The Concordium of Skye
The Concordium of Skye is a consortium of five great sky-cities.
The first city, Aetheria, was raised on a great craggy rock centuries ago by elemental wizards, tasked to protect the city from slaving raids by corsairs from The Thousand Isles. The sorcery worked and, emboldened by their success, the wizards crafted further cities within the clouds and on the slender tops of tall rocky spires.
The stratagem worked, and the new sky-cities enjoyed almost total security from plunder or attack. The Concordium, as the cities became known, built sky-ships, magical dirigibles and bred armies of flying mounts, establishing Skye as a thriving centre for trade, travel and arcane knowledge.
The cities boast capable fleets of air-ships, airbourne cavalry or flying beasts. Griffins, hippogriff, pegasi, giant hawks and eagles are popular steeds and frequently used by those privelleged enough to own them. Nearly all the cities keep extensive roosts, eyries, animal-trainers, shipyards and artisans to build and repair their armies and fleets.
The cities are fiercely competitive, and all manner of underhand tricks, political espionage, extortion and smears cut and thrust between the various houses and guilds that make up the Consortium. Many of the rocky lofts are burrowed with mines and tunnels to harvest the mineral wealth, sprawling dungeons which hold forgotten vaults, political foes and other rumoured secrets.
Aetheria
Aetheria is the largest and most prosperous of the Skye Cities, known for it's magical research and and schools of elemental lore. The city is a hub for scholars and magi, boasting the grand Aetherium Academy. It's foundation is magical lore and study, in particualr the elemental schools of air and earth. Rivalry among the guilds is fierce, and occasionally spills into more serious feuds.
Specialities: Elemental lore, magical lore, magical artifacts.
Relations: Aetheria often finds itself at odds with the more industrial cities, particularly Ironclave.
Specialities: Metals (in particular claved iron), mechanical constructs, and siege machinery.
Relations: Fiercely competitive with Aetheria, but maintains a trade alliance with all cities. It relies in particular on cordial relations with Stormhold for raw materials.
Specialities: Espionage, assassination, and rare poisons.
Relations: Shadowspire sells its services to the highest bidder, often playing the other cities against each other for profit.
Specialities: Weather manipulation, sky-ship navigation, and rare herbs.
Relations: Acts as a mediator between Aetheria and Ironclad, but has its own ambitions to dominate the skies.
Specialities: Fine arts, luxury goods, and exotic spices.
Relations: Maintains friendly relations with all cities, using its cultural influence to broker peace and trade agreements.
Interplay within the Concordium The Concordium are in a constant state of flux, with alliances and rivalries shifting like the winds. Aetheria and Ironclad’s rivalry over magic and technology often spills into open conflict, while Stormhold’s control over the weather makes it a key player in any negotiation. Shadowspire’s espionage keeps all cities on edge, and Skyreach’s cultural influence acts as a stabilizing force, albeit a fragile one. The balance of power is delicate, and any shift can lead to dramatic changes in the Skye Lands.
The stratagem worked, and the new sky-cities enjoyed almost total security from plunder or attack. The Concordium, as the cities became known, built sky-ships, magical dirigibles and bred armies of flying mounts, establishing Skye as a thriving centre for trade, travel and arcane knowledge.
The cities boast capable fleets of air-ships, airbourne cavalry or flying beasts. Griffins, hippogriff, pegasi, giant hawks and eagles are popular steeds and frequently used by those privelleged enough to own them. Nearly all the cities keep extensive roosts, eyries, animal-trainers, shipyards and artisans to build and repair their armies and fleets.
The cities are fiercely competitive, and all manner of underhand tricks, political espionage, extortion and smears cut and thrust between the various houses and guilds that make up the Consortium. Many of the rocky lofts are burrowed with mines and tunnels to harvest the mineral wealth, sprawling dungeons which hold forgotten vaults, political foes and other rumoured secrets.
Aetheria
Aetheria is the largest and most prosperous of the Skye Cities, known for it's magical research and and schools of elemental lore. The city is a hub for scholars and magi, boasting the grand Aetherium Academy. It's foundation is magical lore and study, in particualr the elemental schools of air and earth. Rivalry among the guilds is fierce, and occasionally spills into more serious feuds.
Specialities: Elemental lore, magical lore, magical artifacts.
Relations: Aetheria often finds itself at odds with the more industrial cities, particularly Ironclave.
Ironclave
Ironclave is an industrial fortress famed for it's smiths, artisans and engineers. The Iron City produces the finest irons and mechanical constructs, making it a vital power in travel, trade and military power. Its heavy reliance on engines, mechanus and industry makes it susceptible to sabotage, foul play and espionage, in particular from rival cities.Specialities: Metals (in particular claved iron), mechanical constructs, and siege machinery.
Relations: Fiercely competitive with Aetheria, but maintains a trade alliance with all cities. It relies in particular on cordial relations with Stormhold for raw materials.
Shadowspire
Shadowspire is a city shrouded in mystery and intrigue, home to spies, assassins, and thieves. Its clandestine operations and information networks are unparalleled. The city’s secretive nature breeds distrust, and internal power struggles are common.Specialities: Espionage, assassination, and rare poisons.
Relations: Shadowspire sells its services to the highest bidder, often playing the other cities against each other for profit.
Stormhold
Positioned in the heart of the Skye Lands, Stormhold controls the weather patterns, making it a crucial city for safe sky travel. Its weather mages are unmatched, and the city thrives on its control over the skies. Dependence on weather magic can be a double-edged sword, as any disruption in their control can lead to chaos.Specialities: Weather manipulation, sky-ship navigation, and rare herbs.
Relations: Acts as a mediator between Aetheria and Ironclad, but has its own ambitions to dominate the skies.
Skyreach
Skyreach is the cultural and artistic heart of the Skye Lands, known for its breathtaking architecture and vibrant markets. The city is a haven for artists, musicians, and traders. Its focus on culture and trade makes it less prepared for direct conflict, relying heavily on diplomacy and alliances.Specialities: Fine arts, luxury goods, and exotic spices.
Relations: Maintains friendly relations with all cities, using its cultural influence to broker peace and trade agreements.
Interplay within the Concordium The Concordium are in a constant state of flux, with alliances and rivalries shifting like the winds. Aetheria and Ironclad’s rivalry over magic and technology often spills into open conflict, while Stormhold’s control over the weather makes it a key player in any negotiation. Shadowspire’s espionage keeps all cities on edge, and Skyreach’s cultural influence acts as a stabilizing force, albeit a fragile one. The balance of power is delicate, and any shift can lead to dramatic changes in the Skye Lands.
Type
Territory
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