Drynaryn, the Isolated City

Drynaryn

LN small city

Corruption +3, Crime -2, Economy +1, Law +4, Lore +2, Society -1

Qualities academic, insular

Danger 5

Demographics

Government overlord (Gonrenin Bellyg Dynugel)

Population 5,709 (5,481 elf, 135 half-elf, 93 human)

Notable NPCs

Dryn Efydd Bwahyl of the Telfnyr Rhonyn (LG elf fighter 5)

Headmaster Morwal (LN elf wizard 4)

Andu “Black-Eye” Goryyn (CN half-elf rogue 5)

Marketplace

Base Value 4,000 gp; Purchase Limit 25,000 gp; Spellcasting 5th

Minor Items 4d4; Medium Items 3d4; Major Items 1d6

The smaller of the two elven cities in the Green Coast, Drynaryn cut itself off from nearly all outside contact when the current Gonrenin (the official title for the king) received the throne more than three hundred years ago. For centuries the only contact that Drynaryn had was the monthly trade shipments to and from Wainryn downstream. Then when the hobgoblins began their expansion, those shipments went from once a month to once every five years.

Small Shadows, Big Impact

The criminal underworld in Drynaryn is very different today compared to before Gonrening Dynugel took the throne. Whereas before it was similar to most other cities, gangs, thieves’ guilds, etc, now it is composed of two kinds of people: smugglers and black marketers. As he closed the city’s borders, the king also had the Telfnyr Rhonyn crack down hard on all crime within the city itself.

     All of the organized crime groups, from syndicates to street gangs, were wiped out within the century. However as time went on, the youth of Drynaryn became curious about the outside world. A few whispers in the ears of Wainryn traders started a new underworld. Unlike the last however, this one is relatively benign. Smugglers bring trinkets and curios from far off places (scrimshaw from Sylvanor, pocket-watches from Meresk Delas, amulets from orc clans, books from Chor Kolav, etc.) and black marketers sell them to rebellious youths.

     Such items are illegal, but for the most part the Telfnyr Rhonyn does not bother with imprisoning youths found with such items. They themselves were young once and view it as a phase, rightly so for the most part. The one exception is foreign literature.

     Elves of the Green Coast have a unique approach to literature. The elaborate filigree bordering each page provides emotional context, scenery, and even tells the reader at what speed a page should be read. Thus the literature of other races is seen as being unworthy of elven eyes. Being caught with a book written by a nonelven author is punishable by ten years in prison and a thousand gold piece fine.

An Uncertain Future

What few know is that on the eve of his ascension to the throne, Bellyg had a vision of elves dying horribly. Terrified of what he saw, Bellyg shared this vision with the most skilled interpreters that he could access, and no conclusive answers have been given on whether this vision is of the future or the past.

     With no sure answers, Bellyg took steps to prepare for the worst. He ordered that the city close itself off to outsiders. Only those that were already living within the city would be allowed to remain. This decision to isolate the city did not go over well with everyone. While most that disliked the notion of cutting themselves off from the other races didn’t voice their displeasure in polite company, two were particularly vocal.

     Tyso Anndyl and Tysogyn Rhuddyn argued with their father loudly over his decision. Both had made contacts and friends from other parts of the Green Coast, Anndyl with the warriors and soldiers of the dwarves and Rhuuddyn with the historians and shamans of the orc clans. The shouting matches between father and children could on occasion be heard from outside the Onyx Palace. Many whispered within their own homes that had the Tyso and Tysogyn been anyone else the Gonrening would have had the pair executed for their continual arguing against his decisions.

     The final straw for Anndyl and Rhuuddyn was when the hobgoblins began to forge their empire. The two refused to stand by as countless innocents were either killed or enslaved. Thus, in the dark of the night nearly twenty five years ago, the twin heirs to the throne of Drynaryn left the city. Since their departure, many have quietly wondered what will happen to the throne should the current king die before the prince and princess are found. The king has no other children, and was an only child himself. There are no immediate heirs to take the throne should the worst come to pass.

Adventure Hooks

     You have been asked by a contact to find and smuggle a specific book into Drynaryn. The buyer is a half-elf that lives in the Masalwyr District.

     A former resident of Drynaryn has asked you to pass on a message to a contact within the city. The message is signed Tyso Anndyl.

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