Guide to Korvosa

Korvosa Wiki

Korvosa ca 4710 AR
The half-orc King Tsadok I Arabasti, grandson of Queen Domina by her renegade daughter the Princess Tisada (a lost sister to King Eodred), has ruled since M2 4709 AR, following the death of Queen Ileosa in M1 4709. He has four children (2m 2f) by four different consorts, all four conceived M1-2 4709, prior to his Coronation. It seems that the Curse of the Crimson Throne has for once been evaded, at least.
Sable Company has been reformed under Commandant Naglatha Winterkill (Barvassi), also a half-orc. A Popular Council voted by all citizens (M5 4709, next election M5 4713) provides democratic input, under the elected leadership of Chief Councillor Kaz Anders. The noble Glorio Arkona contributed much wealth to the rebuilding of Korvosa after the depredations of Ileosa; House Arkona is widely regarded as preeminent even over the Jeggare, while the House Ornelos association with Ileosa has caused them a loss of prestige.

Korvosa Population
The Census of Domina in 4682 AR put the number of tax-paying Korvosan adult citizenry at 18,486. It is widely believed that the actual population of the city is far higher. With more than a square mile of dense habitation within the walls one might expect a population in the range of 50-100,000, and the size of Korvosa's military, clergy, tax revenues and other elements appear to support such an estimate.
Korvosa rules a wide but still sparsely settled rural hinterland of farms and ranches as far as Biston and Sirathu, almost 40,000 square miles, with a total subject population estimated at around half a million.

Korvosan Military
Korvosa has a strong standing army comprising the 700 Korvosan Guard under Field Marshall Cressida Croft and up to 200 Sable Company Marines under Commandant Marcus Thalassinus Endrin Naglatha Winterkill (Barvassi) (4709-). The Guard protect the streets, walls, and public buildings of the city, serving as law enforcement. The Sable Company patrol the sky over and around Korvosa, with particular responsibility for the seas - ships approaching Korvosa are subject to inspection before they ever reach the docks. The city does not maintain a standing navy.
In time of war the monarch of Korvosa can raise a levy of up to about five thousand men from outlying territories as far as Biston and Sirathu, including sturdy colonial Chelish infantry yeomen, numbers of heavy cavalry (knights) including the Order of the Nail Hellknights, light cavalry ranchers, and Varisian auxiliary archers and slingers.  If threatened with invasion, given enough time the city herself can double the Guard and muster a defensive militia with a nominal roll of 2,700, though Marshall Croft puts the actual tally of reliables at no more than two thirds of that figure.
A typical Korvosan field army would comprise: 100 Sable Company marines, 500 Korvosan Guard, 100 Order of the Nail Hellknights, 2900 rural levy from the ranches, farms, and Varisian auxiliary (comprising 200 knights, 600 light cavalry, 900 archers, 1200 infantry), for a total strength of 3600.

Living Costs
Destitute: 3gp/m (food 3gp)
Poor, single: 10gp/m (food 6gp, rent 3gp, misc 1gp)
Middle Class: 30gp/m (food 12gp, rent 12gp, misc 6gp)
Salubrious: 100gp/m
Extravagant: 200gp/m

Korvosan Guard salary, numbers, avg level
Soldier: 12gp - (food 6gp, common barracks 2gp, gear 1gp)=3gp/m (324) War-2
Corporal: 18gp - (food 6gp, shared barracks 4gp, gear 1gp)=7gp/m. Command 2-8 (216) War-3
Sergeant: 24gp - (food 6gp, private baracks 6gp, gear 1gp)=11gp/m. Command 4-12 (108) War-4
Master Sergeant: 36gp (food 9gp, private baracks 10gp, gear 1gp)=16gp/m Command 12-36 (36) War-5
Lieutenant: 36gp - (food 12gp, private barracks 10gp, gear 3gp)=11gp/m Command 12-36 (36) Ftr-3
Captain: 60gp - (food 12gp, private barracks 15gp, gear 6gp)=27gp/m Command 36-108 (12) Ftr-5
Major: 100gp - (food 18gp, private barracks 24gp, gear 8gp)=50gp/m Command 108-324 (4) Ftr-7
Field Marshall: 150gp ((food 18gp, private barracks 33gp, gear 9gp)=90gp/m Command 700+ (1) Ftr-9
Nominal Total: 737. Actual total in peacetime is usually a little under 700.

