- Classification: Capital City
- Population: 83,000
- Wealth: Wealthy
- Major Industry: Trade, Jewelry/Gemstones, Royal Navy, Fishing
- Specialty Goods: Golden Pearls, Fine Jewelry, Magic
- Populace Average Alignment: Neutral
- Leader Alignment: Lawful Neutral
- Government and Leadership: Feudal Monarchy, Marquis Leris duKent
| Human: 72% | Half-Elf: 5% | Elf: 9% |
| Dwarf: 1% | Gnome: 2% | Halfling: 9% |
| Half-Orc: 1% | Other: 1% |
History: Situated at the mouth of the Dovons River, amidst the Foothills of Yond, Tourmaline is an ancient city on the Scintillating Sea. Founded sometime around EH 900, Tourmaline was originally known as Casule on Dovons. Sometime after the Sinter Dynasty, Tourmaline was renamed after its major export – the fine gemstones mined in the nearby foothills.
Tourmaline quickly became a power in the region, with its ideal location, and vast wealth. As a city-state, many skirmishes occurred between it and Capaal, which was more closely allied to the Elven kingdom based out of Arborlon. Hiring mercenaries from Muriah, Tourmaline was able to defeat the forces of the Jenovian House, to gain premier dominance of the region. Castor duNeris was the first King of Dyninn, forming the League of Cities in the year ER 112.
During the Great War, King Muriah I used the League’s fractutious nature to his own ends. Muriahan mercenaries were enlisted by the cities of Capaal to usurp Tourmaline’s dominance, and by Tourmaline to prevent a coup. On the field, the mercenaries turned on their masters, and the League of Cities was effectively subjugated without a fight in the year ER 1440.
City Lore: Tourmaline is a wealthy, and very large, city. It is also a beautiful city, situated on the blue harbor of the Sapphire Bay. Tourmaline is clean, and fairly safe. The wealth of the city allows for considerable militia patrols; the city militia is practically a standing army.
Tourmaline is, demographically, a melting pot of culture and creed. Predominately human, it has a significant population of Elves, Half-Elves, and Halflings. The Elves maintain their own district in the city.
Cuisine in Tourmaline is mostly seafood: sailfin, ocean perch, and various shellfish are common. Oyster Stew is a common local dish. Nearby farms in the Dyninn grasslands provide ample grains, vegetables, and livestock to round out the local diet. Mead is the drink of choice in Tourmaline, though many fine breweries and wineries exist to cater to any taste.
The weather in Tourmaline is temperate – it rarely gets very hot or very cold. Clothing is thus layered, and loose, with fine linens, cottons, and silks being preferred. Colors are typically vibrant, even amongst the commoners. Jewelry is worn by almost all.
Crime is low in Tourmaline. The local thieves’ guild – the Emerald Dragons – are a small time affair of pickpockets and cat burglars. The local militia is intolerant of crime.
Every major affiliation, including all Guildtowers and Temples, have representation in Tourmaline. The Royal Navy maintains the majority of their Eastern Fleet from Tourmaline.
Landmarks/Places of Interest:
- The Old Quarter contains many ancient landmarks from the time when the city was still known as Casule on Dovons.
- Traitor’s Effigy is a marble statue marking the defeat of the League of Cities by the Muriahan mercenaries.
- The Vigilance of Hele is an enormous bronze statue commemorated to the goddess Hele, overlooking the harbor.
