PhlanThe city of Phlan stands as a testament to the stubbornness of the humans who populate the Moonsea’s coast. The city has been ruined countless times over the centuries by war, invasions, and dragon strikes, only to be rebuilt time and again.
Phlan is situated at the mouth of the Stojanow River, and serves as an excellent stopover for ships and caravans throughout the North. Gems and other treasures come down from Thar and Glister, and Phlan is an ideal shipping location for goods throughout the rest of the Moonsea.
The North coast of the Moonsea is where humanity struggles most to gain a foothold on the land. Ogres, dragons, and giants make the coast a dangerous place, and the feeling is that the more cities that are established the stronger the region will be. Hence, the great drive to rebuild Phlan as swiftly as possible. The Distant Past The city of Phlan is over 1,000 years old. It was founded in the year 367 DR, just over a decade after the founding of Northkeep. While Northkeep was destroyed and ultimately sunk beneath the waves during the First Turnabout, Phlan was merely leveled. The stubborn survivors shook off the dust and grimly applied themselves to the task of remaking the city.
And so the cycle endlessly repeated through the centuries; siege, destruction, and restoration. In earlier times, new buildings in Phlan were simply built atop old buildings, pushing debris and rubble farther down. This sealed off and buried old, forgotten chambers that were at one time on ground level. In some cases, bizarre creatures and small fortunes were sealed up in these rooms as well, waiting for the day when they would be discovered and released. Because of these hidden evils, Phlan was eventually divided into two parts: Civilized Phlan and Old Phlan.
Civilized Phlan, surrounded by thick stone walls, was the part of the city that the people reclaimed and rebuilt. Old Phlan was the part of the city that was crawling with monsters and unexplored chambers. Clearing crews and builders dared not set foot there.
Recent History
In the year 1306 DR, the Year of Thunder, a dragon invasion known as the Dragon Run swept down from the North. During their attack, Phlan was once again reduced to ruins.
This occurred at the same time as the Moonsea war, which pitted Mulmaster against an alliance of the other Moonsea cities. Because of this war, no one came to Phlan’s aid to stop yet another round of destruction.
The city was rebuilding slowly from the effects of the Dragon Run setback when, in the Year 1347 DR (the Year of the Bright Blade), another disaster struck.
A parasitic creature named Tyranthraxus the Great Possessor, Lord of the Ruins, corrupted the body of a bronze dragon and used this majestic creature as a host. Tyranthraxus then took up residence in Valjevo Castle in Old Phlan and claimed the Pool of Radiance, which lay underneath the castle, as its own.
A small group of adventurers finally defeated Tyranthraxus, whose spirit leaped into the pool, drained it of its energy, and fled the city.
Phlan was subjected to a further indignity ten years later. The evil god Bane, in an attempt to increase his own power, tried to draw a group of cities into the nether regions. The unfortunate city of Phlan was one of the victims, and once again there was war in the streets as the citizens battled creatures of darkness. Bane was foiled by the same heroes who defeated Tyranthraxus, and the cities were returned. The following year, Bane was presumed destroyed in the Time of Troubles, and Cyric took over the Bane’s areas of influence.
Phlan Today
Cyric the Dark Sun may have inherited the mantle of Bane, but he seems not to have inherited interest in Bane’s pet project of stealing cities. Even the idea of revenge on Phlan is beneath Cyric’s notice. The new dark god feels that Phlan’s dogged resistance to defeat and its wise choice of heroes were responsible for the Bane’s failure. Thus, Cyric feels he owes Phlan more gratitude than hatred. At least for the present, there will be no special recriminations against Phlan.
Reconstruction of Phlan now proceeds at great speed. Companies of dwarf and gnome workers are making excellent progress in clearing away the debris and erecting new buildings. Arrested prisoners and convicted felons are put to work clearing the rubble alongside hired groups.
Artisans and craftspeople from all over the Moonsea have been called in to put their skills to work in the rebuilding. Sculptors, painters, landscapers, and other specialized professions are in especially high demand. Anyone with just about any kind of skill can make good money in Phlan.
Despite this progress, much of Phlan still lies in ruins. Part of the reason for this is that new lairs and secret chambers are discovered every so often, and some still contain monstrosities.and fortunes. Most workers are unwilling to risk the horrors of what may lurk below, even when promised part of whatever riches may also be there.
Many of these workmen demand protection before they will report to the construction sites, and the Council of Ten is willing to hire reputable adventurers as well as beginners to help with guard duties and scouting.
Looting the ruins is not illegal. In fact, people are encouraged to go into the ruins and look around, as long as they report what they see to the Council of Ten. Those who fail to comply are put to work in the rubble-clearing crews.
The Council of Ten
The Council of Ten is the ruling body in Phlan. They are all judges and have full judicial powers. Each member of the Council is able to dispense summary law whenever called upon to do so.
The head of the Council is called Number One and acts as mayor. Council elections are commonplace, as the jittery citizens call for .no confidence. votes whenever there’s a slight setback, an ill omen, or a charismatic new hero who arrives on the scene.
Defenses
Phlan has a small, strong militia that doubles as the city guard (AC 5, F2, hp 15, chain mail, clubs, short swords, spears, short bows). Due to the troubles the city has been through, manpower is understandably short. As a result, Phlan’s militia has more females than that of any other city in the Moonsea or Dalelands areas. Militia strength runs at about 120.
The city walls are still Phlan’s best defense; six guards always stand at the gate. The gates are shut at night and not opened unless a positive identification can be made.
The dwarves who have come into Phlan to do stonework have also volunteered their services as defenders, if the need arises. These dwarves (AC 4, F3, hp 27, chain mail, hammers, short swords) number about 100, and are led by Deryk Stoneshaper (LG dm F7).
Temples
Phlan currently has only one temple in operation: the Waiting. This place of worship is devoted to Tyr, god of justice. There is also an abandoned, looted temple of Bane at the edge of town. Neither Cyric nor the die-hard old Banites have seen fit to reclaim it.
Trade
Phlan boasts a number of outfitters, including Ian Cockburn’s Grocery, Matteo the Weaponsmith, Ernst’s Livery, and Jerome of Melvaunt. Jerome is a fence.but a dishonest one.
The Slum Market is a place where, as the Phlan saying goes, .You’re more than likely never to see the same merchant two days in a row.. Unbelievable bargains for items of dubious quality can be found here. It is also a favored place of pickpockets. Four inns operate in the city, but the best known (and the best in quality) is the Laughing Goblin. The others include the Cracked Crown (quiet), Nat Wyler’s Bell (a dive located in the slums), and the Bitter Blade. The Blade caters to much of the visiting sea traffic and is also a haven for the city’s malcontents.