Tor Uviel
Tor Uviel was one of the two cities which vied for the title of Capital, formerly sharing this competitive stance with their nearby neighbours, Tor Malmo. After the War with the Kasarian Conclave and the damage done to both cities, it was decided that both would lose the title of Capital and become regular towns and cities while the rebuilding of the Rune Keepers began.
Tor Uviel was not as physically damaged as some of the other locations haunted in the War and as such much of its structure and layout has remained the same during the rebuild.
The most damage, noticibly, happened in the vineyards where some of the Kasarian Cultists attempted to make Oblivion Wine to wipe the memories of as many individuals as possible to instate the religion of Kasri in a wide spead sweep. The apple and pear trees, and the grapevines were torn up to make way for the trees on which Oblivion Lotuses grow, a plant normally found only in The Feywild.
Demographics
Tor Uviel boasts a majority Elven population, with very scarce diversity among its numbers.
Government
As with all settlements in the Rune Keepers, Tor Uviel is currently under the command of the High Clergy of Var'Bellenaris. Until such a time they are able to redistribute an appropriate number of priests and priestesses to the location, they receive frequent updates from the Temple City instead.
Defences
Thanks to the evacuation of the Arcane Academy during the war, the city still plays host to a vast number of mages who are capable of defending the location from bandits and wild animals.
Infrastructure
Once boasting vast winding vineyards and orchards, these locations took heavy damage in the War and are slowly being rebuilt to kickstart the breweries and alcohol distribution of the Empire. The vineyards will once again host windmills and breweries to hone their produce.
Districts
Vineyards and Orchards:
Though currently still in the rebuilding and refertilisation stage, the vineyards and orchards of the city will flourish once again and make way for the distilleries and breweries to begin functioning once more. Though the number of these farms have been reduced due to the population, it is expected that four major Vineyards and one major Orchard will be the main sources of apples, pears and grapes going forward.Residential District:
Currently the thousand strong population of the city are housed up in some of the lesser damaged structures still standing in the old Residential District, however it is expected that they will be demolished and rebuilt to ensure structural stability and safety for the long term. The majority of the planned housing is fit for small families to flourish.Merchant District:
It is expected that a number of taverns and inns will be built to boast and sell the produce from the Vineyards and Orchards, and the draw in tourism to the city to make the money flow again. But alongside that, a number of wide scale shops and stores are in the planning stages of construction.Arcane Academy:
Though affected during the war, the majority of the building and its mages remained unharmed and were able to return to their studies and work almost as soon as the city was retaken. Due to the intervention of the Guild, the five Arch-Mages of the Academy survived the war and are still able to work and teach at the location.Temple District:
Due to the dragon Eizail'ora forming a Domain of Delight in the Temple District, the temples were left entirely unharmed and thus the twelve holy places of the Seldarine remain standing and ready for repopulation by the Clergy.Assets
Hearthkeepers' Nook:
The Hearthkeepers' Nook is a beautifully homely and comfortable tavern in the city which was rebuilt very quickly after the Kasarian occupation ended, becoming a location for lingering wounded and wearing individuals to stay and rest and recover, it has become a popular haunt for all manner of people in the months since. Now a very successful, yet affordable, the owner Anders Warmwater provides a pleasant smile and good conversation between drinks and food in this homely tavern.The Sunken Satyr:
Another of the new build taverns in the city, The Sunken Satyr is far more pastel in style with pale wood accents and a Fey flare. Seemingly rather inspired around the Seasonal Courts of the Wilds, they have themed bedchambers to highlight this. Owned by Finnian Wildcloak and the Cherrycheek sisters: Adella Cherrycheek; Winnie Cherrycheek and Eraphina Cherrycheek.The Dark Hound:
A little more dingy and low key, The Dark Hound tavern and its owner, Uthemar Withrethin, attracts some of the more nefarious and shady individuals who require a space to commune and plot. It is uncertain if the authorities are unaware of its existence or if they are at present ignoring it in favour of the bigger issues surrounding the rebuilding of the Empire, one might lean towards the latter, as it appears a number of rogue-ish individuals keep seeing off bandit threats.The Nutty Donut:
A renovation of a former bakery in Tor Uviel, The Nutty Donut has had a full rebrand; new management and a brand new front of house after a Dragon fell on it during the war and flattened one of the previous owners. Never fear! The recipe book which made the previous Nutty Bagel so infamous was spared and the food is better than ever! This new build has a wonderful addition of bright open windows at the front of store to give a tantalising view of the many cabinets of cakes and baked goods on sale. The owner, Theren Hawthorne is the son of the former owner and is glad to continue the legacy left behind.The Rope and Barrel:
