Highbell

the greatest teaching academy for Nidari Lifters, it floats very high (hence its name) and exists in cold and rarefied air.
It is a Purple bell, traditionally the highest-riding of all breeds, and unusual in that everyone aboard it is such an adept Lifter that the buildings and habitation is located in a loose cloud around the Bell itself, usually tethered by ropes to its tendrils or hide.
Immature purple Bells also accompany Highbell, staying in its tendrils for protection.

Demographics

virtually the entirety of the population is Nidari, consisting mostly of servants and fishers (who themselves are often graduates), with students and academics making up around 300 total individuals.

Defences

able to out-climb any potential attackers, and few can hope to reach it anyway. Furthermore, although it doesn't advertise the fact, it can interfere with the lifting abilities of other bells.

Industry & Trade

Though Lifters are a highly-valued economic resource, the attitude of Highbell is to pursue it as an art, as an act of communion with the immense and near-sacred Bells.
nonetheless, those who train there are expected to send money to support Highbell for some time after they graduate, as is the Nidari convention. this is sufficient to support the modest lifestyles of the population.
Highbell gains a lot of its prestige from being very selective with those it takes in; the genius is less in cultivating brilliant lifting ability, as much as in identifying potential that is not at all obvious. this is not broadly believed or advertised as the case, however, and whenever highbell attends a Moot to gather students many more go away disappointed then are admitted aboard.

History

Highbell is over 500 years old, just past the prime of a purple bell's life. its reputation as the premier Lifter training location started around 400 years ago, when a legendary lifter settled there with his followers.

Alternative Name(s)

Niditmai

Type

Citadel

Population

2,000

Location under

Nidari Reach

Related Professions

• Nidari Duellist
• Nidari Lifter