The Ider Ruins

Once a world capital, now lost to time

He continued down the forest path, notebook in hand. The ground was soft from the afternoon rain and what little rays of light poked out through the trees overhead brought some life to the usual stillness of the woods. As he walked, remnants of an ancient place began to populate the space beside the path: a broken lantern, smooth white stones embedded in the dirt, a tattered flag caught in the branches. His gaze then turned to the tall spires ahead; once they acted as a gateway into the ancient city of Ider, though now they merely signaled to travellers that one was heading too far west and had missed the bridge to Eird.

Purpose / Function

Ider was originally a trade capital, famous for it's white spires and grand marketplace. People would flock to this wondrous city for rare goods and the chance to experience such rich culture, complete with musicions on every corner, and what seems like an evergoing festival. Now however, the ruins are a hot-spot for scholars. Small research tents have been set up in the marketplace, the base of the southern spire has been converted into a small library, and every so often the college will send a select few students to act as assistants. Basic supplies are always made sure to bepurchased in large quantities as merchants will very rarely venture so far off the main roads.

Alterations

Other than the overgrowth and errosion that would be expected after these many decades left unattended, much of the city is still in relatively good shape. There have been a few collapses where a ceiling caved or a tree came crashing down, including a sink hole opening up in the centre of Harahel's Temple. The two main spires are still mostly standing, though the northern one has crumbled down to half it's original height.

Architecture

Much of the city was built with a smooth, white stone, mined from the cliffs near the riverbed, though materials for smaller stuctures and navigational items (sheds, terraces, lamp posts, etc.) were harvested from the surrounding woods. Both roads and other walkways are wide to accommodate high foot traffic and pop-up vendor stalls. As the city was built higher, hanging walkways/bridges were created from wood and tied together with thick ropes so one could cross the street without having to take all the stairs back to ground level. There are many natural gardens throughout Ider as well, preserving the natural beauty and freedom of the forest. Now, of course, those gardens have greatly overgrown: ivy hangs from the windows, moss and grass have sprung up between the cracks in the stone, and a few trees have taken up space inside the shops or residences.

History

Once considered the "City of Stars" for it's wealth and elegance, Ider now stands in ruin. It is unknown how old the city really is, and it's abandonment remains a mystery. Nobody knows exactly when or why the original inhabitants left, though many believe it the result of one of many elf/human wars. However, scholars have yet to find and evidence of an attack both in the city itself and in the surrounding woods. Any damage appears to have been dealt by time and weather and not a single weapon has been found.

RUINED STRUCTURE
Unknown; historic documents and accounts suggest anywhere from 50-100 years ago, though the overgrowth appears to have been there longer.