Of Bastards and Exiles

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Trade and Travel

The Spaceport: The impression of visitors to this place is one of dust, bright sunlight shining into darkly paneled corridors. As the first place and sometimes only place in Rudra that they visit it perhaps sets the tone for what the known worlds thinks of as Necropolis. The cavernous halls are vastly underutilized making the civilian portions of the port feel near abandoned much of the day. The vast halls of the port and hundreds of hanger bays means that rates for docking and storage are low but also means that security is more lax.
Port Control is managed by the Charioteers guild from the Black Fan Tower. The ground support staff are part of the local Rustabouts Guild, that are jointly managed by the Charioteers Guild but supported/support the local Muster.

The far side (west-side) of the port is a military post for the Imperial Fleet. Since the beginning of Alexis’s reign renovations and improvements to those facilities have begun. Security checkpoints are now strictly enforced to these sections.

The Black Fan Tower: The Charioteers Guild is based in a tower just North of the Spaceport that, if you believe local Scaver lore, was owned by Apollo Industries prior to The Fall. The top levels of the tower contain Port control and communications for the neighboring port. Most pilots, and many other ranking members of the Charioteers, are often entertained and housed in the subtowers that give this building it's iconic fan shape.

The Tower overlooks a massive warehouse complex that contains most of the wares unloaded from the guilds freighters before being dispersed into the marketplace. Protected by locally hired security the Charioteers have been in a constant fight to keep local labor separate from the Musters Rustabouts. Storefronts built alongside the warehouses facing Regents Way are operated by an assortment of off world born Charioteers and Scavers, including Jonin Harrisons impressive Import and Export Emporium.

Dirigible Masts: Four lattice steel docking towers and two large dirigible hangers are located amongst the fields on the north side of Freeway. These masts supply the outlying city of Pampana and Fort Vladimir with regular supplies. Luxurious in comparison to flitter or ground vehicles these vehicles are used whenever feasible on Rudra. The masts are served by a single, un-segregated, waiting area run by the local Charioteers Guild.
2-Way fare – Pampana 25 fbs; Fort Vladimir 8 fbs

Skyport: The local skyport is ill equipped by most planetary standards. It houses small Imperial, Muster, and Hazat squadrons for the reconnaissance and protection of the region. Cadres of Charioteers maintain a dozen aircraft at the facility that provide air travel out to a small number of bush runways. Destinations are few but include Fort Vladamir, the Maelestrom Monastery, and the Najha Outpost.
2-Way fare – Maelestrom 35 crests; Fort Vladimir 15 fbs; Najha Outpost 20 crests

The Docks: Large piers stretch into the brackish portion of the Rudra River towards the eastern end of the inhabited portion of Garrison Street. Two large piers are maintained on the western edge of the docks, with direct oil lines to the Refinery. Smaller; wooden, stone, and steel; docks line the curve in the river to the east providing docking services to fishing, supply, salvage, and pleasure vessels.
Fares – “Fishing Trip” 15 crests; Small Sea Transport 40 fbs; Large Sea Transport 100 fbs

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Travels Elsewhere on Nowhere

Pampana: The trip to Pampana is possible by land however few try it outside of heavy well equipped convoys. Travel by airship is responsible for most of the travel to Nowhere’s second city. The Engineers and Muster have made major inroads into the extraction and refining industries. A cadre of Imperial Knights and House Valleniado operate numerous mobile prospecting teams in the area surrounding Pampana.

Fort Vladimir: The first and only stop for most Imperial recruits, Fort Vladimir is lately more a fortified city than a frontier garrison. Travel here by airship, flitter, or land craft is common; I recommend airship for ease of travel over time, mainly due to comfort. The outer city and shanty towns have recently been enclosed into the forts perimeter by order of General Brech in hope of curbing smuggling to little avail.

Najha Outpost: Established ten years ago by Governor Brech; the Najha Outpost is located between the polar Najha Forest and the northwestern arm of the Tulac Mountains. The outpost has remained small but has attracted a few business ventures and fewer imperial knights to seek out a better living on the far edge of civilization. Travel by convoy is most common however those in a hurry can make the trip by flitter in a matter of hours.

Urzenkai Gargoyle of Nowhere: One cannot complete any work about Nowhere without mentioning the Urzenkai. I will refrain from mentioning my experience out of deference to tradition. Only to say I travelled only expecting payment as a guide by a wealthy lord but left quite changed. Please note that this is not a pilgrimage for the weak or ill-prepared. I recommend finding local guides and travel in groups of between 10 and 25. Passage via All-Saints is the traditional route; however other routes do exist.

