Jowchit, Holy City of The Grommam

Here is (hopefully) final version submitted for inclusion in the Grommspace
Sphere Guide. Comments welcome.

*Jowchit, Holy City of the Grommam*

*Who Rules:* Stonn, Kongaro (God King) of Jowchit (LG Grom Cleric 21, Demi
God Divine Rank 3) Much of his energy is focused on raising Chatka, the
child king (see npcs below)
*Who Really Rules: *The Council (Gromam High Priests, Hadozee druids, and
Bards of both races all 12th lvl and higher)**

*Population*: 18,000 (70% Gromam, 20% Hadozee, 3% Elves, 7% other races)
*Major Products:*

   - Textiles- Grommam weaving is both soft and durable being made
   predominantly from silk like plant fibers found in the rain forest. They are
   usually brightly colored and patterned.
   - Woods- a huge variety of exotic hardwoods are available from the
   rain forest surrounding the city.

*Armed Forces:* It is only since spelljamming contact that there are any
standing forces amongst the Grommam. In the present day Stonn keeps a
standing militia against the threat of slavers and scro forces.  The
majority of these forces are drawn from the populace, having only limited
training being predominantly commoners. A notable exception is the XXX, a
small and elite group of Grommam paladins who report directly to the High
Council. (average level 3-7)

*Notable Mages:*

Gwydion ap Kierin (h wiz 12)

Originally from the Moonshae Isles of Toril (Realmspace), Gwydion wandered
the spaceways for decades before settling down in Jowchit to end his years
in peace and beauty. He lives in a palatial residence in the Middle City and
is a favorite among the natives due to his cheerful attitude and generous
nature. Often he can be found using cantrips and minor spells to put on
shows for the local Grommish children. He is slow to anger but can be quite
formidable if anything threatens his adopted city or its people. He collects
spores, mold and fungi.



*Notable Churches:*

*The Temple of Kong Rex, Temple City*- This stone and ironwood building
consumes the center of the Temple City (30% of the total area).  The
priesthood of Kong lives, performs religious services, and administers the
rule of Jowchit from within its walls. In the main Temple at the center of
the complex resides The Flame of Kinruul, an eternally burning flame gifted
by Kong to his people, symbolizes the light of intellect and warmth of
compassion with which Kong graced his people at the beginning of their
history.

*The Shrine of Umbala*, *Root** Town-* this religious site takes the form of
a large pool at the base of the main waterfall with two forty foot tall
statues on either side of it, one of an oak tree and one of Kong Rex the
Grommish deity. Every evening, just before twilight, two rays of purest
sunlight pierce the canopy above and light the statues with a glowing
radiance. Legend has it that the truly deserving are sometimes gifted with
healing and insight if they drink of the pool's water while the statues
glow.

*Notable Rogues' and Thieves' Guilds:*

None known

*Equipment Shops*:

*The Grommam Market, Temple City- An amazing array of items (predominantly
carved from the local hardwoods) are available here. Locally grown
foodstuffs, art objects, weapons, and much more can be found in the stalls
that fill the district's main plaza. This is also the area where licensed
spelljammer merchants are allowed to set up while in port. There are usually
at least one or two stalls operated the elven trading house known as the
Sindath Line at any given time.  It is said that there is no place in the
known spheres where one can find such an array of brilliantly handcrafted
exotic hardwoods. *

*The Hadozee Market, Middle City- A dizzying array of branches that extend
away from the settled area, the Hadozee Market is comprised of numerous
individuals selling everything from herbal remedies to stone and wooden
weapons. There are no formal stalls as such, each Hadozee staking out a spot
on one of the branches and displaying his wars on a brightly colored
blanket. Out of respect for their cousins the grommam they keep the market,
with its constant shouting, profanity, and boisterousness on the outskirts
of the Middle City. *

*Inns & Taverns:*

Kong's Goblet

The Sheltering Trees

Starchaser's Rest

*Important Characters:*

*Stonn, Kongaro of Jowchit* (LG Grom Cleric 21, Demi God Divine Rank 3)

Wise and gentle by nature Stonn is viewed as the ideal to which all Grommam
should aspire. The majority of his time is taken up with raising and
instructing Chatka, the god-child, and he leaves the day to day
administration of the city to the High Council. Only those of great power
and fame are usually able to gain an audience with him (i.e. 12th lvl and
above).  He has ruled here for over 4,000 years.

