Glow City

Inspired By World Anvil Summer Camp 2021: "An Industrial, Mining, Logging or Other Production Settlement."

Glow City is a floating metropolis that sits atop the Glowing Lake, surrounded by the ruins of the ancient city of Alton City. The city is divided into three rings: the Residential Ring, Market Ring, and Royal Ring. The Residential Ring is the outermost ring and is home to the majority of the city's population. It is mostly overgrown with Glowing Creeping Vine and is dotted with ruined apartment buildings, shantytowns, and local flora and fauna from the Deadlands. The Market Ring is located in the middle of the city, and it is home to many ruined skyscrapers that have been demolished or repaired for inns, shops, and guild halls. The Royal Ring is the innermost ring and is the most developed and exclusive part of the city, home to many repaired mansions and government buildings.
The city is known for its advanced technology and powerful magic, and it is a melting pot of different species and ethnicities. It's a major center of trade and commerce, and it's governed by an elected mayor and members of the city council. However, in reality, it's controlled by the Alton Shadow Council, a group of powerful and mysterious individuals who keep the true nature of the city and its history shrouded in mystery and legend. They also created the Radiant Collective to enforce their will, and the Church of the Glow to control the population.
The city is also known for its red-light district called Nasta, which exists underground, and for its major powers like the Radiant Collective, DeadLand Mages College, Apollo Adventurers Guild, and Church of the Glow. The main source of income for the city is the Anubain Trading Consortium. The city is also known to be a place where different races and cultures coexist, making it a diverse and colorful place. However, despite its prosperous appearance, the city is plagued by political turmoil and power struggles that are controlled by the Alton Shadow Council.

Government

Glow City is a free city-state, and it is governed by a complex system of power and politics. The official governing body is the City Council, which is made up of elected officials who are responsible for making and enforcing laws and regulations. The City Council is led by the Mayor, who is elected by the citizens of Glow City.
The City Council is responsible for the day-to-day management of the city, including public services, infrastructure, and economic development. They also handle the city's budget and taxes, and they work to maintain peace and order within the city.
However, behind the scenes, the true power in Glow City lies with the Alton Shadow Council. This secretive group is made up of powerful and mysterious individuals who control the city's politics and economy. They are believed to be the remnants of the ruling council of Alton City, and they have dedicated themselves to protecting the city and its people. They have created the Radiant Collective, an organization of powerful enforcers, to maintain order and control within the city.
The Church of the Glow, also controlled by the Alton Shadow Council, is another powerful force in the city. They are responsible for the spiritual well-being of the citizens and also act as propaganda tools for the Alton Shadow Council. The Church of the Glow is also responsible for the education of the citizens and the maintenance of the city's history and culture.
Therefore, the Alton Shadow Council acts as the real power behind the City Council, ensuring that the city's laws and regulations are in line with their own interests and goals and that the city's prosperity and stability are maintained.

Geography

Glow City is a floating city built on top of the Glowing Lake, a large body of water surrounded by the ruins of the ancient city of Alton City. The lake is known for its radiant glow, which is said to be the result of a powerful magical explosion that occurred centuries ago. The city is divided into three rings that float on top of the lake: the Residential Ring, Market Ring, and Royal Ring.
The Residential Ring is the outermost ring and is home to the majority of the city's population. It's mostly overgrown with Glowing Creeping Vine, and it's dotted with ruined apartment buildings, shantytowns, and local flora and fauna from the Deadlands. The Residential Ring is also the source of the city's food supply, as it has farms and gardens.
The Market Ring is the middle ring of the city and is home to many ruined skyscrapers that have been demolished or repaired for inns, shops, and guild halls. It's a bustling area of the city, with a vibrant market, shops, and restaurants. The Market Ring is also the main hub of trade and commerce within the city, and it's a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
The Royal Ring is the innermost ring of the city and is the most developed and exclusive part of the city. It's home to many repaired mansions and government buildings. The Royal Ring is also the city's political and economic center. It's where the wealthy and powerful citizens of the city live and work, and it's also home to the city's government buildings and institutions.
Beyond the city, the ruins of the ancient city of Alton City surround the Glowing Lake, providing a glimpse of the past and the source of advanced technology and powerful magic. The ruins are mostly overgrown with vegetation and have been reclaimed by nature, but there are still some accessible ruins that are used for research and exploration.
The city is also surrounded by the Deadlands, a vast wasteland created by the Great Explosion that destroyed Alton City. The Deadlands are a dangerous and inhospitable place, filled with mutated creatures and dark magic.

Culture

Glow City has a diverse and multicultural culture, shaped by the many different species and ethnicities that have migrated to the city over the centuries. The city is a melting pot of different cultures and traditions, and it's known for its vibrant and colorful atmosphere.
Religion plays a significant role in the city's culture, with the Church of the Glow being the dominant institution. The Church of the Glow is responsible for the spiritual well-being of the citizens, and it also acts as a propaganda tool for the Alton Shadow Council. Many people in the city follow the teachings of the Church of the Glow, which is based on the worship of the Glowing Lake as a divine being.
The arts and entertainment are also an important part of the city's culture. The city has a thriving theater scene, with many plays, musicals, and performances taking place in the Market Ring. The city also has a rich tradition of music, with many different styles and genres being represented.
The city is also known for its advanced technology and powerful magic. Magic is widely used for practical purposes in the city, such as transportation, construction, and energy. The city is also home to the DeadLand Mages College where students come to study magic and technology.
Trade and commerce are also a significant part of the city's culture and economy. The city is a hub of trade and commerce, and it's home to the Anubain Trading Consortium, one of the most powerful trading companies in the region.
The city's culture is also heavily influenced by the Alton Shadow Council, a secretive group that controls the city's politics and economy. The Council is known to keep the true nature of the city and its history shrouded in mystery and legend. They also created the Radiant Collective and the Church of the Glow to enforce their will and control the population.

