A Visitor's Guide to the Grand City of Tantervale by Julius Correnhal

The shining jewel of the Marches. The city of precious metals. The marble colossus. Our great city is known by countless names. But none can truly capture its majesty in mere words. One must journey there themselves! And this, good reader, is meant to help you see each block of it in all its splendor.

Our magnificent city is separated into five discrete districts, each with their own individual charms and sights to see.


The Bronze District - After you pass through the main gate and the White Wall (an incredible artistic edifice in its own right), you will find yourself in the main square of the Bronze District. The largest of the five, the Bronze is home to the majority of our working class citizenry, a proud community who keep this city flowing like a river.

Discover wonderful taverns and dining houses; Greggory's Greenery, The Full Trencher, Athelwine's Alehouse, The Knight and Lady, just to name a few. Visit Orellus Park, featuring an immaculate bronze statue of one of city's greatest champions, Cade Arvale. For the adventurous among you, Vantali's Stage is a delightful open-air theater, where one can see works both dramatic and comedic, performed by expert players.

The Copper District - Bordering the Bronze and Silver, the Copper is a captivating piece of our city, home to The Grand Cathedral, our own beautiful slice of the Chantry and the holy aura of our Lady and Maker. At midday, the faithful gather in its courtyard, to sing the Chant to all of the city.

The Copper is where one would find our hard-working dockworkers, fishermen, basket-weavers, cobblers and many others, living out their lives and engaging in their community. Some less fortunate souls can be found as well, but the Copper is certainly not filled with such people. Plenty of lovely little shops and merchant stalls can be found here, for those curious enough to venture.

The Copper is also home to city's Elven Alienage, but it is, of course, kept separate from the rest of the district and its citizenry. If one wishes to visit, they can, but this humble writer would advise against it. Tantervale's Elves are a simple and humble people, who do not need to be agitated.

The Silver District - Ah, the Silver. My home district and, if I may be so bold, the most grand of them all. Here you will find The Grand Bank, a tremendous structure and a work of art. Constructed with some cooperation from surface-based dwarves, it is a testament to human ingenuity. WIthin the streets of the Silver, you will discover incredible places of business and more art galleries than one aficionado could possibly see in a lifetime.

Visit such exquisite restaurants as Calamera's, Talo Tavera and of course, the talk of the town, Elethbart's; which was once graced by the presence of Divine Beatrix III. Her table still sits untouched to this day, aside from the occasional cleaning of course.

The Silver is home to many of the city's most wealthy and dignified citizens, such Darius Quelley, the accomplished playwright and Ivalia Daugherty, the drama actress and local celebrity. They are a bright, well-read and engaging population. As long as you can acquire a suitable set of clothing, you would be remiss not to experience the myriad delights of the Silver District.

The Iron District - The Iron District is a formidable (some might say foreboding) piece of the city, which more than lives up to its name. Home to the metalworking, blacksmithing and industrial community; everything from silverware to plate mail armor can be found within its walls. Much of the city's surface Dwarven population is also housed here, for those concerned.

However, it must be mentioned that the Iron is also home to Blackbridge Prison, which much of Tantervale colloquially calls "The Jaw". When viewed from below, the towers of Blackbridge look like rows of teeth rising from the earth. While the institution is not precisely somewhere you'd like to visit, it is nevertheless a impressive structure. One best viewed from a distance.

Across from Blackbridge, one might also spot the Tantervale Tower of Magi. And let me assuage your concerns, my dear reader. It is protected and patrolled by the most skilled Templars in all of the Free Marches. Only a select, limited few are allowed out of the tower, each of whom is watched closely by the Chantry's most holy warriors. You are free to admire the construction of the tower from a safe distance.

The Gold District - The Gold District is a special case. I'm afraid you won't be able to truly visit it, not in the traditional sense. It is an exceedingly small piece of the city, comprising only two extraordinary mansion houses and a lavish garden. The first manor is occupied by the Lord Chancellor of Tantervale, currently Lord Maximilian Talford, and his immediate family.

The second manor is home to the city's champion. If no champion has been found, the mansion lies dormant until one is appointed. As of this writing, it is occupied by Charlotte de Touraney, who led the defense of the city when it was attacked by the bandit lords of Planasene Forest in 9:04 Dragon.

Very few of the citizenry have ever seen the Gold District and even less have been inside either of the manor houses. Alas, I do not number among them, so I cannot give you any idea of the wondrous halls within. But if one waits by the gates of the Gold, you might just spot a glimpse of the Champion herself.

False Districts - Rumors abound among the citizenry of a sixth district, which some call The Steel or The Tin, but is most often referred to as the Rust. A secret community of criminals, outcasts and dangerous individuals. Some say it is underground; a series of tunnels and pathways through the sewers.

Let this be stated plainly; these rumors are pure nonsense. Nothing more than tavern stories, told to frighten or amaze drunken miscreants. The sewers have been searched countless times. Nothing was found. All intelligent citizenry will recognize these tales as lies and not give them a moment's thought.


In conclusion, I hope you come visit our shining city. We open our gates to all who come to inspire, contribute and create. You haven't seen the Free Marches until you've seen Tantervale!