Skolara

Named after the old common word for a congregation of mages, Skolara is a college city, and the magical and intellectual capital of the world. This city sits triumphant on a gentle hill that slopes up and away from the glistening blue bay, towers stretch high giving beautiful views of the ocean as it curves out of sight to the east. This city is comprised mostly of magical practitioners in all forms, and is where many of the Empire's battle-mages train before going to battle. While most are free to visit, living here is on an invitational basis, as it is considered an honor, and recognition of one's dedication to the empire and to the magical arts, to be able to live here.

Demographics

Human (56%), Elf (25%), Halfling (9%), Dwarf (3%), Gnome (2%), Tiefling (2%), Half-Elf (1%), Half-Orc (1%), Dragonborn (1%)

Government

While the Emperor, as with all his other territories, has direct and total control, he delegates much of the regular governing to appointed officials, most of which are higher level mages from within the Empire's army. While part of the larger army, battle-mages are held in different ranks and esteems than their non-magical counterparts, and are therefore giving more respect and regards, hence the choice to make most appointed officials be of their ranks, notwithstanding the clear benefits of having the most skilled mages running and governing a city almost solely dedicated to cultivating and advancing magic.

Defences

The city has little in the way of defenses outside a typical guard force, but it has little need for it given its location. What few guards do reside here are outfitted with high-quality armor, and with potions, scrolls, and shields meant to resist or outright nullify magic, so that magic is near wholly ineffective against the guards as a matter of security, although largely unnecessary due to the peaceful nature of the city.

Industry & Trade

Most of the city's trade is a healthy cycle, where raw resources such as paper, ores, plants, wood, ink, and other goods necessary for mages, apothecaries, magic-item crafters, and the like to practice their craft are imported, and the finished products, such as scrolls, potions, books, and other magical goods are exported.

Infrastructure

Large buildings line the streets, many of which are intricately designed, and seemingly miniature mansions, expertly furnished and decorated, befitting the prestige that one would need to even be invited to live here, let alone afford to do so. A complicated sewer system runs underneath the whole city, and many houses have cisterns of their own, paired with the large ones that are part of the city, so that running sewage is available in almost all houses, and a select handful of houses have some semblance of running water from uphill cisterns. A moderately well-built dock sits at the heart of the city. Not many come and go, and naval threats on this side of Irrelion are far and few between, so the need for a large and well defended port are unnecessary.

Districts

Lowsquare

The oldest area of the city, this is where the bulk of the population lives in luxury with all the pomp and circumstance that preferential treatment can give. The College District is located within the Lowsquare district, and numerous libraries, bookshops, apothecaries, shops, and restaurants line the streets to cater to the students.

College District

Part of the Lowsqure District, the rowhouses lining these streets have had walls knocked down between them to combine them into larger structures to host classes with dozens, potentially hundreds of students. From classes filled with vine, thicket and thorn with cabinets filled with alembics and pestles, to grand halls with marble pillars and bookcases lining the walls, the buildings here all paid for and maintained by constant funding from the empire's coffers.

Ivory Docks

Named after the Pink Ivory wood that almost all the docks are made of, the wood has been sealed with magical lacquer and is regularly re-coated to maintain its salmon pink color. Pink Ivory is an exceedingly expensive and rare wood, and these docks are a show of wealth for all that come to visit. The buildings here consist of storehouses, inns, and a few shops.

Upper Ward

once planned to be a posh district, filled with full-sized noble houses, construction began on one, and was abruptly halted. This singular building acts as the town hall, and seat of power for all the city delegates. Seemingly small, much of it was buried underground, and the green lawn surrounding the town hall building slopes up, covering expansive underground hallways and rooms.

North District

Another largely residential district, the houses here, while still decadent and lavish, are smaller, and more affordable to the average resident. Many budding mages, apothecaries, and other practitioners of the intellectual arts may live in buildings with as many as a dozen others to save money.

Clear Green

In the initial city plans, this was to be a park, filled with benches and tables, and dotted with exotic trees. However, when Pendleton came into power in 821, he visited Skolara, which he had never visited before. Many mages and other students of the arts and sciences set up shop in the streets of the city, selling their services to other students or to tourists and visitors. This helped the students earn money, and practice their skills, but horridly cluttered the streets. Pendleton proposed turning Clear Green into an open market, maintaining the beautiful scenery and plants, but allowing people to set up stalls and tents to offer their goods and services. While this proposal was initially met with skepticism, these days, the best spots are taken before sunrise, and the birds chirping and fluttering through the trees, as soft oceanic winds swing and sway the grass and shrubs, setting a beautiful backdrop for the ever-popular Clear Green Market.

Cherchark's Gate

Pronounced roughly as "Her-sharks", this district is named after Valtreith Cherchark, a battlemage of the empire, one who had single-handedly held off a Claydor raiding party shortly after the Battle of Vanderbilt Pass, and gave his life to stop the enemies. Having been born and raised here, and known throughout the town as a proud citizen of the empire, he was brought here to be buried. At this time, the city wall had been demolished, and was being pushed back to allow for expansion, and the creation of a new district and gate. It was chosen to be named after Cherchark in his honor, and he was buried in a mausoleum in the center of a large graveyard, which would be used to bury battlemages and healers who died honorably for the empire.

Sily's Road

As legend goes, a man by the name of Robert Sily, a young mage who, by all accounts, had immense potential with elemental magics, had been out north of the city to pick mushrooms, Mad Caps, known to make tinctures that assist in fire magic. As he was out, he saw, from the edge of the forest, roughly two-dozen treants march towards the city. Having been part of the reserve guard force for some time at this point, he took it upon himself to stop this potential threat to the city. He was found charred to the bone, with the scattered corpses of treants scattered around, with 9 of them burnt halfway to ash surrounding him. It's thought that they closed in on him, at which point he summoned such potent fire magics on himself to kill them all, sacrificing himself. This district has been named in his honor. As part of the historical naming, many of the people who live here are practitioners of elemental magics, particularly of fire.

