Arkysalem

The Nocturna were gods before gods even existed. They the first race, according to them. According to their legends, in the earth infancy, the entire world was shrouded in a rocky shell fretted with celestial lights. The flora and fauna of the world adapted to this cold and dark environment. They went unnoticed until one day, a war broke out on the surface, and a weapon of great force cracked the shell. The sunlight crept in and set the world ablaze, killing most of their race. Entire gene pools were destroyed in a matter of moments. Those who saw the inferno coming hid underground and the creatures that came to the surface tried to hunt them to extinction. They call it the Nocturn Genocide but it wasn't the end. For the most powerful celestial's favored them above all others and the souls of the survivors were given great power becoming the first gods. These beings have long since passed their titles on, but the nocturna of Arkysalem still carry their legacies. ~Lady Valentina, Poet Lariat of Estalia

Arkysalem is a city that sits on the edge of the border between the Desert of Dis and Estoya. Most Estoyans at not well traveled, and some do not even know it exists. The city spans a few square miles where the buildings are compacted with narrow streets often built into the side of large rock formations as well as on firm ground. The cloth is hung across the buildings to protect from any rays that may breach the canopy.

The canopy is a group of massive dense tarps that are stretched to cover the buildings and citizens below. The canopy blocks out the suns rays, allowing its people to wander during the day without fear. Many live in Arkysalem, some from just about every corner of the earth, but the main demographic are the Nocturna themselves, many of whom are injured by the sun's rays.

The City

Several towers circle the city, and the guardsmen that man those towers are covered in lightweight cloth from head to toe as the towers lie outside of the canopy. While many nocturna can survive in the sunlight, most genetic lines can not. The city has stretched underground in a network of caverns that add to the city itself.

The architecture of the city varies as many cultures exist within it. Most buildings are made of wood or stone but their design is what really differs.The city stands on the border of Dis and Estoya, making it an asset for protecting the north.

Assets

The city is well defended by the nocturna and many mercenary groups who are hired to defend the markets by merchants. The towers feature many ranged weapons ready to kill any for trespassing.

Arkysalem doesn't waste effort in extracting material from the earth unless it is expanding its border. As such, most of its infrastructure is based entirely on trade. The markets make up the vast majority of the surface part of the city, residential areas and manors being below ground.

The Government

The nocturna divide their government into two parts, The Solar Court and the Lunar Court. The Solar Court rules only during the day and The Lunar Court at night. Each court is made of numerous covens. Each coven is made up of those who trace lineage to one of the many specific bloodlines.

The Blood Trade

The nocturna pay well for blood. The Blood Trade is unique to arkysalem. Many believe they drink this blood, but this is not entirely the case. Vampires are technically cousins of the nocturna, if they even exist, but nocturna do not feel hunger at all. The blood is actually used for art. The Blood Painters are what people in Estoya refer to as a bardic college but this term is only loosely true. Blood magic is rampant in Arkysalem and these mages often enjoy employing the genre in their art, always searching for more and to find blood of an unusual hue is a delight that they will pay dearly to enjoy.

History

Arkysalem was founded many eons ago, but has very little in the way of historical events. The city was never seiged or had any form of rebellion. There was never a discovery or some element of progress made. Arkysalem seems, to many, like a city stuck in time. Its lack of change and the aloof nature of the Nocturna seem to be the cause.

The covens of arkysalem are by the only factions if real power in the city, and the distance from Rouxsgate renders The Estoyan Government's power useless. Despite this, the nocturna inexplicably consider themselves within Estoyan borders.

Arkysalem is a hotspot for most merchants wanting to sell their wares. Even the Yithwitch markets can't stand up to the elaborate setup of stalls selling not only the usual wares, but often exotic items not found in many places of the world. For this reason, Arkysalem boasts a massive treasury.