¶ Overview
Lepidstadt is a vibrant scholarly city located on the banks of the Lesser Moutray River in the Ustalavic county of Vieland. Founded over 700 years ago by farmers and woodsmen, the city has evolved into the intellectual heart of the Palatinates thanks to the world-renowned University of Lepidstadt. It is a city where the clashing philosophies of modern science and traditional superstition war subtly for dominance.
¶ Government and Society
Lepidstadt is governed by a council composed of local elites, scholars, and former nobility. However, its governance is often stymied by academic debate and ideological disagreements, leading to frequent inefficiencies. Some members have resorted to personal initiatives to effect change, hiring adventurers or acting outside the council's slow bureaucracy.
¶ Key Locations
¶ University of Lepidstadt
Renowned across Avistan, the university specializes in anatomy, medicine, and the so-called “mortal sciences.” It’s known for its dueling fraternities like Nocturne Phi Theta and Lambda Bonepile. Notable structures include:
- Laurelgauge Library
- Vighkeir Hall
- Treyes Museum of Antiquities
¶ The Spiral Cromlech
An eerie site of ancient standing stones and a central black spire etched with debauched scenes. Once sacred to Kellid shamans, it is now a site of historical and mystical intrigue.
¶ Gravecharge Cathedral
A grand cathedral of Pharasma, notable for its dome decorated with skeletal horses. It houses the remains of heroes who once fought the dragon Kulsyther, whose jaw is said to still be pinned shut within its ossuary.
¶ Ventriloquist’s Pulpit
Once a courtroom, now a museum and council office known for its strange acoustics and rumored occult basement.
¶ Brazen Skull Tavern
A popular pub among the university’s dueling fraternities, featuring relics and the skull of a stone giant above the hearth.
¶ Notable Figures
¶ Alpon Caromarc
Former count and a reclusive alchemist who created the infamous Beast of Lepidstadt. His castle, Schloss Caromarc, is shrouded in mystery and rumored to house terrifying experiments.
¶ The Beast of Lepidstadt
A misunderstood flesh golem created by Caromarc. Once blamed for numerous crimes, it was the center of a sensational public trial where truth and myth blurred.
¶ Acciani Viacarri
Dean of the university and a respected scholar, known for his leadership in both academic and civic matters.
¶ Rumors and Mysteries
Lepidstadt is rife with conspiracies, particularly surrounding the Esoteric Order of the Palatine Eye, believed by some to manipulate the city's elite and pull strings behind closed doors. The presence of ancient megaliths and recurring themes of secret rites, haunting echoes, and academic power struggles all contribute to the city’s mystique.
¶ Tables
¶ Shops
| Name | Type | Description | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Final Exam | tavern | Pass or Perish | Vark Elren |
¶ Places
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Lepidstadt University | Smarts and Spooks |