Valliere
NOTE: This area of Alusia may be out of date, given the campaign events - The Drow Invasion.
VALLIERE
The town is an ancient white walled town which is settled, civilized and a demonstratively moderately wealthy conservative society with a population of around 9,600. The town is a major hub for trade along the Baratary River which it sits astride as well as traffic coming from the Kaltberg River from Central Aladar.
The town has a large dock area for the riverboat traffic and there is a small river island 300ft out into the Baratary River which has a small fort on it which holds a portion of the Valliere Guards (VG) named the Valliere River Patrol (VRP). The town has a large customs force that rigidly enforces taxes on goods passing through and exacts fees from serviceable individuals such as mercenaries. The troops and officials are well dressed with gold braids gleaming under heavy woollen cloaks and fur hats.
Many of the buildings are very old (dating back some 500-700 years) made of solid stone and appear to have seen many centuries of use. There are a number of churches here and several even pre-date the Old WK (800 years). There are a few small shrines that do date back to elven times (pre-Old WK when Bowcourt was an elven protectorate) such as 1000years or more ago. The oldest building is the 'Grove of Peace and Life' which is part of 'Jardin des Serenity' and this is a place full of elves and some fairies who come here to commune and pray for guidance.
The Cathedral of Valliere is the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Valliere, it is famous for some windows that are decorated with blue stained glass, famous because of a special cobalt blue colour, known as "the blue from Vannes". Valliere Cathedral is tallest at a 460ft spire and is 900ft long. The Cathedral is also famous as the tomb of Yolunda de Bowcourt who was queen of the old WK 274-306WK and her heart has been embalmed, then crystallised and held in a glass case.
The grand 'Arc du Peace' dates back to 452WK when Ivan Vladimir (the Vampire) was deposed, the Musee des Baratary is famous for its paintings depicting life on the river for the last 800 or so years.
The town is held by a constable on behalf of the Viscount of Nevers who lives inland at Lencre. The Constable is Bertrand de Guesclin and he has a well presented and competent force of men helping him maintain the civilised airs familiar to those traversing Bowcourt and other nearby areas. The town itself is awash with commerce and is reasonably cosmopolitan given its location and is certainly more so cosmopolitan than inland Bowcourt that is known for its social class structures and behaviours.
Most of the Inns cater for Merchants and their associated companions. 10% of Inns are classed as Very-High Class, 25% are High class, 40% of Middle class and the 25% remaining for the masses and low class. The Inns and Taverns have varied names such as "The Eagle and Child", "the Three Castles", The Silver Lion, The Golden Sheath, The Humble Plumb, The Standen Arms, The Black Griffon, The Unicorn, The Ragged Bull and the Red Dragon.
Language: Most people speak Lalange, with a decent % having common as a 2nd language. Anyone with significant contact with foreigners such as tavern keepers provides great food, excellent wine (for adventurers with cash).
