A visual representation of what Elderhearth might look like (it is surrounded by a much more jolly landscape, with green grasslands, forests, rivers and a bright blue sky)
Elderhearth
Elderhearth is a megalopolis that sprawls across hundreds of kilometers. It is built into a mountain, across Seven Levels.
It has an ancient history, which you can read here.
I will tell you about the Citadel of Magic as it is now.
Firstly, Elderhearth is such a huge structure that it currently houses around 15 million people within its walls. And it is as tall as Mount Stonespike, the mountain into which it is built - which makes it around 5 kilometers tall.
The structure is so unique that the City of Elderhearth, if it could be spread out across the ground would easily be as large as a small kingdom. But Elderhearth isn't just the City of Elderhearth. It has many smaller towns around it, taking up a small portion of Pelaraam (the Continent which it is located on), as well as a smaller version (built like that on purpose) of Elderhearth, named Elderport - which is a port city where Elderhearth's navy is located, as well as the hub of sea trading and exploration.
Elderhearth uses the farming fields around it as food income, seeing as the lands around Mount Stonespike are very fertile. The kingdom itself relies very little on food trading, but other goods such as Crystallum ore from the Siewersk Federation, or metals and wood from Sredinah or Perrunia are regularly traded.
Elderhearth's greatest export is - magic.
It is peerless in the amount of expert mages who train, study and live inside the Citadel of Magic, as well as the central hub of the greatest Mage Order - The Librarian Order - in the World being located within the walls of Elderhearth.
But magic isn't just about adept and skillful mages. It is also about new technological advancements made in the field of Magical Engineering, Magical Security, Magical Science, Crystal Study and many more things that are closely related to magic.
If there is something you want and it has something to do with magic - then Elderhearth is your best option. True, it is a bit expensive at times (depending on the service, for example Bank Security is an expensive ordeal, but once the Librarian Security Officers install their Crystal Seal Systems in your bank, then you are 100% sure that the money inside is safe).
Elderhearth has another unique trait, related to the role it plays in the Continent of Pelaraam as a whole, and that is that Elderhearth is considered a Neutral Ground. Within the Noble Level (the 6th Level, second highest level) there is a massive, domed structure called the Council Hall where each year - a Council of Pelaraam Leaders is gathered. Every person who holds some power over the countries within Pelaraam come together and discuss a way forward, discuss peace talks should there be a war situation at hand, discuss trading terms and other important things regarding the matters on the Continent, with Emperor Uther Dawnbringer as the Head of the Council, who is the current Emperor of Elderhearth.
The Council Hall is the place where wars are started and wars are ended, among many other things.
Not only that, but Elderhearth has a neutral military force of sizable might that acts as a Peacekeeping Force, should deals made go sideways.
A treaty was signed at the end of the First Pelaraam War, where Elderhearth was put in charge of the Peacekeeping. Of course, for the sake of politics and keeping everyone happy, Elderhearth closes its eyes to some small scale conflicts or internal battles - in short, they don't meddle where they know they aren't wanted. But should that conflict turn into something that could threaten the stability of Pelaraam as a whole, then the Peacekeepers are deployed and the matter gets resolved quickly.
Archmage Jack Waylander, the current Head of the Librarian Order and acting adviser to Emperor Uther has made important deals with other countries concerning mages. If there is a young mage discovered in any of the countries, they are sent to The Librarian Halls (or called the Mage College inside Elderhearth) where they are taught about their powers and are enlisted in the Librarian order. Upon the completion of their education and training, the mages are sent back to their home countries, where they live and work as professional mages in various fields - ranging from administrative to military - but also act as the eyes and ears of the Librarian Order, thus giving Elderhearth access to massive amounts of information that can be and is used in the meetings of the Pelaraam Council.
In return for training their mages for free, Elderhearth sends their own people to study other things in other countries, such as the Military Schools of Sredinah Empire, the Schools of Finance in the Selman Sultanate, the Engineer Schools of the Siewersk Federation, etc.
It is a synergic relationship built on mutual trading of knowledge, which has been functioning well for decades.
