Scroll 1 - treating of the geography and travel information of the Island of Corwyth.

 

 

The Traveller's Guide to the Empire of Corwyth.

Published by the Corwyth Royal Press (Lower Level Dungeons, Imperial Palace), in the 14th Year of the Gryffon.

Section 2: The Outlying Regions of the Empire of Corwyth.

A jewel in the crown of the Carpaasian Sea, this large island is the seat of the Imperial Family that rule the entire Kingdom of Corwyth. A beautiful island in the temperate climes, the vegetation is lush and the island is well known for its superb produce of strawberries, mangoes, bananas, pineapples, and the famous Corwyth apples. The outer section of the island is beach, and many a pair of lovers will walk through the sun-warmed sands during the spectacular sunsets. Walking right around the island is permissible, with the exception of the docks which can only be entered through the Customs-House.

The island is roughly circular, with a natural harbour curving inwards on the southern end. Ships dock in this natural harbour, and visitors find themselves initially stepping foot upon the Coromandel Docks, which have signs saying, "Welcome, welcome, thrice welcome!", "Especially if you have gold!", "Have you paid your tribute this year?”, “We welcome any currency!" In spite of these signs, ANY visitor to Corwyth is more than welcome, as it is devoted to a policy of hero-welcoming.

Here also is the Arcalyn Portal, a magical portal from which travellers from Gloriana (another land familiar to those who know of Quest for Glory) can arrive.

The visitor will pass through the Customs House, an oblong building of grey stone with a single door, and he will be scrutinised by the Customs staff. But, scrutiny over, he/she will be welcomed through the City Gates into the capital city of Corwyth Island – the city of Corwythen.

Once through the Customs House, the visitor would find the Royal Census to his left (it is a long building in greystone with a huge coat-of-arms hanging from the front – it is the Imperial Coat of Arms of the Corwyth ruling family – see insert Nr. 1). In this building, he/she is welcome to "sign the books", so to speak. This is where sojourners describe their characters. (Details on the best way to do this are in a separate publication entitled “The Corwyth d’Bretts – Detailing Your Characters”, also published by Corwyth Royal Press (Lower Level Dungeons, Imperial Palace), in the 14th Year of the Gryffon.

A complete listing of the characters of the Empire of Corwyth can be found in the Customs-House, and may prove very important in becoming acquainted with the citizens of The Empire.

Upon leaving the Royal Census, the visitor may choose to walk along the open beach area of the island. Charming cottages, farm houses, and the occasional more stately house will be seen, as well as (after some days of travelling) other cities / towns of Corwyth. These include Marbenal City, the town of Silenne, and the town of Dorkin.

Continuing northwards, the beach widens… it is along here that so many Corwythians gallop upon their Corwyth steeds for that early morning gallop. Further up to the north-west of the island is the Traveller's Guild, a large building (again constructed of that famous greystone, but this time the roof is thatched). The large sign etched upon brass proclaims that all are welcome here. In fact, the sign proclaims this in twenty different languages – including Trollian, Gobspeak, Dwarfish, Elvish and Faer. (In invisible runes in Vampyrian is an addendum: “Vampyres by special permission only – Take the Pledge!”). Within this Traveller’s Guild, all sorts of fascinating discussions are said to take place. The atmosphere is friendly and the chairs comfortable.

Leaving the Traveller’s Guild, the traveller proceeds northward along the beach until, at the top of the island (north), he/she can see the glistening white Public Library of Corwyth. Within this Library are many works of fiction, culled from all around the world. The Library always welcomes readers, and in order to encourage the writers whose works are stored here, it is recommended that travellers let the authors know that their work is appreciated! This Library must not be confused with the more private one run by Hugh Houwyth.

Walking further around the island towards the south-east is the Not-Quite-Dead Parrot Inn. This remarkable Inn is owned by Signor Ferrari, and was built in honour of a game which was created some while ago – and like all good adventures, the Adventure goes on! Step inside to discuss the Quest for Glory series, the Hero6 game, and to watch Budar twirl around on the dance floor since Nawar has gone off to a convent to become a Penitent. The Inn is built from sandstone, has many huge tables with chairs drawn up around them, and features a parrot with a bandage around his head and a VERY cross expression.

By continuing south for many weary miles (passing through villages and towns) and then turning west again along the coastline for even more weary miles, the visitor will have circumnavigated the entire island, which is approximately 300 miles wide. The visitor would find himself/herself back at the Customs-House in front of the docks, and a mere ten-minute walk from the Customs-House due north brings the visitor immediately in front of the city gates.

The city itself is well fortified with a ramparted wall ten feet high – proof against the invasion of all except Giants, but the Imperial Family have long held a treaty with the Giants of the mainland who live in scattered tribes. This treaty is said to have something to do with a problem the Giants were undergoing many years ago – apparently the Giants had been cursed by some witches to grow, and grow, and grow, and grow – until gravity began to fight back. It seems that the Imperial Family of the time provided the Giants with a small bottle labelled “Drink Me”, and it enabled the Giants to shrink back to normal Giant size… Ever since, the Giants have been immensely grateful, and have, in a spirit of generosity, refrained from eating Corwythian citizens.