History

Glow City has a long and storied history, dating back to the time of the ancient civilization of Alton City. The people of Alton City were known for their advanced technology and powerful magic, and their city was considered the pinnacle of civilization on the continent of Renga.
However, around the year 3,500, a catastrophic event known as The Great Explosion occurred, which destroyed the city and created the Deadlands. The explosion was caused by a malfunction in a powerful magical device created by Alton City's ruling council, which was meant to harness the energy of the Glowing Lake.
In the aftermath of the explosion, only a small number of survivors remained, and they were forced to rebuild their lives in the ruins of their once-great city. They discovered that the lake had not only survived the explosion but had also grown in size, engulfing the ruins of Alton City.
The survivors decided to build a new city on top of the lake, using the ruins of Alton City as a foundation. They named this new city Glow City, in honor of the lake's radiant glow. They divided the city into three rings: the Residential Ring, Market Ring, and Royal Ring. The Residential Ring was built on top of the ruins of the old city's residential areas, the Market Ring was built on top of the ruins of the old city's commercial areas, and the Royal Ring was built on top of the ruins of the old city's government and noble areas.
As they rebuilt the city, the survivors also discovered that the Glowing Lake had a strange and powerful energy, which they began to harness for their own use. They also discovered that some of the local flora and fauna had been mutated by the energy of the lake, and they began to study and use these new forms of life.
Over time, Glow City became a hub of trade and commerce, drawing people from all over Renga. Many different species and ethnicities migrated to the city, and it became a melting pot of cultures. The city prospered and became a center of technology, magic, and civilization once again.
However, despite its success, the city was plagued by political turmoil and power struggles. To maintain order, a group of powerful and mysterious individuals known as the Alton Shadow Council emerged, taking control of the city behind the scenes. They created the Radiant Collective to enforce their will, and the Church of the Glow to control the population.
Today, Glow City is a free city-state, governed by an elected mayor and members of the city council. However, in reality, it is controlled by the Alton Shadow Council, who keep the true nature of the city and its history shrouded in mystery and legend.

Demographics

• Humans: 50% of the population. Humans are one of the most common races in the city and can be found in all parts of the city and in all walks of life.
• Frogmen: 25% of the population. The frogmen are a race of intelligent amphibians that are native to the region. They are known for their strong swimming abilities and are well-suited for living on the Glowing Lake.
• Other races: 25% of the population. The city is a Free City, and it's open to various species and ethnicities, so it's likely that there are other races such as elves, dwarves, halflings, gnomes, and even some rarer races. They are a diverse group and can be found in all parts of the city, but they tend to congregate in the Residential Ring, where they form distinct communities.

Notable Places

• Glowing Lake: The most notable place in the city is Glowing Lake. It's the source of the city's power and it's surrounded by the ruins of the ancient city of Alton City. The lake glows with radiant energy, and it's said to be the result of a powerful magical explosion that occurred centuries ago. Many people come to the lake to swim, fish, or just to admire its beauty.
• The Royal Ring: The innermost ring of the city, the Royal Ring is the most exclusive and developed area of the city, home to many repaired mansions and government buildings. It's where the wealthy and powerful citizens of the city live and work, and it's also home to the city's political and economic centers.
• The Market Ring: The middle ring of the city, the Market Ring is home to many ruined skyscrapers that have been demolished or repaired for inns, shops, and guild halls. It's a bustling area of the city, with a vibrant market, shops, and restaurants. It's a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
• The Church of the Glow: The Church of the Glow is a prominent religious institution in the city. It's a beautiful and imposing building that looms over the city. The Church of the Glow is responsible for the spiritual well-being of the citizens and also acts as a propaganda tool for the Alton Shadow Council.
• The DeadLand Mages College: The Deadland Mages College is an ancient institution that dates back to the time of Alton City. It's a place where students come to study magic, technology, and the ruins of the ancient city. It's a prestigious place and only the best students are accepted.
• Nashta: Nashta is the city's red-light district. It's an underground network of tunnels, alleys, and buildings where illicit activities take place. It's a place of vice, danger, and secrecy. Many criminal organizations have a presence in Nashta, and it's not a place for the faint of heart.
• Apollo Adventurers Guild: Apollo's Guild is one of the most powerful organizations in the city. It's a guild of adventurers, mercenaries and explorers that protect the city and its interests. They are known for their bravery, skill, and their willingness to take on dangerous missions.
• The Anubain Trading Consortium: The Anubain Trading Consortium is the city's main trading company. It's a powerful organization that controls the city's economy, and it's known for its wealth and influence.

Map

https://www.worldanvil.com/w/the-first-world-dremag-kest/map/3fa628cb-866f-4766-aaf7-1013b2ed46e0

Named for: Glowing Lake
Type: City-Nation
Population: Approximately 250,000
Location: Deadlands
Diameter: 4 Miles
Imports: Raw materials, Food, Luxury Goods, Advanced Technology, Magical Items, Magic Components, Magical reagents, Books, Scrolls, Equipment, and supplies
Exports: Anubian Crystal, Finished goods, Food, Advanced Technology, Magical Items, Magic Components, Magical Reagents, Books, Scrolls, Equipment, Supplies, Advanced Technology, Magical Items, and Raw Materials