Background / History
Bohan: Eye of the Storm
No one remembers why the Magi created the Bubble. Heck, most people do not really have an idea of when it was created. All they know is that for generations upon generations, the Bubble has protected Bohan. They praise the Magi for the magic barrier that lets them live day in and day out. Because outside, beyond the safety and comfort of the rosy Bubble, the world is a dangerous beast. By comparison, Bohan's trials and tribulations seem like a cakewalk. Or so the few brave (crazy?) traders whisper over glasses of ale.
Wise as they undoubtedly were, though, the Magi must not have foreseen the impact the Bubble would have on the culture of Bohan; otherwise they might have decided to leave the city unprotected. Bohan combines many of the worst qualities of large urban centers with those of lawless frontier lands. Territory battles, bloody feuds, and political machinations coexist with deadly duels, banditry, and kidnapping. For while the Bubble keeps the wrath of the outside world at bay, it is also a prison for its inhabitants. Only with a magical tatoo can one leave the "safety" of Bohan (note: a different tatoo is needed to enter). Most can never leave . . . in extreme cases the Crimson Guard will exile a particularly troublesome individual by marking them with the Exit tatoo only.
There are a few islands of good left in Bohan, however. Not all of the Crimson Guard embrace bribery. And while the Noble Quarter is the most law-abiding district and ostensibly "safest" area of the city, only a few among the nobility are really good intentioned. Rather, it is the commoner populace that is least tarnished by years of trapping criminals in. The average citizen works hard and keeps his nose out of trouble.
Layout of Bohan
Bohan has seven above ground districts:
- Port of Hope
- Prior to the Bubble, Bohan's port did a modest business. Since then, it has become the lifeline of the city. Through it, food and raw supplies enter the city and sustain the populace. In exchange, the vast majority of Bohan's manufactured goods are sent back. Apart from the Noble District, this is the only real area where the Crimson Guard enforces the law---although mostly to protect the ships and the warehouses storing goods. The district boasts all the most exciting taverns and inns, where adventure hungry teens hang on the words of traders in port.
- Residential District
- The vast majority of Bohanians crowd into the Residential District. Crime is not as rampant here as one might imagine; the citizenry do a reasonably good job of policing the district with the Volunteer Militia. Mostly though, the worthwhile targets for thieves are the merchant shops of the Old Noble District, the warehouses in Port Hope, or for the truly brazen, the private treasures in the Noble District.
- Noble District
- Shortly after the Bubble was created the nobility of Bohan became uncomfortable with the idea of living in the center of an isolated city filled with real and imagined thieves and murderers. With the help of the Council, they displaced the populace in the current Noble District and built a twenty-five foot wall around the area. Not many Bohanians have seen inside the wall. In addition to containing several estates, the district also houses the Council Hall.
- Old Noble District
- Although many of the buildings have seen better days, the Old Noble District is still quite attractive. Apart from the Port of Hope on shipment days, it is the busiest section of Bohan. The estate buildings have been converted into homes and shops for merchants and craftsmen. The Plaza of the Horses is now a vast marketplace. Much to the dislike of the nobles, the Grand Fountain would be better named the Grand Bathtub. Bohan's most tranquil tavern, the Noble Magi, can be found here. Finally, for those citizens who are literate, the Bohan Library is a common destination when time permits.
- Prison District
- Once upon a time, the prison locked prisoners securely within its cells. It was so secure, in fact, that particularly dangerous individuals were brought to Bohan for holding (in exchange for a healthy fee paid to the city, of course). Then one night it became the home base of the Ruby Throne. Oddly enough, the transition from prison to thieves' nest was perfectly quiet and peaceful. For awhile the Crimson Guard made a show of trying to keep the Throne in check; now the area around the prison is a safe haven for all sorts of shady individuals. The district is also home to truly destitute Bohanians, who can find no other place to live.
- Ruins
- The old school of magic. When the Magi left, they closed the school down and magically sealed its gates. Two centuries later, the school mysteriously blew itself up, taking with it the surrounding twenty or so blocks of residences. Many have claimed to have met ghosts in or near the Ruins.
- Wild Wood
- Home of numerous fae creatures. They do not take kindly to uninvited guests. Common rumor claims that the fae people are hoarding unbelievable treasure that they swipe in the middle of the night, as well as powerful artifacts from the time of the Magi.
Below street level an extensive sewer system provides shelter to darker personalities.
Important People / Groups in Bohan
- The Council
- Crimson Guard
- The Anarchs
- Merchant Guild
- Sir Albert Mauritius --- Harbor Master
- The Ruby Throne
- Gypsies
Calendar
The Bohan calendar has twelve 30-day months:
- Dawn
- Thaw
- Revival
- Seed
- Embrace
- Festival
- Noon
- Dogsleep
- Brightleaf
- Harvest
- Brace
- Dusk
Miscellanae
- Aquinas, the Avenger