Mount Tree

Mount Tree, the Overmined City

Mount Tree is the remains of a mountain that was overmined. There are 5 layers of the mountain that have been completely dug out, giving the mountain an appearance of an evergreen tree. Each of the layers is kept up with massive pillars, and special magical fields stop runoff from the upper layers from entering the lower layers.

A Mysterious Architecture

Mount Tree has been around in this state for nearly 5000 years. However, the magitech that holds up the pillars and the forcefields does not exist in modern magic studies. Artificers, Wizards, and Warlock Patrons alike have started to study the pillars and force fields in recent years. All have come to similar conclusions: This is lost magic. All attempts to recreate the spells and rituals have failed, but that has not stopped many from trying.

The Center of the World

Mount Tree has been called "The City at the Center of the World" for being a hub of knowledge and communication. The entire top layer is dedicated to long range communications, and this has given it that golden reputation. However, much of this city has rotted in recent centuries, as crime families, fanatical researchers and disrespectful archeologists have moved in.

Layers of Mount Tree

Each layer of Mount Tree is named for a different mineral, supposedly what was originally mined on that layer. They all have their own specialty and good or service they are known for, but none of them are monolithic. Some living in the farming layer of Limestone couldn't tell you the difference between a seed and a rock. While there is no unifying government, each layer is run by it's own Layer Chief, who is there to settle disputes.

Zinc Layer

The top of Mount Tree, the Zinc Layer is known for it's long range communication infrastructure. There are "Sending Stations" which house rooms filled with glyphs charged with the Message spell, for direct contact with anyone in the world. They are very pricy to maintain, so the surcharge of using them is generally not worth it unless it is an absolute emergency. There are also many rookeries filled with message ravens, ready to fly across the seas for international diplomacy. For more localized messaging, there is the MTSP (Mount Tree Service for Postal.) The Zinc Layer Chief is decided every 5 years by voting in a democratic system.

Gold Layer

The penultimate layer of Mount Tree, this layer is known for it's high cuisine and masterful restaurants. It's high altitude cooking is the best in the world, and any chef worth their salt has trained here at some point or another. Many seafaring chefs from the port city of Ridgeport come here after their voyages to hone their craft and adjust to non-pescatarian based diets. The Gold Layer Chief is decided upon death of the previous Chief in a cooking competition. The contestants prepare food for every citizen of the layer (near 15,000 meals) and then the citizenry ranks them. Whomever was the best is the next Gold Layer Chief.

Limestone Layer

This is the farming layer of Mount Tree. One layer above ground level, this layer is long and filled with the croplands of the city. Many farmers grow different vegetables, fruits, and herbs, and there is a mandate to rotate your crop every harvest. There are ten different crops that are cycled, including but not limited to; corn, watermelons and pumpkins The Limestone Layer Chief is decided every 10 harvests by whomever grew the largest pumpkin that cycle. This method was chosen, as pumpkins were notoriously hard to grow large at this raised elevation. Growing a large one shows a level of skill in farming that demanded recognition in some way.

Iron Layer

The ground level layer of Mount Tree, this layer focuses on hospitality. Hotels, Inns, and Taverns flood this layer. The World's Rest Stop, as it is sometimes called. The food is serviceable, nowhere near the level of The Gold Layer, but access to the freshly grown ingredients of the layer above keep it from being complete gruel. As this is the main entrance to the town, there is a layer garrison called "The Tree's Trouble." They keep raiders away and try to keep basic order among the businesses of the the layer. The Layer Chief doubles as the leader of the garrison. Any member of the garrison who has served for a decade or more can challenge the current Layer Chief to a duel to claim the title. Duels must be witnessed by the upper command of the garrison. In cases of an untimely death of the Chief, a small tournament where any eligible member may attempt to claim the title.

Diamond Layer

This is the entertainment district of the city. Sitting one level underground, this layer is run by a crime family known as The Blanco Bunch. Underground, there is no sunlight to tell what time it is. There is a ban on public facing clocks, so it is easier for gamblers to lose track of time. Big name establishments in this area include The Platinum Vein (a casino), The Devil's Arena (a colosseum), and Madam Margret's Mansion (a pleasure house). The head of the Blanco Bunch is always The Diamond Layer Chief, passed on only when the head dies or retires.