Mentioned throughout my previous posts about Rhysol, The Voice, the Ebonstryfe and the Black Sun was Ravok. I think Ravok also suffers from a bit of confusion in regards to what the city is actually like. What does one experience when they first step foot into the city? I'm going to try and give you all an idea of what I see when I imagine Ravok.
After gaining passage aboard the ferry at the Southern Trading Post, I stood quietly as the ferry; a large, shallow bottomed boat with a handful of oarsmen on either side, transported me across Lake Ravok. The lake itself was immense; I couldn't see the city from my vantage point just off the outer banks. More of a small sea than a lake, Lake Ravok was quite a sight. The water was calm near the shore though oddly enough, things did not grow tumultuous the further we traveled from land. It is said that Rhysol blesses the lake with calm waters; protecting the citizens of Ravok from the natural elements that could send them to a watery grave otherwise.
The ferryman was quiet as we traveled; I was one of a small handful of people traveling to the city. A citizen of Ravok, I enjoyed no small amount of respect when compared to a couple of the other people also on board the ferry. From what I learned at the Southern Trading Post, they were visitors of some sort. There was nothing all that special looking about them and I didn't really give them any further thought; I doubted they would last long enough in the city for me to even care to begin with.
I wasn't sure how much time had passed, an hour, maybe two when the first good view of the city was available. It was early morning and the sounds of the docks could be heard even before details could really be seen. As the ferry approached the docks, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty even though I had made the trip dozens of times for work at the Trading Post. Small trading vessels of various sizes; all designed to transport cargo to and from various points on the lake's outer shores, floated lazily in the water. A winding boardwalk lined the docks while white stone buildings lined the boardwalk. Taverns, various types of shops and a large host of people went about their daily routines as the ferry grew closer. Though I had to admit, the docks were a bit dirtier than other parts of the city, they were still beautiful in their own way. The white stone buildings complete with fancy balconies, vine covered entrance trellis' and the occasional carved stone pillar created a welcoming atmosphere to all who passed through.
The ferry approached a large stone bridge that spanned one of the main canals that offered a unique entry into the city. Essentially a floating city, Ravok was built from the remains of ships that gathered around a strange black shard that stuck up from the depths of the center of the lake. As word spread of the shard, more and more people came to see it and their ships were eventually used to create the foundation around the shard; the beginning of the Temple of the Black Sun. Over the centuries, the city grew with new structures being built upon old ones and wood mixing with stone. This unique process of construction created a city connected by canals as well as countless narrow streets and alleyways. Bridges of all sizes spanned the canals; offering numerous paths of travel throughout the city. The bridge the ferry passed under was one of the biggest ones. It was covered; the covering supported by an elaborate set of pillars that formed numerous archways along the top of the bridge. Once could see a pair of lovers embracing each other in a hug as they leaned against the stone inside one of the archways; looking out on the water.
A pair of Ravosalas; long, slender, elaborately carved boats steered by a pilot wielding a long pole, passed by the ferry as it slowly moved under the bridge. These were the main form of transport through the larger canals of the city. There was nothing quite like spending an evening cruising the canals with a young lady next to you; the soft light of the moon blanketing everything. How good it felt to be home.
The ferry then docked on the other side of the bridge. I took a step up from the ferry onto the boardwalk. A few passing people nodded to me with a couple of them flashing a soft smile; I was somewhat well known in the area. This was in contrast to the outsiders who garnered a few frowns and muttered comments as they too stepped onto the boardwalk. The previous night had been a long one and I was ready to get home and relax. It would take a while yet to get through the city and back home but I always enjoyed the trip. Walking down the boardwalk, I passed by various people from all walks of life. Merchants, street-peddlers, dock-workers, a handful of city guard, women, men, children, everyone went about their business as usual.
From behind, I heard a scream cut short. A quick glance over my shoulder showed one of the outsiders having their throat slit and the body drug off down an alleyway; served them right for not being more prepared. The people around me continued to go about their business as if nothing had happened. When I see things like that happen, I sometimes ask myself why I don't care more. That's about as far as my sympathy goes though. Outsiders, their not like the rest of us, they don't deserve to be here, they don't deserve Rhysol's grace. Moving past the docks, I crossed a small bridge spanning one of the smaller canals. There were a few people standing on the bridge conversing with one another. A young boy passed by one of the people on the bridge, a small hand quickly and quietly reaching into a pouch and pulling a couple coins out before the boy was darting off down a nearby alley. Ah, the joys of youth.
As I walked down the cobbled-stone road, I couldn't help but marvel at the buildings around me. To those not of Ravok, the city may look a bit cramped and crowded. To me and in fact to most citizens I knew, the roads were perfectly wide enough, the alleyways comforting as long as you knew where you were and weren't supposed to be. The tall buildings, their white wash, beautiful trellises and carved archways filled me with a sense of pride. I had heard outsiders at the Post sometimes comment, without having entered Ravok, that the city was a dank, dirty pit of crime. That it was filled with gambling, prostitution and all manner of debauchery. At those moments, it was obvious just how ignorant they really were.
