The prices of slaves vary but can be found in the Price List, as well as in the slave lore page. If you do not pay for the slave, moderators reserve the right to penalize PCs of money in awards, until payment has been made.
Being a slave comes with some OOC perks (the biggest one being that they do not have to pay for expenses. However, it is the strong belief of Ravok STs that there should be a penalty for this perk that slaves have. And we believe this penalty is a fair one. History shows us that slaves are property, thus they cannot own property. Mizahar should be no different, therefore slaves in the Domain of Ravok are not entitled to own any property of significant value (other than clothing or small trinkets). They must also have just cause to have any monies in their ledger. OOC and IC reasoning must add up.
All slaves/Masters must follow certain rules in Ravok:
- PCs with NPC slaves must pay for their slave's expenses.
- PCs with PC slaves must pay for their slave's expenses.
- PCs with NPC Masters must have said NPCs approved by a local ST or through the Help Desk. If a player is active in any given season, they must write at least one 'job' thread so show their servitude in order to earn their keep.
- PC slaves upon starting will not start with any amount of money in their ledger.
- Unless under special circumstances, PC slaves who are captured post-creation will also lose money.
- Any items of high value (ie other than clothes/trinkets) will also be lost upon slavery.
- It is at a Master's discretion whether 'pocket-money' is granted to a slave.
- For ease, any items bought for a slave may be listed in a slave PC's CS, but it belongs to the Master officially and the Master/St reserves the right to remove said item.
- Items purchased for a slave by an NPC Master must be agreed upon by an ST.
- Any wages earned by a PC slave will be given immediately to a PC Master (as normal, this must be discussed with a moderator first).
- Some PC slaves (who meet certain criteria) are entitled to retain half of their wages for their ledgers.
Culture
Trade and Consumerism
Ravok is a city booming with various trade businesses and markets. Most of the trade occurs between citizens of the city with occasional visits from merchants and travelers. There are no distinct trade routes between Ravok and any neighboring or far city. Merchants require inspections and get permission to enter the docks and then the city. Trade throughout the city is prosperous and the city is mostly self-sustaining. Due to Ravok being self-sustaining the need for trade between other cities is sparse
Common exports include wood, crafting materials and various other minor trade goods. Art and religion will always remain one of the main focuses of trade from Ravok.
Common imports range from the dynamics of what is needed in the city. Slaves are the most common and sought after imports however; the city also looks to import a variety of exotic foods for the wealthier population.
|
Out of character note: Ravok is a beautiful city, one which is looked after very well by it's God, Rhysol. As such, it is the expectation of the STs that all free PCs should be living on at least Common expenses when in the city unless there is a good reason not to be doing so. |
Religion
Ravok is utterly devoted to Rhysol, their one, and only, god. They view him as their protector and lord, and in turn, he cares for Ravok and makes it a safe city... for citizens, that is. Though there may be some who worship other gods as well, everyone in the city is expected to follow Rhysol, or face the consequences. Mentioning a preference for another god or goddess could get you in trouble, if with the wrong people. It is also important to remember that, although citizens and visitors would not know it, all prayers, no matter who they are meant for, are only heard by Rhysol. He takes all power from all prayers and is the ultimate God of this area.
As to how citizens react to Rhysol... this is very important. The overwhelming majority of Ravok adore Rhysol. The citizens of Ravok live in relative safety, security and at least the illusion of prosperity, thus they want for nothing because Rhysol has given them all they might want or need. And they know that his Rhysol who has done this for them. The best way to describe it is "livestock complacency"; by making Ravok seem like a paradise compared to the outside world, Rhysol has made his people docile, ignorant and easily manipulated.
It cannot be stressed enough how much the majority of citizens adore Rhysol. From a young age, they have been indoctrinated by their parents into loving this 'benevolent' God who protects them, and most do not even consider that there is an alternative to worshiping The Defiler. Those few who do give serious thought to why Rhysol should be worshiped have decided that he should be. These people most often end up working for the Black Sun or Stryfe. If any individual or faction exists in the city who works against Rhysol, they only continue to do so by the grace of Rhysol; he lets them exist, for his own purposes. There is almost definitely no citizen who is indifferent towards Rhysol, though the same cannot be said for visitors.
Songs and Stories
Education
From the start, citizens of Ravok learn the religious aspects of Rhysol and grow up to praise their god and are offered great educational benefits. As a child, citizens learn the basics of reading and writing, and once they have grown are offered a unique experience to learn of advanced studies at The Institute of Higher Learning.