The Pyramids of Takameth: The salt plains of Takameth are home to dozens of mysterious Ur Pyramids whose purpose has confused scholars for millennia. Vast structures, endless caverns, and towering obelisks are uncovered with surprising regularity. I recommend against air travel to this region as flitters and airships often encounter fierce wind storms. Ground travel can be slow, however if you are really in a hurry Sir Kristopher Silver recently introduced land sailing to the great salt flats.

The Lake Vesma Oasis: Rumored to be the home of the Governors next Imperial Outpost the oasis is located on the edge of the largest truly freshwater lake on Nowhere. For centuries the Oasis has been a mid-point for pilgrims and diplomats. It would make sense to create an outpost here to act as a trade and diplomatic post with the outlying tribes. Large Convoys on their way to Pampana and All Saints are regular visitors to the Oasis.

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Commerce and Vice

The Ring: Is a sporting and gambling venue located just north of the Mudds owned by the local Joshi Scaver family led by Boss Illarto Joshi. The Ring is the primarily venue and betting arena for freestyle fights; deathbouts were not uncommon until the governors recent ban on such “unsanctioned” events; but is also home to other activities. The outer sections of the fighting halls are littered with numerous fly-by-night shops that provide all kinds of elicit goods and services by night only to disappear the following morning.

The Wastes Casino and Hotel: The Wastes is owned and operated by the Kusra Scavers Clan. It is the only gambling establishment located on the Eastway and acts as the home base of operations for the clans operations. Table, Bartop, and handwheel games are maintained on the main floor of the establishment. The betting halls and private card game halls are located one floor up. The Hotel is still the best maintained public establishment in the city and the rates are very reasonable. Beware however that once in residence here you will be offered every service you could want (and many you think you may want but really don’t) by the local Kusra residents.
Suite: (7 crests per night); (20 fbs weekly Rental)
Single Room: (3 crests per night); (10 fbs weekly Rental)

The Cossimo Club: This locally renowned establishment is owned by the former Byzantium Secudus socialite Sir Cossimo Bisolius (of House Thana); is “the” social club and luxury hotel of Rudra. The concentration of nobles, imperial bureaucrats, and wealthy guildsmen residing or traveling thru here allow him to maintain a sizable social club in this relatively small city. The Cossimo manages to provide its clients with many of the same amenities as any of a dozen clubs of Girivaja or Tabriz. Located in the midst of the Eastway, it tries hard to appear as “Cosmopolitan” as possible in a city of 350,000, the Club is a social hub for young nobles, wealthy guilders, exiles, and temporary residents. The owner and his wife act as gracious hosts to the clubs members.
The Club has two restaurants (one semi-private, one private), five bars, numerous salons, athletic center, spa, gaming room, library, and has 74 rooms available to members (24 Luxury Suites, 50 Well Appointed Rooms). Cossimo keeps a number of the suppliers of luxury goods and services across Rudra on retainer to be available to provide for most requests of his clients.
Membership: (8 fbs Quarterly); (26 fbs Annual)
Suite: (10 fb per night); (250 fb monthly Rental)
Single Room: (3 fbs per night); (75 fbs monthly Rental)

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Storefronts and Accommodations

The Cavellerai Arcade: The upscale shopping district Cavellerai is located on the north side of the Eastway less than two blocks from Durrants Tower. It is home to a dozen high end shops selling mostly imported quality goods. The pedestrian core of the Arcade is a grey stoned structure with a series of domed iron and glass skylights three stories tall. While only the 1st story contains storefronts the upper stories provide workshop and housing for the owners of these establishments.

- Ngili & Barnth Clothiers: Ngili and Barnth are the leading men’s clothiers in the city. They do much of their own work but import a great deal of their fabrics from off world by necessity.
- Les’ Dax Booksellers and Antiquities: Les’ Dax is said to be an institution in Rudra dating back to Republican days. Believe it if you wish. It does contain a marvelous selection of books covering most topics of interest; those within church law of course. The antiquities side of the shop is much newer and more of a side business of the current owner of the establishment.
- Lillian Cross Leather, Furs, and Silver: An upstart among a sea of local institutions Lillian Cross has carved out a market for herself as a provider of fine leather products, imported furs that she modifies for use on Nowhere, and of local silver products (buttons, pins, and.
- Shilkalar Importers: The Charioteers’ stretched their arm out to the Shilkalar family over six decades ago to act as middlemen for high end imports. They maintain a large inventory here and at the warehouses of the Black Fan Tower but their main talent is as importers of nearly anything you would wish from your native lands, for a price.
- The Perfumery: The Perfumery is exactly as it claims to be and more. The well equipped purveyors of perfumes, cosmetics, potpourri, and oils. While primarily storefront seller they do accommodate custom requests.

