Zessgorn

Costal beauty

Zessgorn, the City of Cups. Located in The Free Cities of Alderun, and once known as the Tarot City. Zessgorn’s social hierarchy is defined by The Rings of Tarot and by extension Zessgorn Cups. It is a complex structure to an outsider, but simple in practice.

Zessgorn’s founding was largely influence by a mystic tradition called The Tarot. They would put their faith in the concept of fate, drawing from sacred decks called Tarot Cards. The leaders of cultural groups within Zessgorn were known for attempting to read the fates via these cards to determine the best path for their people.

A set of rings were forged to represent the cards held within the Tarot Tradition, The Rings of Tarot. The bearers of these rings were meant to act as leaders and protectors of Zessgorn, as avatars of the fates. In recent history they have become a scarce resource people will do dark things for.

Zessgorn is a beautiful costal city, it is known for its plethora of colorful tapestries that are strewn all about its city, gorgeous beaches, and Skytrack that carries passengers from the lower city to the keep.

# Zessgorn’s Strange Culture

Zessgorn is known for its odd customs. Mainly for its rules regarding Zessgorn Cups. The people of the city all carry tankards with bottoms marked with Ferric Alphabet signets to designate their house, social standing, and who’s protection they are under.

# Overview

Aspect	Description
Main Opportunity	While governed by the Alderian Seat on paper, the city follows ancient traditions regarding The Rings of Tarot. This makes for a city of with multiple people of high, competitive authority given by their possessed ring. People pay allegiance to these Tarot Ring Bearers in exchange for membership amongst their house. This includes benefits like social status, food, housing, protection, careers, and community.
Main Challenge	The city once operated in a balance of powers for many years after the Alderian Rebellion. This was until The Paige of Cups discovered a secret to her ring that gave her power far beyond that of her peers. This imbalance sparked disorder and chaos in Zessgorn. Now the city faces rivalry between houses, crime, and general disorder as The Paige of Cups has essentially taken over as the city’s ruler.
Climate	Tropical
Cuisine	Fish, fresh fruits, cheeses, olive oil, spiced bread, and wine
Export	Wine, Fruit, Fish, Textiles, Salt
Size	Large
Outer Villages	Many
City Leader	Lord Esartes Hald
Primary Language(s)	Common
Majority Racial Group(s)	None
Majority Religion(s)	Zolaen-Centric

# Major Features

Feature	Description
Distinguishing Features	Costal, vibrant, and the city’s Skytrack
Architecture	Cycladic, Fabric Canopies
Color(s)	Gold, Maroon and Silver
Symbolism	A ring with an ocean wave in the center
Defenses	Large naval fleet, City garrison, House forces, Tarot Ring Bearers

# People Groups

Group	Type	Description
House Empress	Tarot House	The house of the Alderian Seat (the bearer of The Empress Ring of Tarot). This house contains only nobility, conducts their business very formally and by the books. Joining this house is no mere task of simple payment. One must be invited. This house also contains The Ring of Judgement, who’s bearer conducts the court of law. Many argue it is the most powerful house in Zessgorn currently. This house is denoted by the Ferric Alphabet symbol for City.
House Cups	Tarot House	The wealthiest and second largest house of Zessgorn. Headed by The Paige of Cups, this house contains people of all social classes. It is the most arguably the most powerful of the houses and has a reputation for criminal operations. Many view this as the city’s true governing power. This house is denoted by the Ferric Alphabet symbol for Wine.
House Temperance	Tarot House	The means of production. This house is headed by The bearer of The Temperance Ring of Tarot this house owns the city’s dock and is largely made up of working class individuals. This house controls the cities exports. This house is denoted by the Ferric Alphabet symbol for Water.
House Hermitage	Tarot House	The house of the common folk. This house was formed in opposition to the need to join a Tarot House to achieve protection. Led by the bearer of The Hermit Ring of Tarot, this house is made up of the common folk as the house’s taxes are by far the smallest. It is a passive house compared to its peers, but largest in numbers. This house is denoted by the Ferric Alphabet symbol for Location.
Herald Ring Bearers	Misc.	Individuals who posses one of the Herald Rings of The Rings of Tarot. These people are of the highest standing in Zessgorn.
Empowering Ring Bearers	Misc.	Individuals who posses one of the Empowering Rings of The Rings of Tarot. These people are of high standing in Zessgorn. Most of which act as lieutenants for their respective houses, save for The Hermit who heads their own house.
Lesser Ring Bearers	Misc.	A defunct group of individuals who possessed one of the Lesser Rings of The Rings of Tarot. These people were of common standing in Zessgorn. Originally intended to be pillars of community by usage of their ring, The Paige of Cups now holds all known Lesser Rings.

