Cairnwood {the City}

Demographics

Everything below includes the highest numbers!
Species:
Fawn: 30%
Goat: 10%
Deer: 10%
Sheep:17%

Ethnicities:
Cairnfolk: 80%
Valdez: 5%
Thiroly: 10%

Gender:
Man: 30%
Woman: 50%
Non binary/other: 70%

Government

The government of Cairnwood is a theocratic oligarchy, where power is shared between the Elder Council, a group of respected spiritual leaders, and a Council of Stewards, composed of prominent figures elected from within the various factions of fawn and sapient ruminant society. The Elder Council is made up of the most senior figures in Cairnwood’s religious and cultural institutions, ensuring that the city's spiritual traditions remain at the forefront of decision-making. They uphold ancient practices and beliefs passed down through generations, guiding the populace with wisdom derived from the traditions of the Cairnwood cultures, such as sacred rites, festivals, and the veneration of nature and the divine spirits of the land.
While the Elder Council is responsible for maintaining Cairnwood’s spiritual and cultural foundations, the Council of Stewards oversees the city’s political, economic, and practical matters. Members are elected for their contributions to fields such as agriculture, craftsmanship, education, and diplomacy, which are crucial to the well-being of the city. This modern aspect of the government ensures that the city operates efficiently and adapts to the changing needs of its people while still respecting its cultural roots.
The two councils work together to create a balance between preserving the city’s ancient traditions and embracing progressive change. While the Elder Council holds the final say on matters related to culture, religion, and traditional practices, the Stewards handle governance, infrastructure, trade, and relations with other regions. The councils meet regularly in the Heartstone Hall, an ancient structure at the center of Cairnwood, where debates are held in reverence to the gods and the land.

Infrastructure

transportation: The city features a tram system powered by enchanted crystal energy, which seamlessly blends with the natural world, using tracks that are embedded into the streets but hidden beneath layers of moss and stone. People can also use floating platforms that are enchanted to glide along the river, which runs through the city, connecting districts.
Public Works: Cairnwood has cleverly integrated technology into its infrastructure, with geothermal heating used in buildings, rainwater collection systems that are channeled through moss-lined gutters, and green rooftops that help with insulation and energy efficiency. The ancient sewer system, still in use, has been adapted with modern filtration technology, ensuring it doesn’t disrupt the ecosystem.
Energy Source: The city runs on a combination of solar energy, wind power, and bioluminescent plants, with the most modern technologies often hidden within the aesthetic of natural landscapes. The Ancient Quarter especially integrates energy sources in an unobtrusive way, such as vines that serve as both decoration and power conduits, or bioluminescent moss on the buildings that provide ambient lighting.

Districts

1. The Ancient Quarter (Cairnod) This district is the heart of Cairnwood’s (the city) cultural and historical heritage. Cairnod, the city’s oldest district, is famous for its fusion of ancient, organic architecture with subtle modern technology. The buildings in this area are constructed primarily from wood, stone, and native materials, their designs inspired by the natural world- curved walls that mimic the forms of trees, roofs resembling the canopies of forests, and streets designed to flow around existing groves. Despite its ancient appearance, Cairnod is equipped with clever modern innovations- like soft glowing bioluminescent mosses embedded into the stone streets, providing light without disrupting the district’s natural aesthetic. Some buildings are fitted with small, unobtrusive solar panels or wind turbines hidden within the architecture, allowing the district to stay connected to the broader city's energy needs while maintaining its traditional look.
   The residents of Cairnod live among ancient shrines and spiritual temples dedicated to nature and the divine spirits, with winding stone pathways leading to lush gardens. Despite its old-world charm, the district includes subtle elements of technology integrated into daily life, such as mechanical water wheels that provide energy for public works, and communication systems built from enchanted crystals that hum with soft light.


2. The Artisan's District (Gleamspring) Known for its vibrant market life and bustling workshops, Gleamspring is a place where Cairnwood’s artisans create and sell their wares. Here, craft shops blend seamlessly with small factories producing fine goods. Architecture is more utilitarian but still incorporates aspects of fawn and ruminant culture, like the use of carved wooden facades and large windows framed by living plants. Gleamspring is where modern advancements in manufacturing, particularly in crafting and metalwork, meet traditional methods, producing highly specialized and decorative tools, armor, and jewellery.


3. The Greenbelt (Lianora’s Haven) Cairnwood prides itself on its green spaces, and the Greenbelt district is dedicated to sustainable agriculture and nature preservation. Lush gardens, forests, and orchards surround this district, providing both food and spiritual solace to the people. The district has been integrated with modern irrigation systems, subtle energy conduits that help cultivate crops even during harsh seasons. Small wind turbines are scattered through the area, harnessing natural energy without intruding upon the district’s serene atmosphere.


4. The Scholarium District (Dawnveil) Dawnveil houses the city’s educational institutions and libraries, which are repositories of both ancient knowledge and modern scholarship. The district has towering spires where knowledge is stored in scrolls and tomes, alongside more recent archives of digital records and enchanted books that display information in holographic projections. The mix of old and new here is particularly striking, with ancient stone structures housing lecture halls, while smaller areas incorporate interactive tech to engage students in the study of both tradition and new sciences.