Durrant’s Tower: Owned and operated by a Reeve banker named Ambrose Durrant, Durrants Tower is a massive obsidian tower, located directly on the Eastway, whose upper levels have been salvaged for material in the last centuries. Currently topping off at 64 floors the Durrant Tower dominates much the skyline of the south Eastway. Ambrose Durrant has “inherited” the tower from his mentor twenty years ago and has maintained the tower in excellent condition. Inside the building are located the offices of most of the cities Reeves, guild offices for a half dozen minor guilds, and the home of the Town Criers Guild in Rudra.
- The Durrant Bank: Ambrose Durrant maintains a Bank office on the fourth floor with three apprentices who take care of the day-to-day functions of his banking operations he is the man to see in Rudra to explore investment options, wills, or for property deeds.
- Durrant Financial Services: Ambrose Durrant maintains a personal office on the fourth floor to facilitate his financial services operations. He is the man to see if you wish to explore investment options, wills, or for property deeds.
- Town Criers Guild: Located on the second floor the local Town Criers maintain a print shop and reporting station from which they receive commissions.
- Byrce Toll: The Tethys born Reeve practices local law out of an office on the third floor of the building. He is well known and respected in the local courts and maintains good relations with other local guildsmen.

The Esdaile Crescent Hotel: The Esdaile is a gated row of townhouses in the Vijñāna fountain region with an attached hotel. It is a relatively new addition to the housing and lodging options in Rudra having only been completed in 5002. Owned by the 2nd eldest son of the Dowager Lady Hawkwood, the hotel is a twelve room nicely appointed establishment located at the apex of the crescent with ten surrounding townhouse. Gates line the front yard of the complex providing for a certain degree of security and privacy.
Single Room: (7 crests per night); (15 fbs weekly Rental)
Townhouse: (15,000 purchase); (250 fbs quarterly fees)

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Wheels of Industry

Imperial Refinery: The great petrol refinery of Rudra was established in the years of Alecto management of Nowhere between Garrison Street and the Rudra River. It is a large complex, maintained and managed by the Refiners Guild under the ownership and control of the Imperial Governor. It refines hundreds of thousands of barrel's of oil a year barged in from oil stations across Lake Rudra. Its products are one of the few profitable exports on Nowhere.

The Guildhouse of the local Supreme Order of Engineers: The Engineers Guild can be found located in a short squat tower attached to a sprawling wharehouse complex North West of the of the Refinery. Numerous plastic and oil sub products workshops spew out foul smoke day and night from the far reaches of this complex. I must admit never having any inclination to go inside this facility not only due to it’s unappealing nature but also because the services of the Engineers can be more easily obtained on the Eastway.

Mudders Guild: The Mudders are unique to Rudra. They are producers and suppliers of something much of the known worlds would never pay for. Soil. Mud. Given the barren conditions of most of Nowhere’s surface the Mudders Guild has had need to attempt to excavate, restore, and renew the soil of the world since the calamity of the 4100’s. The Mudders is marginally aligned with the Purgers Guild of the known world however the different training and techniques leave them self reliant. Guilders who are work as members of the Mudders Guild are not necessarily particularly skilled but know their trade.

The outer walls of the Mudders Guildhouse and the outer wall of the Mudders yards are topped with massive planters filled with fruit trees, vines, and vegetables. The mud flats that make up this region are dismal to observe. Grey/brown mud pits and piles of rotting garbage are littered around the yards while workers are reminders of the most worn dismal serf. These dismal figures however are guildsmen who make a surprisingly good living.

Smelters Row: Located off of Set’s Way lies the purpose built metallurgical quarter known as Smelters Row. Built over crumbling ruins and an ancient shanty town the Governor Harold Mathias Windsor-Hawkwood established this central factory region to house the once rambling forges that used to criss-cross the city. With direct lines to the Imperial Refinery’s gas and kerosene supplies and underground salt and fresh water cisterns this quarter quickly consolidated these assets into a two square mile area.