The city gates, made of Impervious Stone, are guarded by hand-picked members of the Golden Mace, attired in good quality plate armour and with keen eyes to protect Corwyth from invading hordes.

When he/she passes through these gates, the traveller will find the Goose and Goblin Inn directly on his left. It is painted a startling combination of green, pink and orange, and the sign outside depicts an axe-wielding Goblin and a viciously pecking Goose. This Inn is owned by a goblin named Chandler. Like most goblins, you don’t want to offend him – you REALLY don’t want to offend him! (Especially since the bouncer is a troll known as Grif the Goose – and he takes a positive pleasure from bouncing, thumping, dropping, squashing – “Is dis hard enough, Boss? I do it harder!” – but he’s a nice fellow, really, when you get to know him!) This Inn is surprisingly comfortable as a place to stay, and the accommodation rates are very reasonable. Breakfast is provided in the price of two gold coins per week. On the notice board in the Inn (against the left wall as you enter) is a special place to hang up Quest Notices. Adventurers wanting to begin quests or wanting to find out what’s on offer – this is the place to look.

There’s a no-getting-drunk policy here – politeness and sobriety are key points of behaviour that Chandler will expect. For those who want to behave a little more rowdily, exit the Goose and Goblin Inn and proceed just a short few steps left to the Rotting Pumpkin Tavern.

The Rotting Pumpkin Tavern is painted in another startling combination of colours – bright orange and obsidian black. With its grinning pumpkin head over the doorway, and the notice underneath which says, “Naaah, this place don’t have a dress code”, the traveller will understand immediately that this is an altogether less couth place than the Goose and Goblin. As the traveller enters, his/her ears will be assaulted by raucous music performed by the local jongleurs “Twisted Dead Braes Worn at a Tourney” – three singers and a musician who alternates between using a wooden recorder and a bagpipe made out of a dead turkey. (Unkind listeners say that the turkey died out of embarrassment and horror at being used to produce such hideous sounds. Devotees of the jongleurs say things like “Oh, foule cag-mag, cabobbled bespeaker of olde broken consortes! This be the New and Moderne Musicke. Thou art not sufficiently jawobbic to relishe it”.)

Hopskotch Hoggarty is the owner here – he seems permanently in need of a shave, and is part-Werewolf. He has a torn left ear and a missing right eye, together with scars on his face and body, and an incredible number of tattoos that are a legacy from his sea-faring days. As a veteran of many bar-fights, he knows how to stop trouble in its tracks. He’ll serve you whatever you ask for – WHATEVER you ask for! If you want Orc blood in strawberry juice with a squirt of octopus ink, he’ll give you that… if you want boiling lava with sulphurated coal, he’ll give you that.

Here, too, there is no limit upon the alcoholic consumption of the visitor. Hopskotch Hoggarty will continue to serve his customers until they run out of money, or drop to the floor in a drunken swoon – at which point he will have a message sent to the guards, to arrange for the unconscious traveller to be transported to the Corwyth Gaol within the Imperial Barracks (conveniently located across the Square not ten minutes’ away. The privy which is reached by means of a narrow corridor is rather odiferous in spite of repeated scrubbings by the frowsy tavern-maids.

This Tavern is also known to a certain sector of the community as the place where many of the light-fingered persuasion congregate. Hopskotch claims no knowledge at all about a certain Guild, but his customers – well, it is sufficient to say that honest members of the community tend to go to the Goose and Goblin instead.

As mentioned, north of the Rotten Pumpkin Tavern is the large fortified Fair Justice Keep. Within the walls are a number of structures, including the Barracks, Guardhouse, the living quarters for the soldiers, the Training Guild for adventurers, the armoury from which a dwarven armourer sells weapons and armour to the public, the Gaol (with specially-trained rats who know how to treat malfeasants!) and the Courthouse. Whenever a criminal is caught, he or she will be tried in the Courthouse and may end up imprisoned or tortured by Torquemin the Tickler (a torturer whose favourite method of torture is to tickle the offender unmercifully with a giant feather applied to the soles of the feet).

The Barracks are under the direct control of three commanders: Wilhelm Drummond, Commander of the Order of the Guards of the Golden Mace, Edwyth a'Woodham, Commander of the Order of the Knights of the Silver Heart, and Basquin d’Almirno, Commander of the Order of the Soldiers of the Emerald Star. Adventurers wishing to join the various Orders should apply here to discover the requirements. Weapons training and defensive/offensive skills are also taught here.

