Quarter of the Owl

Introduction

Situated on the eastern side of Thandor, between the Silver Arc and the Commons, the Quarter of the Owl was once envisioned as the city's intellectual heart- a bastion of knowledge meant to rival the empire’s military traditions. Yet, despite its ambitions, the district remains underdeveloped, its quiet streets lined with academies and institutes that never reached their full potential. Though scholars and academics still reside here, their numbers are few, and their influence pales in comparison to the might of Thandor's military elite.

"The Owl Quarter is little more than a nest of scribblers and dreamers. While we train soldiers to defend this empire, they sit in quiet halls debating forgotten lore and teaching songs. It's a district for the weak- intellectuals who think ideas are more powerful than swords."

— a Sergeant of Fort Stone

The district’s relative seclusion makes it one of the calmer parts of the city, a place where learning persists in quiet defiance of the empire’s warlike nature. Among its more notable residences is the Rothmore Manor, home to the city’s mayor, Alexius Rothmore. Unlike the grand estates of Thandor's elite, the manor is simple and newly built, a practical choice after Rothmore’s previous home was lost to fire.

Though the Quarter of the Owl retains a sense of dignity, it stands as a quiet reminder of what could have been- a district meant to shape minds and ideas, now overshadowed by the empire’s preference for steel over scholarship.

Key Locations

Park of Worlds

At the heart of the Quarter of the Owl lies the Park of Worlds, a vast and verdant oasis where scholars, citizens, and travelers alike gather in rare harmony. Exotic flora from every corner of Ken’an flourish here, meticulously tended by caretakers who see their work as both duty and devotion. Towering trees cast deep, cool shadows over winding paths, where students pore over books in hidden alcoves or beneath ivy-covered gazebos. Families, merchants, and nobles alike find solace here, strolling along flower-lined trails or sharing quiet picnics under the open sky.

Yet, the park’s most renowned feature is neither its beauty nor its tranquility- it is the Circle of Seven Stones, an ancient monument of unknown origin. Seven unadorned stones stand in a perfect ring, each inscribed with simple phrases in a different language. It is said that those who meditate before a stone for an hour receive a subtle boon, a shift in perception or an unexplained insight that lingers for the day. More intriguing still, those who extend their meditation across multiple stones claim to weave together effects, unlocking deeper mysteries within themselves.

No record speaks of who placed the stones, nor why. They predate Thandor's founding, standing silent even when the elves ruled this land over a thousand years ago. What is commonly whispered is that the stones are watching- waiting for those who truly understand their purpose.

Alternative Name(s)

Academia, Academy District

Type

District

Location under

Thandor

Included Locations

• Academy of Sciences
• Stunning Harmonies of Ingenious Entertainers

"Ah, the Owl Quarter! A district of thought, of whimsy, and of fortune. It used to be a place for bards and acrobats to make their mark, and now, well, it’s become something else entirely. But it's still alive, let me tell you! A place where art, luck, and a touch of mischief can take you anywhere. A little quiet is good for the soul, but we can't forget to stir the pot now and then!"

— Oriric Cherrybottle, Bard Extraordinaire

Oblidonia

Academy of Oblidonia

Oblidonia is a recent addition in Thandor’s academic life, its gates first opening a mere century ago. It was the life’s work of Aneril Oblidonia, a half-elven arcanist who dared to dream of a future where humans and elves could coexist- not through treaties or force, but through understanding. Aneril sought to establish a place where magic was not feared but embraced, where humans could learn its wonders, and where a piece of his elven heritage could take root within the empire’s capital.

Yet, after Aneril’s death, his vision crumbled. Oblidonia's purpose shifted from a place of enlightenment to an elite enclave, a secluded bastion of scholars and arcane casters. While it still functions as an academy, its exorbitant fees make attendance a near impossibility for all but the wealthiest and most well-connected. Instead of bridging cultures, Oblidonia has become an isolationist institution, an eerie and aloof presence within the Quarter of the Owl. The common folk regard it with distrust, a strange and silent monolith whose inhabitants wield great magical power yet rarely interact with the city beyond its walls.