The Exchange, located in the middle of the gate to the Eastway, is the only commodity market on Nowhere. Daily local merchants gather to sell ore and scrap to local smelters on one side of the market while others buy refined ingots.
When looking for any bladed items in this area I recommend the Dame Claris Hazat de Kimble. She runs a large forge she leases that she has successfully gained contracts for blades from numerous local houses. Her cutlery is superb. Her knives finely balanced. Her swords crafted with skill.

Master Klosst Seawarte runs a superb jewelry shop at the Eastway Gate to Smelters Row. A former Engineers apprentice from Leagueheim he has firmly established a level of excellence in his work in the crafting of technical works into pieces of art. He provides well crafted squawker boxes, easily hides your dueling shield in a jeweled broach, and creates series of meticulous chronometers from his shop.

Lokhienne Brewery: Lokhienne clan members have been brewers and vintners since before Nowhere rejoined the Known Worlds. The clan joined the League Brewers Guild back when the Massari still controlled Nowhere. They have prospered since the early days of reunion with the known worlds and now have firm control over local grain markets of Rudra. They use their local influence rather liberally around town to ensure dominance over the market.

The Lokhienne Brewery is located at the intersection of Set’s way and the Spoken Road about 2 miles south of the Tatpuruna Fountain. The brewery building itself consists of a three story brick warehouse and a single cylindrical black tower they have deconstructed to 7 stories. The building covers 3 city blocks and includes storage, brewing, and packaging facilities. A fire twenty years ago, started by the mad Avestite Greville Kale, almost destroyed the brewery. The Lokhienne have taken every step since then to protect this most vital of all assets.

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One last set of posts; having covered the city streets, the bureaucrats, the soldiers, the priests, and the guilds; that leaves..... Nobles.

Noble Estates
The Regency lasted a long time. Long enough that every major house and many minor ones ruled here at one point or another. During these times they usually managed to carve out small Estates inside the city for their respective houses. When governors were dismissed they would usually return to their own worlds leaving some poor mid-level noble administrator to manage the tiny fiefdoms they left behind.
This has left fragmented noble fiefdoms, many with Rudra based residences, spread across Nowhere. A former governor, general, or noble regency bureaucrat would often be awarded a piece of land or asset by the acting regent. These assets; an oil well, a dry creek bed, a ruined urban block, or mineral rights; were often left to the care of local nobles when the political tide turned. Centuries of accumulated lands have built up, a local lord may rule a fief he inherited as well as a few pieces of land he manages for off world lords.
Per a decree of the Regent Ivanos Decados, each Royal House has designated a Counselor Estate that represents their house in local legal and political matters within Rudra. These Counselor Estates are treated differently by each Royal House but they have over the years been a dumping ground for the property and deeds of previous exiled nobles, growing into reasonability profitable estates for those in ownership of the Estate.
It is wise for newly arrived nobles to announce themselves to their respective councilor lords upon arrival. Many newly arrived believe (often unjustly) that they will be shunned by other residents due to past sins. While this may be the case for the worst offenders, basic introductions to the Councilor are considered common courtesy. Many arriving exiles may be pleasantly surprised, most of the councilors are exiles themselves after all.

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The Seleucun Gardens (al-Malik): The waters of the Īśāna Fountian flow rapidly thru the maze of gutters on the fountain square into The Seleucan Gardens. From the base of the Īśāna Stairs, obsidian towers connect to stone walls running south from the main gate down to the Eastway, a length of almost two miles. To the east the Īśāna Fountain the al Malik have integrated three blocks of housing towers, workshops, and a factory line into the palace stretching to the Eastern Confluence (the Tatpuruna, Aghora, and Sadyojāta Fountains combined run-off.) Inside the outer walls and towers the interior contains a small pond, spectacular gardens, and fields of golden Istakhr wheat. The entire Seleucan Estate is a self contained fief. Walled on the North West and South and guarded by watchtowers over the Eastern Confluence to the East.

The Steward of the Seleucan Gardens is currently Ichocán Hanish al-Malik who was expelled from the Governors Court on Shaprut, he brought many members of his extended family and servants with him. He is the latest of hundreds al-Malik that have been down this road over the centuries.

Fort East Gibraltar (The Hazat): Fuentes Serra-Bursandra Hazat de Lecco is the local Hazat Lord. He carries no official title beyond that of a knight, The Hazat leadership apparently think so little of Nowhere and Rudra that they have ignored his coup and usurping of the Councilor Estate for more than five years. He is recognized as the Hazat Councilor by the Governor-General and the other Noble houses. He has a strong contingent of local Hazat knights who are fiercely loyal to him.