To keep the peace in Corwyth itself, there are two captains who enforce the law: Captain Rath Darkblade (dwarf with a pick-axe – need more be said?), and Captain Two-Joke Sue Flay (an elf with attitude, elven-sword, elven-bow, and two EXTREMELY ba-a-a-a-a-a-ad jokes - don’t make her say them!). Together, these formidable captains of the Order of the Golden Mace ensure that malefactors are caught – if they are foolish enough to be observed doing something illegal! (Sadly, they have not ever found the entrance to the Hidden Thieves’ Guild, nor have they discovered who the Chief Thief is. That there is one is obvious – but he’s a cunning and crafty individual, and it seems that the oaths of loyalty sworn by the thieves of the city are sufficiently terrifying to ensure absolute compliance on the part of any thieves who are questioned.)

Exiting from the Fair Justice Keep, the visitor would turn left (further east) to come across the almost invisible House of Bedazzled Scrolls. This is a mysterious shop full of extraordinary magic, where spell scrolls and magical items can be purchased, training in casting may be undertaken, and magical advice given. The interior of the shop is decorated in a velvety black and deep violet, and the mana is so thick in the air that the visitor can almost taste it. Casting without permission within the House of Bedazzled Scrolls is … unwise. Run by the Mages Spelucetia and Yellos d'Guellos, and the witches Ninny Nanny and Granny, there is a wealth of magical information to be found here. By special arrangement, these magic-users may even be persuaded to join in an especially perilous quest – but their services are never cheap.

On the right side of the city is the bazaar, which the visitor reaches by passing through an archway of lapis lazuli. On his right is Quinn Saddler’s livery, a brown wooden building which comprises stables and riding equipment. He is said to raise excellent horses for sale and rent – the Corwyth pony, the imported Rabeiran, the Ythorian destrier, and the Pallmor palfrey are all highly recommended. He also rents out Pegasii (flying horses) for journeys of considerable distance in which time is of the essence. Since such hire is extremely expensive, it would be wise to use alternative transportation unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Further along to the east, just next to the livery, is the Provisions Shoppe run by Mistress Becenta. She’s enormously fat, perpetually cheerful in a gloomy sort of way, and she stocks ever kind of food imaginable. Travellers planning on adventuring are advised to purchase their food requirements here.

On the opposite side in the far corner of the bazaar are the apothecary and the surgery. Conveniently located next to each other, they provide the city of Corwyth with medical aid. They are expensive, though –Doctor Boniface charges two gold pieces for a consultation, but he’s the only one who can heal severe injuries incurred in the course of combat. Altoni Keemi, the apothecarist, has a startling knowledge of powders, chemicals, pills and potions, ways of NOT turning lead into gold, and has been known to mix up dispel potions IF you provide the missing ingredient. (For all your other medical and herbal needs, a visit to Granny might be cheaper!)

Also in the bazaar are many other purveyors of goods – rope-sellers, cloth merchants, pot-makers, and so on. The traveller has only to cry out, “Doth anyone here sell small wooden statues in the shape of a rampant cow?” to be greeted with a cheeful, “Yae! Verily I do!” Magic carpets can be purchased here, but it is VERY wise for an adventurer to consider carefully the amount of “charge” left in the carpet. It is not unknown for carpets too close to their end to stutter in mid-air, and fall to the ground/sea/whatever’s beneath.

Against the eastern wall of the bazaar is the beautiful Royal Thespian College, composed of that glittering white stone for which Corwyth is known. Within, the hallways are cool and the Professors are kind. For those travellers wishing to gain knowledge and wisdom pertaining to the city of Corwyth, this College is a place of welcome instruction. Talk to the ArchHigh Professors Medora and Arquestos about attending classes – the service is funded by the Imperial Family and no fee is required.

Through the northern wall of the bazaar, there is a wide archway made of gleaming gold. It is guarded by two sentries, and leads into the Palace Grounds. Visitors are welcome, although weapons should be discarded before proceeding through. The sentries will hold them safely.

The Palace Grounds are extremely beautiful... rare flowers, exotic blooms, remarkable trees, etc. fill the area. There will be the occasional gardener who will be happy to explain what species you are looking at. In the centre of the grounds is the Temple of Natural and Elemental Philosophy – which may be admired with respect and its outer hall entered for alchemical and philosophical help or information. The Bishops will not permit you to approach to its very centre.

Further west is a beautiful fountain. It is said that nymphs dance here at night. The traveller is welcome to visit here at night to test the theory.

Over to the east is a large man-made lake... trout fishing is a popular sport here, and so is swimming. In fact, for those who wish to practice their swimming, this is the only safe place on Corwyth, as the undertow of the Carpaasian Ocean is much too strong for inexperienced swimmers, even strong swimmers treating it with caution.

The Palace itself is the design of the greatest architects of the entire Corwythian Empire. It is a many-turreted palace of the most perfect glittering white stone imaginable. Its interior is made of white marble and gold, with many precious objets-d’art placed tastefully within its many rooms. Here dwell the Emperor and Empress, and their myriad of servants, as well as the Lord Chancellor, Cornelius Ciprianus Canilinus. There is a Great Hall in which feasts are held occasionally, and audiences with the Imperials occur within the Throne Room. Other rooms are private. There are also the dungeons, but they are now used for the Printing Press of Corwyth rather than for torturing unfortunate peasants and conquered enemies.