Was Ravok free of all of those things? Of course not. We had our share of crime. If you're not a citizen, you have no rights in Ravok. You are not one of us so don't expect to be treated like one. If you are an outsider and become a victim of "crime", then you weren't as prepared as you should have been to enter our city. Did people gamble? Sure they did but don't they everywhere? The people in Ravok aren't all rich and powerful. We make our living the best we can, sometimes anyway we can. There were brothels, I had been to a few. They were clean, luxurious and welcoming; some even had their own healers and all had their own security just in case things got a little out of hand. I've even heard outsiders comment on slavery. They can't believe that slavery is allowed in the city. Slavery? Not everyone is born equal in this world. If you can't stand up for yourself, someone is going to stand ON you. It's just the way of things. I mean, slaves, their provided with a place to sleep, food to eat and protection from those who would otherwise harm them. In return, they give their masters pleasure, clean their homes and do what needs to be done around the house. Fair trade if you ask me. I mean, even slaves are considered citizens. Our city wasn't dirty. Hell, we have slaves tasked just to keep the streets clean; that's all they do, all day long is clean. Damn fine job of it if you ask me, most of the time anyway.
As I silently talked to myself, I noted the passing from the Docks to the Merchant's Ring. See, the city is laid out in a pattern of rings. On the outside, there's the Docks. That's where those with lesser wealth live and work. The next ring inside of that is the Merchant's Ring where the city's merchants have their warehouses, shops and related buildings. Inside of that is the Noble's District. That's where the high and mighty live; those who are a part of wealthy and/or influential families within the city. It's a pretty plush place to be. Finally, you got the City Center with all the government buildings, the Vitrax and the Temple of the Black Sun.
Now in the Merchant's Ring, I could hear the pounding of a hammer from a nearby forge. The buildings here were not as tall; usually only a single story. Large doors offered entry and exit for carts bringing supplies in for storage or transporting it out to somewhere else in the city. Wagons were plentiful here; pulled by slave and sometimes horse. On the outskirts of the Merchant Ring where it bordered the Docks, there were shops of all kinds. One could find a tailor next to a blacksmith next to an art dealer. Anything anyone would ever want could be found here. As I made my way through the Merchant Ring on my way to the Noble Quarter, I passed by a man dressed in black armor; the symbol of the Ebonstryfe on his cloak. I smiled at him as he passed. Though sometimes found like he was, dressed in obvious Ebonstryfe attire, you usually never saw them openly displaying who they were unless they were on their way out of the city for patrol duty or taking part in the occasional parade that was sometimes held during various city celebrations. It was always an honor to see a soldier dressed in armor. Catching glimpse of a Paladin is even more inspiring. It's like being able to look upon a piece of Rhysol in the flesh.
I forgot how long the walk could be from the docks as I entered the Noble District. It's like the difference between night and day when you come out of the Merchant Ring into the Noble District. The roads really open up wide, the buildings are even cleaner with beautiful, graceful architecture, statues and carvings found almost everywhere. Small, forested parks are scattered here and there and nobles dressed in luxurious, exotic clothing can be seen making there way from place to place doing the things nobles do. I passed by a slave wearing a gold collar adorned with red gems signifying his being owned by one of the nobles. Every slave bore a symbol of their master; usually a collar of some sort.
My trek home finally brought me through the Noble District and to the city center. I passed by the Vitrax, headquarters of the great Ebonstryfe. Nearby was Fort Chrysone, the fortified outpost housing the city guard. Passing these, I continued on. The City Center looked similar to the Noble District although it was more formal looking with a bit less luxury to it. It was much more open than any of the other parts of the city. Especially the great square where I now found myself. The square surrounded the Temple of the Black Sun. This was home. Heading up to the main gates, a pair of the temple guards stood watch. They offered me entrance and I continued through. The temple was something of a maze yet after a year or so, I knew the passageways by heart. My destination had finally come when I opened the door and stepped inside. There, waiting for me, was my priestess; one of The Voice's top ones. I immediately knelt at her feet as she smiled.
"Mistress, your messages have been delivered as you wished." I said, unable to hide my love for her.
My priestess ran her fingers through my hair, down my neck to the jeweled collar that surrounded it.
"Well done. Now get in bed, I am in need of tending to." She whispered with a smile.
I quickly obeyed. Yes, Ravok was a wonderful place to live and life there could not be topped.
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Hopefully you enjoyed my little look into Ravok. Ravok is not a dank, dirty cesspool of crime and disgust. It is a beautiful city, safe if you know where to go and what to do and the people are filled with a sense of pride for their home. Even the slaves, many of them educated, are proud (not all of them of course and certainly not right away). On the surface, the city looks and feels like an ideal place to live. Few, if any of the general population has any notion that Rhysol, The Black Sun or the Ebonstryfe are anything other than symbols of greatness, love and protection. The city is clean and the people are content. Of course there is so much more behind it all; so much more that takes place in the shadows and behind closed doors but overall, Ravok is alluring and exotic, luxurious and inviting.
It would not serve Rhysol or his faithful followers to present an image of darkness and evil. Thus Ravok would not be a city if people were not attracted to it in some way. I mean, who wants to live in a dirty, crime-filled cesspool of violence and filth? A beautiful city of luxury, excess that is safe, clean and where the people are proud is the perfect lure to bring others into the fold.
by Nathaniel Turnkey on January 24th, 2012, 5:45 am 
