Post by Flanwaw on Nov 18, 2015 5:32:40 GMT
You live in the great metropolis of Absalom, the City at the Center of the World. Four Gods ascended where the city stands - empowered by the Starstone around which the city is built. Millions travel through the city every year, either as a matter of faith, trade, immigration, or an inevitably failed attempt to achieve divinity by passing the trials of the Starstone. And while it seemed at first to be another day at Absalom some unique news began to circulate. Through some unknown circumstance the recipe for Sun Orchid Elixer has found its way into the city. A single draught of the Sun Orchid Elixer stops one from aging for a hundred years, is worth 50,000 gold (an impossibly vast fortune) and only one dose is ever produced a year in the desert country of Thuvia. Only one man in the world once knew the recipe, and it was the most closely guarded secret In the world... But somehow the secret is out. Now it's the second most valuable artefact in Absalom, and unlike the Starstone it hasn't been shown to be a 1/4,000,000 crapshot. Somewhere in this island spanning metropolis is stashed the most valuable recipe in the world and everyone in the city wants it. For whatever reason, you want it too - and join the rat race to find this priceless recipe, against the half million others who call this city home... And whoever else in Golarion has heard of this once In a lifetime opportunity.
The city of Absalom suits all backgrounds and has almost anything one could ever want in a city. Known also as the city of Adventurers, Absalom is the home base of the powerful Pathfinder Society, premiere adventurers league and mercenary company - its power and wealth comparable with that of nations, and its influence spanning the globe. Other than the Pathfinder Society, Absalom is home to countless other organizations - from thieves guilds, to merchant leagues, to magical societies, to schools, conservatories, and houses of science and study - if it can be found, Absalom is where one can find it. Absalom is also one of the busiest trade ports in the world, though, unlike Katapesh, some things are illegal to sell - such as some drugs, slaves, and dangerous magical artifacts. It is also unable to compete with Quadira in exoticism - with silks, spices, and various eastern goods available only to Avistan and Garund through the beneficence of Quadiran merchant lords. Every country in the Inner Sea region maintains an embassy in Absalom - considered diplomatic neutral territory for exchange and discussion amongst even age old enemies. Perhaps even more shocking is the degree of religious freedom available in Absalom: the Ascendent Court district that spreads out from the Starstone Cathedral houses a church for every known deity. Dawnflowers of Sarenrae rub shoulders with the Midwives of Lamashtu in this impossibly diverse district - tolerance enforced with a heavy hand by the elite guardsmen of Absalom. Rovagug is the only god officially disallowed worship in the temple district - though many more gods keep their worship secret either out of tradition or necessity, and even more - those most secret or who wish to be forgotten - have never tried to find a place in this open display of faith. As can be imagined, this hotbed of diversity in all respects - racial, cultural, political, and spiritual - leads to its fair measure of conflict, as much as the authorities of Absalom attempt to prevent it. Though this has left the peacekeepers of Absalom more apt than most at their task - and even the most experienced adventurers often fear to cross the Guildsguard and the fierce First Guard. And for magic? Only Nex and Geb could hope to compete with the vast magical power that flows through Absalom - skyscraping libraries run by beings of demigod-like power and ancient tomes of forgotten lore so deep, that none know their true end.
If your a visitor to Absalom you likely just have the clothes on your back and whatever you can carry. Inns range from copper-piece shitholes to platinum piece palaces. But if you LIVE in Absalom, you'll have some serious advantages in your search for knowledge - you'll have friends, contacts and knowledge of the alleyways; important locations and even more important people. But that means you'll have enemies too - or people that just hate your face. But you'll also have a home, a permanent home base that is yours. But that means you paid for it at some point. So, to give you an idea here are some prices for a 'basic' house with basic furnishings and such in Absalom. These are just examples - guidelines to measure yourself by. Its up to interpretation and flexible adaptation to personal tastes.
Nothing- you're a filthy hobo. Nowhere to live or sleep saftely. This is just a bad idea if you chose to live in the city and not be a visitor.
Squatting in a Leaky Hovel in The Puddles, surrounded by strung out druggies, cutthroats, and all the right folk of Absalom. Little safety, security, or privacy - but you'll be difficult to track down in the slums. You'll have the equivalent of a moth bitten hammock and a soggy lockbox: 1 gold 'rent' (bribing hobos not to piss on your hammock).
A cockroach infested apartment in the docks, you'll have a scenic view of the lower ranking priestesses of Calistria (or just straight up whores) plying their trade, drunk sailors slipping into the black waters, and the endless bustle of merchant ships moving into and out of port. Just a little more safe and secure than The Puddles, and with about the same degree of anonymity. You'll also be relatively close to the city centre - with quick access to merchants, services, and inns. You'll have a bunk, a chest, a desk and a chair - and even a window!... probably: 10 gold rent.
An acceptable apartment in the Foreign Quarter. Not too bad! You'll live in the most diverse residential district in the city - surrounded by every sort imaginable from every place known - services are readily available and the area is even relatively safe! You'll see the occasional guard. You'll be less anonymous here, but your room will be private and secure - with quick access to the city center, but you'll be far from the docks. You'll have more than one room!!!! A bed, a washroom with a functional hole, chests and drawers, desks and chairs and a rudimentary kitchen! WOW. 50 gold rent.
