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[b]The City of Corvasquer, [sub]Upon the River Luz[/sub][/b]

 On the eastern banks of the Sundown Sea, amidst the fens and black silt marshes of Graz, is the Twilight City of Corvasquer. Two black towers spanned by a single bridge, stand on either side of the River Luz, and guard the entrance to the Phanish mainland. The salt marshes and narrow channels that surround the city are misleading havens for many a foreign merchant vessel or tempted pirate has run aground or been accosted by any number of beast that inhabits those dangerous marshes. 

 Vessels wishing to make port at Corvasquer are ushered through the channels by any number of competing 'mooring guilds', rowing ships crewed by cut-throat 'guildies' hoping to reach the hull of the arriving vessel first. More than a few merchant ships have run aground while competing guilds have cut each other to ribbons for the job of guiding the vessel safely to port.

 The city proper requires no walls, as the marsh-swamp is defense enough. In effect, the city is an island ringed by thousands upon thousands of muddy banks, salt grass knolls and waterways. The mainland is some ten miles away; a single highway, a black stone slab marked with indecipherable runes and fortified with several stone gatehouses (constructed much later), is the only land route to the city. It is unknown who lay the first brick of the black causeway, but that it refuses to sink into the swampy marsh. Wax yellow banners and flags adorn the causeway, arched with the open palm containing a single golden coin and a closed fist. This is the banner of the Suzerain, ruler of the city and chief among merchants.  
 
 One does not trade mundane goods in Corvasquer; it is a city of dark arts, banishment, treason and treachery. Here is where men hide in shadows from mercenary assassins, or trade fortunes for a mere glimpse of the famous consort, the Painted Lady. Here is where one seeks a poison, or rare antidote, rumors and conspiracies. Corvasquer is the ire of many a more...noble sovereigns reign, and many foolhardy campaigns have been fought against the city, only to end in disaster, defeat or execution.  

 The Suzerain is whoever is strong enough to seize control, and make his or her home in the twin tower fortress. Records of the names of former Suzerains have been abandoned as it is common to see four or five new rulers within a single year, the predecessor dumped in the salt marsh, only to be joined by the new Suzerain within a few months. 

 It is a brutal city, but beautiful. Built upon ruins of dozens of cities, Corvasquer has become an amalgamate of a few different architectural styles, and cultural influences. The twin towered fortress and the black causeway appear to share some similarities, and it has been suggested this may have been the bridge and tower of a sorcerers keep in the dim history of the Age of Chaos...  

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