Abbreviated Guide to Korvosa

by GreenGrunt on PF Forums.

East Shore District

East Shore

E1. Theaumanexus College: Korvosa’s secondary magic school. Teaches wizardry basics.

1a. Geezlebottle Hall: Half of hall is constructed for human sized, other half is sized for gnomes and halflings. Professor Tepest Geezlebottle (male gnome wizard).

1b. Toryr Hall: 5 small classrooms.

1c. Verso Hall: Manor house. Administrative offices and 6 classrooms.

E2. Leftover’s: Only inn in the district. Has 12 two person rooms and 1 common room. Innkeeper: retired soldier Portenus Gaskelinni (male human fighter/expert).

E3. Horse Shop: Self explanatory. Sale prices are 1/10 lower than regular prices.

E4. Shoreline Drinkhall: Tavern. Owned and operated by House Endrin.

Gray District

Sepulcher Ward:

G1. Grand Cathedral of Pharasma: Barracks, temple, and keep. Bishopess Keppira d’Bear (female human cleric).

G2. Great Tomb of Leadership: Large crypt. Guarded by 2 marines and 2 soldiers.

Potter’s Ward: Low income burial sites.

*The Dead Warrens: covered in Pathfinder #7: Edge of Anarchy.

Everyman Ward: Average income burial sites.

Gold Ward: Wealthy burial sites

The Heights District

Citadel Crest Ward

The Acadamae:

A1. Hall of Summoning: School of Conjuration. 13 binding circles and 3 immense binding circles around the building.
A2. Hall of Seeing: School of Divination/Scrying and chambers.
A3. Ornelos Hall: Administrative offices. 3 interior binding circles. Headmaster Toff Ornelos (male human aristocrat/wizard).
A4. Hall of Induction: School of Evocation. 5 floors. A spiral staircase in the center.
A5. Hall of Wards: School of Abjuration. Site of the famous Breaching Festival.
A6. Hall of Lies: School of Illusion.
A7. Hall of Shaping: School of Transmutation.
A8. Hall of Charms: School of Enchantment.
A9. Hall of Whispers: School of Necromancy.

H1. Great Tower: 19 floors. A Vault system underneath. Main entrance on tower’s third floor, accessible via a bridge.
Bottom floor: Sable Company main armory.
Floors 2-6: Endrin Military Academy.
Floors 7-16: Barracks for 200 Sable Company marines.
Floors 17-19: Hippogriff aeries.

H2. Upslope House: Bed and breakfast. Has 10 rooms that can accommodate up to 22 people.

H3. The Frisky Unicorn: Bed and breakfast. Has 5 rooms that can accommodate up to 13 people. Psuedodragon nest in highest floor of turret tower.

H4. The Temple of Asmodeus: Altars at each point of star. Living quarters and administrative offices.

H5. Gilded Orrery: Sells books, texts, items, magical wares of arcane lore for the Acadamae. Also sells wares to House Ornelos and its agents. Gasta Waegra (female human expert).

H10. Tenna’s: Bed and breakfast. 4 rooms that can accommodate up to 11 guests.

*Lavender: Covered in Pathfinder #8: Seven Days to the Grave.

The University Ward:

H6. Jittery Quill: Coffehouse and alehouse.

H7. Jeggare Museum: Owned and operated by House Jeggare. Museum has several wings. Museum Curator Mercival Jeggare (male human aristocrat/bard/expert).

