Noalith Mei'q (pronounced: Noah-Lith-MAY-Q), which means "Neutral Trading" is a small trading outpost situated in an underground cavern three miles below the surface. Its exact location is not known by many from the surface. The nearest drow settlement is Erelhei-Cinlu which is over thirty miles away to the south.
This trade outpost is a black market located somewhere in the "Middledark" away from any major Underdark settlements. It is a meeting point for traders, vendors and travelers of all Underdark races who come together on neutral territory. Its location is known to few only and safe passage to it is rare. Adventurers from the surface often use it as a basis for deeper explorations.
Noalith Mei'q has endured for centuries as a neutral outpost where Drow, duergar, svirfneblin, and surface dwellers can meet and trade without fearing for their lives. Despite its usefulness and the safety it enjoys. Noalith Mei'q has never become a proper town. Those who maintain it as a trade hub have resisted any urge for expansion, apart from installing basic infrastructure to assist with commercial activities.
The outpost is roughly thirty days' travel from Mantol-Derith, and 40+ days from any other settlement. Thousands of years' worth of trickling water carved out the cavern where the drow, duergar, and svirfneblin established Noalith Mei'q. Multiple warehouses have been excavated at the corners of the cavern, each controlled by an enclave and containing offices and temporary lodgings for its merchants. The location of Noalith Mei'q is a well-guarded secret, and the influence and power merchants gain from access to it isn’t something they want to share.
Normally, life in Noalith Mei'q is regulated by three simple covenants: no stealing of goods from fellow merchants, no disguising of goods by any means, and no use of magic during negotiations and haggling. The punishment for breaking any covenant is equally straightforward: the violator is wrapped in chains and tossed into the Blacklake which is near the settlement.
The outpost is located in a large natural cavern and it is heavily guarded and protected by strong magic. The cavern is naturally formed by water because of its proximity to the Blacklake, and is filled with waterfalls, pools, and streams. Its walls are filled with multicolored crystals and gems. Bridges across the various streams are carved from crystal. The outpost itself is primarily comprised trade caravans and campsites. At most times it has small groups of merchants of many races: drow, illithid, svirfneblin, and duergar. Bugbear mercenaries are often spotted here as well.
Notable Locations
• The Nameless Inn
• Tenements
• Warehouses
This outpost is a major tradehub for much of the Underdark, Noalith Mei'q is one of the few bustling economies below the surface. The Blacklake provides a multitude of fish, and the naturally growing mushrooms which bloom in the central market are harvested for their nutritious internal stalks.
Government
The outpost does not have a formal form of governance, but a leader from each of the four major factions "Drow from House Drez`lyn, Illithid, Svirfneblin and Duergar" was appointed to solve disputes when they arise. The only certain laws of the city are the strict prohibition of magic used in altering goods for sale, trade negotiations, or disguising one's self through magic.
Defenses
The trade outpost is heavily guarded with two sets of permanent mercenary guards and a force of Drow from the city of Orthae Qu'lith appointed by House Drez`lyn.
No comments:
Post a Comment