Fort East Gibraltar is located in the southeastern section of the city and spans the intersection of Garrison Street and Ascentway. Four towers, each only six stories tall, are linked by sky bridges over the eastern and northern span the busiest intersection in the southeastern quarter of Rudra. The exterior walls and towers are clad in salvaged metal siding from Rudras ubiquitious black towers. Mixed with the blood red capstones of the parapets the structure it is imposing to all those that walk under their shadow. A maze of walled courtyards located to the east of the main facility are said to provide access via hidden tunnels and alley’s for miles to the north and east.

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Fortress of Boden’s Wall (Hawkwood): The Hawkwood Councilor Estate is located in the Northwestern sector of the city, west of the Trinitine Towers. As the story goes Boden’s Wall is named after a 46th century hermit, who lived atop the maxicrete honeycomb that is now the core of the Fortress. The Hawkwood nobles who reside here have built up a fortress around the maxicrete remnant and today the exterior appears more like an urban series of townhouses set atop a two story wall. The core remnant of the original wall is home to the fortresses shared facilities that according to local legend include a sophisticated communications network and defensive measures against intruders.

Inside reside many former Hawkwood nobles, landholders, and servants who failed to live up to some standards set by higher ranking members of their house. During the Emperor Wars, starting with Darius and thru Alexius’s coronation, the house used Nowhere as convenient dumping station for a number of dissatisfied or contrary members of their security services. Most are now aged citizens firmly established on this world providing the Lady of Boden’s Wall a high quality intelligence network in the city.

Haibatus Spires (Li Halon): Located on the spaceport road just south of the Eastway lies the Haibatus Spires. Local archeo-historian’s believe that is located at the site of an ancient hotel servicing the nearby starport. Owned by the Li Halon since the Alecto conquest of 4514, the Spires great atrium runs from the estates gates on the Garrison Road to a set of stone stairs that run to the waters of the western confluence. From the Garrison Road the Spires peak can barely be seen over the two story stone walls that surround the inner courtyard.

Funding and support for the Li Halon Councilor estate has been intermittent over the years and the Councilors often left to their own devices since the start of the Emperor Wars. Local Li Halon nobles are fewer in number and usually are sent to Nowhere into exile by relatives ashamed of their transgressions. Century’s of Li Halon Councilor’s have traditionally taken in many of the destitute young nobles and many bastard children to groom them to be able church administrators, engineers, artists, and noble managers.
During the last winter ball I was invited to visit the Haibatus Estate. Here I was treated to the simple but elegant banquet hosted by the pupils of these minor Li Halon lords. Here I found that the local Li Halon are two-fold; the local exiles and the pupils of the local lords.

The Five Towers (Decados): The Five Towers are perhaps the smallest, land wise, of any of the Royal House Estates on Nowhere. Located in site of a 2nd Republic corporate complex, the local Decados Lords have since expanded the structure, enclosing the structures with a skin of walkways, metal skin, platforms, and glass. From street level one sees only the large metal doors and maxicrete walls. This belies that the upper stories are in fact covered with glass and steel atriums and green houses. It is said that one of the upper towers houses a garden dedicated to nurturing Severan wildlife including a family of Flying Asps. Three squads of highly trained and well equipped soldiers known locally as the Asps serve the Lady of the Five Towers providing local security and enforcement. They are known for their ability as snipers, this in turn keeps most local query of passing to close to the estate.

House Decados has a strange but efficient hierarchy. Numerous count’s, baroness’s, and knights are often exiled to these towers however the Councilor of the Five Towers is always an appointment sent here by the Decados Prince to oversee the affairs of the often higher ranking Decados lords. The vast majority of the Decados lords and ladies residing on Nowhere reside within the councilor estate in a strange arrangement that chills most known worlders to the bone.

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Saltiani Bank (Massari): The Saltiani Bank was established as the core of local Massari power in Rudra after they were expelled from the Trinitine Towers in 4514. The waters of the Prāna Fountain run down an aqueduct from the fountain thru the Saltiani Bank providing it with an abundance of water, a rarity in Rudra. The “Bank” is situated at the mouth of a ravine, cleared of buildings in the 47th century, that feeds Prāna’s waters south to the central confluence. The central hall of the bank is a dense collection of workshops. In the levels below the Hall the local lords have established a dozen housing units for key members of the house. Three obsidian towers, known as “The Saltiani Three”, are connected (E) to the Central Hall structure providing housing for the inhabitants.

