Page 102 - Serpent Kingdoms

REALMS

the backing of the church of Tiamat. Alanasker is the last of omnipresent threat of the yuan-ti. From time to time, the Whis-
his line, now that his only daughter and heir is missing. The pering Serpent manifests before a band of adventurers and asks
tradition of a civic deity is less strong in Ormpur than in the them to perform a dangerous task designed to counter the plots
cities to the south, but Tiamat is accorded that title in the City of the yuan-ti.
of Saffron thanks to her church’s backing of Helbaerim. Sheirlantar (Small City, 7,306): The Tomb City of Sheir-
Sammaresh (Large City, 21,912): The City of Dancing lantar lies on the western slopes of the Dun Hills, along the
Dolphins lies at the eastern end of the Dolphingulf, nestled road that runs from Sheirtalar to Kormul. Wealthy, upper-class
among three low hills that spill out into a wide, sandy beach. Lapaliiyans have always buried their favored dead in the hills
This community marks the western frontier of Lapaliiya, above Sheirlantar, and this region of the Dun Hills is now lit-
although the border technically extends to the foothills of tered with crypts dating back many centuries.
the Hazur Mountains. Sammaresh’s docks extend out nearly The civic deity of Sheirlantar was originally Myrkul,
a half-mile into the shallow bay, since only there is the draft but Kelemvor now fi lls that role. (The town elders never
deep enough to accommodate ships. Sammaresh’s economy is did acknowledge Cyric.) The Keeper of Crypts, traditionally
based on fi shing and the harvesting of emerald oysters, which a high-ranking priest of the god of the dead, rules the city,
produce brilliant green pearls (base value 500 gp) unlike those serving at the pleasure of Lapaliiya’s overking. Currently,
found anywhere else. that offi ce is held by Antara o’ Bones (LN female Shaaran
The civic deity of Sammaresh is Selûne, and its populace human cleric 5 of Kelemvor/Doomguide 4 [see Faiths and
makes regular pilgrimages to the Abbey of Tharynd, which lies Pantheons]).
just across the border in lands claimed by the Tashalar. Sheirtalar (Metropolis, 52,135): The Shining City by the
Sammaresh is ruled from the Mantimera Throne by Lady Sea sits at the head of Sheir Bay on the northern end of the
Ilnara Mremman (CG female Tashlutan human sorcerer 11/ much larger Talar Bay, which is located at the foot of the
archmage 1). Traditionally, a creature known as the Whisper- Sheir peninsula. The land slopes sharply down to meet the
Illustration by Ralph Horsley male couatl sorcerer 16 employing ethereal jaunt. This creature that most of the prominent buildings are domed and leafed in
ing Serpent acts as advisor to the ruler. Said to be the ghost
waters, allowing those arriving on ships to see almost all of
the city at once. The city’s apt nickname arises from the fact
of a fallen couatl, the Whispering Serpent is actually a LG
seeks to marshal the defenses of western Lapaliiya against the
silver and gold.

Sheirtalar

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