All towns need a reputation for something, it is true. But perhaps the reputation of Talbot could have focused on its acclaimed University, or upon the trade that comes down the river, rather than upon its unfortunate gathering of thieves and criminals.
Talbot, nestled between the towns of Shallowport and Lodban, lies under the jurisdiction of the garrison at Fort Fenlock. A bustling trading hub and ferrytown, Talbot is perhaps best known for its prestigious University of Talbot, home to some of the most well-educated scholars in the kingdom. However, the town’s reputation has also been marred by its strong connection to thieves and smugglers, with the infamous Church of the Mask holding a quiet dominance over its streets.
The town sits in a bowl-like valley beside a wide, slow-moving river. At its heart lies an open square, where merchants peddle exotic goods on market days, held every second day. Amid the academic bustle of square-capped scholars, one may notice more cloaked figures and veiled faces than feels natural - a subtle reminder of Talbot’s shadowy side.
Talbot balances two identities - an academic haven of knowledge and a den of thieves. Visitors often find themselves caught between the town’s scholarly facade and its criminal reality. Some come for knowledge and learning; others for the opportunities found in the shadows.
Town Hall & Marketplace. The town hall stands in the centre of Talbot’s bustling marketplace. It serves as the mayor’s residence and houses town officials, the local guardhouse, and a modest chapel. On market days, carts and stalls overflow with wares both exotic and mundane, brought by river traders and local artisans alike.
The University of Talbot. Talbot’s greatest pride, the university is a renowned repository of non-magical knowledge, attracting scholars from across the kingdom. Entrance to the university is, however, tightly controlled; without an invitation from the dean, outsiders rarely set foot within its hallowed halls.
On Arrival to Talbot
"The town sits in a bowl-like valley, beside the wide, slow river, and at its centre is an open square. Carts and stalls hawk their goods, there are many strange and exotic goods, and more than a few square hats and refined expressions mark academics from the local university. Perhaps it is your imagination, but it seems strange to see so many people with their hoods raised, and their faces covered."
Coin, in Light and Shadow
Talbot's dual identity affects every part of its residents' lives. The traders on the riverbank must be aware of the unofficial tarrifs and taxes exacted by the thieves, the ferries moving passengers must either take significant precautions or aid the guild's activities, and businesses are often uncertain about whether the collectors or guards throughout the town are paid by the town or by the guild.
Only the University is unaffected, though even that claim is suspect in these dark times.
Ferry Dock. The river is Talbot’s lifeblood, connecting it to Shallowport and Lodban. Legitimate business thrives here, with ferries transporting goods and passengers up and down the river. Yet rumors persist that Talbot’s docks also serve darker purposes—smuggling contraband, forbidden goods, and occasionally even people.
The New Brewery Inn. Standing proudly on the ashes of its predecessor, the New Brewery Inn is the town’s most reputable establishment for travelers. Greta, the innkeeper, rebuilt it after her father’s refusal to pay dues to the thieves’ chapter resulted in the 'mysterious' fire that consumed the old Brewery Inn.
Greta is not just an innkeeper but a quiet power within Talbot’s community. Having survived the Church of the Mask’s retribution against her family, she is respected by locals and feared by those who remember her father’s fate. Greta keeps a strict neutrality in town matters, offering a rare haven where all factions agree to peace under her roof.
The Church of the Mask
The Church of the Mask holds more sway in Talbot than any legitimate power. To most, it operates as a charitable religious order, but behind closed doors, its influence runs deep into the veins of the city’s criminal underworld. Its members oversee the town’s smuggling operations, extortion rackets, and black-market dealings, often leaving the local guard either powerless or complicit.
Thieves’ Square. Hidden in the maze of Talbot’s alleys lies the notorious Thieves’ Square. Here, fences exchange stolen goods, beggars report to their guild leaders, and whispers of deals both dark and dangerous flow freely. Overseen by the Church of the Mask - a thieves’ network masquerading as a religious order - Thieves’ Square operates openly in Talbot’s underbelly, untouched by the local authorities.
In Talbot, all roads - and rivers - lead to opportunity, whether honest or otherwise. While scholars study by candlelight on the hill, the shadows of Thieves’ Square stretch far and wide, leaving visitors to decide which side of Talbot’s reputation they will encounter.