The Moon Castle

The seat of power for one of the five kingdoms, the Moon Castle and surrounding kingdom sits on edge of a dimensional frontier, with multiple pathways (known and unknown) that can deliver travelers to different planes of existence.

Demographics

Inhabitants from the Moon Castle city live a comfortable, relatively peaceful lifestyle. All inhabitants are of fey ancestry, though some may have trace amounts of human blood due to their proximity to a dimensional portal into the "Human Lands" as they are colloquially known as. The Moon Castle is most famous for housing Moon Knights, spirits from the celestial plane that inhabit a mortal body for a limited time before returning to the celestial plane. There is only ever one Moon Knight at the Moon Castle, although sometimes another is sent to apprentice under the current Moon Knight before retiring back to the celestial plane. The current Moon Knight, Yoru, is 20 years of age.

Government

The Moon Castle is a monarchy and is historically ruled by two female monarchs, representing the light side and dark side of the moon respectively. The previous matriarchs were victims of the Dark Wizard's evil campaign, leaving the current seat of power in the late Queen Selenia's husband's hands.

Defences

The Moon Castle is located on a rocky hill side and surrounded by expansive forests. It is heavily fortified with walls and towers to protect against the unknown forces of creatures who pass through from other dimensions, although it has been found over the years that planar creatures respond to physical fortifications in unexpected ways. For example, some spirits lack physical form and can simply pass through. As a result, along with heavy physical fortification and a healthy Castle Guard, the Castle also employs a team of mages who place various wards in and around the city.

Industry & Trade

The people of the Moon Castle are mostly artisans, however the dense forests surrounding the kingdom allow for a thriving lumber industry, as well as luxury items such as furs, truffles, and mountain berry.

Assets

The Moon Castle is home to the world's largest collection of magical items and arcane knowledge.

History

The Moon Castle has a long history of isolationism. More interested in carefully exploring the planar frontiers, the people of the Moon Castle rarely involved themselves in other worldly affairs unless compelled to. This changed when Queen Nicasia, of the dark side of the moon, became enthralled in dark magic. Taking on the moniker of "The Dark Wizard," Nicasia attacked the Sun Kingdom in a vie to claim the Sun Stone, the most powerful artifact in the known planes of existence.
Forced to act, the Moon Castle became involved in the war against the Dark Wizard when the Sun Kingdom was threatened, but could not stop the destruction of their ally from the Dark Wizard and her agents. However, a Moon Castle soldier, Ereben, who would later become King, successfully recovered the famous Sun Stone from the ruins and brought it to the Moon Castle for safe keeping. 
Unfortunately, this made the Moon Castle a target for agents of the Dark Wizard, and the Sun Stone was eventually stolen and the Moon Knight Apollon, who was its named protector, murdered. The Five Kingdoms live in fear of what might happen should the Sun Stone resurface in the Dark Wizard's hands.
Not long after the Sun Stone heist, Queen Selenia tragically passed during the birth of her first child, leaving Ereben the King Regent of the Moon Castle. It was believed Selenia's child was also deceased until she resurfaced from the Human Lands at the age of 18. Princess Skyler is doing her best to fulfill the duties and expectations expected of the Moon Castle matriarch, but struggles due to her human upbringing and unfamiliarity with fey culture and traditions. At the beginning of her rule, she selected an ex-Sun Kingdom citizen, Soren, also known as the Scarlet Devil, to be her bridegroom. In the first book, the two prepare for their wedding and Skyler's eventual coronation, while also attempting to relocate the missing Sun Stone.

Architecture

The primary building material in the Moon Kingdom is moonstone, giving the buildings an opalescent quality, with steep sloping black shale roofing. Upon arrival, Princess Skyler notes that the Moon Castle and surrounding city look like something out of a fairytale picture book.

Climate

Temperate climate, with a mild winter.

Type

City