* *

*Hiril (Lord) Elrohir* (elf wiz 6 ftr 4)-

EIN void elf commanding the Emerald Class Man 'O War *Sword of
Arvandor*.  Elrohir
is far less haughty than most void elves, and actually enjoys socializing
with other races. It is sometimes speculated, although not within his
earshot, that is was this trait that got him posted here. Many times the *Sword
of Arvandor* is the only EIN ship in the sphere, a situation that leaves him
with much autonomy. Oddly enough his closet companion is not an elf but
rather Chewbev, leader of the hadozee Oathpack that comprises half his crew.




*Chatka* (Grom- Psion 2 wiz 2 Divine Rank 1)

Chatka is the first Grommish demigod to be born offworld.  Recently returned
to Gaya through the efforts of the hadozee Priestess Kaolin of Celestian ,
he is now growing into his power rapidly despite being only seven years old.
Stonn is his constant companion and instuctor as he learns what it is to be
a demigod.



*Chewbev* (hadozee ftr 7)

Leader of the Oathpack assigned to EIN duties. He is Elrohir's right hand.
Chewbev is atypical for a hadozee in that he is always shows precise
decorum, even when elves are not present. He only allows himself to curse
and scream when he knows that no races other than his own are around.
Chewbev loves his posting and his duty, and is surprisingly lawful for one
of his race.



*Hookada, Voice of the* Canopy (hadozee dr 9, rog 2)

This wizened hadozee is the most influential of his race on the High
Council. The others defer to him and take their lead in voting matters from
him as well. In his younger days he was a petty thief until he had a
mystical experience , whose nature he does not divulge, while deep in the
wilds.



*Urso* (Grommam Exp 6)

A comparative rarity amongst his people, Urso has no love for elves. He sees
them as being responsible for the death of his son who died adventuring in
Wildspace. Without their inspiration, he believes, his son would never have
left the safety of Jowchit.  He is quick to vocalize his views to any around
him and is viewed as an unstable radical by other members of his community.
Urso is also a complete pacifist and will never use violence unless his life
or the lives of hs loved ones is in danger.


*Important Features in Town:*

The city is arrayed in three districts- the stone and wood edifices of the
Temple City on top of the cliff, the Middle City built into and around the
trunks of the giant trees just off its edge and vertically along their
lengths, and the agricultural Root Town around their bases. There are
numerous mushroom farms and other cultivation amongst the roots.



*Temple City***

The temple city is a sprawling complex of wood and stone edifices (treat
wood hardness as stone in all structures) painted in bright colors and
festooned with flowers and feathers. The center is a massive temple to Kong
Rex, the overgod of the Grommam, with smaller chapels dedicated to the
demigods which rule each city arrayed in a spiral around it.

* *

*Places of Note:*

*Spelljammer** Port-* The port itself consists of a flat field at the city's
edge at the edge of the of the river. There are a few small buildings and
warehouses and limited dry dock facilities.  It is here that clerics of Kong
perform customs inspections when deemed necessary.

*Sky Street-* This wide avenue runs from the Port to the central temple
complex and is lined with permanent outposts from a variety of spelljamming
groups. The Elven Fleet maintains offices here as do the Sindiath Line,
House Seven Stars of the Rock of Bral, and the XXX Trade Cartel.

*The Way-* The Way is the name for the complex of hanging bridges that joins
the Temple City to the Middle City. It is composed of seven bridges, each
one wide enough for ten to walk abreast.



*Middle** City***

* *

The Middle City can be quite unnerving to some, as it is built into the
branches of several enormous trees. The treetops are even with the top of
the cliff upon which rests the Temple City (750' up) making it an easy
transition from one district to the next using The Way. The branches and
trunk are replete with grommam homes and businesses. These extend to the
base of the trunks where Root Town begins.



