When foreigners speak of Andoran’s arrogance, they mean Almas. When they spit and snarl about the gilt temples to mob rule, they mean Almas. When they talk about slaves rubbing shoulders with free men, half-breeds walking with purebloods, or commoners acting like kings, they mean Almas. Everything such people hate about Andoran is typified in Almas, and as the city has grown from a provincial seat to one of the major powers in Avistan and beyond, the character of Almas has changed accordingly.
Almas
Metropolis standard (democratic government); AL NG
GP Limit 16,000 gp
Demographics
Population 76,600
Type mixed (73% human, 9% halfling, 8% dwarf, 7% elf, 2% gnome, 1% other)
Authority Figures
Codwin I of Augustana, Supreme Elect of the Free Peoples of Andoran (human paladin of Iomedae); Darius Silvershoe, Bishop of Almas (male human cleric of Abadar); General Reginald Cormoth, commander of the Eagle Knights (male human paladin of Iomedae); Commander Jhonn Bleys, commander of the city guard and surrounding militias (male half-elf ranger )
A Brief History
The first Taldan colony began at the mouth of the Andoshen River. In those days, the forest ran from the Nogortha Peaks to the sea, and created a forbidding backdrop to the nascent town. As the years marched on and the demand for Andoran’s lumber continued unabated, the forest receded as settlers drove it back with axe and saw. Taldor turned Almas into the regional seat of government, and then a colonial government, and it continued to grow as merchants directed their goods and materials down the Andoshen River and into the great city. Apart from the variable tithe and taxes directed back to the imperial throne, Andoran Province poured its money into vast infrastructure projects and building the civic life of the countryside, allowing the province to prosper. The walls that came up around the city turned it into a stronghold.
Once Andoran joined Cheliax in the course of the Even- Tongued Conquest, Cheliax installed a garrison and reinforced the walls, improved the bridges, modernized the sewer systems, and created a military-ready city. The city became stronger and more attractive for merchants, and though it has been and will continue to be a target for foreign powers, none has ever succeeded in breaching the walls.
Once the Andorens threw off the Chelish yoke, they lined Almas’s broad avenues with statues, and turned this place into a dream. The city guard patrols the walls, the navy of Andoran patrols the waters, and the city seems safer than ever.
Foreigners in Almas
As part of their ideals of equality and diversity, Andorens welcome foreigners and other races to the capital city, and strive to integrate these newcomers whenever possible. Many of these newcomers choose to integrate slowly, though, and isolate themselves within their own communities until they’re ready to experience the greater culture. Perhaps their ancestors were slaves, brought back to Almas to start anew. Perhaps they were fleeing a murderous army. Perhaps they simply wanted to create a new life for themselves. Whatever the truth, most foreigners find the reality of life in Andoran alarming. The freedoms that Andorens regularly accept, the way the citizens speak their mind without fear of reprisal from powerful men, and open and accountable government are truly alien to many of the newcomers, and so they isolate themselves in ghettoes and neighborhoods among others of their race or nationality. Andorens try to encourage the immigrants to integrate, to live among the free people of Andoran, but for many the bonds of fear or blood prove too strong. Thus, each enclave imports its own customs, beliefs, gods, and foods to the very heart of Almas. Abadar’s missionaries travel among these outlanders and help improve the buildings and show the newcomers they have nothing to fear from this new land, and Erastil’s faithful instruct them on how to integrate their city lives with the lives of their rural brothers.
This is not to say that everyone is so welcoming, or that all the immigrants are freedom-seekers. Some of them are agents of foreign powers, and it is said that shadowy Andoren nationalist groups keep close eyes on the slums.
Districts
Almas is situated on a ring of hills that slope gently down to the harbor. Three medium-sized rivers—the Tamuth, the Kernite, and the Moulton—join the Andoshen shortly before it empties into the sea. Sturdy stone bridges link the city together across the rivers, high enough that riverboats can ship their goods to market without crashing into the pilings.
