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Marienburg
Dominant Race(s): Humans
Places of Significance: The Marienburg Port, The Great Marienburg Lighthouse
Allegiance: The Empire
Population Size: 1 Million
Services: Merchants, Blacksmiths, Ship Captains, Ship Wrights, Mercenaries, Enchanters.
Overview: The second largest city of the Empire, Marienburg serves as the main trading city of the Empire. It is the closest city by sea of the Empire to Ellyrion, Brettonia, and Estalia. Being such a major trading city this is also one of the richest cities. The only flaw with this city is that it's defenses are lacking. The city is only not attacked by the fact that it is so populated and large.

Map Location/Picture:

"You were knocked unconscious, so I have volunteered to carry you. Are you able to walk yet," Valen asked, not in a hurried sort of tone, but just asking. I understand, Valen thought to Nvira. He would miss her commentary for the time they were here.

Marienburg was a beautiful city. It's buildings were almost all made out of stone, the streets were paved, and vendors lined the streets displaying fine silks, paintings, statues, weapons, spices, and other exotic goods to all passersby. The city only had some sections with protective walls (mostly just the governmental and upper class districts) so they simply walked into the city without having to go through a gate. Guards were around, but they were more or less lax and not paying much attention to the travelers. The buildings were quite tall, most of them being at least 2 or 3 stories. Off on the far end of the city, near the port, was the towering spire of the Great Marienburg Lighthouse. It was a massive tower 1000 feet tall (about Eiffel tower height) all made out of beautiful marble and decorated in fine sculptures of winged angels. It had a square base that continued all the way to the top. Atop the tower was a round glass room, where a complex system of gears had a large mirror circle an enormous fire that was kept lit at all times. Below the top was a large clock on all 4 sides of the tower that displayed the time for all citizens. Every hour on the hour (except after 9 at night) the clock tower would sound to a chorus of bells stored inside of it. At night the clock tower had a large fire inside of it to light up the clock itself so it could be seen 24 hours a day.

"You are welcome son, but let's try and avoid fights like that again... is that alright?"

Valen let Ikzer down. The sun was quite powerful here, and it's light reflected off of the white walls of many of the buildings, making things more difficult. He had only been to Marienburg once, and he knew there was an Order house here, but he wasn't quite sure where it was anymore. "Well, I need to find some new clothes and we all could be cleaned up too... how about we split up and then meet at the tower in 2 hours?"

We can travel in groups of course. "Alright then, I will see you all in two hours." Valen then went off towards the tavern district of the city, that was usually where Order hideouts were.

Seeing her discomfort Father McCreary walked up beside of Rae, "would you care to explore the city with me? I have always heard that the architecture here is only surpassed by that on Ellyrion."

It took Valen a little while to find the place because of how big the city was, bu then he spotted the familiar red dragon sign swinging above a tavern entrance and he knew that that was the place. He entered the door and then went into the back where he found the secret area that was for Order members only. He explained to the Master their what had happened on the road and was congratulated on his victory. They happily supplied him with new clothes that were very similar to what he used to have, and then he left to go to the Tower.

***

Rae and Father traveled to Temple of the Lady where they were given a bath, food, and offered clean clothes. Father took the clothes because they were monk robes just like he had. Rae was also offered modest clothes. All of the monks and nuns there seemed to be a a hurry packing and getting stuff together, so Father asked what was going on. "Have you not heard? Marienburg harbor was attacked last night, by a Brettonian Warship. It destroyed several ships and a couple buildings before fleeing back out into sea... we are preparing to flee the city to avoid capture from the guard... or the judgment of the mob. We don't know why it happened, but we expect the Emperor to declare war on Brettonia in a couple days."

"No, I am afraid not. Wars for us are much different I suspect than what you know." He stopped and turned to the monk, "thank you, I will be careful... good luck, and I will pray that you have a safe journey."

"As will I brother."

Father McCreary and Rae left the temple and he felt he should continue his explanation. "Human wars amongst each other are often times ultimately pointless. For the most part Humans, Elves, and Dwarves are all goodly, so when they fight each other there is no righteousness and glory to be had, so wars just become sorrowful and drawn out conflicts and when they are done the only thing that changed is how drastically their respective populations have reduced."

"No, humans do not fight to reduce their populations... that is just the result. Usually it is over land, or gold, or even love from time to time."

Valen was waiting for them patiently, and was not surprised to see Ikzer with a couple girls with him. They all got a table at a tavern to talk about their next step in their journey. Valen started, "so, we can stay here perhaps, but I think we should go to Ellyrion, it only makes sense as it is the western most place in the world."

"I don't think I will be able to join you I am afraid," Father McCreary said.

Valen looked to him a bit surprised, "why?"

"I found out today that Brettonia attacked Marienburg last night and war will likely be declared. I need to go warn my brothers back in Ostermark before they are hurt."