Thandor's Edhellond

Introduction

As in every major city of the Keraian Empire, Thandor's Edhellond is a place of quiet sorrow and stubborn endurance. To humans and outsiders, it is the elven ghetto- a remnant of a defeated people. To the elves, it is all that remains of a legacy that was shattered a thousand years ago.

In Keraian society, elves are considered second-class citizens, remnants of a kingdom that fell to the might of King Alarin I. The empire boasts that the war of conquest lasted only two years, a swift and decisive victory. Yet, among the elders of Edhellond, there are still the children of those who fought in that war, their memories painting a far different tale; one that no human court cares to hear.

Thandor's Edhellond is built upon the ruins of an elven settlement, a time when this great imperial city was nothing more than a modest elven village. Beneath its worn streets and crumbling homes, echoes of that past still linger- buried stones carved with fading runes, fragments of a history the empire seeks to erase.

Time has worn down the once-proud elves, leaving many weary, some even broken. Yet within the narrow streets of Edhellond, they cling to what remains of their customs and traditions, preserving the echoes of a past the empire would rather see forgotten.

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Alternative Name(s)

The Elven Ghetto

Type

District

Inhabitant Demonym

Song-rats (slur)

Location under

Thandor

Key Locations

The Edhellond Pond

Every elven quarter in the Keraian Empire takes its name from this sacred pond, the heart of the district and a symbol of what was lost. In the midst of crumbling homes and quiet sorrow, the pond remains a place of beauty and devotion, tended with greater care than the elves give their own dwellings.

Despite the gloom that lingers over Edhellond, the pond is a sanctuary. Tall trees stand as silent sentinels around its edges, their branches swaying gently over small gardens of vibrant flowers and fragrant herbs. Wooden bridges arch over the water, leading to a small platform at its center. There, upon a weathered stone altar, offerings are placed to Ephelion, god of love and the arts, as well as creator of the elven people; a quiet act of faith in a world that has long since turned against them.

The Vinyamar

Vinyamar is the district’s most vibrant gathering place and a rare pocket of warmth and laughter in an otherwise somber quarter. Owned and run by Larethian Elewen, the inn stands out with its vibrant colors and unmistakably elven design, a defiant splash of life against the worn streets around it.

The ground floor serves as a spacious common room, where locals gather each night to share stories, music, and the comfort of familiar company. The air is rich with the scent of well-cooked meals, and though the inn is simple, it is always kept clean and welcoming. Upstairs, four modest rooms are available for rent at a price even the struggling elves of Edhellond can afford.

Beside the inn, a small sheltered area offers rest for horses and mounts, though few outsiders venture here. To those who call Edhellond home, Vinyamar is a refuge, a reminder that even in the empire’s shadow, elven spirit endures.

Lunathil

Though neglected and cramped, Lunathil is the lifeblood of Edhellond- a small but bustling bazaar where elves gather each morning to trade, barter, and catch whispers of the world beyond their district. Stalls are tightly packed, leaving little room to navigate, but the air is alive with the scent of fresh food, the clinking of trinkets, and the murmur of hurried conversation. Vendors lay out their modest wares: simple produce, elven-crafted ornaments, fragrant herbs, and steaming bowls of street-cooked meals.

More than just a marketplace, Lunathil is the best place to learn the latest rumors; news of imperial decrees, distant wars, or quiet rebellions whispered between transactions. The labyrinthine alleys that coil around the bazaar hold their own secrets. It is said that certain signals and unseen pathways lead to Edhellond’s hidden black market, though such knowledge is far from common.

Silverleaf Bakery

Owned and run by the elder elf Thaniel Silverleaf, this tiny bakery is a hidden treasure within Thandor. Though its worn walls and weathered sign suggest little to the unknowing eye, the air around it is thick with the warm, comforting scent of fresh bread.

Silverleaf Bakery is best known for its masterfully crafted sweet elven bread, baked in a variety of subtle, delicate flavors. Those who appreciate fine food seek it out, though its reputation remains largely confined to those who know where to look.

The shop itself is barely large enough to fit two customers at a time. A simple wooden counter separates the front from the modest kitchen, where Thaniel, ever patient and meticulous, prepares his goods. Beyond that, hidden from view, lies his humble home; a quiet refuge for an elf who has spent centuries kneading dough and preserving a craft that might otherwise be forgotten.

Aranarth Forge

Under the ever-watchful gaze of Thandor's authorities, Aranarth Forge stands as the district’s only smithy- an elven forge where steel meets scrutiny. Run by Master Duerion Aranarth and her half-elven apprentice, Lyriam, the forge operates under strict regulations. Every weapon crafted is meticulously cataloged by the local guard, and a significant portion of the earnings is siphoned directly to the kingdom’s coffers.

Duerion specializes in the craftsmanship of elven weaponry, though few within Edhellond can afford his work. Instead, much of his trade is conducted through the noble Mortimer family, who purchase his blades and resell them at exorbitant prices in the common and noble districts. This arrangement has earned Duerion little love among his own people- many see his dealings with humans as a betrayal, a sign of compromise in a world that has already taken too much from them.

Greenhaven Remedies

Tucked away at the edge of Edhellond, near the quiet elven graveyard, Greenhaven’s Remedies is a small yet meticulously kept shop. A small garden and a modest greenhouse stand beside it, brimming with rare herbs and vibrant flowers, their delicate scents lingering in the air.

Inside, the shop is a place of quiet care and precision. Shelves are neatly arranged with glass vials, dried plants, and alchemical mixtures, each labeled in elegant elven script. Soft, ambient light filters through clusters of glowing crystals and bioluminescent fungi, casting an ethereal glow upon the wooden counters.

The Silkweaver

The Silkweaver Shop stands as the most well-maintained and prosperous establishment in Edhellond, a gleaming jewel amidst the district’s otherwise humble surroundings. Run by the pompous Tharivor Silkweaver, an elf who prides himself on his family’s long tradition of tailoring, the shop exudes an air of quiet luxury. Tharivor is a perfectionist, obsessed with the finest fabrics and the most intricate designs. He draws inspiration from ancient elven myths and cultural symbols, weaving them into the very fabric of his creations.

His work is renowned for its beauty and craftsmanship, sought after by both elves and humans alike. Despite the shop’s opulence, Tharivor himself can often be found at the counter, presenting his latest creations with an air of superiority, as though every piece is an expression of his personal brilliance. To wear a garment from the Silkweaver shop is not just to don an item of clothing, but to make a statement of wealth and taste- if one can afford it.