A nice little house of your own in Eastgate or Westgate. You'll own a place! A PLACE - no rent. The largest residential areas in the city - occupied mostly by the middle class: merchants, professionals, performers, poor nobles, adventurers and craftsmen could all call this place home. A four or six room house with full furnishings and rooms designed to your taste. And... get this: running water. Well patrolled, secure, and a whole building to yourself. Not particularly central, but at the very least its a place meant to be lived in. 3000 gp. Yes. A house in New York is expensive. If you have something like this you're probably currently in debt, or have taken out some serious loans.
If you were filthy rich you may have a 10,000 gold manor in the petal, ivy, or wise district. And if you were even filthy richer you'd have a small palace in the countryside or in the Ascendent Quarter.... but you aren't.
The city of Absalom suits all backgrounds and has almost anything one could ever want in a city. Known also as the city of Adventurers, Absalom is the home base of the powerful Pathfinder Society, premiere adventurers league and mercenary company - its power and wealth comparable with that of nations, and its influence spanning the globe. Other than the Pathfinder Society, Absalom is home to countless other organizations - from thieves guilds, to merchant leagues, to magical societies, to schools, conservatories, and houses of science and study - if it can be found, Absalom is where one can find it. Absalom is also one of the busiest trade ports in the world, though, unlike Katapesh, some things are illegal to sell - such as some drugs, slaves, and dangerous magical artifacts. It is also unable to compete with Quadira in exoticism - with silks, spices, and various eastern goods available only to Avistan and Garund through the beneficence of Quadiran merchant lords. Every country in the Inner Sea region maintains an embassy in Absalom - considered diplomatic neutral territory for exchange and discussion amongst even age old enemies. Perhaps even more shocking is the degree of religious freedom available in Absalom: the Ascendent Court district that spreads out from the Starstone Cathedral houses a church for every known deity. Dawnflowers of Sarenrae rub shoulders with the Midwives of Lamashtu in this impossibly diverse district - tolerance enforced with a heavy hand by the elite guardsmen of Absalom. Rovagug is the only god officially disallowed worship in the temple district - though many more gods keep their worship secret either out of tradition or necessity, and even more - those most secret or who wish to be forgotten - have never tried to find a place in this open display of faith. As can be imagined, this hotbed of diversity in all respects - racial, cultural, political, and spiritual - leads to its fair measure of conflict, as much as the authorities of Absalom attempt to prevent it. Though this has left the peacekeepers of Absalom more apt than most at their task - and even the most experienced adventurers often fear to cross the Guildsguard and the fierce First Guard. And for magic? Only Nex and Geb could hope to compete with the vast magical power that flows through Absalom - skyscraping libraries run by beings of demigod-like power and ancient tomes of forgotten lore so deep, that none know their true end.
If your a visitor to Absalom you likely just have the clothes on your back and whatever you can carry. Inns range from copper-piece shitholes to platinum piece palaces. But if you LIVE in Absalom, you'll have some serious advantages in your search for knowledge - you'll have friends, contacts and knowledge of the alleyways; important locations and even more important people. But that means you'll have enemies too - or people that just hate your face. But you'll also have a home, a permanent home base that is yours. But that means you paid for it at some point. So, to give you an idea here are some prices for a 'basic' house with basic furnishings and such in Absalom. These are just examples - guidelines to measure yourself by. Its up to interpretation and flexible adaptation to personal tastes.
Nothing- you're a filthy hobo. Nowhere to live or sleep saftely. This is just a bad idea if you chose to live in the city and not be a visitor.
Squatting in a Leaky Hovel in The Puddles, surrounded by strung out druggies, cutthroats, and all the right folk of Absalom. Little safety, security, or privacy - but you'll be difficult to track down in the slums. You'll have the equivalent of a moth bitten hammock and a soggy lockbox: 1 gold 'rent' (bribing hobos not to piss on your hammock).
A cockroach infested apartment in the docks, you'll have a scenic view of the lower ranking priestesses of Calistria (or just straight up whores) plying their trade, drunk sailors slipping into the black waters, and the endless bustle of merchant ships moving into and out of port. Just a little more safe and secure than The Puddles, and with about the same degree of anonymity. You'll also be relatively close to the city centre - with quick access to merchants, services, and inns. You'll have a bunk, a chest, a desk and a chair - and even a window!... probably: 10 gold rent.
An acceptable apartment in the Foreign Quarter. Not too bad! You'll live in the most diverse residential district in the city - surrounded by every sort imaginable from every place known - services are readily available and the area is even relatively safe! You'll see the occasional guard. You'll be less anonymous here, but your room will be private and secure - with quick access to the city center, but you'll be far from the docks. You'll have more than one room!!!! A bed, a washroom with a functional hole, chests and drawers, desks and chairs and a rudimentary kitchen! WOW. 50 gold rent.
A nice little house of your own in Eastgate or Westgate. You'll own a place! A PLACE - no rent. The largest residential areas in the city - occupied mostly by the middle class: merchants, professionals, performers, poor nobles, adventurers and craftsmen could all call this place home. A four or six room house with full furnishings and rooms designed to your taste. And... get this: running water. Well patrolled, secure, and a whole building to yourself. Not particularly central, but at the very least its a place meant to be lived in. 3000 gp. Yes. A house in New York is expensive. If you have something like this you're probably currently in debt, or have taken out some serious loans.
If you were filthy rich you may have a 10,000 gold manor in the petal, ivy, or wise district. And if you were even filthy richer you'd have a small palace in the countryside or in the Ascendent Quarter.... but you aren't.