Sovmora

Like a shining beacon from the before times, I saw the gleam of the Cradle of Life before I saw its walls. Blinding light from its peaks giving me shivers. Not of fear or panic. But hope. A beacon of defiance in a moment of dream.

— Writings of Erethas the Bard

Sovmora, also known as the Cradle of Life, is the oldest city in the world of Nonvyrox, having first been founded during The Dawning and surviving through to the modern day. It is also the location which Shathol chose to announce the creation of the Tynau. Since this proclamation, the city of Sovmora has been considered a protected holy city under the eyes of The Heraldic Gods

Description

Shining almost like a beacon among the rest of the frosted landscape of Vilura, Sovmora gleams with a bright metallic presence. It was originally constructed by the hands of several of The Heraldic Gods. Particularly Tyril, Djanrol, and Boldir were instrumental in the formation of the city, their clerics known for working hard alongside others to form the basis of the city.

As a result, the symbology and craftsmanship is extremely old in the city, with archways and paths dedicated to deities who have long died. From within the city, there is always a sense of beautiful stone architecture that defines the tone of an average passerby. Two of the major districts have massive pots of plants that have been created to house gifts given to the various temples and leaders within the city. There is a large wall that is set around the central parts of the city that seem to have been constructed at some point during The Shatter that are made of a brilliant stone that is lined with veins of a dark color.

Many of the oldest city buildings are reminiscent of ruins and gothic styling, with large stonework that has been expertly carved into shapes of beasts and deific symbols. Several important buildings have roofs that have been lined with metal, causing a large glint when looked at directly. This gives many people the impression that the city itself shines during the day. Newer buildings have incorporated wooden and other stone detailing, using the natural materials of the locations around the city to build up its cultural diversity.

History

Founding and Origins

Created during The Dawning, Sovmora was a labor of love by several of the gods. It was an ode to mortals and the shining light that each of them provided through their belief. The three main architects of the city were Tyril, Djanrol, and Boldir, all of whom made significant contributions to the city and its founding.

Over many years, the city was stalwart in its position on the ground. Many historical accounts put them at odds with the Arvadian, particularly over their use of immense arcane technologies. Sovmora wished to stay simple and humble, using the ground and the divine magics that the deities provided to supply them.

During The Rift, the city of Sovmora was beset by the primordial titans more than any other in the realm. During this time Mandra and several of the other gods helped to form the Guardian Dragons, fifteen draconic protectrors that would help ensure the survival of Sovmora and all that it stands for. They directly opposed the first Giants, creations of the primordial titans to attack Sovmora and other great cities. Upon the deception of the original Deceiver Gods, Sovmora found that five of the Guardian Dragons attacked the city and were deflected only by the power of the other ten, whom protected the city still.

Beset by War

Before the war had even begun, Sovmora had knowledge that something was coming. An ancient hall of prophecies had produced a prophetic vision declaring that the coming days would shatter the world. Enoch Ylvaris was a wizard who had sought refuge in the city due to his perceived connection to the archmage that was now Exa. This led him down a path of intense hubris. In learning new information he teleported himself to Hudran, breaking the chains that prevented The Deceiver Gods from intervening on the mortal plane.

Over the course of The Shatter, the city of Sovmora was beset many times by both carefully co-ordinated and opportunistic strikes. Many of these left different parts of the city in complete ruin, finding that their strength was greatly diminished against the direct influences of the gods. However, the many creations of the gods that struck out against the city, found themselves held back by the might of mortals.

In the second half of The Shatter, the city was the landscape for combat between Thoura and the newly formed beings of Xhakna and Marcada, both of whom dealt mortal blows to Thoura and hunted down her followers for years to come. It is said that within this battle, she was able to begin a ritual to start binding the two entities to their forms, reducing their unpredictable nature and conforming them to the rules of this plane.

The last great battle of The Shatter between Azrovil, reborn into a darker form, Ilvyr, and Zeradoth against Tyril, Therva, and Lyr'ian took place in and around Sovmora. This battle saw intense wounds on all sides and the physical form of Azrovil and Lyr'ian both slain.

A City Fractured

Shathol first announced the creation of the Tynau to Sovmora. Deeming it essential that the city know of what is to come so they can prepare for it. Upon the completion of The Parting, Sovmora felt a drastic change in what it meant to be "of the gods", and as a result, steeled in the face of danger. Traynos Mortenia, one of the human leaders at the time declared this a time of peace, and change.

For the next twenty years, the city was rebuilt and reforged to create some semblance of normality, and to give hope that great cities can rise once again. Upon its completion, many of Sovmora's people were sent out to rediscover places that were thought to have been long destroyed or lost. This led to the great migration and welcoming, when people from all over the world started to find each other once again.