Another very important element of Elderhearth, and it is safe to say the most important role of Elderhearth in the Continent as a whole, and the thing that makes the Citadel of Magic a place of unfathomable political power is that it controls the Crystal Trade in Pelaraam.
Crystals are expensive resources. They are mined on the Island of Qrusthal which is a massive island that is essentially made out of Crystal. The special thing about these Crystals, is that they are basically the power banks of magical power (otherwise known as Ruhric Energy). These Crystals (from smallest to largest) are catalysts of magical energy given physical form. They are used to power every single piece of technology in Pelaraam, as well as the rest of the World of Ardum. And not just technology, but they are mage "batteries", or wells of power that mages can draw upon, significantly increasing their powers. But Crystals and their various uses and implications are a topic for another time. The most important takeaway from this is that Crystals are expensive and powerful resources that are mined by Elderhearth Crystal Miners, as well as the processing of many Crystals being handled by Elderhearth-owned factories.
Crystals are the beating hearts of Pelaraam technology, and Elderhearth controls the distribution of those hearts, essentially controlling the source of energy upon which all of the countries rely on.
Now, that you've gotten a solid grasp on how Elderhearth works politically and industrially; we can move on to the actual City itself, and its Levels.
The First Level, The City of Common First
During the reign of Emperor Aggron, the only ground level of Elderhearth was a horrible place. Due to his rampant racism and ignorance, the majority of the Osakyoan people who were living in Elderhearth were forced in the First Level, that was aptly named "The Ghetto Level" during that time. It was the largest living space of Elderhearth, where people were living in poverty and suffering. This wasn't the case for the entire Level, since the Outer Ring of the First Level was closest to the Ground Walls of Elderhearth, that is where many of the farmers and other workers lived as well. The Ghetto part became so prevalent during Aggron's reign, that everyone started calling the First Level as Ghetto. Inside that boiling pot of poverty, Elderhearth's Underworld found its home. Major gangs such as the Masked Ones, the Crushers, the Raging Lions and the Agonizers took control of their respective districts, as well as smaller gangs gaining traction.
After the ascension of Emperor Uther to the Throne of Elderhearth, that was changed. The Osakyoan people were reinstated as official citizens of Elderhearth, and as an apology, were offered places to stay in the higher levels, which their leaders politely refused, saying that they wished to remain in the First Level, but wanting Uther's help to rebuild and reorganize - which was gladly accepted. The First Level got financial aid, and much work was put in to fix the damages done by Aggron's ignorance, and at the end of the construction, it was named as the City of Common First.
The gangs however, weren't disbanded. They have signed a treaty with Elderhearth's Head of Security (Spymaster), High Lord Ephraim Gray, stating that they will be allowed to practice their activities since each and every large city, kingdom and empire has and will always have a thriving Underground, but in return - they will keep Ephraim well fed with information, often working for his Office as spies and informants and whatnot. Basically, the Gangs of Elderhearth became government-approved businesses.
In the City of Common First, many Osakyoans have their artisan shops, live their lives with their families, and live undisturbed lives, enjoying a rehabilitated City that does not even resemble the Ghetto it once was. The First Level of Elderhearth is the cheapest place to live, and it's where most of the factory workers and physical workers live.
The Second and Third Level, The Cities of Common Second and Third
The Second and Third Level are essentially the same, with the Third Level having a bit more financial power over the first two levels. In these Common Levels, you can find anything and everything ranging from poor neighborhoods to rich and lavish villas and massive temples.
The Common Levels are homes to most of Elderhearth's military, and Guardsmen, as well as other people who work in administration, education, and other more common citizen roles.
It is home to Elderhearth University, the third largest educational institution of Pelaraam, that has a prestigious diploma. It is so good that even some nobles from the Noble Level come to study there. And not just from the Noble Level, but members of High Society from other countries, as well as regular people who wish to receive education of an enviable level.