H8. University of Korvosa: Main campus consists of 5 major buildings. Three satellite buildings and 2 other buildings are in other wards.

a. Leroung Hall: Academic offices, classrooms and 210 seat auditorium.
b. Black Hall: Classrooms.
c. Jeggare Library: University private library.
d. Instructor Offices North: Hold ¾ of university staff.
e. Instructor Offices South: Staff offices, conference rooms and classrooms.

H9. The Wise Dragon Inn: Inn and attached restaurant.

The Cliffside Ward: Two Sable Company watchhouses are located on the cliffs.

H11. Marbledome: Owned by House Jeggare. Operahouse. Operahouse manager Touran Palastus (male human bard/expert).

H12. Kendall Amphitheater: Open air and stage performances. Games and contests are sometimes held. Kendall Vault- series of passages beneath.
Plaza of Scions: divides brick plaza and covered stage of amphitheater. Three tall statues.

H13. Crested Falcon: Very pricy restaurant.

H14. Temple of Sarenrae: Turreted temple.

H15. The Overlook: Tavern. Tavern owner Asa Hemrich.

Midland District

Slope Ward:
M1. Bookmaker: Korvosa’s largest bookstore. Proprietor of the store Costa Serminus (male half-elf expert/rogue).

*Zellara’s Home: Covered in Pathfinder #7 Edge of Anarchy.

*Trinia’s Flat: Covered in Pathfinder #7 Edge of Anarchy.

*Girrigz’s Den: Covered in Pathfinder #8: Seven Days to the Grave.

West Dock Ward:
M2. Bailer’s Retreat: Tavern. (marked as M12 on map)

*The Old Fishery: Covered in Pathfinder #7: Edge of Anarchy.

*Hospice of the Blessed Maiden: Covered in Pathfinder #8: Seven Days to the Grave.

Pillar Hill Ward:
M3. Gold Market: Korvosa’s largest market. Sell foodstuffs and handcrafted works. Vendor/hawker Sagitar Tiguan- rumoured minor magic item seller

M8. Pestico’s Dolls and Figurines: Makes children’s dolls. Owner Vadid Pestico (male human expert/wizard).

High Bridge Ward:
M4. Eodred’s Walk: 14 shops.
Aram’s Crown: Tavern
Basha’s: Small bookstore and map shop. Owner Basha (male human bard/rogue).
Doom and Gloom: Varisian woman Harrow reader.
Galloping Ghost: Sells tack and barding for riding animals, including hippogriffs. Owner Patch.
Gemshare Jewelers: Buyer/seller of jewels, also sells jewelry.
Hedge Wizardry: Small shop that sells alchemical and magical goods. Owner Phaeton Skota.
High Bridge Haberdashery: Tailor/clothes seller.
Kep’s: Fish seller (dolphin meat, jigshaw sharks, even reefclaw meat). Owner Kep.
Fair-Fished Baitshop: Self explanatory.
Pinking Shears: Barbershop. Owner Ol’ Hooktooth ½ orc barber.
Slicing Dicers: Sells swords, knives and daggers.
Smoked Foods: Seller of smoked foods. Meat and fish.
Time Stop: Clockworks and sales. Owner Goupie Capabopple (male gnome bard/expert).
Trapper’s Hole: Archery seller/bowyer. Does not sell crossbows. Owner Jope Chantsmo (human male expert/ranger).

M5. Citadel Volshyenek: Main garrison of the Korvosan Guard. Field Marshal Cressida Kroft (female human aristocrat/fighter).

M6. Creaky Hammock: Tavern/Inn. Has 4 small rooms. Innkeeper Destin Smish.

M7. Eodred’s Square: Square/landmark.
Temple of Cayden Cailean - friendly with Kaz Anders.

North Point District

Mainshore Ward:
N1. Laughing Waves Inn: Self explanatory.

N2. The Dock Trade: One of the smallest of Korvosa’s markets.

Northgate Ward:

N3. Whitecaps: Inn.

N4. Longacre Building: Trial and sentencing building. Executions are committed in Deathhead Vault beneath. Jail cells in vaults beneath as well.

