Gostan City

Biodata

Background / History

Gostan City grew into the principal trade hub of the Lamir region. The local branch of the Norm family established itself there after its ancestors were exiled from the Central Continent for smuggling; the family's northern and Gostan branches remain separate businesses 15.

Historical records held by the Grand Library connect the city to an unnamed sage of the Unified Empire. The sage served at the imperial court, returned to Gostan City, and was later exiled by nobles amid rumors that he had dealings with demons 33.

Two years before the battle for the city, a ground collapse exposed the sealed labyrinth later called the Inverted Land. City authorities had not conquered it and knew little of its interior, eventually suspending all dungeon raids due to the danger 20 33.

Cityscape and Facilities

Security and Defenses

• Following an unidentified attack and an attempted theft of the city's defense plans, the City Lord sealed the gates. Entrants and departing travelers were required to present identification, submit to questioning, and have their luggage inspected 18.
• The guards refused entry even when a merchant offered to vouch for Shane and Frieren and provide a security deposit, demonstrating the severity of the lockdown 19.
• City Hall uses Magic of Identifying Demon-kin to detect demons disguised as humans. The magic is installed at important sites because demons can conceal their horns with clothing or magic 21.
• City Hall is defended by numerous golem puppets. Three activated to surround Brugge after his conduct became threatening, while additional miniature golems were stationed on the hall's pillars 21.
• During the demon assault, disguised demons caused explosions across the city to scatter guards and draw defenders away from the Inverted Land 31.

Major Events

Beryl's Manuscripts

Shane and Frieren delivered Monk Beryl's research on the Goddess Barrier to City Hall. The manuscripts were to be verified by the Magic Association so that Beryl's work could be studied and used more broadly; City Hall rewarded the pair for the delivery 18 21.

Demon Assault and Solitar's Incursion

Demons attacked Gostan City while Shane and Frieren were away on a patrol mission. The pair returned after spotting explosions and magical beasts flying toward the city 31.

At the Inverted Land site, they found a collapsed pit sealed by a barrier and guarded by Solitar. She used her battle with Frieren to weaken the barrier, seeking something left within the labyrinth by Corrupt Sage Qual 32 33. General Glucks later thanked Shane and Frieren for defending the city, though Solitar escaped 33.

Clearing the Inverted Land

With support and supplies from City Hall and the Adventurer Guild, Shane and Frieren entered the Inverted Land. The dungeon replicated Gostan City in reverse: it was nighttime inside while the real city outside was in daylight, and its streets contained no residents 34.

After defeating nine puppet replicas of Qual, the mirrored city disintegrated and exposed Mad Sage Charles' cave and laboratory beneath it 35 36. Shane recovered City Hall insignias from the remains of fallen soldiers, which General Glucks received with gratitude after the labyrinth was cleared 36.

Relationships

• General Glucks — A city-defending general who oversees the response to attacks and expresses gratitude to Shane and Frieren for protecting Gostan City and clearing the Inverted Land 18 33 36.
• City Hall — Gostan City's central administrative institution; manages security, receives important research, and maintains golem defenses 21.
• Norm Chamber of Commerce — The Gostan branch of the Norm family is rooted in the city and operates local inns and restaurants 15.
• Solitar and the Demon Race — Demons targeted the city and its sealed labyrinth in pursuit of an object connected to Corrupt Sage Qual 31 33.
• Inverted Land — A sealed labyrinth beneath or connected to the city, whose interior manifested as a mirror image of Gostan City 33 34.

Trivia

• The Grand Library's grimoire collection was valuable enough for City Hall to offer Shane an unlimited-use half-price coupon as a reward 22.
• The Inverted Land's false Gostan City shattered after the nine Qual replicas were defeated; the real city was not destroyed 35 36.