This newly re-opened store is perfect for all your functional day to day requirements, varying from pots and pans to lanterns and ink quills. It is at present a basic one story shop however the second floor is under renovations for additional space.Birdie Blooms:
Birdie Blooms is a beautiful and almost antiquated florists dedicated solely to the growing and provision of various flower displays for all events and requirements. These beautiful home grown flowers have vibrant colours and delightful scents. The store itself is an almost greenhouse-go-shop with floor to ceiling square cut glass windows and a rooftop with a glass cut out at the centre. There are numerous flowerpots and overflowing displays filled with flora. Birdie Blooms is run by the often shy but well mannered Dove Siannodel, a High Elf woman native to the city.The Elven Anvil:
One of the finer blacksmiths in the Rune Keepers, the smith of this location is one of the best in the business on this side of the continent. Able to craft with numerous materials and able to enchant as they go, their craft is well respected not only for the quality but for the cost as well. The building is a single story build on the edge of the market district with an open front for the forge.The Orchard:
The only remaining orchard in the city, it has been tended to and its soils flushed of any residual Cold Iron and Oblivion Lotus. A variety of trees have been planted, such as apple; pear; orange and cherry. There is a simple barn adjacent to the orchard for storing and producing product.The Vineyards:
Hale Vineyard; Paleview Vineyard; Juniper Vineyard and Silver Mist Vineyard are the four remaining Vineyards in Tor Uviel. There were formerly around eight or nine before the war, but given the damage caused by the Cold Iron exposure as well as the damage caused by the uprooting and planting of Oblivion Lotus, the number had to be reduced to better match not only the quality of the soil but also the populace of the city and wider Empire. It is believed Juniper Vineyard was the location of the main Oblivion Lotus Orchard and the Fey Slavery ring associated to it - however this is generally refuted by the new owners. It is uncertain if they do so because the information is incorrect, or because they don't want to scare off new customers with old horrors.Guilds and Factions
Merchant Guild:
It is widely anticipated that the stores and shops which open in Tor Uviel will form a Guild to better aid one another in staying afloat as they aim to rebuild what was lost in the War.Clergy:
Once the rebuilding of the city is complete it is expected that the Clergy will be redistrubuted by Var'Bellenaris to undertake the maintance of the Temple District and religious duties of the population.Mages:
The former students and teachers of the Arcane Academy who are currently working to protect the city, it is likely they will return to their studies once the Empire has reached an equilibrium post-war. This faction is made up of Wizards, Warlocks, Sorcerers and Bards.History
Prior to the Kasarian War, Tor Uviel was one of the two capital cities of the Empire of the Rune Keepers, after Eizail'ora was freed from Kasaria's control and joined the fight against the Conclave, the city was abandoned by the Conclave and retaken by the Rune Keepers.
Points of interest
The Memorial:
Near the Temple District a memorial has been erected to name those who gave their lives in the defence and retaking of Tor Uviel. Ranging from the Dwarves and Orcs from the Empire Of The Clockwork BattleAxe; the Humans who came from The Empire Of Man and the Fey who came forth from The Feywild. This memorial takes the shape of a beautiful cherry tree at the centre of a water fountain.Architecture
Very similar in style to its pre-war appearance, the houses of Tor Uviel feature with pitched slate roofs and front facing gables; exposed decorative timbering of dark oak with white stone inbetween; elegant archways leading to the front doors and diamond cut panes of glass in the windows; there are usually two chimneys on opposing ends of the houses.
The interior of the buildings is quaint and tidy, built for function and quick habitation to get people housed as quickly as possible. Nevertheless, they are comfortable and secure with wood flooring and exposed ceiling beams, a basic upstairs-downstairs cottage style ready to house small families.
It is not odd or out of place to see a small number of grander towers belonging to some of the higher ranking mages of the city, featuring quirky additions like floating side-rooms and hypnotic colour patterns which magically swirl across the stonework.
The temples of the city are beautiful white stone and gold filigree with stained glass windows and ceilings depicting scenes and key features of the Gods they are dedicated to.
Geography
Tor Uviel features a slight hilly terrain with rolling fertile soil for the winding vineyards and orchards, and a tiered structure to the city due to the disjointed levels thanks to the uneven land. Its Eastern side bleeds into the woodland and Forest of Minuets while its Western side leans into open plains.
Climate
As with the rest of the Empire, Tor Uviel is blessed by warm temperatures all year around and humidity which makes the growth of grapes and vineyards perfect. Very summery all the time in temperature and weather, the Empire never sees snow and even when it rains the water is warm on the skin.
Natural Resources
There is an abundance of wood available from the Forest to the East, however in line with the traditionals of the Elves, only trees nearing the end of their lives are used for construction and they are always replanted very quickly.
Type
City
Population
1000+
Inhabitant Demonym
Elven
Included Locations
Owning Organization