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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Quickleaf" data-source="post: 6355953" data-attributes="member: 20323">5: Viaduct of the Merchant PrincesViaduct of the Merchant Princes[sblock=art inspiration]<img src="http://lonehobbit.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/screenshot02607.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /><img src="http://kevinalbers.com/images/GameEnvironments/ShadowsOfMordor/khaz_bridge.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock]Only once one has begun exploring Strongale Hall, do they come to realize that many of the gilded arches they've passed under are actually carved thru a massive viaduct expanding above like a spiderweb. The Viaduct of the Merchant Princes is so named for the greatest of Vergadain's clerics who amassed trade empires in life; each Merchant Prince who died and was absorbed into the realm is remembered with a massive carved stone face guarding over the viaduct. When beseeched by a dwarf with a truly enterprising spirit or when consulted by the unworthy, these stone faces may animate to offer cryptic advice or warn of impending misfortune. In addition, the stone faces keep an eternal vigil over the Hall, and may animate to ask testing questions or riddles of suspicious passersby to ensure they belong in Dwarven Mountain. Those who fail to answer correctly will be assaulted by a thunderwave spell (Con save DC 17) emanating from the stone face of the Merchant Prince which also serves to alert dwarven einheriar of the intruders.Most dwarves and visitors, however, simply use the viaduct as a means for getting about the Hall when they don't want to wade thru crowds of drunken dwarves and pushy merchants. All stairs leaving up to the viaduct are watched over by dwarven hurndor who charge 10 gold pieces per head wishing to use the viaduct; this fee is assessed each and every time one traverses the viaduct, allegedly to keep it well maintained. Thus, thieves are rare on the viaduct, making it one of the safer areas for belt pouches visiting the Hall. Unfortunately, the viaduct only covers a third of the Hall, and beasts of burden are strictly forbidden; thus, merchants seeking to move bulk goods or travelers exploring the further reaches of the Hall can't rely on the viaduct to help them.While thieves may be rare, bards (and rhetoricians) are not. What the viaduct lacks in merchants pandering their wares and thieves pick pocketing the unwary, it makes up for in the sheer intensity of those public speakers and criers who engage in debate here. A common theme is for visitors of other planes to debate with the dwarves on the nature of trade; the Bytopians and Gehennans, when they visit the Hall, are among the most vociferous. Dwarven bards also announce major news, including upcoming Coin Festivals, and may be hired to sing panygerics or satires by patrons who can afford their fees. Messenger snakes are a common sight perched on the stone railings of the viaduct, listening enraptured to the wordsmiths, though half the time they are so well camouflaged against the stone a visitor will think he only imagined seeing one; visitors who have made offerings to Vergadain at the Golden Temple that day may send messages via the snakes as desired.</blockquote>

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