Blackpoint

Although a seemingly ominous name, this area is all but wicked. This district got its name from the many houses with blackout curtains here, turning the clear and well-crafted windows into pitch-black glass panes. This is due to the many practitioners of alchemy here, along with those who craft magical items, both of which often rely heavily on light conditions, whether certain ingredients or components that can be very light-sensitive.

Chicken Orchard

Many of the houses here have chicken coops, yet contrary to what one would expect, is a very clean district that has no offensive odor to it. The chickens are largely well taken care of, with excellent coops that are cleaned regularly, and no waste is allowed to sit and stink up the area. The chickens here are raised not for egg nor meat, but instead for feathers, a very important commodity for almost all practitioners of the arts. Whether it be for writing, for use in a spell, or even used in a potion or magical item, the chickens are raised and bread to produce as high quality feathers as possible, with the highest quality feathers being sold for several gold or even platinum to those that find the perfect feather ideal for their use case.

The Valleys

Here, on the east side of the city, where some of the most basic houses are (which are still grand compared to the average townhouse a farmer or laborer might live in) has two small valleys, the ground sloping down towards them, one on the north side of the road, one on the south. These aren't truly valleys, only dipping about 4 feet deeper than the surrounding terrain. However, the 'valleys' are quick to flood during heavy rains, or even light rain if prolonged. The houses that rest in flood zones slowly raise up, whether on a stilted foundation, or with a stone foundation sealed against the water.

Assets

Large stores of grains, cheeses, wines, meats, fish, and other fine foods are stocked in case of any shortage, which is exceptionally rare. The city also has large coffers in the basement of the city hall, holding large amounts of gold and magical items, potions and scrolls.

Guilds and Factions

Too many to list, there are a plethora of magical and intellectual groups and guilds, which work as a large part of the city's economy in helping regulate business and making sure all have a fair chance at selling goods and services, and helping distribute knowledge.

History

Construction began on the 100th anniversary of the Empire, and the city was made to be rivaled only by the capital itself. It was to be funded heavily by taxes levied on trade to and from here, and from the empire's coffers, to keep college classes and workshops afloat.

Points of interest

Tavern: Madman's Rose Rest

An expert brewer by the name of Halimath Amakiir, a young elf, runs this establishment. A prodigy of ales, spirits, and liquors from a young age, this tavern is very large, and is brilliantly lit by immaculate chandeliers and sconces, with massive tables for meetings, each handmade by an expert woodworker. The establishment is two floors, with a large winding staircase connecting the two at the front, the back wall has a large, round stage where bands perform every night for patrons of the bar. Inside and out, it is decorated with immaculate woodworking and stone, metal, and gemstone flourishes, and topped with a cotton white roof made of clay ground up with quartz.

Blacksmith: The Cobalt Bastion

Owned by gruff middle aged elven man, Naal Ethanasath is a craftsman in a realm of his own. A large U-shaped stone and oak building, a massive forge rests in the center, with tables circling around and hugging the walls, which are lined with tools, common and one-of-a-kind. An extremely clean workshop, Naal does not make arms and armor for just anyone, each of his pieces is a work of art, taking time, and requiring utmost attention to detail, only the most wealthy can afford his goods.

Alchemist: Toil and Potions

Oriel Kent is a young human that belongs to a long line of alchemists that have lived in the city, her father before her having been notorious for his healing potions. She took over the family shop, and has helped diversify the offerings. While she is not perfect in any one potion, one could bring her near any ingredients with some semblance of congruity as to their alchemical effects, and she could no doubt make a decently-effective potion. Her store is very round, not in shape, but in design. Arched windows and doorways, with curving tables and countertops, round bottles and alembics, mortars and alembics, round baskets to hold ingredients.

Jeweler: The Spectacular Sun

Owned by Kody Shelby, an old man, near 70 years old, he has crafted jewelry since a young boy, originally being an apprentice, and then opening this store. The store itself is more simple than most, still very well made, but simple, missing many decorative flourishes that other houses have. Kody himself is a man of little words, and has a vicious case of the shakes that has only worsened with age. Despite this, the moment he sets himself to his work, his hands move with precision and experience, making jewelry worthy of nobility. He has extensive experience with magical items, and is willing to make the attempt to convert them into jewelry if possible.

Tourism

Tourism is a large part of the city's industry, and many people come here to visit the most magical city that Irrelion has to offer. From nobles perusing vast catalogues of potions, tinctures, and tonics, to well-off individuals coming simply to see the sights.

Architecture

Fine wooden buildings that would give elves in the forest jealousy line the streets, almost every house unique in its construction, Artisans of every craft work together to build the city up to a standard befitting of a crown jewel of the empire. Finely dyed slate or clay shingled roofs leave the canopy of the city awash in a faded palette of colors, each paired to the luxurious woods used to build and decorate the equally luxurious houses.

Geography

The city lies on the edge of the ocean, and the ground slowly slopes down towards the ocean, leading many houses having a clear line of sight to the vast blue. The surrounding plains are lush and grassy, and the forests are ancient and magical.

Climate

The city itself is almost always warm, with currents from the cooler southern parts of the ocean bringing fair breezes that keep the summers cool and the winters warm.

Founding Date

713

Population

31,114

Owner/Ruler

Emperor Philarion Pendleton

Owning Organization

Afrington Empire