¶ Overview
The Petal District is renowned as the wealthiest and most powerful district in Absalom. Located on an elevated rise of land known as Aroden's Hill in the city's northeastern corner, it is characterized by its stately streets, broad boulevards, and brick-framed medians filled with beautiful flower gardens, which give the district its name. The paved public streets, gated private paths, and numerous mansions and palaces overtly display its residents' money and power. The most prestigious areas of the district are situated near the top of Aroden's Hill, with residents often debating the desirability of bay-view versus Kortos Mounts-facing manors.
¶ Inhabitants and Society
The Petal District is home to Absalom's most powerful noble families and aristocrats, with some houses tracing their lineage back to Aroden's ascension. These residents are far above the typical well-to-do trademaster or border count in wealth and status. The district attracts people just coming into their wealth or their twilight years, contributing to its rapid growth. While the district boasts the highest pay for its district watch, the Lotus Guard, their comfortable lifestyles sometimes lead to an unearned reputation for corruption.
Culturally, the Petal District is a place where new money mixes with ancient prestige. While major events might be rare, the district's junior relatives of noble families often vie to outdo each other with bizarre and awe-inspiring entertainment, hosting galas and soirees. Architectural styles often blend, with elements from various nations, though the most recent trend saw little change, leading some to whisper that the Damaq family's static palace facade might indicate financial strain.
¶ Government and Politics
The ruling body of the Petal District is the Conclave of Flowers, headed by nomarch Lord Urkon of House Ormuz. This district is a central nexus for Absalom's "Shadow War," also known as the War of Strings, a complex and covert political struggle for power and influence within the city. Nobles and power brokers frequently meet in secret within the Petal District's estates and exclusive parlors to conduct this ongoing conflict through spycraft and treachery.
The district is also a site of ongoing political debates. A particularly notable one concerns a "hideous" statue of some forgotten figure that the Conclave of Flowers has debated removing. Different political factions, including the Optimates, the Citizens' League, and the New Absalom faction, propose their own alternatives for a replacement statue, each seeking a visible sign of their power in the district's heart.
¶ Notable Locations
- Ahnkamen Estate: This beautiful Osirian villa is famed for its extensive gardens and frequent parties, often hosted outdoors. Its gardens, with numerous Osirian-style fountains and reflecting pools, are considered among Absalom's finest works of art.
- Castle Blakros: A looming, black stone edifice at the heart of the Petal District, it functions more as a military fortress than a palace. It serves as the residence for the powerful Blakros family and a repository for their vast fortune of priceless historical artifacts, many of which are not publicly displayed at the Blakros Museum in the Wise Quarter.
- College of Mysteries: The oldest school of magic in Absalom. The College of Mysteries is where Lady Darchana, Archdean of the Arcanamirium and a candidate for primarch, furthers her study of teleportation magic.
- Court of Black Paper: This location serves as the headquarters for the Barristers' Guild, which regulates legal practice in Absalom and maintains meticulous records of contracts. Its high priest-advocate is Samel Maleagant.
- Erastil Club: An exclusive club in the Petal District that serves as an attraction for visitors.
- Lantern Lodge: One of the hunting lodges turned-adventurers' guilds.
- Silken Court: Under new management by Dyrianna of House Avenstar, this brothel is renowned as possibly the most famous and luxurious in the Inner Sea. It features elegant decor, an art gallery, and a small chapel to the Unquenchable Fire, with animated wasps said to appear for religious ceremonies or to deter intruders. Unsurprisingly, it is also a significant broker of information and power.
- Spiralcross Cemetery: An enormous cemetery where important guild members and Absalomian notables are entombed.
¶ Notable People
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Lord Urkon of House Ormuz: He is the Nomarch (also called Satrap) of the Conclave of Flowers, which is the Petal District's governing council. He is described as severe and has strong family ties to Thuvia. His good looks are rumored to have declined over the past decade, and he despairs of being alone. He is a resident and salon attendee at Palace Ormuz.
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Lady Dyrianna of House Avenstar: She is the Guildmistress of the League of Courtesans and the High Hetaera of Calistria. Lady Dyrianna owns the Silken Court, a renowned and luxurious brothel in the Petal District. She commands a significant information and power network within Absalom, with her guild courtesans and temple's sacred companions ensuring her prized secrets are often salacious. Her agents never work against the Grand Council, but she has extensive contracts with many of the city's houses. She aims to see every former slaver in Absalom ruined and uses her agents to disgrace, bankrupt, disinherit, disown, maim, mutilate, and in some cases kill slavers, feeling no qualms about it.
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Scion Lord Celedo of House Morilla: He is the patriarch of House Morilla and the guildmaster of the Guild of Wonders. Lord Celedo is described as a scheming and manipulative figure. His ancestral home, Morilla Palace, is in the Petal District and is infamous for being a deathtrap. He is a board member of the Erastil Club.
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Margaret Aswold: Known as "Large Marge", she is a mysterious wealthy benefactor whose house is located in the Petal District. She has hired Otto Smithfield to find her missing husband, Thomas Aswold.
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Brythen Blood: He is the High Curator of the College of Mysteries, Absalom's oldest school of magic, located in the Petal District. Brythen Blood also holds a District Seat on the Low Council and is a retired Second Spell Lord. He is an outsider to Absalom and plays none of the common social games.
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Scion Lady Neferpatra of House Ahnkamen: She holds the titles of First Lady of Laws and is a member of the High Council. Lady Neferpatra is the preoccupied family matriarch of House Ahnkamen, known for their estate's beautiful gardens and frequent parties. She oversees the Crier's Table, a committee of the Low Council responsible for official city communications and the publishing industry.
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Scion Lord Yamthar of House Ormuz: He is known for hosting influential intellectual gatherings (salons) at Palace Ormuz, a sprawling complex in the Thuvian style located in the Petal District. These salons attract Absalom's prominent intellectuals, scientists, and patrons. He is also a famed collector of all things Jistkan, particularly automatons, and major financial supporter of the Clockwork Cathedral. He has not aged in over 20 years, rumored to be due to the Sun Orchid Elixir.
¶ Economy and Trade
While a few businesses catering to the impossibly wealthy exist, the district primarily consists of noble estates. Services available include hotel suites, excellent meals, carriage rentals, tours of noble manors, legal services at the Court of Black Paper, and entertainment at places like the Silken Court.