While in the time since The Shatter, there have been incidences and scandals in the city of Sovmora, many of them pale in comparison to the depth and darkness that it saw existing through the divine war. There are some long lived people who can still speak of the horrors and torment they faced within the war.

Founding and Origins

Created during The Dawning, Sovmora was a labor of love by several of the gods. It was an ode to mortals and the shining light that each of them provided through their belief. The three main architects of the city were Tyril, Djanrol, and Boldir, all of whom made significant contributions to the city and its founding.

Over many years, the city was stalwart in its position on the ground. Many historical accounts put them at odds with the Arvadian, particularly over their use of immense arcane technologies. Sovmora wished to stay simple and humble, using the ground and the divine magics that the deities provided to supply them.

During The Rift, the city of Sovmora was beset by the primordial titans more than any other in the realm. During this time Mandra and several of the other gods helped to form the Guardian Dragons, fifteen draconic protectrors that would help ensure the survival of Sovmora and all that it stands for. They directly opposed the first Giants, creations of the primordial titans to attack Sovmora and other great cities. Upon the deception of the original Deceiver Gods, Sovmora found that five of the Guardian Dragons attacked the city and were deflected only by the power of the other ten, whom protected the city still.

Beset by War

Before the war had even begun, Sovmora had knowledge that something was coming. An ancient hall of prophecies had produced a prophetic vision declaring that the coming days would shatter the world. Enoch Ylvaris was a wizard who had sought refuge in the city due to his perceived connection to the archmage that was now Exa. This led him down a path of intense hubris. In learning new information he teleported himself to Hudran, breaking the chains that prevented The Deceiver Gods from intervening on the mortal plane.

Over the course of The Shatter, the city of Sovmora was beset many times by both carefully co-ordinated and opportunistic strikes. Many of these left different parts of the city in complete ruin, finding that their strength was greatly diminished against the direct influences of the gods. However, the many creations of the gods that struck out against the city, found themselves held back by the might of mortals.

In the second half of The Shatter, the city was the landscape for combat between Thoura and the newly formed beings of Xhakna and Marcada, both of whom dealt mortal blows to Thoura and hunted down her followers for years to come. It is said that within this battle, she was able to begin a ritual to start binding the two entities to their forms, reducing their unpredictable nature and conforming them to the rules of this plane.

The last great battle of The Shatter between Azrovil, reborn into a darker form, Ilvyr, and Zeradoth against Tyril, Therva, and Lyr'ian took place in and around Sovmora. This battle saw intense wounds on all sides and the physical form of Azrovil and Lyr'ian both slain.

A City Fractured

Shathol first announced the creation of the Tynau to Sovmora. Deeming it essential that the city know of what is to come so they can prepare for it. Upon the completion of The Parting, Sovmora felt a drastic change in what it meant to be "of the gods", and as a result, steeled in the face of danger. Traynos Mortenia, one of the human leaders at the time declared this a time of peace, and change.

For the next twenty years, the city was rebuilt and reforged to create some semblance of normality, and to give hope that great cities can rise once again. Upon its completion, many of Sovmora's people were sent out to rediscover places that were thought to have been long destroyed or lost. This led to the great migration and welcoming, when people from all over the world started to find each other once again.

While in the time since The Shatter, there have been incidences and scandals in the city of Sovmora, many of them pale in comparison to the depth and darkness that it saw existing through the divine war. There are some long lived people who can still speak of the horrors and torment they faced within the war.

Sovmora

General Information

Full Name	Sovmora Grandis
Also Known As	The Cradle of Life City of Hope The Shimmering Light
Constructed	The Dawning
Leaders	Highbearers
Current Leaders	Grodvir Bronzeforge - Law Provin Hydran - Defense Sheren Tor - Arcana Medena Ulthross - Development Luchia Brightlight - Commerce Rytharian - Information Virgil Herran - Artisans
Guard Unit	Hands of Tyril

Location Information

Plane	Material Plane (Nonvyrox)
Continent	Vilura
Region	Viluran Republic
Districts	Verdant Quarter Silver Authority Frosted Crossroads Rylick's Hold Starmight District
Points of Interest	Hyvanis Keep Runeskald Portenis Tower Obsidian Shard Kalan's Fort

Societal Information

Population	241,930 (in 755 AR)
Population	45% Human 16% Elf 15% Dwarf 24% Other Ancestries

Districts

Silver Authority

Based in the center of the city, the Silver Authority is the political hub of both Sovmora and the greater Viluran Republic. Built around a central palace, the district mostly contains residence for those of a political station. However, there are several locations where there are places designed to deal with diplomats who are visiting from different cultures and locales. While not always shown in its buildings, the Silver Authority is dedicated to the worship of Tyril, leading to his symbols, both modern and ancient being located around the district.

