Dol Gadmen

Pictured: The original settlers of Dol Gadmen, builders of the hunting estates that belonged to the nobles of Eá-galwen.

ne hundred and seven gliterring waterfalls adorn the cliffs of the stunning valley in which Dol Gadmen, "The Shimmering City" is located.

Shafts of rainbow light reflect off the walls of water surrounding the city, illuminating the beautiful autumnal beech and alder trees that are locked in a perpetual state of 'fall'; leaves of yellow, orange and red forever falling on the cobbled pavements, from an enchantment cast by an overzealous wizard decades ago.

Spacious estates dominate this city's architecture, in which reside the 'intellectual elite' of the Empire. Marvellous gardens fill the area around a family's manor, some so large as to accomodate hundreds of citizens.

Overlooking the city is a great monument to The Astronomer, who looks over the city providing guidance, inspiration and clarity to those in his shadow. The Spell Thief is also highly revered within Dol Gadmen, as a keeper of knowledge and a finder of secrets. The area surrounding the monument is known as 'the topway' - a small congolmerate of buildings that serve as the first point of contact for travellers entering the city from the North.

In the shadow of the northern cliffs and the Astronomer lies 'Lower Gadmen' a collection of smaller buildings crammed between the luxury estates and the cliff-face. Here live the unaffiliated - refugees, those without work or travellers who are not sponsored by one of the houses of this city.

At the centre of Dol Gadmen lies The Aviary, a large dome of glass which surrounds an old stone tower. Magical imagery is projected onto the glass, casting light shafts and rainbows in every direction. Birds flutter around the inside of the dome, in beautiful bright colours of every shade and combination you can imagine. It is here where members of the Conclave of the Fifth treat with oneanother.

The city has a vibrant yet dangerous and chaotic feel. The members of the Conclave who live here are the most powerful mages of the Empire, and behind their stunning appearances and charming smiles are dangerous ambitions and a self indulgent culture.

Power in the city is ceded to the High Steward of the Conclave, an elected official that is usually the most powerful wizard from a noble line of the Empire. The current High Steward, the revered Ser Archimedazaen III, is a reclusive old wizard who spent his youth travelling as a Knight of the Eclipse against the monsters of this world and later settled in the Shimmering City to live out his years lecturing to the youth of the Conclave on this subject.

Parties and magical anomalies are common in the city, as magical practitioners develop their enchantments and life's work. Events are always happening within each estate in the city, and opportunity is rife for those who stay informed.

Viticulture dominates the valleys at the northern end of the Dancing River, making it the primary trade export of the city. Horses and Rondo from the Steppe, oxen and bone from the Freemen of the far north and jems from the western foothills are all huge commodities of the region.