Muse

Muse is the capital of the Kingdom of Harmony, a magnificent city built into and atop a massive, artificial five-tiered mountain known as the Mountain Shell. Constructed after the devastating Bloody Fist War, Muse was the first city founded by survivors—symbolizing unity, resilience, and rebirth. The city is divided into four main levels: three visible city tiers, one subterranean level, and the royal castle atop the summit.

by Valcin (Marc ZIpper)

Defences

The Mountain Shell is not only symbolic but also one of Muse’s greatest magical and physical defenses. Lay-line crystals of every type are embedded throughout the structure, allowing the city to generate a powerful magical barrier over all five tiers. This shield can be sustained for up to 4 hours, but requires a full 4-day recharge afterward.
Muse is guarded by elite knights, skilled mages, and city guards, as well as divine protectors from the Divine Eight Church. The Adventurer’s Guild also plays a vital role, with many heroes stepping up in times of danger.

Industry & Trade

Muse thrives through its exports of produce, fish, and finely crafted artisan goods. Its skilled crafters use imported materials to make high-value custom items. Situated along rivers and mountain routes, Muse serves as a major hub for regional trade and commerce.

Districts

Muse, the towering capital of the Kingdom of Harmony, is a monumental city built into the form of an artificial mountain. With four layers, each tier of Muse reflects the diversity, history, and magical sophistication of its people. The city’s architecture blends traditional craftsmanship with arcane innovations, using a wide array of materials from natural stone and wood to glowing signs and kinetic-absorbing gemstones.

First Layer: The Ring of heart

The lowest level of Muse bursts with life, light, and sound. Known as the Ring of Heart, it hosts a mix of architectural styles from across the kingdom and beyond. Buildings are made from various stones, enchanted woods, tempered metals, and volcanic bricks. Walls are decorated with painted signs, enchanted graffiti, and arcane-glowing runes.

Technology thrives here—magical projectors, illusionary billboards, and image-spell displays light up the night. Magic and tech are fused seamlessly to entertain, inform, and advertise. This district is alive, chaotic, and brilliant—often compared to a marketplace fused with a festival ground. A dynamic blend of cultures, sounds, and lights—it is Muse’s commercial and cultural heartbeat.

Second Layer: Ring of Growth

The second tier is more subdued and functional, featuring standardized stone-and-wood homes, clean roads, and neatly arranged districts. Structures here prioritize durability and uniformity, while still incorporating personal and cultural touches. Larger buildings like schools, guild halls, and research centers dot the area, offering public services and education. Floating arcane lamps line the streets, glowing with soft, sustainable energy. Decorative painted signs still persist here, though magic is used more sparingly. A place of learning, order, and daily life—it is Muse’s stable middle.

Top Layer: Crownspire

At the summit of the city lies the regal district of Crownspire also know as the Ring of future. Here, buildings are constructed entirely from polished stone, marble, and colorful crystal-infused materials, carefully arranged into elegant homes with beautiful courtyards and private gardens.

Atop the highest hill stands the majestic Royal Castle of Muse, surrounded by a loveless yard—a mystical lawn composed of kinetic-absorbing gemstone grass. The castle itself is built from a unique gemstone-rich stone that absorbs both magical and physical energy, making it a powerful fortress of defense. Four high towers watch over the city, one in each direction. Refined and tranquil, Crownspire is the city’s shining crown—a seat of power and legacy.

Underground: Ring of Stable Ability

Beneath the city lies the Ring of Stable Ability, an expansive subterranean network of sewers, support tunnels, and stone-carved homes. Many of Muse’s underground residents live in structures inspired by Dwarven and Tag design philosophies, mixing earth-packed stonework and grounded architecture for stability and strength.

The underground is functional and durable, serving both as a home and a foundation—housing artisans, miners, and those who prefer the stillness of stone. The Rootworks hold the city’s literal and cultural roots—strong, enduring, and quietly vital.

Guilds and Factions

• Guiding Star This is the adventuring Guild

Points of interest

• Salamander Grub Tavern – Iconic adventurers' bar; the first of its kind in Muse.
• Solar Gems – Elegant non-magical jewelry Owner Carlos Annora.
• Twin Moon Forge – Renowned blacksmiths and weaponsmiths.
• Dungeon Wares – Protective gear for dungeoneering.
• Remedies & Herb Collection – Potion shop with a mysterious recipe book.
• Hard Makes – Raw materials and crafting tools.
• Bob’s Store – General goods and famous imported apples.
• Survivor’s Home – Affordable gear for beginners and travelers.
• Zula Emporium – Rare magical goods and unusual finds.
• Ron’s Stables – Largest stables in the city; ideal for mounts and carts.
• Magus Lexicon – Magical reagents, scrolls, and casting tools.
• Violet’s Velvet – Fashion for commoners and nobles alike.
• Bang Bang Store – Firearms and magical ammunition.
• The Starlit Saffron – Elite dining for adventurers and nobles.
• The Jester’s Jug – Comedy inn and tavern with shady dealings.
• The Rocky Embrace – Budget inn for new adventurers.
• Hero Haven – Luxurious hotel for high-level heroes.

Founding Date

6/12/10319

Type

Capital

Population

74,954

Ruling/Owning Rank

Hearth Stone

Characters in Location

• Brok Tresten
• Lex Toappaday
• Numa Frera