Riesbruck

Riesbruck is a city build in the west of the Stormlands on top of a gargantuan Black Stone bridge crossing the Twin Stream coming from the north and partially daming the water. This Bridge is one of "The Seven Wonders" build by the Stone Giants (Stone Giants of the Stormlands). No Ships can pass under it because of the stream even though the bridge would be high enough.

The city was build mostly on top of the bridge being over a hundred feet high, several hundred feet wide and over a mile long. It reminds more of a fortress. The entrances on both sides have been blocked by huge walls build at the entrance of the bridge, made of normal, grey stone to block passage if needed and for defensive purposes.

Riesbruck is the biggest non Minotaur City in the Stormlands and is famous for trade with Lodesquier, high prices for entering and being the only wall strong enough to defy attacks of the Minotaurs of the Stormlands.

Riesbruck City map. Made by Vorlov

Places of Interest

1. Path East

"Mounts are not allowed in the city of Riesbruck!". This path is usually guarded by soldiers of Riesbruck and they will inform the party to leave their mounts at the stables (3. Stables). Newcomers and suckers are expected to pay a bribe to continue without problems (2GP/Person). If it is not payed the guards at the gate will charge 5 GP per person.

2. Wearhouse

A simple building in front of a small harbour. Every Ship comming from the north load their wears off right here because getting closer to the Bridge might end up in the loss of a ship. For a good price characters can also stay here. This area is always guarded by at least 5 soldiers of Riesbruck.

Quest: Dockside Extortionist

This could be the place where Characters meet Nino, Dockside Extortionist. He offers the players to keep their crates save for 20% of the value and guarantees no further costs on the way into the city of Riesbruck. This is a high price. Close by you can see 3 Commoners cloaked in Black and yellow (Nino is always protected by at least 2 Shade's at all times). The Players will have to make a choice:

1. Pay Nino: He holds up his part of the bargain and grant you entrance to the city without any additional costs the next day. The crates are protected by small children sitting on it, ordered by Nino.
2. Don't pay Nino: If no money is payed the wearhouse is not willing to look after your wears. At some point the wears the party brought for trading will burn. Investigations DC 12, Find the walking lighter; On a success the heroes find a small device made for making fire. It can walk on itself but runs out of batteries soon.

3. Stables

For 1 Gold Piece a day the heroes can leave their mounts here. They will be save.

4. Eastern Gate

A gigantic wall of grey stone was built right in front of the entrance of the Bridge. It is heavily guarded by Bowman on the walls and soldiers and knights in front of the gates.

Entering the city costs 1 GP. If the heroes did not bribe the guards coming here the price will be 5 GP.

6. Mansion Rivercross

A large Mansion, just beeten in size by the Golden Cathedral and Castle Skytide itself. The only building in Riesbruck that can affort a small garden in front of it with a dwell, well trimmed bushes and nice smelling flowers. This place is owned by the Duke and Dutches Rivercross, a familly that nearly got broke a few years back but after the dutches marriage things have went well for the family. The new Duke Rivercross is said to be a dashing young man, quick whitted, cultured and too busy for his own good to the point that most actually have never seen him in person. Even when his wife - Dutchess Victoria Rivercross - invites the nobility to her levish partys her husband seems alsways to excuse himself. She is said to be a beauty like no other with an incredibly expensive taste.

This is the home to Duchess Victoria Rivercross and her husband Tonma Hopfentaal - Always referred to as Duke Rivercross.

8. Castle Skytide

Castle Skytide, home to family Skytide, King and Queen of Riesbruck, self appointed of cause. At no point the high family will be willing to meet with any lowborn or any other person for that matter. They live in their fortress without ever leaving it but at the same time they control the whole city. They have the most money, control over the Bridge Guard and access to high level Fighters, Archwizards and even Assassins if needed. To cross through the tunnel beneath the fortress costs 1 GP per person plus tax on tradeable goods. The only ecception is a signed allowance given to specific traders appointed by the Skytide family.

