Verbobonc City

Verbobonc City (Large City): Conventional
AL NG
Population: 12,700; Mixed (Human 77%, Gnomes 14%, Sylvan Elves 5%, Other 4%)
Trade Limit: 40,000gp
Resources: Copper, Gems
Allies: Veluna, Dyvers, Furyondy (distrusted), Free Alliance of the Kron Hills (in Rebellion).
Coinage: [Modified Furyondy] Zeeti (cp), Tapi (sp), Tear (ep), Wheatsheaf (or “sheaf”) (gp), Leaf (pp).
Language(s): Common. There are many words borrowed from regional gnome dialects. (An example is the local coinage: Zeeti and Tapi are gnomish words). Racial language is commonly used in all business conducted within the Gnome or Elven neighborhoods.

Authority Figures: His Noble Lordship, Viscount Langard, Defender of the Faith.

Important Figures: Lord Mayor Tymak; Bishop Haufren of St.Cuthbert; Martiolus Legeum, Patriarch of Rao; CorneliusArx, High Priest of Trithereon; Prince Jimm Pithriggen of the Kron Hills Gnomes; Lord Velysin Claviger, Captain of the Militia; Resheph, Druid; Lord Marakios Haxx; Lady Kathryn Sarcina.

Located near the shores of the Velverdyva River, Verbobonc is the capital of the Viscounty of Verbobonc. With a population of 12,700 humans and assorted gnomes and elves, Verbobonc hovers between a large town and small city in size. The city is walled and well maintained, with many fine examples of ancient elven architecture.

Long before the founding of the viscounty, elves and humans lived in settlements along the river. Verbobonc was the greatest of these, once the seat of an elven principality. Although few elves remain in the city since the woodlands have been slashed back, present-day human occupants have carefully preserved the elven work.

Verbobonc City may be entered by land, by one of four gates:
Trade Gate (West): Located on the northwest side of the Velverdyva River, this gate is the most heavily fortified gate in the city, as any attack from this side of the river would fall upon these walls. It is meant to repel any invasions from the Kingdom of Furyondy.
River Gate (North): This gate opens to the Low Road, and all northeast land traffic bound to Dyvers and Greyhawk City. This gate is unique in that there is a finely crafted marble arch over the gate. Rose vines grow freely around the intricately carved stone. Carved along the top of the arch are the words (in Common and Gnomish): “Earth and Stone, Man and Gnome.” Apart from this aesthetic feature, this gate has all the standard features.
High Gate (East): This gate opens to the High Road and caters to all traffic bound south and east to Hommlet, the Kron Hills and the olven realm of Celene. This entry to the city is slightly different than the others, as it has two parallel towers, instead of one. The gate house has the standard features.
Low Gate (South): The Low Road continues southwest from this gate. All traffic bound to/from the Iron Wood, or the Kingdom of Veluna travel through this gate.

Verbobonc City began as a gnomish settlement along the banks of the Velverdyva River. Thus, the architecture of the town has distinct gnomish origins, based on the designs of master architect Snirthiglin. For example, the use of numerous domes on buildings reflects this type of design. Most native gnomish construction was built in small hills where they would hollow out small homes with mound or dome shaped roofs to take advantage of the space under the hill. The use of pillars, arches and sweeping wide stairways are widely used, and their use can still be seen in above ground construction in Verbobonc today. Many buildings have small clockwork mechanisms attached to them such as intricate door knockers, hand cranked windows and shutters, some elevators, etc. There are also hints of Elven influence in the city. Most of its citizens lead healthy, prosperous lives, and their standard of living is remarkably high.

Notable Quarters of Verbobonc City:
High Quarter of Verbobonc City
Business Quarter of Verbobonc City
Dawn Quarter of Verbonbonc City
Foreign Quarter of Verbobonc City
City Center of Verbobonc City
Waterfront District of Verbobonc City
Gnomeberg

Outside Verbobonc City

The finest surviving example is, without a doubt, the Palace of Viscount of Verbobonc, and ruler of the land. This is a large complex of buildings and gardens, tastefully arranged to provide natural-seeming vistas from nearly any window. Its construction is typical of most of the elven buildings of Verbobonc. Many slender towers joined by airy, arched bridges grace the palace. Only the nimblest humans brave these perilous trestles, although elves manage them with graceful ease. Inside, the rooms and halls have high ceilings, and many windows pierce the walls. Hallways are narrow and staircases are commonly built without banisters. Wood and very light-grained stone are the common building materials.

Culture in Verbobonc
Politics in Verbobonc
Military in Verbobonc
Religion in Verbobonc

The military center of the city is the immense Castle Greyfist, which rises above the city on a small hill. Humans in Verbobonc City live and work well with other races, exemplifying the motto engraved above the city’s east entrance, “Earth and Stone, Man and Gnome.”

Verbobonc is not only a human city, but is home to many elves and gnomes, as well. A few of the former live in lofted ipt-houses, structures built within the boughs of ipp trees. Most gnomes live in “rents”, small but comfortable dwellings excavated from the dozens of small hills in the city proper.

The town is rich with trade. The river brings goods of all stripe, with caravans and barges more than happy to leave the region loaded down with gems and copper from local mines. Verbobonc’s gnome smiths are renowned across the Flanaess. (Arguably, their most important structure, the Royal Furyondian Mint, spreads their handiwork farther than any other.)

Verbobonc

Verbobonc City

Greyhawk Samaryllis Samaryllis