There are few dangers for most adventurers in the southern quarter, otherwise known as "New Qeynos." Adventurers who have earned the disdain of the southern guardsmen are advised to avoid the patrol routes along the main roads, lest they find their fate at the end of a Qeynos blade.

Many young adventurers learn to master the basic fundamentals of their professions in Qeynos. The guilds of the southern quarter can proudly claim numerous heroes and scholars of worldly renown among their countless graduates.

Background

The free city of Qeynos controls most of the plains to the west of the Serpent's Spine. The city is ruled by the firm yet just hand of Antonius Bayle IV. Qeynos represents the pinnacle of human achievement and is a haven from the fierce wilderness of Norrath. Bayle is a well-liked and respected leader, but the seeds of corruption are being sown by the Circle of the Unseen Hand and their allies in the city guard.

Qeynos is set atop small cliffs that run along the coastline to the west. Due to their composition of eroding sandstone and rock, climbing them is virtually impossible. The cliffs act as a natural barrier, making Qeynos impenetrable to attacks from the west or from the ocean. At a low point in the cliffs, the people of Qeynos have built a great pier, protected in a harbor naturally formed from the stone and a bend in the coastline.

The ocean here is a deep, dark blue. The waters are usually fairly calm, although waves crash roughly against the cliff base. Many ships come and go daily from Qeynos' harbor. These include naval, fishing, trading, and transport vessels from Erudin. Adventurers and tradesmen will often be seen at the docks, awaiting one of the two vessels that travel between the two coastal cities through the oceanic pass known as Erud's Crossing.

Southern Qeynos is also home to several halls of training for young pupils of all pursuits. Among them is the Hall of Steel. This is a large, light gray stone building, decorated with banners of the guild's symbols and colors. The Hall of Steel is located next to the Grounds of Fate, the free arena of the city. Ebon Strongbear, the guildmaster for the Steel Warriors of Qeynos and Earron Huntlan are now known as local heroes. They and a few others led the city's militia to victory against the Sabertooths, a small gnoll tribe that lives in the nearby den of Blackburrow.

The Wind Spirit's Song is the bard's guild of Qeynos. The guild is a plain, two room wooden building, with a small sign out front proclaiming "Belious' Fine Lyres." The front room here has a small practice stage with a few wooden crates and chairs seated around it. Along the back wall there is an old wooden display case which holds some of Belious' finely crafted instruments. Beyond a door on the side wall, is a smaller room, which is Belious' workshop and bedroom. Belious used to work as one of the King's private entertainers, but now he confers his time-earned wisdom and skills on to others, confining his performances to shows at the local tavern. His financial resources are meager, but he is quite content with his lot.

The arcane masters reside in the beautiful and colorful Hall of Sorcery, while the secret society, Circle of Unseen Hands, is hidden in a passageway rumored to run from the Crow's Pub and Casino.