Varna is a small city and the largest settlement in the Eldeen Reaches. The center of operations for House Vadalis, it is the primary hub of commerce and communication that connects the Eldeen Reaches to Aundair and the other nations of Khorvaire.[1][5][2][3][4]
Geography[]
Situated on the border with Aundair, the city stands on the northeastern shore of Lake Galifar and the western bank of the mouth of the Wynarn River, with Orien trade roads linking it to Redleaf in the northeast and Cree in the west.[1][3][6][7]
Description[]
Varna is naturally built with an Aundairian architecture and style. The city features Vadalis-owned ranches and facilities for the breeding and training of dozens of different kinds of beasts.[1][3] It's commonly joked that the stables of Varna are nicer than the houses, and this isn't altogether false—the personal quarters of even the Vadalis patriarch are relatively modest.[1]
Notable Locations[]
The Foalswood estate in the hills outside Varna.
The estate of Foalswood is the headquarters of House Vadalis and the home to the patriarch, Dalin d'Vadalis.[8][3][9][10][5] being the biggest ranch and the ancestral seat of the house.[5][9][4] The estate lies just outside the city, sprawling over many acres of the rolling hills,[5][11][9][10] with an enclave at the heart of the city as well.[8][note 1] The Vadalis heirs and patriarch live at Foalswood but often conduct business in Varna.[5]
The Hunter's Grove is a massive temple to Balinor, the god of beasts and the hunt among the Sovereign Host and the patron deity of House Vadalis.[1]
Government[]
House Vadalis effectively controls the city.[1]
Trade[]
Varna is a center of trade in beasts, exotic creatures, and raw forest produce to Aundair and beyond, with much of it taking place at the Vadalis enclave within the city.[5][2] Merchants and farmers from all across the Eldeen Reaches come to sell their livestock and produce in this city and in turn buy finished products from other lands.[3][4] It is the place to go for a high-quality magebred warhorse or other animal or an exotic mount such as a pegasus[1] and almost all magebred animals in Khorvaire originate in Varna.[3] The majority of people in Varna either work for House Vadalis or make their living off of its trade, one way or another.[5]
In addition to the legal trade, however, Varna also has a flourishing black market dealing in animal products poached from the woods of the Eldeen Reaches, such as pelts of displacer beasts and horns of unicorns, as well as rare plants and rare animals taken by trappers.[1][3] The Wardens of the Wood punish anyone caught with such things[1] and the druids and House Vadalis work together to eliminate the problem of poaching.[2]
In addition to House Vadalis, the city has a representative, outpost, or enclave from each of the dragonmarked houses.[1][3][4] while they explore ways to expand further into the Eldeen Reaches.[3] In particular, House Cannith maintains a small outpost,[12] House Orien an enclave,[13] House Medani a small enclave,[14] and House Deneith an estate.[15]
History[]
The Sovereign Swords once arrived in Varna just as the Ashbound druids attacked, just in time to help defend the city.[16]
Notable Inhabitants[]
- Baron Dalin d'Vadalis, patriarch of House Vadalis
- Regine d'Vadalis, a Vadalis breedmaster
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ Sources differ on the exact location of Foalswood with respect to Varna. The 3.5-edition Eberron Campaign Setting p. 239 says "an enclave in the heart of the city of Varna" (name not yet given), while Dragonmarked p. 93 refers to both "an enclave within the city" and describes Foalswood as being spread around it. The 4th-edition Eberron Player's Guide p. 158 and Eberron Campaign Guide p. 235 say "just outside of Varna" and "near the city of Varna". Thus, there appears to be a primary estate and ranch outside and a smaller business enclave inside or several separate facilities distributed in and around the city.
Appearances[]
Novels & Short Stories
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 173–174. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 David Noonan, Ari Marmell, and Robert J. Schwalb (2009). Eberron Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 138. ISBN 0-7869-5100-1.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 132, 133, 135. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Keith Baker, Jeremy Crawford, & James Wyatt (2019). Eberron: Rising from the Last War. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 116. ISBN 0786966890.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Keith Baker, Ari Marmell, Michelle Lyons and C.A. Suleiman (2006). Dragonmarked. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 92–93. ISBN 0-7869-3933-8.
- ↑ Map included in James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Jeremy Crawford, & James Wyatt (2019). Eberron: Rising from the Last War: Map of Khorvaire. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0786966890.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 239. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 235. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Keith Baker, Jeremy Crawford, & James Wyatt (2019). Eberron: Rising from the Last War. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 42. ISBN 0786966890.
- ↑ David Noonan, Ari Marmell, and Robert J. Schwalb (2009). Eberron Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 158. ISBN 0-7869-5100-1.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Ari Marmell, Michelle Lyons and C.A. Suleiman (2006). Dragonmarked. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 23. ISBN 0-7869-3933-8.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Ari Marmell, Michelle Lyons and C.A. Suleiman (2006). Dragonmarked. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 57. ISBN 0-7869-3933-8.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Ari Marmell, Michelle Lyons and C.A. Suleiman (2006). Dragonmarked. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 57. ISBN 0-7869-3933-8.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Ari Marmell, Michelle Lyons and C.A. Suleiman (2006). Dragonmarked. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 28. ISBN 0-7869-3933-8.
- ↑ Keith Baker (June 2012). “Eye on Eberron: The Sovereign Swords” (PDF). In Ray Vallese ed. Dragon #412 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 42.