Notable Locations

Hyvanis Keep

The central most building in the Silver Authority, Hyvanis Keep is the seat of power for the government. The keep is both a visual but emotional focal point for the city as it is one of the last buildings still standing from the original design of the city. Some herald it as the core of the divine blessing of the gods to protect them, while others see it as a fortunate building that connects them to the past. The keep holds the official residence and office of the Seven Highbearers of Sovmora and the people who work directly under them.

Tyath-maldeer

Created in the first century after The Shatter, Tyath-maldeer is a direct ambassadorial residence. Meaning "Home of Diplomacy" in a combination of ancient Elvish and Dwarvish, this relatively small house has been designed to create a place that welcomes both diplomats and emissaries alike to the city, providing them somewhere secure to stay during their visit. The interior of the house has been fitted with arcane implements that allow it to change its design to suit the residence's needs and desires, allowing for a more comfortable stay in the city.

Verdant Quarter

In the northern part of Sovmora sits the Verdant Quarter, a large district created primarily in worship of Mandra. The quarter itself is centered around a large garden known as The Kyranold. Originally designed as just a beautiful garden, the greenery expanded and the area of it developed into a temple designed to teach people to harness their abilities of the Natural world, should they possess them.

Notable Locations

The Kyranold

The primary temple to Mandra within the city. It is known for being a grove of both information and natural treasures. Most who reside within the building built into the ground beneath The Kyranold are followers of Mandra in one way or another. Either blessed by her divine grace, or touched by the gifts she provides of the natural world. As a result, there are several druidic circles that send their students here to learn more about their natural abilities.

Melderon's Grace

Named for the original founder, this small tavern is a place where many weary spirits can find their drink of choice. A local importer, Melderon's Grace has a sampling of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks from all across Nonvyrox. While they only have rooms for up to 12 people, they make up for it with a fairly large common area that is most often used for live events and drinking.

Frosted Crossroads

For many the Frosted Crossroads, or Frostroads are a place of journey and travelling. Leading them from one way to another on a wild path. It is said to be a place of revelry and tourist accommodations. Dedicated to Uvalian, the Frostroads are meant to be a place for all those who are being welcomed into the city. Residents from across the city find that should they visit the Frostroads, they will find good company and good drink, no matter their economic standing. However, it has also been known to lead to a great amount of reflection and understanding from each person who visits this locale.

Notable Locations

Portenis Tower

One of the tallest buildings in the Frostroads, Portenis Tower is a temple dedicated to Uvalian. It is based as a central monument between the intersection of the two main streets of the district, forming the center of a Crossroads Many people enter the Tower seeking guidance about which way to go and how to approach their next stage in life. Those who work in the Tower are called Wayseers, primarily for their ability to portent future outcomes and understandings.

Duck and Hyde

Concieved as an idea by a former monster hunter who claimed to come across a large duck-like creature, the Duck and Hyde is one of the largest taverns in Sovmora. With six floors each with 8 rooms, the Duck and Hyde easily allows for many people to stay for a night and rest their heads when arriving as travellers. The tavern is also the location of a well renown fighting pit that holds weekly challenges and tournaments, awarding medium to large prizes depending on the challenge.

Rylick's Hold

Each building in Rylick's Hold seems to be made of stone infused with veins of a strange magical nature, glowing purple when a creature passes by. The district was once home to many proud followers of Thoura, but much of the district was destroyed in the years of The Shatter, having to be reformed from scratch. Many of the people within Rylick's Hold are learned scholars from around the world, coming here to impart their knowledge and understanding of the world into the great libraries that have been developed here.

Notable Locations

Runeskald

An ancient temple dedicated to Thoura, the Runeskald is one of the last remaining temples to her that wasn't destroyed prior to The Parting. The building itself is comprised of three libraries containing religious knowledge as far back as can be thought, with texts describing ancient heroes and legends. Within the central chamber is a fountain that is designed to flow magical potential energy instead of water. The leader of this temple, the Highlearner, is said to be able to drink from this magical potential and help bestow it upon those wishing to learn under the Arcane Mind themselves.

Obsidian Shard

Home to the largest archive of The Grand Archhive of the Obsidian Forge, the Obsidian Shard is a large building that resembles its name sake. Made of a black stone, it's large triangular nature only conveys about a third of its true size. Much of the Obsidian Shard is an archive that dives deep into the grounds of Rylick's Hold. Though many claim to have seen the various floors that make up the Shard, it seemingly goes deeper than many outside of the Archive wish to explain. While there are several under which the Obsidian Shard is responsible, it is primarily under the care of the Emerald Jewel, the leader of the Obsidian Forge themselves.