*Places of note:*

*Nomads Quarter-* The Nomads Quarter is, for the most part free of buildings
for it is the area where the various packs of hadozee live and do business.
(chances of meeting up with a particular group are usually 2 in 6, however
there is a 4 in 6 chance of getting word on their location through one of
the other packs currently in residence) Nomadic by nature the hadozee are
quite comfortable with this arrangement and take pride in the fact that
their "neighborhood," is completely pristine and natural.  The Nomad's
Quarter is divided into three areas:

*Dimto Courts* – Dimto is a Hadozee sport vaguely akin to a variety of
soccer, but involving multilevel play in which gliding is needed to
participate. These areas lie on the south side of Middle City and usually
sport numerous onlookers betting on the proceedings. Occasionally an
adventurous wizard will use a fly spell to join in the game.

*Hadozee Campgrounds*- Between the Market and the Dimto courts stretch the
campground used by the nomadic hadozee while visiting Jowchit. The smoke of
cookfires, the sound of constant animated conversation, and the sight of
hundred of hadozee hammocks makes this area hard to miss.

*Residential areas-* Like any city there are a variety of neighborhoods.
This particular part of the triune city is home to the vast majority of
residential housing. Many of the residences seem to have been grown from the
substance of the trees themselves (which they have been by Grommam druids
over the centuries). They are usually decorated in bright colors and sport
numerous windows where there is access to natural light.  Smaller businesses
that cater to the local population, including a wide variety of shops,
restaurants, and bars, are clustered onto individual branches within each of
the neighborhoods. Typical neighborhood names are StrongBranch, Brightleaf,
TrueBark, etc.





*Root** Town***

Root Town is the third section of the city. It comprises the ground level at
the base of the trees that support the Middle City. Here is little to no
residential area here as it is primarily devoted to farming. Much of the
city's waste is brought down here where it serves as mulch for the
tashrooms.

*Places of Note:*

*The Tashroom Farms*- the areas in deepest shadow at the base of each tree
are where the delicacy known as the Tashroom is farmed. These 6-10' diameter
mushrooms fill the niche of steaks in more carnivorous cultures, and seem
more meaty than fungus like when properly prepared.




*Description:*

Jowchit is the oldest Grommish city on Gaya, reputed by legend to have been
founded by Kong himself over 3,000 years ago.  It is a major pilgrimage
destination amongst the divinely inspired amongst the Grommam as well as
being the largest spelljamming port on the planet. (Due to its status and
importance the Elven Navy keeps a small contingent here in the city even if
their ships have been pulled from the sphere for other duties)



Jowchit is ruled by the DemiGod Stonn and a council of High Priests, Hadozee
druids, and Bards.



*Local Lore:*

   - For much of the history of Gaya there was discrimination against the
   hadozee amongst the Gromam. It was in Jowchit that this first became frowned
   upon. In the early years of the city, when Kong still occasionally appeared,
   Stonn made it known that this was frowned on by the Gods. The Edict of
   Brotherhood declared that while different the hadozee were equals, and thus
   deserving of respect. It gave them the same rights as Grommam and provided
   them with a voice on the High Council. Still, there are those Grommam who
   continue to view the hadozee as primitive and unworthy of respect. They
   rarely endorse these views in public for fear of censure.
   - Twenty five hundred years ago the rainforests surrounding the city
   became engulfed by a titanic forest fire which would have destroyed Jowchit
   were it not for Stonn. The God King strode out into the green and held back
   the flames with his divine might. For one long month he stretched his
   abilities to the utmost to protect his people, returning exhausted at the
   end to sleep for the next two moons.
   - It is considered an evil men when a Grommam child is born with black
   and silver fur. It is commonly assumed that the child will grow up to be
   evil. One example given frequently in support of this is the legend of Uldo,
   a grommam necromancer who was put down by the God Kings almost fifteen
   hundred years ago. Ulod and his undead are a story used to frighten children
   to this day.



-- 
George "Loki" Williams, writing and other abberrations

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