Laerunia
Demographics
Laerunia houses many different species of Elf, with their mixed numbers adding up to the majority of the population, although others have settled here over time, and the city welcomes travellers with good intentions.
Government
Laerunia operates under a unique system of government that combines Elven tradition with magical oversight. The city is ruled by the Council of the Silver Crescent. While the Council governs, much of the day-to-day administration is handled by Arbiter Circles, smaller groups of experts and mages who oversee specific districts or fields of governance. These circles report to the Council and ensure that magic and nature remain balanced with civic life.
Defences
Though Laerunia appears peaceful and idyllic, it is not without defenses. The city’s protection falls under the authority of the Emerald Wardens, an elite force of Elven rangers, druids, and mages tasked with safeguarding the city from external threats. While Laerunia maintains a policy of neutrality, the Wardens ensure that the forests and rivers around the city are impenetrable to invaders, using nature and illusion magic to conceal paths and entrances.
Laerunia’s military strategy focuses on defense over offense. The Elves prefer to use magic and diplomacy to resolve conflicts, resorting to battle only when necessary. The city is surrounded by a network of magical wards and illusions, making it difficult for enemies to locate, let alone breach, its walls. These wards are constantly maintained by the Circle of the Veil, a group of powerful sorcerers dedicated to protecting the city through arcane means.
Industry & Trade
Trade in Laerunia is handled primarily through the Gilded Leaf Guild, an ancient mercantile organization that controls most of the city’s trade routes, both by land and via enchanted ships that travel along the rivers to distant lands. The Guild works closely with the Council to regulate trade, ensuring that no single merchant gains undue power and that Laerunia’s interests are protected.
Infrastructure
The city is a masterpiece of Elven architecture, built in harmony with the environment. Elegant structures of marble and silver rise above the waterways, while bridges made of living wood stretch over the canals. Buildings are adorned with vines and glowing crystals, blending seamlessly into the surrounding trees and rivers. Elves here live both on the ground and in elaborate treehouses and platforms that rise high into the forest canopy, connected by rope bridges and magical pathways.
The main part of the city, known as Lorithien, is an intricate network of floating gardens, open marketplaces, and sprawling halls, all centered around the Elyndral Spire, a towering structure at the heart of Laerunia. This spire is both a temple and a political center, where magic and governance intertwine. Surrounding Lorithien are smaller districts—residential areas where artists, scholars, and craftsmen live—each with its own unique style and purpose.
Districts
Lorithien
Lorithien is the inner most part of the city
The Outer Circle
A number of small villages and towns encircle the inner city, housing large numbers of the population as well as farms and sanctuaries
Assets
Laerunia’s economy revolves around its mastery of magic, fine craftsmanship, and natural resources. The city is known for producing exquisite magical artifacts, intricate Elven weapons, and luxurious textiles woven from enchanted silks. The rivers that run through the city also provide fertile grounds for rare herbs, medicinal plants, and fish, which are traded with neighboring kingdoms, including Tir Volen.
Elven magic also plays a crucial role in the economy. The Artisans of Aeryndal, a renowned group of Elven enchanters, use the surrounding natural energy to create magical goods that are in high demand across the continent. However, the Council tightly regulates the flow of magical items to prevent misuse.
Guilds and Factions
The Gilded Leaf
an ancient mercantile organization that controls most of the city’s trade routes, both by land and via enchanted ships that travel along the rivers to distant lands.
The Artisans of Aeryndal
a renowned group of Elven enchanters, use the surrounding natural energy to create magical goods that are in high demand across the continent.
History
Magic is woven into the very fabric of Laerunia’s culture. The Elves here live in tune with the Feywild, and many practice forms of druidic and arcane magic. The city's magical energy flows from the rivers and forests, and the Eldertrees—ancient, sentient trees that have stood for millennia—are believed to be the source of much of the city’s mystical power.
Tourism
Art, music, and poetry are deeply valued in Laerunia. The Festival of Starlight, held every year during the autumn equinox, is a grand celebration of music, dance, and magical displays, attracting visitors from across the realm. During this festival, the city is adorned with glowing lights, and the rivers sparkle with ethereal enchantments.
Founders
Alternative Name(s)
The City of Glimmering Rivers
Population
130,000
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
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