Starmight District

In the beginning of the city, the Starmight District was designated a place of learning and understanding. However, it has since become known for its massive cultural undertakings, particularly around crafting and other artisanal professions. This district was founded under worship of Lyr'ian, but has also amassed a number of followers of Djanrol since its founding. There seems to be an abundance of color in the Starmight District, with banners and bunting almost ever present in the streets. Lining many of the streets is the artisanal work of many skilled guild members.

Notable Locations

The Quadstar Observatory

The Quadstar Observatory is a large temple to Lyr'ian that was crafted after the destruction of the previous temple near the end of The Shatter. It was designed with a dual purpose, to both watch the stars as they stood in the sky to observe the different constellations, and it was designed as a place of worship and refuge for those who needed help in the wake of the divine war. The building was designed as a four pointed star and aligned to the cardinal directions, this was claimed to have both practical and metaphorical meanings, with the brightest start able to guide you home.

Gildric Hall

Built originally as a beer hall, the Gildric Hall has since become the home of many of the major guilds in the city of Sovmora, allowing each of them to voice their opinions, recruit new members, and answer calls for work. It has since become an unofficial assembly for the Highbearer of Artisans to find out the problems that each guild are facing and how to best address these in their official position. Recently however, the Gildric Hall has also become the meeting place for a monster hunting guild known as Wilden Hunters, who use the place as a locale for talking over some of their more intense jobs.

Other Notable Locations

Kalan's Fort

Built and named for one of the great generals of the Viluran Republic, Kalan's Fort is a bastion for the Hands of Tyril based in and around Sovmora. Its steel defenses and bright pathways lead many to call the Fort, the keeper of Light. The building has facilities to hold and train nearly a hundred members of the Hands of Tyril, as such it is located half a mile out from the city, to give the soldiers enough room and distance to train without putting any member of the city at risk.

Greldilkar's Mount

Just outside the northern gate of the city lays a small sign that points various individuals up to Greldilkar's Mount. A large mountain peak that can be traversed directly from the city, it peers over all that is Sovmora and is considered an extension of the city itself. Once home to one among the Guardian Dragons, its peak has since become the home of a rift between the mortal realm and the Aerial Foci. To protect the valley, members of Ossaman Tribes have started to gather, forming protection between the city and this rift.

Society

Demographics

Sovmora has a population of 241,930 as of 755 AR. There is a large variety of people within the city. 45% of the population is comprised of Humans. The rest of the population breakdown is as follows: 16% Elves, 15% Dwarves, 24% other ancestries.

Notable People

Name	Pronouns	Description
Grodvir Bronzeforge	He/Him	Dwarf Highbearer of Law. For many years Grodvir has sat among the Highbearers, guiding and helping Sovmora to grow. He is seen as kind and fair among the many people of the judicial and civilian aspects of the city. Once known to be a famed adventurer and the heir apparent to the City of Terlas, many say the trials that Grodvir went through has hardened him and given him insight beyond many who have been in the role before him.
Rytharian	They/Them	Lycankind Highbearer of Information. Said to be born within the mountains around Sovmora, not much is known of Rytharian's history before the city. Many citizens theorize that they are a reincarnated member from a previous life, some yet theorize that they are a draconic figure using the frame as a disguise. Regardless, Rytharian has whispers coming to them from many different corners of the city, in order to ensure that their information is sound.
Teldoron Myrrthul	He/They	Half-Elf Leader of the Guildforce. For nearly a century Teldroron has been a key member of several guilds, acting as their diplomatic representative. Since the Gildric Hall has become an assembly, Teldoron has become its unofficial leader, speaking for them on official and unofficial business. They were once a member of the Order of Shadows, giving them the cunning they need to protect themselves and the interests of the guilds when needed. They also happen to make a very good set of enchanted clothing that conforms to the user's designs.
Shelda Tarrin	She/Her	Aer Elementra Leader of the Ossaman Tribes Contingent. Spending most of her time up on Greldilkar's Mount, Shelda is a potential candidate for the communities Drakksherhan, should she complete her Dragonflight. Originally born in Sovmora, she has strong connections with many people within the city, and as such has become an often seen ambassador.
Faldarin Culserone	He/Him	Human Salesman. Faldarin has become well known for his vibrant methods and charming good looks when selling magical merchandise to his shoppers. However, underneath his shop in Rylick's Hold, he also is known for smuggling ancient artifacts and touting various wares to those of a more, unsavory manner. His underhand dealings are kept quite, allowing him to keep a sparkling reputation on the surface, but a dirt-filled backlog of orders to complete.
Ishlan Mundara	She/Her	Fiendling Leader of the Wilden Hunters. Known across the Viluran Republic for her exploits, Ishlan arrived to Sovmora six months ago and has already taken charge of the foremost monster hunters in the city. When someone needs a monster killed, it is now up to Ishlan who will be sent and what reward is demanded upon completion of the mission. Though while she seems to be in control, she often spends hours consulting a strange journal that she always has at her side...