The two levels are considerably smaller than the First Level, but their scale isn't in any way minimized because of that. They are very important for Elderhearth as a whole, since the Second and Third Levels house most of Elderhearth's factories and industrial production mills, engineering guilds and construction guilds. It is a home to the common man, the lower and middle class. It is also the place from which the current Emperor of Elderhearth originated from; it is Uther's home. And as much as it is his home, it is home to his brothers; the Archmage Jack Waylander, Lord Ephraim Gray and Lord Ashley Wolfswood. The Common Level (the Second Level) is also home to The Royal Den, their tavern where their story began. The place from where Elderhearth began to change.
It is the Level where you will most likely find yourself a new home if you come to live in Elderhearth, or to find a new life for yourself. And, Elderhearth being as multicultural as it is, the Common Levels display that beautifully. You can, at all times, in every place see an Aforian, or a Siewerski, or a Tarbonian or a Sredinah national walking on every street, on every corner, living together with Elderhearthian's, who don't really care who is a real Elderhearthian or who isn't. If you come live there, and if you contribute to the good of the City by doing your part, no matter how small it may be, you are warmly embraced and welcomed as one of their own.
The Fourth Level, The Market City
Known as the Merchant Level, this Fourth Level of Elderhearth is home to the second largest market on the Continent. The first one is located in the central hub of trade and merchantry - the Selman Sultanate.
Smaller than the Third Level, the Market City is perhaps the only one which is described the easiest. A gigantic marketplace makes up almost the entire Level. Everyone shops there. People from the First Level and even the Emperor himself. It is a wonderland of exotic goods, food, animals, clothes, weapons, technology and basically anything you can think of.
If you can buy it, or rather - if it can be sold - you'll most definitely find it in the Market City. House to many shops, from Tailor shops to Alchemist shops, this Level is run by the Merchant's Guild. It is the only level with minimal living areas, because many merchants who work at Elderheart's Market live either in the Commons or the levels above.
From florist shops to shops that sell magic items, this place is the most unique one in all of Elderhearth.
Imported goods and produced goods are mostly sold from the Market City and distributed to the rest of the Levels.
The Fifth Level, The Artisan City
Known as the Artisan Level before Uther's reign, this Level is even smaller than the fourth level, but it's the one that houses the best of the best when it comes to Elderhearth's craftsmanship and artistry, as well as the cream of the crop regarding Elderhearth's engineers, inventors, architects, etc. If you have a valuable skill that you honed to perfection, and you have notable achievements behind you, then you live in the Artisan City. It is a technological wonderland, with Artisan Districts.
The Fifth Level is where you go to have your house designed, to have your clothes specially tailored, to have your paintings made, to have your jewelry produced, to have your custom weapons forged, to have your master crafted armor ordered and made, etc...
Elderhearth focuses on finding the best of the best and having them for themselves. So the Artisan City has many foreigners living there, with their Continent-famous shops that produce goods of such masterful quality that are rarely seen anywhere else.
As every other level, save for the Noble and Royal Level, the Artisan Level is a place where people who are not Artisans by profession can live. Due to its status, people of higher middle class and upper class live and work there. The Artisan City isn't just home to artisan shops, but it is home to Guild Houses and administrative buildings. In there, there are many dedicated houses of study for mages who dabble in engineering and Crystal technology.
The Librarians have a close-knit relationship with the Artisans.
The Sixth Level, The Noble City
The Noble city, known before as the Noble Level is the second smallest level in Elderhearth. It is home to Elderhearth's ruling elite, the Eleven Noble Families:
- The Noble Family of Winfield
Head: Edmund Winfield
Overseers of Finance - The Noble Family of Davenport
Head: Garreth Davenport
Grand Marshal of Elderhearth - The Noble Family of Lockridge
Head: Callum Lockridge
Overseers of Laws and Justice - The Noble Family of Hargreave
Head: Ashwick Hargreave
Overseers of Food production and distribution - The Noble Family of Gainsborough
Head: Dorian Gainsborough
Head Overseer (Overseers of Administration) - The Noble Family of Kaylock-Waylander
Head: Vanessa Kaylock-Waylander
Headmistress of the Mage University - The Noble Family of Winfield
Head: Edmund Winfield
Overseery of Industry - The Noble Family of Falurn
Head: Mendella Falurn
Overseers of Culture and Religion - The Noble Family of Garrich
Head: Dmitra Garrich
Overseers of Health and Public Safety - The Noble Family of Gray
Head: Eirika Gray
Overseers of Foreign Affairs and Trade Relations - The Noble Family of Morwin
Head: Sigismund Morwin
Overseers of Education and Learning
This is the richest and most lavish Level of Elderhearth. It is also home to the largest Bank in Elderhearth, as well as the place where the Mage University, Council Hall, and Elderhearth Temple are located. These three gigantic buildings, as well as the eleven estates of the noble families and their offices take up most of the Noble Level's space, with the remaining space left for the Noble Level Gardens.
