The City-State of Fabul

Originally founded as a temple to the Light, Fabul enjoys a rich heritage as the center of a unique monastic order known as the Monks of Fabul. Many potential students come from all across the region seeking to train their minds and bodies in this unique order. The original temple complex was eventually expanded to include castle walls and towers, and in time a small city grew up around the temple, giving birth to the city of Fabul. In addition to the monastic order itself, the people of Fabul also have abundant fishing and agriculture, thanks to the rich arable land and beautiful ocean waters that surround the city. Fabul also supports a large fleet of naval vessels, although most of these are simple fishing boats and merchant trade-ships.

1. The City of Fabul

Size: City (16,500)

Government: Monarchy

Affiliation: City-State of Fabul

Trade & Industries: Agriculture, Fishing

Crime Level: Low

The city of Fabul is a moderate sized city located within the rolling coastal plains to the south of Azure Bay on the smaller northeast continent. It is well known for the large temple-like structure in the heart of the city that dates back more than two hundred years. The fertile coastal plains and beautiful waters of the Azure Bay make this region ideal for both agriculture and fishing, both of which are major industries for the city. Fabul has been ruled for many years by a wise monarch who also serves as the Head Monk for the monastic order that is headquartered in the city. For the most part, the average citizen of Fabul lives a peaceful, orderly life, earning a modest living through hard work. Crime is surprisingly low within the city, thanks in part to the monks that are often seen moving about the city in pursuit of their ideals.

History

Despite the fertile soil, tranquil bays, and beauty of this region, very few inhabitants lived within this area until the early eighth century. Around that time, it would seem that a small group of families crossed the Hobb Mountains and continued eastward, seeking a secluded area deep within untouched wilderness to establish a temple dedicated to the Light. Although unverified, the story is told that these families were fleeing persecution from the kingdom of Damcyan, who viewed their form of mysticism with great suspicion. In any event, the unbroken pristine beauty of the region proved to be exactly what this group was searching for, and settlement of this area began.

For several generations, the original temple structure was the only settlement in the entire region. The people struggled to survive in their relative isolation from the rest of the world, but viewed such difficulties as a necessary part of the road to enlightenment. Although most of the original settlers were dedicated to the temple, the basic needs of the community eventually necessitated some who labored simply to meet the increasing demands of their growing community. Over time, a small village began to emerge in haphazard fashion around the temple complex.

Around the early ninth century, monks began the task of spreading their teachings to other parts of the world, traveling west across the Hobb Mountains and south by sea along a lightly populated chain of islands. This new focus away from several generations of isolation resulted in the need for faster, more reliable transportation, which was answered through the construction of a fairly large fleet of ships capable of traveling great distances. Trade was established along several sea routes in order to finance these naval projects, created ocean trade routes to Damcyan, Baron, and even Toroia, which was accessible only by river. Not surprisingly, these other kingdoms soon followed this example, resulting in merchant vessels traveling across much of the known world.

By the end of the ninth century, the haphazard village around the temple had expanded into a fairly large town, becoming an increasing burden upon the leadership of the temple. There is little doubt that it was this burden that led to the creation of a town council, who directly oversaw the day-to-day affairs of the growing community which still being accountable to those in the highest ranking in the temple order. As the story is told, it was also this council that established the name Fabul, the origin of which is otherwise unknown. And thus was the city-state of Fabul born.

The temple complex was greatly expanded in the early tenth century, transforming it into a defensive structure to protect the citizens of Fabul should the need ever arise. No doubt the town too was upgraded around this time with the addition of walls, fortifications, and limited infrastructure to support its continued growth. Although certainly not wealthy, the abundance of arable land and marine life in the region propelled the growth of the town, expanding it beyond the imaginations of its earliest settlers, resulting in one of the larger cities in the known world. But, even as the city continues to grow, it also retains its dual nature as both a growing farming and fishing community and as a spiritual center for those seeking enlightenment within the order of the Monks of Fabul.

Key Landmarks

The Inner District - The Inner District consists of most of the oldest construction within the city of Fabul, including the temple itself and much of the original construction around it. It primarily houses the families of the Monks of Fabul, but also includes a few inns, taverns, and shops that specifically cater to the inhabitants of the Inner District. Although not the most wealthy of districts within the city, it is considered an indicator of success and good fortune to be located within the Inner District. Not surprisingly, the leadership of the temple administers this district carefully, usually requiring approval from the temple before allowing new residents or merchants to relocate into the district.

The Temple of the Light - The Temple of the Light is the oldest and largest structure within Fabul, dating back to the eighth century. Although still used in its original function, expansion and fortification over the last three hundred years has transformed the temple significantly, allowing it to double as a formidable fortress. Primarily, the temple serves as barracks for the ever growing ranks of the Monks of Fabul, who train under the combined leadership of the Head Monk and the Sensei, the latter of which serves as both teacher and commander while relying upon the leadership of the former. The temple also includes small outdoor glades for meditation, personal quarters for the highest ranking monks, a closely-guarded treasury, and a spacious and elegant audience chamber used by the Head Monk for holding court and other important assemblies.

What is general unknown is that deep within the temple a magnificent crystalline chamber is secreted, built by visitors to Fabul around the middle of the tenth century. At that time, the Head Monk accepted a commission to safeguard a magical gem known as the Crystal of Air. Only the Head Monk, the Sensei, and two other high-ranking officials even know of the gem's existence or its location within the temple.

