City Image - Gaslight

Gaslight is a city-state of the Byzant Empire. Nestled among the hills, it was once a simple trading post between the horse breeders on the vast plains, and several small Dwarven Kingdoms-in-exile (moved to escape Hobgoblin persecution in what is now the Kingdom of Formour). Gaslight is now well known for the feature that earned its name: the multitide of gas-fed street lanterns. While surveying the area for mineral resources, the Dwarves had discovered a pocket of dangerous and highly flamable gas directly underneath what is now a growing city. Knowing that the pocket would be safe for millions of years, barring an unfortunate and severe seismic incident, the Dwarves were unconcerned. That is, until the growing population meant that the Humans needed to drill deeper for water...

The tapping of this pocket could have been potentially disastrous. Not only is the gas highly flamable, but it forces breathable air aside. Fortunately for the inhabitants, the one who breeched this bubble of hazzard, was one Akaviah Surtsblood, a Dwarven technomancer. Surtsblood's idea was simply to create a controlled burn, possibly connected to a new forge for himself. It was a Human alchemist of Surtsblood's acquaintance, Malchia of Al Biqa', who suggested using the gas for a lantern (Al Biqa''s original idea was only for Surtsblood's home & workshop, with a very large lamp above). Al Biqa' proved invaluable in helping Surtsblood in gaging the exact fuel-air mixtures needed for maximum light & safety, with minimum smoke & soot. Akaviah Surtsblood's workshop still stands; its thick iron domed walls containing the redundant pressure regulators that prevent disaster, and pipe the gas to the various lampposts throughout the city.

Disasters of the past have occurred. Some of the older buildings still bear black marks from the last incident involving rampaging flaming destruction. The citizens of Gaslight are now quite content with the series of safety measures in place currently. While it is illegal to tamper with the lanterns, some citizens emplaced coloured lenses over the clear glass to give streets or neighbourhoods a distinct tint in the light. In some lesser areas of the city, those homeless or otherwise very poor huddle around the green-painted poles, trying to cook from the heat rising from the shielded tops.

The lamps are lit day and night, and are tended to by the lamp guild, on exclusive contract to the city-state's government. Their job is to ensure that no leaks, blowouts, or pressure irregularities occur. Since the multiple redundancies and guild have been emplaced, there has not been any incidents. However, the inhabitants still do not build wooden structures. Even street vendors are likely to be seen in a stone or tile hut, or none at all. The citizens of Gaslight are a pragmatic folk, while they feel safe—and love the lights—they feel that having wooden roofs & walls are only inviting disaster.