Ildonia, Volcanic Metropolis

Settled in the center of the Ildonian Archipelago this massive metropolis features adventurers from all across Avondale. Built into the inside walls of an inactive volcano the sheer verticality of the city is striking to any new visitors. In the gaping center of the volcano juts a shimmering brass and crystal spire building serving as both the primary vertical transportation and the home of thousands of scholars, wizards, and artificers. Bridges web across the chasms of the volcano in all directions. The city itself is separated into class based strata. On the outer rim of the volcano are all the ports and farms as well as many merchants that deal with them. On the top of the volcano itself are the super wealthy land owners and gaudy hospitality locations brimming with magical opulence. Below them at the mid-high section of the city are all the hundreds of adventuring guilds and housing as well as associated businesses. Another layer down are the residential areas and craftsmen. The folks working behind the scenes to build everything Ildonia needs from weapons to warehouses. In the bottom layers of the city are the light-less regions of the city. The poor, desperate, criminal, and the kind left behind make their homes here among the bio-luminescent moss and fungus.

Demographics

10% Wealthy 30% Adventurers 60% Working and Poor

Government

The city is managed by the Ildonian Elder's Council also known as The Council of Ten and their delegates. They are individually voted into their positions by supporting populations. 1 Wealthy Elder 1 Spire Elder 3 Adventuring Elders 5 Working Elders
Each elder has their own resources and motivations for the city's people. They push and pull their agendas with and against one another constantly but more often the true politics of the city are sorted out between the various guild alliances before it even becomes a conversation among the elders.

Defences

Ildonia is attacked very rarely due to the massive population and the high number of well trained adventurers. When it does become attacked they play to a siege and allow the shifting and confusion of the surrounding isles wear down whatever raiders were foolish enough to try. Navy and natural defenses of the archipelago are the first line of defense. Enchantments at the ports of the city are second. Powerful layers of enchantment from the spire act as a dome over the city supported by the ultra wealthy vistas employing their own magical defenses. The adventurers of the city are more than willing to act as an impromptu militia and are self organized enough to become a nightmare for any invading force.

Industry & Trade

Most of the industry in Ildonia is focused on supporting the famous adventuring guilds here. The number one export from the city is actually a service! Adventurers sent on chartered travel all across Ildonia. Their magical industry focuses primarily on study of the shifting isles around them and transportation beyond the reach of the archipelago.

Infrastructure

The major markers of industry in Ildonia are closely related to the strata or sections of the city. Farms and transportation networks on the outer rims of the city. Towering Inns and Vacation Vistas surrounded by opulent magics as both a show of wealth and veneer of the city's offerings. Constant rainbows and glistening waterfalls adorn the upper sections of the city. The Spire itself has a central set of fountains used for moving between sections of the city at a user's whim. It also serves as a central anchor for the hundreds of bridges throughout the city. The worker's sector is lines by irrigation lines, stone sewers piping, massive waterwheels, and even some lava flows to support the crafting industries. Finally, the bottom of the city is the oft forgotten but extremely important layer of magical plants and enchantments that keep the ocean at bay and help rid the city of its waste without poisoning everyone. There are hidden gems in the dark, layed down by the city founders, that only locals get to enjoy.

Assets

With enough time or effort almost anything can be found in the city or in the surrounding isles. It might take a year or two of questing and research but basically anything is possible here.

Guilds and Factions

Guilds and guild alliances dictate the majority of the ins and outs of Ildonia's day to day life. There are hundreds but they are roughly grouped as:

• Merchants
• Adventurers
• Crafters
• Farmers
• Naval
• Spire / Scholarly
• Religious
• Criminal

Architecture

Most of the city is a hodgepodge of styles but there are some common themes in the sections of the metropolis.

• The outer rims of the city are primarily wooden and cloth structures with some stone for major components. The wind-caught cloth flags from the markets and port look like colorful confetti from a far.
• The wealthy sector is mostly metals, glass, stone, and permanent enchantment. Pieces of the architecture feel like they are constantly in motion or shimmering with changing moods and colors. Like stepping through a swirling crystal ball.
• The Spire sets the metal, stone, and enchantment theme found in the wealthy areas but it is much more consistent with itself and more refined and simple. Less movement but permeates magic and power none the less. Feels more regal or classical than the gaudy show put on by the highest classes.
• The adventuring guilds set their own styles and no two mirror each other. Some of the oldest guilds are set in stone, brick, or metal structures. Most are wooden inns or homes. Some emulate barracks, others school dorms, still others, tented war camps. There is always some construction or other happening here as guilds are made and destroyed every day within this city.
• The crafting guilds keep things simple. Often times bare bones and simple colors. Function over fashion is the key here.
• The lower poor and residential sections of the city seem bland and colorless at a glance from the outside but the structures here have more personality here. Ageless obsidian supports, stone carvings of ancient deities, and living slow shifting nature merged with man-made.

Alternative Name(s)

The Adventuring Paradise

Type

Metropolis

Population

5,000,000+

Inhabitant Demonym

Ildonians

Location under

Shifting Isles of Ildonia

Included Locations

• The Moon-Goddess Temple of Ildonia

Owning Organization

Ildonian Elder's Council