It is also the most heavily secured Level in all of Elderhearth, for the Nobles who live there are the ones who run the show and together with the Emperor make Elderhearth into a cohesive, working machine - making sure that the cogs are always oiled and that there are no stops in the mechanism.
The Seventh Level, The Citadel
The Citadel is the smallest, highest and last Level in Elderhearth. The place where the Royal Castle - known as the Citadel - is located. The single most ancient thing in all of Elderhearth, nearing 2000 years of age, the Citadel is the greatest and most beautiful building built in Elderhearth. Built on the ground, in front of Mount Stonespike and later raised to the top of the mountain by a mage - and upgraded by generations of mages who had lived there, this place is now the Throne of Power - the Citadel of Emperors.
Around it, the Royal Gardens and inside the Gardens, statues of Elderhearth's fallen heroes stand eternal, silent guard, keeping their undying watch over their beloved city.
Inside the Citadel is the fifth largest library in Pelaraam, but that is an information exclusive only to the denizens of the Citadel. Ancient and forbidden texts about the history of the World, about magic, about everything and anything you can think of - meticulously collected by all the previous Emperors and filled by the expert hand of Jack Waylander himself - who uses it as his personal library nowadays, allowing limited access to people with special approval due to the potential danger the information inside that giant room poses to Elderhearth and the rest of the World, as well.
Emperor Uther Dawnbringer sits on the Throne of Power, with his brother Archmage Jack Waylander as his closest adviser, and his other brothers, Lord Ephraim Gray and Lord Ashley Wolfswood - his agents working in the shadows to keep Elderhearth's peace, and to ensure it always stays at the peak.
Around him, is the Royal Guard - The Golden Knights. The elite of the elite. Specially trained super-soldiers equipped with magical armors and magical weapons, ready to defend their Emperor to their last breaths. Numbering only 200 Knights, this superior elite force is notorious in all of Pelaraam as the single most devastating group of humans that you definitely do not want to come across if you're fighting against Elderhearth.
The Citadel is one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful places in Pelaraam.
And you do not want to incur its wrath.
Notable factions and organizations within Elderhearth:
The Inquisition: Elderhearth's Secret Police, tasked with dealing with spies and traitors. The Head of Inqusition, always receives the title of Akuma or the Grey Demon, because whoever it is, wears a grey uniform that marks his/hers place at the top of Elderhearth's Secret Task Force. Have a massive presence of mages within their ranks.
The Blackthorne Guard: Elderhearth's Special Police, tasked with dealing with major criminals and security threats within Elderhearth. Recognizable by their full-plate armors and helms colored in matte black, with golden or red engravings, and a golden rose on their badges. They have full authority to barge anywhere and arrest anyone, and whomever they do arrest is treated as guilty unless proven otherwise. They work with the Inquisition and the Guard in order to maintain themselves well-informed and track criminals. Aren't very welcoming to mages in their ranks, due to an old tradition.
The Elderhearth Guard: Elderhearth's Police Force. They regulate and uphold the law. Mages welcome in their ranks.
The Mage Hunters: Despite their ominous name, the Mage Hunters are mages. They deal with unregistered mages in the city, hunting mage criminals and specializing in mage terrorism. They are Elderhearth's Mage Police, and their most notable role is the constant fight against an Elderhearthian Terrorist Mage Organization that wreaks havoc across all of Pelaraam.
The Librarians: The Order of Mages.
The Hunters: A guild of "adventurers" tasked with hunting down and removing magic anomalies and aberrations within Pelaraam.
- Written by Fangier Bludfang, Chronicler of Elderhearth
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