Stargaze

"The Sky Has Always Been Watching, But Now We Watch Back." -Inscription on the Grand Observatory of Stargaze."

Once a beacon of peace and intellectual progress, Stargaze now stands as a city divided, its famed observatories still reaching for the heavens while the blood-soaked streets below bear testament to the war unraveling before them. As Everwealth’s only border city with Kibonoji, it was once a place of mutual understanding, where Human and Elfese scholars collaborated to advance science, where merchants from both nations freely passed through its gates, and where the wounds of the Great Schism seemed, for a time, to finally heal. Those days are gone. The return of vengeful Elfese exiles, ancient figures banished during the Schism, has shattered any pretense of unity, their ascension in Kibonoji marking the end of peace and the beginning of war. Paranoia and violence have replaced coexistence. Where Elfese once walked freely, they now flee in terror, persecuted whether they be Everwealthy citizens or not. The city, once renowned for its pursuit of the stars, now turns its gaze toward the battlefields.

Founded in 19 CA, first as a military outpost, then as a burgeoning city, Stargaze’s strategic importance ensured decades of investment into its defenses, making it one of the most heavily fortified settlements in Everwealth. Three colossal walls of reinforced stone, armored gates, and countless watchtowers ensure that, should war come, the city will not fall easily. But even its battlements cannot protect its people from the reality of war’s toll. The once-thriving scholarly community, home to pioneering astronomers, star-charters, and the brightest minds of the Scholar’s Guild, now watches their research be repurposed for military strategy. The telescopes once aimed at the cosmos now survey the enemy lines. It is a city of contrasts, a fortress of knowledge now overshadowed by the grim certainty that it will be one of the first to fall should the war escalate further.

Demographics

Stargaze was once a symbol of unity, where Humans, Elfese, and a smattering of other races coexisted, bound by commerce and scholarship. Now, that balance has been broken. The war has driven out most Elfese who once called the city home, either through fear, coercion, or outright violence. A once-thriving minority now dwindles to near extinction. Humans make up the overwhelming majority, with Dwarfish scholars and craftsmen maintaining a small but resilient presence. The city is a haven for military personnel, scholars, and merchants, but recent years have seen an influx of refugees, many displaced by the war and seeking shelter behind Stargaze’s fortified walls. Wealth divides are stark, those within the inner walls enjoy stability, while the outer districts swell with the desperate and displaced.

Government

Stargaze is governed by an appointed Governor, who oversees both civil and military affairs but answers directly to the monarchy. Due to its strategic importance, the Crown maintains direct oversight, ensuring the city remains well-garrisoned and does not waver in its loyalty. Unlike other Everwealth cities, martial law is not an exception, it is the norm. The military presence dictates daily life, with curfews, routine inspections, and harsh punishments for dissent. The Scholar’s Guild still holds sway within the city, but its authority now bends to the demands of war, with research and discovery taking a backseat to military necessity.

Defences

Few cities in Everwealth are as heavily fortified as Stargaze. The three-layered walls, reinforced with Dwarfish stonework, create an impenetrable fortress. Massive gates, protected by both steel and arcane wards, stand as the only sanctioned entry points. Ballistae, scorpions, and trebuchets line the battlements, ensuring any approaching force will suffer before reaching the city. The Ivory Guard, once a ceremonial presence, has taken on an active role in maintaining order, alongside the local militia and reinforcements from Opulence. However, internal instability grows, as fear and paranoia turn citizens against each other, and extrajudicial punishments become increasingly common.

Industry & Trade

Once a hub of intellectual and artisanal trade, Stargaze’s economy has shifted toward military production and wartime logistics. The city’s famed glasswork and optical lenses, once used for telescopes and navigational instruments, now go to spyglasses, military surveying, and targeting systems for siege weapons. Blacksmiths and artificers churn out weapons, armor, and siege tools, while apothecaries refine alchemical compounds, many of which have been repurposed for more lethal purposes. The trade routes that once carried exotic goods and rare texts now flow with supplies for the war effort, and mercenary companies, weapon traders, and bounty hunters thrive in the shadows of conflict.

Infrastructure

Stargaze is built around three core sectors, each defined by its function and level of fortification. The Inner Ring, home to the Grand Observatory and the military command center, is the city’s most secure district, housing its leadership, officers, and wealthiest citizens. The Middle Ring holds the main marketplace, workshops, forges, and lodgings, where artisans and tradesmen continue their crafts under the watchful gaze of the city watch. The Outer Ring, once a peaceful district of scholars and laborers, has become a chaotic sprawl of refugee camps, makeshift barracks, and slums, an unfortunate consequence of war. The roads, once pristine, are now worn with frequent military movement, while watchtowers and bunkers have been hastily constructed across the outskirts.

Districts

The Grand Observatory dominates the Inner Ring, a monument to Stargaze’s scholarly past, now repurposed for military reconnaissance. The Steel Quarter, once renowned for its master-crafted astrolabes and navigational tools, now operates as a vast forge, supplying arms for the kingdom’s defense. The Starcaller’s Square, once a vibrant center for scholars and philosophers, has been largely abandoned, many of its libraries repurposed as command centers or barracks. The Market Row, still the lifeline of daily commerce, has adapted to war, its stalls filled with provisions, war supplies, and mercenary recruiters. In contrast, the Outer Encampments, once quiet residential neighborhoods, have been overtaken by refugees, injured soldiers, and those with nowhere else to go.