Magic is a well-known fact of Ravok among its citizens, and the city doesn't hide the facts that their lord Rhysol keeps the city magically healthy and free of adverse weather.
Recreation
The city is known to expunge on some of the darker and guiltier pleasures one could enjoy. Aside from bars and brothels to enjoy mortal pleasures, Ravok offers unique experiences to those that are either bored or enjoy temptations which may involve torture or slave fighting. Those on the more relaxing venues of pleasure can enjoy a bathhouse to which massage, relaxation, and socialization are well sought after pastimes.
Fishing is a great venue that many will participate in, and more uncommonly you can find those that know how to swim between certain canals enjoying a dip.
Food is a well enjoyed and socially sharing experience that many of the citizens of Ravok experience with each other. Taking to tea or coffee sometimes a nice relaxing setting talking or sharing rumors is almost always seen in more of the frequented cafes.
Cuisine
All the food in Ravok is grown on the Lakeshore, considering the main city is centered in the lake. Because of the waterfront, there are two slightly odd staples in their diets. Cattails are one, used for flour, sweetening, and even medical purposes. The different parts are eaten as snacks, main meals, and the root flour is the general base of their bread. The yellow lily is another staple and another water-based plant. The roots, leaves, and stems are all eaten for various uses, and the flowers make a popular tea. A mix of the two plants is common for meals, making up the main bulk of the food. The large amount available means they’re also a cheap food source, and sometimes the only things eaten by slaves and the poorer citizens.
Meat, though available, is rare. There are a few dairy and livestock farms along the shore, bringing wool, milk, cheese, and meat to the city. However, there are not many animals, meaning the latter food is uncommon and only really eaten by the rich, who can afford such things. Most people gain their protein from dairy products and nuts. The main exception to this is fish. Being on a lake, Ravok has a plentiful fish stock, and fishing vessels are out most of the daylight hours catching food for the city.
Because of the lack of options, most Ravokian food is quite plain, with spices generally imported from more southern cities, including Kenash. However, Ravok prefers to be a self-sustaining city, so spices are reserved for the rich. There are a few salt mines nearby, meaning that that topping is common and well used.
Fashion
Ravokian style, in the richer folk, is always shifting and changing. However, dark colors are worn by the general population, from deep blues to greys, to browns and just black. Sometimes a red accent might be fashionable, sometimes dark purple. Clothing is generally kept to plain shirts and breeches (or skirts), and coats are more popular than cloaks… though in the colder seasons, expensive fur-lines cloaks are quite in style. Scarves are also popular, for show or for warmth, though are generally made of wool. In fact, most Ravokian clothes are made of wool, as all other materials like cotton and silk have to be imported. The fineness of the wool, however, defines one’s wealth.
Holidays
Fall 18th - The Ravosala Regatta takes place in Fall every year. Decorated boats with lanterns of many colors parade silently on the canals from sunset to midnight. This is the Ravonsalamen's event, their contribution to the beauty of Ravok. Many citizens spend the whole night outdoors, on walkways along the canals, on the bridges or in one of the boats. Right before midnight fireworks lights up the sky over Ravok and the organized part of the regatta ends there...the boats remain decorated and full of lanterns, but the Ravosalamen goes back to business as usual, and with all the people this enchanted event has drawn, and all the romance in the air, their business is good indeed this night.
Ravok Flora and Fauna
Ravok NPCs
Informative Threads
| Information threads | ||
| Verilian's Soapbox | More information on Ravok | |
| Ravok's Codex | Complete information on Ravok & Linkmap | |
 | Gillar's Scrapbook | First person story describing Ravok. |
| Gillar's Scrapbook | Ravok revisited, more information on Ravok |
| Part of the Geography series | |
 | Sylira Syliras · Zeltiva · Nyka · Sahova · Sunberth · Lisnar · Ravok |
 | Cyphrus Endrykas · Riverfall · Kenash · Claridon |
 | Taldera Avanthal · The Spires · Karjin · Novallas |
 | Kalea Sultros · Alvadas · Kalinor · Lhavit · Wind Reach · Denval |
 | Eyktol Hai · Wadrass · Malrion · Ahnatep |
 | Falyndar Taloba · Charbosi · Zinrah · Syka |
 | Major islands Akvatar · Darva · Mura · Black Rock |