<span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>City of Archrand</strong></span><br/><br/>(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu234/darkxanatos/Archrandsmall.jpg)<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><strong><span class="bbc_u">Drow of Archrand</span></strong><br/><br/><strong>The Major Houses</strong><br/><br/><br/><span class="bbc_u">House Asilvanir</span>(1st House; located in the North District)<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u">House Xanfir</span>(2nd House; located in the Foreign District)<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u">House Klishun'et</span>(3rd house; located in the Central District)<br/><br/><br/><strong>The Minor Houses</strong><br/><br/><br/><span class="bbc_u">House Delath'Tir</span>(4th House)<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u">House Firnir'dearth</span>(5th House)<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u">House Destith </span>(6th House)<br/><br/><br/><br/><strong>The City</strong><br/><br/>Archrand is home to powerful Drow, the main power of the area, keeping Dueger, Gnomes, Orcs, Goblins, and other races in fear for their safety. The Dueger are the only group who can safe guard themselves but keep an ever weary eye out for Drow raiding parties. The Orcs and Goblins are split into roaming tribes which try and meek out an existence or try their hand at raiding. The Drow of Archrand have little to fear, except perhaps from nearby Drow settlements themselves; These settlements, however, are two weeks travel away and thus considered to be a minor threat.<br/><br/>Unlike most Drow cities, the Drow of Archrand tolerate surface dwellers, except Elves as always. The surface dwellers, however, are only allowed in the Foreign District and rarely are allowed in the city proper, although sometimes they are allowed in under heavy guard; otherwise they are almost never seen among the city proper. The reason for this strange tolerance is that the council sees the potential for gain by allowing trade from the surface; though every other race is inferior, the surface itself is a valuable resource; how better to gain access than to use the occupants who dwell above? Just because surface races are allowed in Archrand does not spare them from the normal attitude given them, however, they are not killed on sight or captured for sacrifice, thus most entrepreneurial travelers to the dark depths consider themselves lucky and given more than a fair chance to gain some wealth or dark secrets from the Drow.<br/><br/>The city is primarily illuminated by the cavern roofing which is profusely populated by fungus which glows in purples, greens, blues, and reds. Most of the rock pillars also have this fungus which glows as well. The illumination is similar in intensity as a Human city lit by candle or oil light during the night. Since most races, save for Humans, can see in the dark this illumination is more than enough. Human's find they have the same sight as they would in their cities on the surface.<br/><br/>The cavern in which the city lies gets a good amount of air flow from the tunnels in which head up into the surface world, this means that the city has an almost constantly 'fresh' smell and a lot less stale or putrid air; this also means the northern tunnels tend to wreak, for about half a mile until the smell dissipates.<br/><br/>Southern tunnels leading out from Archrand are heavily patrolled in the event that a bold group of adventurers or surface armies decide to attack the city. Thus far it has been confirmed from traveling merchants that no government knows of Archrand, but the Drow being ever cautious are not willing to rely on the secret lasting forever.<br/><br/>Lake Xenthal is a source of water, a great luxury, but also due to the lake not being self contained in the cavern and having river connection to the outside area, many dangerous creatures have been known to get in from time to time. The Drow do their best to capture or kill these creatures to keep the waters safe. Swimming is at best a slight gamble, thus most do not swim unless feeling bold. The water is rather warm, the source of the heat a large hot spring which resides right next to the water, keeping it from being cold.<br/><br/>The entrance to the lake has a rather large gate which prevents any boats from coming in but does not prevent creatures from swimming in underwater. In the middle of the lake is a large isle which serves as the cities treasure vault. The money which each house does not horde, goes to the vault to be kept for bribes, to pay for city construction, and so forth. It is of course heavily guarded by soldiers from each house.<br/><br/><br/><span class="bbc_u">The Bazaar</span>: The bazaar is located in the Foreign District and is the, rightly so, the busiest location in all of the city. If one can tolerate the treatment they will receive from the Drow, there is business to be done. It is not to say every Drow is out to harass any foreigner but even the merchants who seek their riches, treat none Drow with disdain. Only a cunning merchant survives long in this harsh and extremely competitive environment, not even mentioning intensely hostile and dangerous environment. However, one will note that in the Foreign District any none Drow will find themselves less likely the victim of plots than a Drow will, thus as long as a none Drow keeps their heads low their chances of survival drastically improve.<br/><br/>Many items can be found in the bazaar, surface rarities to underground commodities. Many of the items found here are considered taboo or illegal on the surface, while some is so unknown to the above world the crafty merchants manage to pawn them off as items gained from exotic foreign lands, which is true, just neglecting one 'minor' detail.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u">West District</span>: This is where most of the wealthier Drow live that cannot afford to live in the Wealthy District itself. Many clubs, the arena, and other attractions exist. This area sees a high clerical and mage traffic, though most of the priestesses keep their identities hidden. Mages have little reason to hide themselves unless going to meet at some secret rendezvous. Foreigners are rarely allowed here, unless a slave. The privileged few have earned the 'right' to be here.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u">East District</span>: This is where most of the poor live, with its fair share of low level clubs. This is also where most of the slaves are kept, although, the closer you get to the Mage academy, the more Drow and slightly upper class they get; basically acting as a buffer to the rivel of the lesser beings.<br/><span class="bbc_u"><br/>North District</span>: This is the so called middle class area and home to most of the blacksmiths, armor smiths and other professions.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u">Central District</span>: The Central district is similar to the North district in its affluence level and what it consists of. It, however, has more clubs than the North district and less professional businesses. It also has many of the cities, none Bazaar located, merchant shops. This is also the most likely place a foreigner will be allowed in, besides the East district.