The southwesternmost district of the city contains Smithtown and the dwarven enclave, the meatpacking district, the tanneries, and the slaughterhouses. In Smithtown, one can find master craftsmen and their apprentices, turning out high quality material, as well as the smiths who work in bulk, with less precision. The dirt streets are wide enough to drive herds and carry iron-laden wagons, and in heavy rains, they turn into an impassable morass. The gate that opens to the outside world is called Iron and Hoof. North is the Field of Concord; though this is not the physical center of the city, it contains the city’s heart. To the west of the great avenue sits the palace of the People’s Council, where the representatives of Andoran meet to deliberate the laws and the treaties of Andoran’s future.
The Field itself is a broad, cobbled avenue lined with statues of the heroes of Andoran’s revolution, plaques at the base of each outlining their achievements. Each of these statues stands guard at one of the entrances to a smaller gardened alcove, in which merchants set up stalls and display their wares during the monthly market. In the center of the vast field stands the Golden Aerie, the headquarters of the proud Eagle Knights. To the east stands the Golden Cathedral, now a great library and assembly hall where the people of Andoran enshrine the tenets of common rule and display the published writings of the greatest proponents of freedom. The University District is farther north, where students come to study at the great ivy-strewn Almas University. The students and the dons are instantly recognizable by the flowing black gowns they wear, and by the notched dueling swords they carry, for students undertake daily calisthenics and blade work during their time at university. The Embassy District houses diplomats of the nations that recognize Andoran as a sovereign power and wish to treat with her people. Each of them is walled and guarded, its architecture reflecting the character of its people. This is a more organized and stricter district because of the presence of the embassies, with a greater civil guard to protect it.
To the east is the great Andoshen River, lined with bridges and quays for merchants to offload their wares. To the south is the Wood District, where reside the lumber mills that made Andoran famous. At certain times of the year, the rivers fill with timbers floated down from the outlands, and the merchants who use the rivers resign themselves to overland cartage for a few weeks.
North are two- and three-story wooden buildings, where merchants and their families live above their shops. Heading still north is the Theatre District, a home to all manner of artists. The eastern area is the most residential area of the city. Closer to the city wall, the homes are primarily of wood, while they’re made of stone closer to the center. The Avenue of the Gods runs east to west, exiting out Godsgate. Temples, churches, and sanctuaries line the Avenue of the Gods (which eventually reaches Godsgate at the city wall), with the greatest representation from good and neutral gods. The few temples dedicated to evil gods understate their presence, and their worshipers tend to hide their comings and goings. In the southernmost part of the city sits the Mercantile District with the great Exchange, the warehouses, the headquarters of the Lumber Consortium, and the mansions of the wealthy and former nobles.
Government
Since the Supreme Elect of all Andoran and the mayor of Almas are the same person, the People’s Council select a person who can rule both city and country fairly. Codwin I splits his time between his mayoral off ices and the People’s Palace; after the summer’s assembly of representatives has ended and they return home to their villages, he can devote greater attention to the needs of Almas.
Each area of the city elects a representative to the City Council, and the weekly meetings in City Hall frequently become contentious as representatives squabble over infrastructure improvements and the state of the treasury. Once a month, the meeting floor in the People’s Palace is turned over to the public, and citizens are welcome to speak of matters that concern them. Recent meetings have seen an increase in animus against foreigners, and more accusations of “acting Chelish” have been thrown around; there is likely to be trouble soon.
Culture
Andorens in Almas are proud of the art they produce. They consider it a civic and patriotic duty to support their artists and ensure that these voices are heard. Street musicians are common, as are those in taverns, and it seems that every neighborhood has an amateur troupe or playwright producing something. Sculptors, metalworkers, and woodcarvers produce excellent wares that fetch high prices here or in foreign markets.
The duty-free First Toilday market is a huge draw for farmers around the region, and the Great Andoren Fair of Sarenith brings an influx of many thousands every year. This is an opportunity for foreign agents to slip in and cause mischief, and it’s an equally excellent opportunity for concerned citizens to smoke those agents out. The Eagle Knights and City Guard are on special alert in the time leading up to and during the fair, and thus far they’ve managed to prevent any major incidents.
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