Thronehold Scenesetter

PRIVATE DELEGATION VISIT TO THRONEHOLD: BACKGROUND AND REGIONAL SECURITY SITUATION

(U/NOFORN) Classified by ███████, reason 1d,5b

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SUMMARY
- 1. (U) Thronehold is the ancient capital of Galifar. When Galifar I established the Kingdom of Galifar, he chose to build his capital at the center of Scions Sound to avoid an appearance of favoritism between the subject nations that had united to form the new kingdom. Historically, most of the human nations that would eventually form the Five Nations and unite under the rule of Galifar I formed on the banks of Scions Sound, with the exception of Breland. The capital cities of Flamekeep (Thrane), Korth (Karrnath), and Aundair's former capital of Thaliost (currently controlled by Thrane) all border on Scions Sound. Thus, Thronehold sits upon on a magically created island artificial island lying in the middle of Scion's Sound.

2. (U) In 996 YK, the Treaty of Thronehold ended the Great War and established peace between the new nations of Khorvaire. The treaty divided the ancient capital of Thronehold into four quarters, each controlled by a human kingdom: the Aundarian Quarter, the Brelish Quarter, the Karrnathi Quarter, and the Thranenan Quarter. These quarters were quickly walled off from one another, leaving a few checkpoints patrolled by House Denieth border guards as the only way to move between them. The central district of Thronehold, which contained old Castle Galifar and other buildings from the Galifarian days, was denoted as a neutral site. A limited set of international organizations such as the Khovaire Trading Standards Authority (KTSA) and the Galifarian Ministry for Monster Rights (GMMR) now occupy the neutral Central District, which is typically only accessible to diplomats and high ranking officials.

3. (U/NOFORN) The treaty also established Scions Sound as the border between Aundair and Karrnath. Today, the navies of these two countries continue to patrol Scions Sound, and both countries keep their side of the Sound heavily guarded. Estimates of Aundairian patrols have increased dramatically in the past weeks concomitant with their partial mobilization.

4. (U) Two additional districts in Thronehold are also designated as neutral sites. Freeport, controlled mainly by House Lyrander, handles most shipping and transport and is the way the majority of the population travels on and off the island (the Aundarian and Karnnathi quarters also include extensive private docking facilities). Freeport also includes smaller outposts every from other Dragonmarked House, the largest being the Temple of the Merciful Host (House Jarrasco) which serves as the main medical facility in Thronehold. Finally, a small park called the Placid Garden was created when Thronehold was first built and intended to serve as a symbol of unity in the newly united Kingdom of Galifar. Now, the Placid Garden is desolate and overgrown, abandoned after the division of the city in 996 YK.

6. (U) Travel between districts in Thronehold is only possible at the designated gatehouses; walls have been constructed across the old interconnected streets to block transit. Transit passes are typically available from the Consul's office of the relevant quarter, although forgeries are widespread. Unauthorized travel is strictly prohibited and House Deneith is responsible for dealing with those who attempt to cross without permission at a checkpoint.

7. (U) Outside of checkpoints, each quarter is considered a sovereign part of its controlling nation and has its own set of laws. Guards from one quarter may not enter another; instead, inter-quarter pursuits must be conducted by House Deneith only after specific appeals and procedures. As a result, many criminals will commit crimes in one district and attempt to flee to another, with often fatal consequences.

8. (S/NOFORN) The Dark Lanterns have little ability to influence the guards who control the Brelish Quarter, and 'no'' ability to influence the guards of other nations. If you get in trouble - you're on your own for the most part; it is crucial for us to maintain plausible deniability and we will not hesitate to do so.

9. (TS/NOFORN) The above statement may not be operative under certain special conditions.

10. (U/NOFORN) Given the recent increases in tensions between Aundair and Thrane (see ███████, ███████, and especially ███████), we strongly recommend that all agents immediately check-in to the Reichministry of Colonial Affairs upon arrival for their own safety and do not linger in the city.

11. (S/NOFORN) Our most recent reports confirm that Reichminister Helmeth von Tappen remains in good standing within the Karrnathi government and has allayed any suspicions about his loyalties for now. He and Sam should be considered fully trustworthy.

12. (U) The following sections list notable features in each of the four quarters that would be of potential interest. Remember to cross-reference with Sam to identify potential assets as required.

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AUNDARIAN QUARTER
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1. (U) The Aundarian Quarter consists mainly of private residences and businesses, as well as a larger private dock. Compared to the other quarters, the Aundarian Quarter is smaller, richer, and more densely occupied, leading to perennial complaints about unwanted migration from the other sectors.