The Docks - The docks are located in the northern district of the city along the coastline of the Azure Bay. Ships of all sizes and nationalities are always to be found throughout the docks, as they are the largest and most extensive in the known world. Much of the seafaring commerce originates in Fabul, and virtually every merchant ship docks within the city at some point during the year. Due to Fabul's extensive fishing industry, this district always stinks of unwashed bodies and fish, mixed with the other foul-smelling trades common to any large city. This district is also among the poorest and roughest within Fabul, and most of the city's crime transpires here. Still, even here the streets are patrolled by the Monks of Fabul, and during daylight hours the district is frequented by many of the citizens, seeking goods and services available only within this district.

The Golden Sail - Located just between the Docks and the Inner District, the Golden Sail is by far the most luxurious and expensive inn within all of Fabul. Many wealthy merchants, visiting nobles, and rich travelers believe this is one of the finest inns in the entire world, and frequent it whenever they are within the region. Although expensive beyond the means of most, the inn serves food and drink of unsurpassed quality and value, and furnishes the guest rooms with only the most luxurious and expensive of decor. The Golden Sail also employs its own guards, who safeguard the lives and possessions of its clientele and deny entrance to those judged unworthy.

Important People

Akamiro Kirano

Human male age 55

Job: High level Monk

Attributes: STR (High), VIT (Avg), AGI (Avg), SPD (Avg), MAG (Avg), SPR (Low)

Skills: Acrobatics (Trained), Awareness (Trained), Brawl (Talented),

Command (Trained), Lore: Fabul (Trained) Lore: History (Trained),

Negotiation (Trained), Survival (Trained)

Equipment: Good

Born Akamiro Kirano, this distinguished martial artist is now simply known as the Head Monk. As the highest-ranking member of the Monks of Fabul, he serves as the monarch of the city-state, and is admired for his martial skills and his wisdom. Prior to assuming leadership of Fabul, Akamiro served as Sensei within the order for several years and was groomed for several years to assume leadership from the previous monarch, much as Akamiro now grooms his own protégé, Yang Lieden. He never married, and thus treats Yang as his only son and heir, and looks forward to the day when he can step down from the burden of leadership and allow his successor to assume these duties.

Yang Lieden

Human male age 35

Job: Average level Monk

Attributes: STR (High), VIT (Avg), AGI (Avg), SPD (Avg), MAG (Avg), SPR (Low)

Skills: Acrobatics (Talented), Awareness (Trained), Brawl (Talented),

Command (Trained), Lore: Fabul (Trained), Survival (Low), Teaching (Trained)

Equipment: Good

Miyaki Lieden

Human female age 32

Job: none

Attributes: STR (Avg), VIT (Avg), AGI (High), SPD (Avg), MAG (Avg), SPR (Low)

Skills: Acrobatics (Trained), Brawl (Low), Cooking (Trained), Healing (Low), Swimming (Trained)

Equipment: Average

Born and raised within Fabul, Yang Lieden's only ambition in live was to study with the Temple of the Light as one of the Monks of Fabul. His natural agility and good sense allowed him to realize his dream, and served him well as he began his training. He showed remarkable aptitude, and earned the admiration of both his peers and teachers, allowing him to quickly earn a place as a master. In time, he was selected by the Head Monk himself to assume the duties of their recently deceased Sensei, and since that time has personally trained with most of the current monks. Unlike many of his peers, Yang chose to wed, and married early in life to a young lady of common descent named Miyaki. The two obviously love one another very much, but their love is overshadowed by the discovery that Miyaki was unable to have children. Yang's prestigious position allows them to live within the temple complex itself with a spectacular view of the city around them.

Kamitsu Zinwai

Human male age 45

Job: none

Attributes: STR (Avg), VIT (Avg), AGI (High), SPD (Avg), MAG (Avg), SPR (Low)

Skills: Etiquette (Trained), Negotiation (Trained), Swimming (Trained), Swords (Low),

Trade (Trained)

Equipment: Average

Kamitsu Zinwai is the current leader of the Town Council that oversees the day-to-day administrating of the city of Fabul. Although neither the most skilled or wisest among the town councilors, he is certainly the most eloquent, as has been instrumental in resolving conflicts among the leaders of Fabul. Although Kamitsu was never accepted into the Monks of Fabul, he is a close and personal friend with Yang Lieden, and as such is well respected by most of the monks within the city. He has nearly finished his first two year term of office, and almost certainly will be allowed to continue in his office for several years year to come.

2. Mount Hobbs

Although commonly known simply as Mount Hobbs, the name in actuality refers to a small range of mountains that separate the large central continent from the smaller one to the northeast. These mountains form a natural barrier between the two continents, and are generally impassable save for a narrow, winding mountain pass, which coincidentally is located on the mountain for which the entire range gets its name. Mount Hobbs is famous for the small caverns that honeycomb its surface as well as abundant underground streams that flow throughout the year and often rise up to the surface, resulting in unusual ice deposits during the colder months. In addition, several varieties of monstrous creatures live in the area, and pose a significant threat to merchants traveling between Damcyan and Fabul. Fortunately, the Monks of Fabul often come to the mountain for training, slaying or driving off these creatures and keeping the pass from becoming too dangerous for travelers.

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