5. The Heartstone Plaza and Governmental Center Surrounding the Heartstone Plaza, the political and spiritual epicenter of Cairnwood, are buildings that symbolize the unity of the city’s government. The Elder Council’s meeting hall and the Council of Stewards’ offices are impressive stone structures, each adorned with intricate carvings and statues of past leaders, but inside they contain advanced technologies, such as quiet air filtration systems, enchanted communication devices, and even high-tech archives to store city records and histories.

History

Cairnwood originally emerged as a kingdom founded by the fawn and other sapient ruminant orns. These beings were the first to inhabit all of Illyria, the vast land that Cairnwood calls home. The fawn led the kingdom, their deep connection to the land and its ancient spirits guiding their rule.
However, in 168, the elves arrived in Illyria, bringing with them a sense of superiority that they made no attempt to disguise. The fawn, proud of their long-established dominion, refused to entertain the elves’ attitude. While the elves, who had established the kingdom of Valendora, largely ignored Cairnwood, tensions simmered beneath the surface. The elves focused on expanding their empire, but they took little notice of Cairnwood- until Cairnwood intervened in a crucial moment.
When the elves of Valendora sought to conquer the independent city-states of southern Illyria, Cairnwood offered aid to these states, seeing it as a matter of mutual survival and defense. This intervention angered the elves, leading to a series of skirmishes and disputes that slowly chipped away at Cairnwood's territory. Tensions escalated, eventually culminating in a full-scale conflict. The war ended abruptly with the elves successfully conquering the southern city-states, solidifying Valendora's dominance in the region and leaving Cairnwood to fend for itself as a smaller, yet still fiercely independent kingdom.
After the war with the elves, Cairnwood endured a long period of rebuilding and consolidation. Despite the loss of territory, the kingdom's resilience allowed it to thrive as a central hub for the fawn and sapient ruminant species in Illyria. Over time, the city's focus shifted from military conflict to cultural and economic growth. Cairnwood became a place of sanctuary, where its people could preserve their traditions while navigating the complex political landscape of a land dominated by powerful neighboring kingdoms.
The Ancient Quarter (Cairnod), the city's cultural heart, was first established as a tribute to the fawn's ancient roots and their deep connection to nature. The district grew around sacred sites and spiritual temples, blending the wisdom of the past with the practical needs of the present. Over centuries, the district evolved to incorporate small elements of modernity, like bioluminescent street lamps and solar energy, but its essence remained deeply tied to the spiritual and cultural traditions of the fawn.
The Artisan's District (Gleamspring) emerged as a bustling marketplace and center of craftsmanship, driven by the need to rebuild after the war and diversify Cairnwood's economy. As the city grew, skilled artisans and crafters from all over Illyria gathered here, blending traditional techniques with more modern methods of production. This district became the lifeblood of Cairnwood's economy, producing tools, armor, jewelry, and other wares that were not only functional but also deeply imbued with cultural significance.
The Greenbelt (Lianora’s Haven) was created to ensure Cairnwood’s sustainability and self-sufficiency. In the aftermath of the war, the city recognized the importance of preserving nature and cultivating resources to support its growing population. The Greenbelt was established as a district dedicated to sustainable agriculture, where advanced techniques were applied to ensure that the land could thrive for generations to come. Wind turbines, irrigation systems, and careful land stewardship were integrated into this district, allowing Cairnwood to remain both independent and environmentally conscious.
The Scholarium District (Dawnveil) was founded as Cairnwood became a center of learning and intellectual exchange. After the war, the need for knowledge- both ancient and modern- became a driving force. The Scholarium District grew around libraries, archives, and academies, where scholars could study everything from ancient fawn rituals to the latest advancements in agriculture and magic. This district became a beacon for those seeking to learn and understand the world, bridging the gap between past traditions and future possibilities.
Finally, the Heartstone Plaza and Governmental Center evolved as the seat of power, where Cairnwood’s unique political system of the Elder Council and the Council of Stewards could meet and deliberate. The center grew around the Heartstone, a sacred relic that symbolized the unity between the fawn and the land. As the city expanded, this district became the hub of governance, balancing spiritual authority with practical leadership, and it remains the epicenter of political and spiritual life in Cairnwood to this day.
These districts, though born from different needs and historical moments, are now intertwined, representing Cairnwood's growth from a kingdom of survival into a thriving city that balances the preservation of its ancient traditions with the embrace of modernity. Today, Cairnwood stands as a testament to the strength of its people and their ability to evolve while remaining true to their roots.

Tourism

Cairnwood is very popular among most groups, and is often travelled to for vacation, especially for fawn and other descendants of the province.

Founding Date

Day 1 of Aeldrithius

Type

Large city

Population

250,158

Inhabitant Demonym

Cairnfolk

Location under

Illyria

Included Locations

• The Plainsworn Brothel

Owner/Ruler

Mossfawn

Ruling/Owning Rank

Premier

Vehicles Present

• Eilis’ Motorcycle