Bellming, Obsidian Stormlands

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Bellming is a city in the southeastern region known as the Rolling Sands. It is one of the oldest cities in the Obsidian Stormlands, but it's longevity does not spring from stability. It is the home of many merchant houses, who deal in drugs, slaves, weapons, food, and anything that will bring in money. It is also the head base for the Killom Caravans, which the merchants of Bellming use often to peddle their wares to the other cities.

The city was originally founded and controlled by a water baron in the 11th age, but other interests became involved and power was dispersed, unwillingly, amongst all of the leading merchants in the city. The gladitorial aspect of the city's culture did not arise until the last 100 years, when one merchant lord used gladitorial fights as a way to sway popular opinion in his way. Since then, all major houses have acquired a stable of fighters. Gladitorial fights are a typical way of bypassing whatever laws the city upholds and settling disputes between houses.

Currently, only two merchant houses are considered major players in Bellming, which is shocking considering that in as little as a year ago, seven houses existed in Bellming that controlled various resources and services in the surrounding areas. Either through buy outs, bribes, rightful claims through arena challenges, or secretive (and dishonorable) means, five of the seven were dismantled, which now frames Bellming as a battlefield grown cold. No one dares to try and establish themselves as a new house while these two exist, but everyone fears what would happen if one were given complete control of the city.

History

Government

The Three Arbiter

The Three Arbiter are older members of Bellming, who oversee cases relating to the Arena. They are the arbiters of which claims are rightful and whether or not a match is fit as a solution to a problem within the city. When they are called from their lonely tower to the south, they appear the next day to judge a case of rightful claim. Not much is known about them, but taking matters into one's own hands leads to terrible luck.

The House of Helico

This house is ruled by a self styled prince of the city, named Larin Black. He was born in the lap of luxury within the house and took command when the former leader fell through on important deals. He controls some of the more important springs around the area, some of which were formerly owned by other houses (which generous donations to the workers made sure the water was under the protection of Helico enforcers). This house is the wealthiest house in Bellming and could quite possibly be one of the wealthiest organizations in all of the Stormlands. It controls the Killom operations within the city, leading some to accuse the house of levying unfair taxes on unaffiliated traders coming into Bellming.

The House of Red Sands

Originally the house of an enterprising merchant who gained control of the arena itself in the 11th age, the House of the Red Sands is in disarray. A fighter in its stable, bought at birth and trained to protect the House's interests, rose through the ranks. She operated outside the arena, assembling crews to ensure the safety of Red Sand caravans, setting up deals with local farmers, and bringing in more capital. In August of the 13th age, this gladiator, a goliath by the name of Tilde challenged the leader to a one on one fight within the arena, citing rightful claim of the House. The battle was short and the man's death was quick. Now she sits upon the Throne of Red Sands, exerting her house's influence in a cold manner. Workers petitioning for a re-negotiation often find their speakers dead in terrible accidents, for instance.

Notable Locations

The Courier's Inn is located in the southwestern quarter of Bellming. Its frequented by traveling merchants and Killom drivers. For serving such a relatively wealth segment of the city, the going rate for rooms are 4 gold pieces per night. Next to the inn, in a separate building, is the Marquessa's Tavern, a small and intimate tavern that serves water and dew ale, a misleading name as its not an ale at all, but a crude sort of wine that's produced locally in Bellming. The inn and tavern is owned by a husband and wife, named Sor and Linn Grael. They purchased the building in a stroke of luck six years ago. Rumors say that Linn is an informant for a local gang of thieves, using her position within the inn to give the thieves information on when particularly loaded merchants are traveling.

Behind the Courier's Inn is the Helico Marketplace, where sanctioned merchants sell their wares to Bellmingers after paying a fee to Larin Black. All manners of items can be found here, from foods, tools, clothes, and even, at times, potions (25%). If the potion master is not present, a conman will take his place, selling fake potions. North of the marketplace is a beastdealer and behind that is a butcher. Near here is the facility that creates dewale.

The southeastern section is dominated by worker's homes, providing tenament style housing for the large amount of people who work in Bellming. It has a bit of a reputation around the city as being dangerous at night and even is said to harbor a vicious gang of thieves.

Culture

Traveling around Bellming with weapons is frowned upon. Most merchants won't trade with someone carrying weapons. Violence has a place within Bellming and that place is the arena.

Meals typically aren't eaten when not in the presence of one's family. The person who "provided the meal" whether it be by gold or blood begins eating first, then everyone follows.