Assets

Stargaze’s greatest asset is its knowledge and strategic position. The Grand Observatory remains one of the most advanced centers of astronomy and optics in Everwealth, though much of its work is now dedicated to military intelligence rather than celestial discovery. The city’s glassworks and lens crafting industry remains unparalleled, supplying precision tools for both scholars and tacticians. The massive fortifications and defensive infrastructure ensure the city can withstand prolonged sieges. Meanwhile, the tactical expertise developed here is invaluable—generals, war strategists, and siege engineers all find their skills in high demand as the war escalates.

Guilds and Factions

The Scholar's Guild, while diminished as-of late, still maintains a presence, though its research is now closely monitored by military officials.

The Ivory Guard operates as the law and order of the city, enforcing wartime discipline with brutal efficiency.

The Militant Order of Starwatch, an independent faction of astronomer-warriors, has taken up arms to defend the city, seeing the war as an omen long foretold in the stars.

The Merchant’s Consortium, recognizing the city’s growing dependency on war logistics, has shifted its influence toward arms dealing, provisioning, and mercenary recruitment.

Meanwhile, in the shadows, smugglers and information brokers operate under the Gilded Hand, taking advantage of the chaos to profit off black-market goods and desperate refugees.

History

Stargaze began as a military outpost during the Schism, originally meant to ensure the banishment of the Elfese exiles into Kibonoji. However, after the war settled, its position on the borderlands made it a vital trade route, and slowly, it evolved into a city where both Humans and Elfese lived in relative peace. Over centuries, it gained fame for its pioneering advancements in astronomy and navigation, leading to the construction of its grand observatories and education centers. For a time, it was a beacon of intellectual progress and diplomacy. That time has passed. With the Elfese declaration of war, the fragile peace shattered, and Stargaze became a fortress once more. The scholars who once looked to the stars now look toward the battlefield, and the city’s people, once hopeful, prepare for the worst.

Points of interest

The Grand Observatory, once a marvel of knowledge, is now a war room, where its vast telescopes track enemy movements rather than constellations. The Astral Archive, a once-renowned repository of astronomical discoveries, now serves as a tactical library, containing maps, military records, and stolen Kibonoji battle strategies. The Starcaller’s Square, the city’s old heart of philosophy and art, is now an eerie ghost town, its once-bustling avenues reduced to abandoned stalls and forgotten aspirations. Meanwhile, the Outer Encampments, a recent addition to the city’s sprawl, serve as a grim reminder of war’s reach, filled with refugees, makeshift hospitals, and the remnants of displaced communities.

Tourism

Once a destination for scholars, philosophers, and astronomers, Stargaze’s appeal has withered under the specter of war. Pilgrims seeking wisdom still visit its observatories, but many come now not for enlightenment, but to seek sanctuary. Those who do visit find a city in transition, where scholarly wonders stand alongside military checkpoints and reinforced walls.

Architecture

Stargaze’s gothic stonework reflects its history as both a fortress and a city of learning. Towering observatories, decorated with celestial carvings and intricate astrological symbols, stand alongside massive bastions and fortifications. The older sections of the city retain an austere beauty, but the newer, hastily-erected defenses give the city a grim, unwelcoming atmosphere.

Geography

Nestled against the borderlands of Kibonoji, the city is surrounded by rolling plains, dense woodland, and rocky foothills. The high altitude makes for cold, crisp air, while frequent fog and cloud cover lend the city a mystical yet foreboding atmosphere. Summers are cool and short, while winters bite harshly, often locking the city under snow and ice.

Climate

Stargaze experiences a harsh and unpredictable climate, owing to its high altitude and position along the borderlands. The city is cold year-round, with biting winds sweeping through its streets, carrying the chill of the mountains beyond. Frequent fogs and heavy cloud cover give the city an eerie, muted atmosphere, blocking out sunlight for much of the year. Summers are brief and mild, lasting only a few months before the temperature plummets again. Winters are long and brutal, often burying the city under deep snowfall and freezing over the surrounding rivers, making trade and travel dangerous. Spring and autumn bring torrential rains, turning the roads to mud and slush, further complicating military movement and supply chains. The sky, once a symbol of the city's scholarly achievements, now looms dark and foreboding, a reflection of the war that has turned Stargaze from a beacon of knowledge into a fortress of survival.

Natural Resources

The city’s primary resources include glass, stone, and rare celestial minerals found in the nearby hills. These materials fuel its observatories, defenses, and artisans, while surrounding woodlands provide limited but vital lumber.

Founding Date

19 CA

Alternative Name(s)

'The City of the Minds', 'Lost-Peace-Lane'.

Population

44,000, over 1/4 of these active-duty soldiers.

Inhabitant Demonym

'Stargazers'

Owning Organization

The Monarchy