The City of Tarsas is one of the oldest in all of post-Scattering civilization. It grew into a prominent city-state, and then acquired a modest empire of its own before being overrun by the Acheran Empire.

The city (and nation) is named for an ancient Tarsian word meaning “city on the River Tars”. The city itself lies on the southwest delta of the Tars, on the coast of the Sea of Jirra.

Colors

A gold chimera on a red field.

Stat Block

LE Metropolis

Corruption +5
Crime +3
Economy +7
Law +6
Lore +4
Society +2

Qualities: Racially Intolerant (non-Tarsians), Holy Site, Notorious, Prosperous, Strategic Location, Tourist Attraction
Danger: +20
Government: Autocracy (Prince/Princess)
Population: 31,052 (5% Elf/Half-Elf, 5% Halfling, 3% Dwarf, 10% Half-Orc)
Notable NPCs

• Arishat Ur, Princess of Tarsas
• Kabidit Yahazi, Blade of the Goddess

Base Value: 30,400 gp
Purchase Limit: 200,000 gp
Spellcasting: 10th
Minor: * ; Medium: 4d4 ; Major: 3d4

Taxes and Tariffs

Non-Tarsians often must pay 150% of the normal cost for goods and services in Tarsas.

Money Changing

Money may be exchanged for any denomination for a fee of 3%. This fee may be avoided if a member of a bank, a trade guild, or the merchant or noble castes.

Government

The city of Tarsas is ruled by its Prince or Princess. The post is hereditary, inherited by the firstborn of the noble family that has ruled Tarsas for generations. The current Princess of Tarsas is Arishat Ur.

The Prince or Princess appoints all of the major positions in the city save those of the clergy.

The Minister of Trade presides over the city’s bureaucracy. This bureaucracy is devoted primarily to the maintenance of the city treasury and the collection of taxes. The Minister of Trade is also the keeper of all the city’s records.

The Lord High Magistrate presides over the city’s court system. He appoints lesser magistrates for each of the city’s districts.

The Captain of the Guard presides over the city’s militia and local enforcement of the Prince/Princesses’ law.

The Harbormaster presides over the city’s harbor watch and collects duties and tariffs in the Prince/Princesses’ name.

Points of Interest

The main temples for the three goddess of the Tarsian Pantheon stand in Tarsas. Each is a grand structure in accordance with the dictates of their faith. The current (508 AT) cycle holds the Temple of Shazira ascendant, and thus its high priestess, “The Blade of the Goddess”, is head of state for the Tarsian nation.

There are many smaller shrines to the Goddess throughout the city in order to accommodate the law that states that worship on the Day of Contemplation is mandatory.

The Spire of the Harbingers stands near the center of the city, an imposing structure who casts its shadow across all of the metropolis.

Food and Lodging

Inns

The Blue Troubadour: A modest inn that caters to travelers of all sorts near the temple district.
The Tower & Skeleton: A mean inn in the harbor district catering to rough folk of all races.
The Alabaster Lantern: A comfortable inn near the market district.
The Portly Soldier: A modest inn near the city’s east gate.
The Cartographer’s Quill: Modest inn near the city’s eastern gate that caters to travelers.
The Brass Titan: Fancy inn near the city’s center. Has a private chamber for meetings.

The Broken Loom : A modest inn near the Street of Weavers.
The Jaundiced Hag: A slummy inn near the Street of Lanterns.
The Platinum Serpent: A comfortable inn near the city’s north gate.
The Weretiger Inn: A modest inn in the Market District.
The Amber Crayfish: A modest inn near the River Tars.
The Panther’s Fang: A fancy inn near the north gate.

Taverns

The Brass Satyr: A modest tavern near the city’s center.
The Amorous Halfling: A dive bar situated in the Temple district.
The Prince’s Bounty: A modest tavern near the city’s market district.
The Black Tabard: A modest bar near the city’s eastern gate.
The Ivory Charioteer: A small, common bar near docks.
The Obsidian Blade: A well-to-do establishment near the harbor.

The Jade Galleon: A common tavern situated near the east side of town.
The Rough Concubine: A dive bar located near the harbor.
The Hydra’s Brood: A modest tavern in the market district.
The Ram and Dog: A common bar near the city center.
The Ratcatcher’s Revenge: A modest tavern near the northern gates.
The Onyx Manticore: Fancy tavern near the city center