Welcome to the City of Bathos;

a place where decadence, corruption, and evil is the law of the land. Walk the shadowy alleys and byways, but beware- a knife in your back is no more than a wrong turn or a misstep away. Skulk through the musty demon haunted tombs of Bahothemet, but watch for the cultists that would sacrifice you to their evil gods. Tread carefully; from the throne room of the palace to the sweat stained tavern at the wharf, rumors and plots are afoot. Guild against guild, merchant against merchant, thief against thief; it is all part of the treacherous game. Outsider or plotter, it is up to you, but remember, things are not always as they seem in the city of corruption.

Saturday, June 7, 2008

The Laws of Bathos


The Emperor's Headsman pauses from his labors to choose his next victim.

The Emperor Vlad’s soldiers patrol the city both day and night. Their job is to keep the peace, but often they are concerned with their own welfare more than that of anyone else. Nighttime patrols are non-existent in the Undercity of Bathos and infrequent in Low Bathos. Cries for help will often go ignored if they emit from dark alleys where it might be dangerous for the Emperor’s guards to travel.

Guards will protect those who can afford to pay them a monthly annuity or a generous stipend for their service. Merchants are often served with excellent protection and their shops go unmolested because thieves know that a cry of theft will not go unanswered.

Violence on the streets may be broken up and the offenders thrown into prison, or it may be ignored -depending upon the moods of the patrolling guards. The more overt the disruption or violation is, the more chance that the guards will interfere.

The Emperor takes a tax of 40% of all earnings. The guilds serve as collectors of this tax, often adding a 10% fee of their own. The Emperor’s tax collectors visit guild headquarters on a regular basis to collect these taxes. Also, there is a 10% tax on any items purchased within the city. City guards often invent ‘taxes’ of their own that they wage upon the populace. Sometimes they will demand coin from any one passing down a popular street at a speed they deem excessive or from those crossing a necessary bridge.

Weapons are allowed in all quarters of the city except for the Upper City. This is the portion of the city in which the Emperor’s palace is built, and only the King’s guard may enter this portion of the city armed. Any others who are caught coming through the Upper City’s gates armed, are bound and thrown into prison.all, the City of Bathos is not a pleasant place to live, and it is difficult for an honest or even dishonest

All in all, the City of Bathos is not a pleasant place to live, and it is difficult for an honest or even dishonest man to make a living. Still, while some are born into luxury others manage to pull themselves from Bathos’ gutters and rise to the top. Yet others are unmercifully trod into the ground by the feet of those richer and more powerful than they. It is not difficult to understand why Bathos is known as the City of Corruption.

It is not difficult to understand why Bathos is known as the City of Corruption.
Posted by Joel Jenkins at 12:52 PM
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