# Goods and Services

Name	Type	Description
The Tarotkeep	Keep	The city’s keep and headquarters of House Empress
House Markets	Market	The 4 house markets located all over the city. Each has their own set of similar services. One can only shop at the market associated with their house membership. Each market reflects the general state of their house well. The Empress Market is neat and high class, the Cups Market is a chaotic bazaar, the Temperance Market is a utilitarian hub of trade, and the Hermitage Market is a humble square of shops. Magical items are difficult to find here as most are typically retained by a house for their power; magic items that are available are typically functional Apparatum.
The Full Cup	Tavern	A massive tavern, central to a small complex of buildings that act as the headquarters for House Cups. Located in central Cups.
The Hall	Tavern	A Longhouse style tavern attached to a large 4 story building, acts as the headquarters for House Hermitage. Located on the border of Hermit’s Grove and Magicians Mill.
Dockside	Commerce Building	The central office for all trade and administration of the city’s docks. Headquarters for House Temperance.
Zessgorn Convergence	Teleportation Circle	The city’s primary teleportation circle.
Zessgorn Station	Train Station	The city’s train station.

# Authority

On paper, the city is overseen by the Alderian Seat, Esartes Hald, a middle aged Gnome man and bearer of the Empress Ring. This individual is responsibly for relations with the rest of The Free Cities of Alderun, and protection of the city.

In reality, the city is now know governed by its four houses:

House Empress
- Headed by Lord Esartes Hald
- Contains rings:
  - Empress Ring - Lord Esartes Hald, a middle aged gnome man
  - Judgment Ring - High Judge Relkar Treddin, an Old conservative dwarven man
  - Justice Ring - Inquisitor Gharn Vendur, a brutal and well trained goliath man. Father to Eldora Vendur
  - The Tower Ring - Lord Captain Eldora Vendur, a fiercely loyal goliath woman. Daughter to Gharn Vendur.
House Hermitage
- Headed by The Hermit, aka Thorin Black
- Contains rings:
  - Hermit Ring - Thorin Black, an old and wise human man
  - Death Ring - Grudge, a massive orc man of few words. A long time friend to The Hermit
House Temperance
- Headed by Lady Temperance, aka Yelna Fennik
- Contains rings:
  - Temperance Ring - Yelna Fennik, an old dragonborn woman of great intelligence
  - Chariot Ring - Hjen Valut, a clever tabaxi woman
  - Wheel of Fortune Ring - Marcus Wanderer, a half-elven, well-mannered man who choses his words carefully, and plays his cards wisely. Brother to Calanir Wanderer
House Cups
- Headed by The Paige of Cups, aka Rali Trunsarr.
- Contains rings:
  - Paige of Cups Ring - Rali Trunsarr, an elven woman appearing of middle age
    - All known lesser rings
  - The Fool Ring - Calanir Wanderer, a mischievous and slippery human man of extremely quick wit. He constantly gets himself into trouble while simultaneously manipulating all around him. Brother to Marcus Wanderer and seemingly the romantic partner of The Paige of Cups.
  - The Sun Ring - A man who simply goes by the name of ‘The Sun’. No one knows their origin. They are mute, and fiercely loyal to The Paige of Cups.

# Laws

The city subscribes to the Alderian Laws.

# Modern Importance

Zessgorn is known to be a problematic city when compared to the other free cities. This is because of the disorganized authority within the city. The Alderian Seats of the kingdom constantly pressure Lord Esartes Hald to strike order within his city, as The Free Cities of Alderun depend on very specific political policies to maintain freedom and justice. Zessgorn’s reliance on rings damages this balance.

# Historical Importance

During major historical events like The Dragon War, the Beast Ire plague, and The Illithid Invasion, Tarot power ring bearers fought as crucial warriors of eastern Zol.

# Other Things of Note

Being within the city, and/or being without house membership is known as being Cupless. Cupless individuals have a very difficult time finding places to stay, shop, or eat. These individuals are also typically preyed upon by petty criminals.
House membership is typically acquired by paying taxes to one of the houses, or giving some great gift or service to it.
- One can also purchase temporary membership if they are visiting the city.
The city’s dock is also a hub of pirate trade, but is done covertly to avoid prosecution.
- Whole ships and their crew who trade here are all associated under the captain’s cup. There is a small organization on The Isles of Al’Kehtal that coordinates this relationship.