N5. City Hall: Contains offices and ministries offices of city government.

N6. Bank of Abadar: Temple and Korvosa’s main bank. Rumors of Golden Vaults of Abadar below which contains Korvosan Mint. Archbanker Darb Tuttle (male half elf cleric).
*Note: Also covered in Pathfinder #8: Seven Days to the Grave.

N7. Three Rings Tavern: serves breakfast sweetbreads and pastries in addition to alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Owner Theandra Darklight (female human fighter/rogue). Theandra’s bodyguard Tauk Par (male human barbarian).

*All the World’s Meat: Covered in Pathfinder #7: Edge of Anarchy.

Five Corners Ward:
N8. Sanctuary of Shelyn: Smallest of independent temples.

Ridgefield Ward:
N9. Avenue of Arms: Bizarre landmark of stone arms, 127 of them.

N10. Posh and Turtle: High scale restaurant. Owner Thavium Rigulus (male human wizard).

Old Korvosa District

Fort Korvosa Ward:

O1. Palace Arkona: Manor of House Arkona.
NPCs: Lord Glorio Arkona
Melyia (Vimanda) Arkona
Vaultmaster Bahasaran, dungeon keeper

O2. Old City Hall: Self explanatory. Abandoned??

O3. Orsini Academy: Sword school. Vencarlo Orsini, teacher/owner (male human rogue/fighter/duelist)
*Note: Also covered in Pathfinder #8: Seven Days to the Grave. Map discrepancy.

O4. Endrin Military Academy: Barracks for Korvosan Guards and Sable Company marines of Fort Korvosa. Classrooms and sparring rings are located here as well. Multiple storied buildings.

Old Dock Ward:

O5. Reefclaw Run Market: Fresh seafood (Alikan Oysters, Jigsaw shark meat) and strange jetsam sold here.

O6. Sticky Mermaid: Tavern. Very rowdy.

O7. Jeggare’s Jug: (also known as Jeggy’s Jug) small pub.

O8. Copper-Beater Hall: Smiths for copper. Dozens of smithies employed. Very, very noisy.

O9. Eel’s End: 4 docked ships…
Goldenhawk: flophouse
Twin Tigers: gambling hall
House of Clouds: brothel
Dragon’s Breath: drug den
*Note: Also covered in Pathfinder #7: Edge of Anarchy. Map discrepancy.

O10. Exemplary Execrables: Gaudy, perverse and disgusting theater. Owner Pilts Swastel (male human bard).

Bridgefront Ward:

O11. Temple of Aroden: Trio of clerics located here.

O12. The Travelling Man: Small tavern.

O13. Hessim, Newby, and Sage Paint Manufactory: Shop that sells tiny jars and pots, brushes, canvases, and easels. Manufacture impressive array of paints.

Garrison Hill Ward:

O14. The Ironworks: One of the largest buildings in Old Korvosa. Factory type manufacture of wrought iron works.

*Racker’s Alley: Covered in Pathfinder #8:Seven Days to the Grave.

South Shore District:

S1. Orkatto’s Feathers and Fur: Exotic pet store (rainbow-plumed songbirds, snowdust badgers, emerald-back nightbelly boas, even dream spiders). Owned by elderly halfling.

S2: Green Market: Small, fully enclosed market selling food, clothing, commodities, jewelry and luxury items.

S3. Bard’s End: Korvosa’s largest inn; can hold up to 32 people comfortably in its 14 rooms. Inn normally has 64 guests. Small stage in the common room.

S4. Jade Circle: Teahouse for the nobility. Teas are from Osirion and Tian Xia. Sells wine in the evening.

S5. Pantheon of the Many: Octagonal white marbled shrines of 17 different deities. Gods Gorum, Lamashtu and Rovagug have no shrines. All shrines equally sized. Shrines watched by a pair of observers.

*Carowyn Manor: Covered in Pathfinder #8: Seven Days to the Grave.