This is the place where an unending stream of humanoid fighters comes from in case the city is under attack or the players behave against the freedom of Riesbruck.

9. Grant Theater

2 big posters flank the entrance to the theater. The headline reading: "The Red Clawed, a play about the story of the red Talons. directed by Arthur Artus, staring Arthur Artus in the role of Garshon, the fallen prince".

The date states that the last few show happen within the next days before the play moves on. The prices are 5 GP per Ticket and it is said that the nobility of the city can attend for free.

The Play:

Act 1.: The unknown - Argar, played by Arthur Artus. , Duldan, Monk, Drunk Dwarf and Knight defeat several enemys and find the empty tomb of Vorlov. Drunk Dwarf and Monk leave, Knight get's killed an Vorlov appears and becomes the antagonist of the play. In the last moment Ignel enters and burns the castle to the ground.

Act 2: The Heroes, now called the red tallons, walk up a mountain as a knight enters the group. The Knight get's ripped apart by trolls but the group continues. Shortly after a rogue enters the party and together they walk up the las part of the mountain. At the top, Ignel, Argar, Duldan, the turtle and the rogue fight a Yeti and win. They get blessed by the gods.

Act 3: The red talons enter hell and are beaten by Asmodeus himself, killing Duldan since he dared to walk stupidley into fire. The rest escapes hell with the help of a prince called Garshon.

Act 4: The Red Tallons travel north to Nornten, kill the Ork commander but the turtle dies in the fight. Ignel dies many time but resurrects himself and shames the turtle for not doing the same. After the big fight the real evil shows itself as the former commander of Nornten, the horned devil lady Alexandra is pulled back to hell. Since the red tallons are down to 4 members (Argar, Ignel, Rogue and Garshon) they decide to buy a slave Orc called Yasmin and her pet owl.

Act 5: The red Talons are called by the Emperor to the sea to defeat the remains of the cult of Alexandra. They find cultists on every island before they inform the heroes of the empire. The heroes of the empire demolish the cults of Alexandra and save the day. The red Talons are deemed to be the messengers of order. After that they are called back to the Empire to help with a demon incursion.

Act 6: The cult of Alexandra has taken rout in the empire, so the Red Talons do serve their emperor and get rid of it. The Dragon Knight Argar swears alligance to the emporer and gains the power of light and flight. So he can save the day after the rest of the red talons fell to the lies of the cult.

Act 7: The red Talons are send to Nornten again to finish the cult of Alexandra for good. They travel into the north, find Alexandra laying with the demon of excess in bed and get rid of bot of them but Alexandra does not die. Vorlov appears and takes the soul of her with him, telling the red Talons that all life will end soon in Doonstein.

Act 8: Garama-Shilmon is under attack and against the will of the emporer the Red Talons travel there first. Garama looses many people but finally it comes to the showdown between the Red Talons and Varlov and his wife Alexandra del Torro. Vorlov dies, but will haunt these ruins forever while his wife Alexandra turns into a godess to revive her fallen husband. The trail leads to Doonstein.

Act 9: Doonstein is attacked but the Red Talons are smart enough to call for aid. The Emporer sends 10.000 men and orders the Red talons to finish the false godess. He gives his blessing and so finally the fight between the Red Talons and Alexandra in her god form begins. The heroes win and banish the godess and thank the emperor for saving the city, Argar dealing the last blow.

After the Show:

The actors enter the stage and Arthur Artus says a few words: "Thanks to all of you the history of the world lives on in theatre. I a gratefull to all of you who came here to witness the last show here in Riesbruck. Most of you wont be able to attend the last party at Mansion Rivercross, so will I, for the next way lies ahead and I want to be prepared" followed by applause.

Unlocks the party at Mansion Rivercross.

10. Orphanage

Head: Madam Dilly Dally (Old, chubby lady, nice to the kids)

Kevin: Has a job to earn money. Is a bad boy.

Child from Crackrock, sais nothing.

