Bell's View
Bell's View spreads outward from its city center, the Final Knight Citadel of Offrut, a day's travel south of Gateway. The limited laneways into and out of the city by land make it easily defensible, which is fortunate given that the settlement is a chaotic pit of excess, violence, and crime where only the adaptable survive. No separation exists between faith and political control; the Final Knights and a particularly depraved and ruthless order of the Light of Hedon rule jointly, and the streets reflect both masters.
There is no organized policing. The streets are filled with whatever excess the current day provides, and the current day always provides something. Merchants and thugs who thrive in the chaos can fight and steal their way to power, provided they cooperate with the religious leaders. Bell's View is a popular stopover for Rovers who prefer its dangers to Gateway's oppressive regime, and for members of non-Nuclear Family faiths who can temporarily hide their devotion while resupplying. Safer than Gateway for those who do not follow the Nuclear Family, if you can survive the chaos.
The Marked of De Sade, a Remnant Light of Hedon sect, oversees production of all vice materials. Addictive brews including Red Mist, Mother's Milk, Fame, and Understanding flow from their workshops. Potent low-quality intoxicants are produced from local wild plants and sold in bulk to north and south bound caravans. Every caravan that stops in Bell's View leaves with cheap intoxicants to water down and resell across the wastes.
There is no organized policing. The streets are filled with whatever excess the current day provides, and the current day always provides something. Merchants and thugs who thrive in the chaos can fight and steal their way to power, provided they cooperate with the religious leaders. Bell's View is a popular stopover for Rovers who prefer its dangers to Gateway's oppressive regime, and for members of non-Nuclear Family faiths who can temporarily hide their devotion while resupplying. Safer than Gateway for those who do not follow the Nuclear Family, if you can survive the chaos.
The Marked of De Sade, a Remnant Light of Hedon sect, oversees production of all vice materials. Addictive brews including Red Mist, Mother's Milk, Fame, and Understanding flow from their workshops. Potent low-quality intoxicants are produced from local wild plants and sold in bulk to north and south bound caravans. Every caravan that stops in Bell's View leaves with cheap intoxicants to water down and resell across the wastes.
History
Bell's View grew outward from the Final Knight Citadel of Offrut, which served as both the religious center and the first permanent structure in the area. The Harvesters, a sect within the Final Knights, believe the Citadel holds records of the thirty-three locations where the undead plague originated. The settlement developed around the Citadel as travelers and faithful alike gathered near its walls, and the Light of Hedon established a presence that quickly grew to match the Knights' own authority. The resulting joint theocracy, with neither faction willing to yield control to the other, produced the chaotic ungoverned culture that defines Bell's View today.
Geography
Bell's View is located one day's travel south of Gateway in Mountaina. The settlement spreads outward from the Final Knight Citadel of Offrut at its center. Limited laneways into and out of the city by land make it easily defensible. Smaller than Gateway due to waterway restrictions and terrain-limited resources.
