Maelis

The thriving city that is Maelis sits at the place King Maelon stepped foot on land, having travelled from his homeland. From there, the human race has spread across the world. Maelis is also home to the King's castle where King Beiric rules over his kingdom. The city is surrounded by a sixteen foot high wall, which sits roughly eight foot deep. The stone was mined from the Halvik river, named after Halvik Svandor. The river provides clean water to the city, straight from the Dragalon mountains, and also acts as a passageway for merchant ships to transport goods along the farm banks. It's also the journey prisoners take when sent to Steephold. In its centre sits a statue of King Maelon atop a large fountain. Often this is where the poorer citizens get their water from as only the higborn houses have running water in them. Every second week there is the central market where the Citywall Farms are able to sell their excess crops to the city dwellers. During times of famine, this doesn't happen as the the Citywall Farms are responsible for providing the castle with food.

There are three gates through which you can enter the city. The Western Gate leads the way to the farm banks, along the Halvik river. The Eastern Gate leads to the Citywall Farms, but also to the Temple Of Light. The Southern Gate leads to the harbour and the outer market. This gate is nearly always open as traders, common people, and visitors to the city arrive by boat. The Southern Gate is well protected though, with century towers around all sides of the harbour. Highborns should have no fear going through the gate either, as the King's Guard line the streets of the lower city to prevent riots in the slums. Although the official stance on the lower city is that Maelis welcomes all with open arms. As long as you don't practice magick. Within the city walls, magick is forbidden on pain of death. Outside the city walls, it is allowed. Often, Half-Elves who are able to do simple spells will set up a stall in the outer market and offer a range of tonics or rituals to folk who can afford it. Maelis is also home to a variety of schools and educational facilities. Soldiers joining the King's Guard being their training in the barracks at the foot of the King's Castle. Orphaned children can receive an education and nurturing atmosphere at the House of Madam Meira. Those who thrive in the handful of schools in the upper city can attend the Reybon Academy. Traditionally, schooling is only appropriate for men, but King Beiric made an amendment to the law allowing women to be accepted. However, the amendment didn't force the schools to take on a female co-hought and so education still remains a male-dominated area.