Group of children singing the song of Baba Lyaga: "Baba, Babalyaga jedes gute Kind. Baba, Babalyaga ihren Segen nimmt. Baba, Babalyage doch wenn frech sie sind. Baba, Babalyage sie der Sumpf verschlingt."

11. Market Place

The players can buy basic equipment including gear and food. Usually they will charge 20-30% more. Here the players can also try to gain specific items.

At the market place the heroes also find the black board of the city, showing them quests to take on:

1. Kill a Gorgon = Earn 500GP. Bring the Body of the slain creature to the Castle Skytide.
2. The Burning Gorgon = Earn 1500 GP, Kill the Burning Gorgon and bring it's corpse to Castle Skytide. Roughly two dozens people have already died trying.
3. Watch the last Show of "The Red Clawed, a play about the story of the red Talons. directed by Arthur Artus, staring Arthur Artus in the role of Garshon, the fallen prince". Between 3-10 GP per seat. After that there will be a grant ball at the Mansion Rivercross (Just invited, high society guests). After that the Show will travel to the next city. The Show is tonight! Last Chance!
4. Demolition Squad wanted by the high family of Skytide. Talented Alchemist wanted to explode the path to Gravel Hill. Too many travelers want to enjoy the view, too few of them come back. Meet at the Black Path. Payment to be discussed, resources will be paid for. Gnomes from Twigrest preferd.
5. Pationsisle: The "Wasted" is calling - You need a ship? Be my guest! One Way Ticket only. Pirate attack not covered by fee. Wildfang Shipwreck to be enjoined from a distance = 250GP. Woodmans Call Ruins (Close to the Capital of the fucking horned ones - Horntal). Get you to the former harbor = 350 GP. Travel to the Ruins of Hordschlacht History Package (Best place in the land) = 1250 GP, including the raft boat to leave you there. Talk to Captain Pepe.
6. The Orphanage need you - If you have any coin to spear, spend it on the Orphanage. Every Child deserves to grow up in peace, harmony and safety. Make it happen with your donation.
7. Axe Beak Alpha: These beasts are gathering in the forest south of Bridgewatch Hill, north-east of the city. The amount of the beasts lead us to the suspicion of an existing Alpha. Payment: 250 for heart and beak each of an Alpha, Alternativeley: Elixir of Health. 5 GP for every freshly killed Axe Beak Beak. Report to the Wearhouse north east of Riesbruck.
8. Grave bearers wanted - In the times of light the darkness is never far. The Duke of Westville wished to be buried with his forefathers in the crypt of Soul's rest. Come, swear the oath of silence at the Cathedral, transport the coffin to Soul's end and speak the holy rites as you load it into the cript. 1000 GP or a favour of the church waits for you. Signed - Kamil, Taure of War and Arch priest of the golden Cathedral.
9. (A barely readable note) Save my mom - Go the way where you pass the cows and goatsies. Walk straight in the cave. She is waiting in there for you. Bring the right medicine she needs. Be a doctor please. I offer my teddy and maybe my mom has left good food at our house. She is a great cook. you find our house on the other side of the cave when you follow the river upstream after the bridge. This note was put up at least a month earlier then the rest of the notes.

12. Potion Maker

Just opens for one hour after the sun has gone down. This place is run by Nino, Dockside Extortionist.

13. West Gate

A strong wall closes up Riesbruck to the west. Here you can work (1-5 GP per week plus housing and food).

Working there will give an insight over the type of troupes placed in the city and may grant a bonus from 1 to 3 in interacting with them socially.

Working there will also uncover the rumour that sometimes at night they hear stone breaking and earth quake like sounds from the hill west of the city.

14. The Black Path

A huge, bald statue of a humanoid, dressed in fine clothes, holding a scroll, made of black stone, like the bridge, is guarding the path to the black path, a path leading west, up into the mountains to Gravel Hill.

16. Pationsisle

Board the "Wasted", a ship commanded by the drunk captain Pepe. He is a drunk peace of shit but he is an amazing captain when it comes to stearing a ship. At all times he is protected by a santosian dwarf with a shotgun called Venga.