Shelter
Not to be confused with The Shelter
Shelter is a village north of Mareen built by and for Magi, where any with ill intent towards them are rejected from their land.
Government
Though technically registered under the Orralian Council, Shelter boasts its own structure and independance from the rest of its countries, and is run by the founding Magi equally with much communication with the rest of town, more as an equal shared decision than any true authority.
Defences
A stone wall has been built around the town, with wooden watchpoints at regular intervals to keep an eye out for approaching people. The town's main defense, however, is an alchemical mixture of Éla which has been poured along the town's boundaries. This potion is designed to see into a person's heart, welcoming them warmly if they come with no ill intent and, for those who do wish harm upon the Magi, it will inflict pain and cripple that person until they leave the boundaries again. It is thanks to these wards that the town still stands, for there are many who wish to see it removed.
Industry & Trade
Though the people of Shelter are largely insular, able to create their own food and resources for the most part, there is occasional trade of those resources in exchange for harder-to-reach things such as plants and alchemical ingredients not native to the local area. This trade is rare, however, and usually performed in bulk as much of the trade has to be done with towns in other countries who would be willing to trade with Magi.
Infrastructure
Shelter began as a single Roundhouse near the main road, which gained a few extentions to become the Roundhouse Inn. From there, many Magi built their own homes and huts, and Bri built an apothecary nearby which is now used to supply medicines to town and provide protection and warding when needed. There is a café built and run by Alison, and a bar for those looking for harder liquor. A multi-faith church lies on the easternmost side of town and the entire settlement is surrounded by walls infused with magic that repels those seeking to trespass -- though a separate inn without such wards is built on the other side of the main road, for those who are passing through.
Show Spoiler
Cobblestone roads lead through town from a main circle containing a stone memorial to Chris Penhurst
History
SPOILERS for the events of House of Magi
Formed in 461 N.A., Shelter began as an outpost for Magi who escaped from the Mareen Institute for Troubled Magi, and had been caught at The Shelter harboured by Evelyn Whitman. They fled the town, knowing the authorities only had juristiction in settlements and not in the wilderness, and after a couple of nights sleeping rough the group decided to build a structure to keep them warm and safe in -- the Roundhouse.
The town expanded from there, as the Magi decided they would never have a better chance to live safely and freely, and within a few months the place was starting to attract attention. A visit from the Council gave them an ultimatum: register as a settlement and be tried as criminals, or refuse and have the place torn down as unclaimed land. They chose to register, and Shelter became an official settlement within Orralia. They did not surrender themselves as criminals, however, and the warded wall was built to put them at a stalemate, keeping the Council out of their business.
By 462 N.A., the settlement had become a village in its own right, boasting a safe space for escaped and traumatised Magi as visitors and refugees from all across the country flocked to visit and settle in Shelter.
Points of interest
Architecture
As every building was personally built by the residents of the town, there is a great variety to style, size and decoration throughout the town. While some chose to continue the roundhouse style, others chose a more upright, boxed design like those in Merinian towns. All buildings are built of clay/mud and stone with thatched roofs where applicable.
Founding Date
Rainfall, 461 N.A.
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Additional Rulers/Owners
Characters in Location