Fittingly, the building itself is unassuming, a stark contrast to the grand academies found in other parts of the world. No towering spires, no glowing sigils- only a modest, weathered structure, blending into the district as if it wishes to be overlooked. Those who run it seem to prefer it that way.

Hall of Scrolls

Once a temple devoted to Siona, goddess of death, knowledge, and magic, The Hall of Scrolls still carries the weight of its divine past. This majestic yet compact marble structure, adorned with subtle celestial motifs, once housed priests and seekers of truth who whispered prayers beneath its vaulted ceilings. But when the empire decreed that all temples be relocated to the Marble District, the clerics of Siona donated the temple to the empire, transforming it into a library, open to all who sought wisdom.

At least, that was the original intent.

Time and ambition have reshaped The Hall of Scrolls into something far more exclusive. What began as a public repository of knowledge has since fallen under the control of Oblidonia's scholars, its doors now tightly guarded and monitored by wizards. The common folk, once welcome to browse its shelves, now find themselves turned away at the entrance, left only to wonder at what lies beyond.

On the same time, rumors of strange experiments conducted in the temple’s underground chambers persist. Some claim to have seen faint, eerie lights flickering beneath the marble at night, or heard muffled incantations echoing from below. Whether these are mere superstitions or unsettling truths, none outside Oblidonia's elite can say for certain.

Academy of Sciences

The Academy of Sciences stands as a reminder of Empress Sandrin’s vision, an institution born from the belief that the true strength of Thandor lay not in its nobility or military might, but in its common people. Founded in 356 ADA, the academy was the first of its kind, designed to provide the working class with education and the technical expertise needed to fuel the empire’s growth.

Academy of Sciences (Current State)

In its prime, the Academy was a center of learning and innovation, the birthplace of numerous discoveries that helped the empire thrive. But those days are long gone. With the passing of the years and the decline of the empire, the academy has withered- its grand halls are now silent and empty, and many of its departments have been shuttered.

Today, only a few departments survive: the blacksmith training and scribe training programs. The dormitories that once housed hundreds of students now stand mostly abandoned, their rooms gathering dust. The once-bustling courtyards are now desolate, echoing with the ghostly memory of their former vibrance. Though still technically operational, the Academy of Sciences has lost much of its prestige and purpose, overshadowed by the military academy at Fort Stone and the rise of other institutions.

Despite the decay, the Academy remains a monument of an era when knowledge was seen as a pillar of strength. Its hollowed-out halls, now overgrown with ivy, tell the story of a once-great institution whose legacy has all but been buried beneath the weight of time and neglect.

Stunning Harmonies of Ingenious Entertainers

The SHINE (short for Stunning Harmonies of Ingenious Entertainers), stands proudly in the heart of the Owl Quarter. It is one of the newest institutions in the district, having operated for just fifty years. The land it occupies was once home to an open-air theater, a lively gathering spot for bards, acrobats, and performers of all kinds who entertained the streets of the city. For years, it thrived as a vibrant hub of creativity, where the air was filled with music, acrobatics, and laughter. However, as the Owl Quarter grew quieter and more refined, complaints from residents about the noise reached the authorities, who sought to remove the performers.

It was at this moment that Oriric Cherrybottle, a wily and charismatic elder halfling bard, made his appearance. A follower of Levar, the god of luck and mischief, Oriric saw an opportunity not to be silenced, but to transform the land into something that would shape the future of Thandor's cultural landscape. With his charm and silver tongue, Oriric Cherrybottle purchased the land and established the SHINE, a sanctuary for the arts and the performing arts that would carry on the legacy of the old open theater, but with a new purpose.

Since its creation, SHINE has grown into a prestigious bardic academy, drawing students from all corners of the empire eager to hone their craft. Here, students are taught not only music and theater, but also the art of performance, the subtle play of luck, and the craft of trickery and illusion. The academy has quickly become the heart of cultural growth in Thandor, attracting the most talented musicians, dancers, and performers from across the land.