2. (U) The Aundarian Quarter is known throughout Thronehold for its food markets which run both day and night. Nearly any kind of vegetable, herb, or spice that grows across Khorvaire can be found in one of these markets - just be careful to watch your back pockets when you negotiate.

3. (U/NOFORN) The administrative procedures at the three checkpoints guarding the Aundarian Quarter have become much more complex recently, with transit pass denials now in excess of 75%. Sources indicate that priority is being given to military transports, and that waiting times for a civilian to hire passage to Fairhaven is in of excess of two weeks.

4. (U) The Eagles Den, a lesser-known alehouse on the port side of the Aundarian Quarter, is a warm and friendly location for a good meal and drink at reasonable prices. The bartender - a one-legged hobgoblin named Vannevar - can be trusted to be discreet about the contents of his cellar.

5. (U) The Night Stoat is a well-disguised house of ill-repute that sits at the end of Old Carmina Road and is a favorite of many officials in the Aundarian government. Enjoy the sights, but make sure to watch your drinks just as carefully.

6. (TS/NOFORN) Lord Darro has recently arrived at the Royal Residence (east side of the district) with a fairly large entourage in tow. His personal boat is tied up behind the residence, and appears to be heavily guarded night and day.

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BRELISH QUARTER
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1. (U) Farside Quay is a lovely, well-manicured, mostly residential district that overlooks the western side of Scion's Sound. The park along the water's edge is a popular place for merchant hall masters to play croquet early in the mornings.

2. (U) 10 Gardenia Lane is a historically significant building that lies on the edge of the Brelish Quarter across from the gatehouse to the Central District. The roof garden - while not typically open to the public - offers bracing views of Castle Galifar and other parts of the Central District that are obscured by walls on the ground. A chained gate bars the old spiral staircase leading to the garden; search the second to last brick from the ground of the left for the key.

3. (U) The Horn and Cider is a popular inn for travelers, merchants, and other itinerant visitors to the Brelish Quarter. The innkeeper, an older human man from the Brelish hinterlands, is an inverterate gossip and should be dealt with accordingly.

4. (U) The Emerald District is the home to the best forger in Thronehold, an old female elf named Melissandra who lives in a doss house by the "dumping" end of the channel. As a bonus, she is hard of hearing, quite near-sighted, and suspicious of outsiders. Try bringing her some fresh fruit from the markets before visiting.

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KARNNATHI QUARTER
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1. (U) The Raised Brow is a well-regarded tailoring and costume shop that many vistors to Thronehold find need of at one time or another. Their prices are significantly higher than most tailors, but their discretion is often worth even more.

2. (U/NOFORN) The Karnnathi docking facility on the eastern side of the district is commonly used by private and military Karrnathi vessels, while commercial vessels flying the banner of Karrnath dock at Freeport. We have not observed a corresponding increase in military transports from the Karrnathi side, although our visibility into their Naval Bureau is limited at best.

3. (S/NOFORN) Haydith ir'Wynarn, the sister of King Kaius III of Karrnath and a top graduate of the Rekkenmark Academy, has come to Thronehold for reasons we have not been able to discover. As King Kaius has never left the confines of his lands, it is not clear if she comes as his agent or of her own accord.

4. (U) A petty criminal by the name Ludwig Wittsiter and his associates are known to lurk on Valentine Street after the scribes have long gone home for the day. Rumour has it that he is capable of making transit passes that are indistinguishable from real ones, and that he prefers dry wines from the Aundarian hinterlands of a certain vintage.

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THRANAN QUARTER
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1. (U) The Temple of Burning Glory sits in the center of the Thranenan Quarter, towering above the smaller homes and shops that surround it. Made from polished white marble and topped with a golden dome, architectural records suggest that the materials used to construct the temple are quite non-standard and much thicker than would typically be required.

2. (S/NOFORN) Solomon Everest is a controversial religious leader in the Thranean Quarter. Officially titled as the "Apostolic Exarch of Thronehold", Exarch Everest's sermons have a distinctly pro-human bias - more so than the typical human-centric catchetism of the Silver Flame.

3. (S/NOFORN) The Lost Egg is a rundown storage facility on the northern side of the district run by a human named Arnold. An laypreacher, Arnold has certain tastes his coreligionists would not approve of - tastes that we have provided for. As a result, he keeps a certain small warehouse (conveniently located in the back of his property) free and open.

4. (U) The public bathhouse on Waterview Way on the northern side of the Quarter is utilized by many of the senior members of the Church of the Silver Flame's in the evenings to wash off the anointed oils used in their daily rituals.