The Massari have lived on Nowhere for a century longer than anyone else. Their influence is thinly spread across most of Necropolis. I say Necropolis instead of Rudra for a reason; they exist mainly as a remnant of what this city was and not what it is today. They maintain a pervasive hold over those industries that rework ancient materials and mechanical technology. They have long walked a fine line between the local Scaver’s and the local nobility to maintain social standing so important in surviving in old Necropolis society but have recently proven to fall short in balancing the political and economic shifts of Rudra.

Rohrbach Citadel (Torenson): House Torenson maintains an impressive estate in Rudra. The Rohrbach Citadel has been the seat of Torenson power on the planet since 4551. The massive earthen walls run up to Governors Street in the north and Ascentway to the East. The large squat corner towers provide access to the interior thru massive wood/steel doors intricately carved with the Torensons house crest. The Citadel contains massive subterranean vaults linked to the surface by light shafts and narrow corridors. The roof of the compacted earth structure is planted extensively with various brightly colored variety’s of amaranth.

Most members of House Torenson live simple lives on Nowhere. Few own property outside the city and for the most part keep they lease what they do own out to various local guilds. Rudra raised Torensons will often be seen socially with local clan chiefs then the minor nobility; something there off world cousins would frown at. I find it a far more realistic view of they acknowledge and embrace to ensure the survival of the ancient house. The Torensons have close relations with the clans who live and farm the areas around the Sadyojāta and Aghora fountains. Together they form a powerful market force that work in concert with the bakers and brewers guild to establish a local stranglehold on grain production.

The South Tavanzati Estates are the home to most of the remaining members of “House” Valleniado in the known worlds. Valleniado are neighbors of house Massari with whom they have entered into an exile imposed by the Symbiots. The South Tavanzati Estates have been in the hand of the Valleniado for the better part of 250 years, having inherited it thru intermarriage with a rich local family, but when a thousand refugees arrived a century ago they established themselves a proper estate here.

Six towers, 3 housing blocks, and 2 great halls line the northern side of the Governors Road between the Prāna Fountain and the Spoken Road. From here they look out across the rich agricultural fields of the central confluences of the Prāna and the Vāc. The great core of the South Tavanzati Estates are the most densely populated estates in all of Rudra. The towers have been “deconstructed” to between 15 – 40 levels high but are packed with home workshops, housing blocks, and small factories.

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For those unfamiliar with your local history House Valleniado were once significant landholders on Stigmata who grew wealthy thru their roving mining operations in the Zuped Mountains. The houses country estates spanned the plains of the Rigadea Shield of north central Durem. The House was particularly close trading partners with the al-Malik and the League. They balanced their economic interests with an array of political pacts with the Hawkwoods, Massari, and Torensons.

The Valleniado have, with the exception of a few fortified roving family’s, been driven from Stigmata by the Symbiots. The remnants that now control sparse estates on Nowhere; constitute the majority of the members of the house. Remnants still exist thru out the known worlds with remnants of the house serving various houses as landholders, the League as guildsmen, and the Empire as officers.

The Outlands

The Windsor Tower was long ago the home of the last Windsor lords. The small estate was transferred to the Regency in 4700 and has since acted as a prison for nobles, clergy, and guildsmen. The prison has been empty for the last three years since the sensational murder of the mad Vestic missionary Greville Kale. The tower now acts mostly as a landmark, being the tallest standing tower on the shore of Lake Rudra and located at the eastern end of the Eastway.

The Ibus Estate is the largest estate in Rudra outside the Counselor Estates. At the end of his years as Regent, Lord Zhalid Ibus al Malik ended up in self imposed exile on Nowhere. To accommodate him in retirement he carved out an estate on the edge of the Rudra Rivers brackish estuary. The estate includes a large brackish water pool, an extensive iron/glass domed greenhouse, and the largest glassworks in the city that incorporate elegance with industry.

The Ibus Estate also includes a number of outlying manors leased from Zhalid to various exiles. These small estates are typically leased to the noble travelers of the Third Mountain who “retire” to these are marginally sustainable houses for a life of remote contemplation. The inhabitants of these small manors may once have been barons, counts, or earls decades ago but now live nearly monastic lifestyles today.