Cair Drasten

Overview Cair Drasten, often simply referred to as "The Cair," is the ancestral seat of House Drasten, located deep within the secluded valleys of western Ravenmoor. Known for its imposing towers and arcane mystique, Cair Drasten serves as both a fortress and a center of magical study. It is a place where scholars, mages, and seekers of knowledge gather, drawn by the house’s unparalleled library of ancient texts and its guarded secrets of the arcane arts. The city is enveloped in an air of mystery, its stone walls and hidden pathways reflecting the enigmatic nature of its rulers.

Demographics

Cair Drasten is home to a small but diverse population, primarily consisting of scholars, mages, and their families. The city also attracts a steady flow of students and apprentices from across Ertha, each seeking to learn the secrets of magic under the tutelage of House Drasten. However, many who come to study at Cair Drasten seldom leave, bound either by their devotion to the arcane or by the house’s strict policies on safeguarding magical knowledge. The population is characterized by its academic pursuits and a shared dedication to the advancement of magical and scholarly knowledge.

Government

Cair Drasten is governed by House Drasten, with Lord Eamon au Drasten as the current head. The city operates under a unique form of governance that combines traditional feudal elements with a meritocratic system based on scholarly and magical achievement. The city’s council, known as the Arcane Assembly, consists of senior mages, scholars, and trusted advisors from House Drasten. This council is responsible for enacting policies and overseeing the day-to-day administration of the city, with a strong emphasis on maintaining the secrecy and integrity of their magical practices.

Industry & Trade

The economy of Cair Drasten is primarily driven by its reputation as a center of magical learning and research. The city does not engage in large-scale trade or production but instead relies on the wealth generated by its knowledge and arcane services. Scholars and mages from across Ertha are willing to pay significant sums to access the libraries and resources of Cair Drasten. Additionally, the city is known for its production of rare potions, enchanted items, and magical artifacts, which are highly sought after by other noble houses and wealthy patrons. The controlled export of these goods provides a steady income while maintaining the house’s policy of secrecy.

Infrastructure

Cair Drasten’s infrastructure reflects its dual role as a fortress and a center of learning. The city is built around the Drasten Keep, a massive stone fortress that serves as both the residence of House Drasten and a primary place of magical study. The keep is surrounded by smaller towers, each dedicated to a different school of magic or area of scholarly pursuit. The city’s streets are narrow and winding, designed more for defense than ease of movement, with numerous hidden passages and defensive structures. Aqueducts provide fresh water from nearby mountain springs, while a network of underground chambers and vaults houses the city’s vast collection of magical artifacts and texts.

Districts

Cair Drasten is divided into several distinct districts, each with its own unique function:

• The Arcane Quarter: The heart of magical learning and research in Cair Drasten. This district houses the libraries, alchemical labs, and magical academies where students and scholars engage in the study of the arcane. Access to this area is highly restricted, and only those with permission from House Drasten may enter.


• The Scholar’s District: A residential area primarily occupied by the scholars, scribes, and apprentices who live and work in Cair Drasten. This district features modest housing, small marketplaces, and public squares where the intellectual community gathers to discuss their work and share knowledge.


• The Artisan’s Quarter: Located near the city’s outer walls, this district is home to craftsmen and artisans who produce enchanted items, potions, and other goods that support the city’s economy. It is a bustling area, known for its workshops and the occasional flare of magical experimentation gone awry.


• The Noble District: Situated closest to the Drasten Keep, this district houses the estates of the senior members of House Drasten and their most trusted allies. It is a place of relative luxury, with well-maintained gardens and private libraries, reflecting the status and wealth of its inhabitants.


• The Market District: A smaller, more controlled area where trade is conducted. Here, visitors can purchase rare books, magical ingredients, and the limited number of enchanted items that House Drasten allows to be sold outside their walls.

History

Cair Drasten was established in 180 BCE by Mathias Drasten as a secluded stronghold dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and magic. Over the centuries, the city grew into a formidable fortress and center of learning, known for its extensive libraries and its mastery of the arcane arts. Throughout its history, Cair Drasten has remained steadfastly neutral in the political conflicts that have shaped the Celestine Peninsula, focusing instead on the preservation and expansion of its knowledge base.
During the height of its power in the 4th century CE, Cair Drasten became a sanctuary for scholars and mages fleeing persecution from other regions, further solidifying its reputation as a bastion of intellectual freedom and arcane study. In recent years, under the leadership of Lord Eamon Drasten, the city has maintained its status as a center of magical learning while carefully navigating the political landscape of Ravenmoor and beyond.

Current State

Today, in 693 CE, Cair Drasten remains one of the most enigmatic cities on the Celestine Peninsula, a place where knowledge and magic reign supreme. Its population is small but dedicated, united by a shared purpose of advancing their understanding of the arcane. As the seat of House Drasten, Cair Drasten continues to play a crucial role in the preservation and development of magical knowledge, holding tightly to its secrets and maintaining a careful distance from the political machinations of the outside world.

Founding Date

180 BCE

Founders

• Mathias au Drasten

Type

Citadel

Population

30.000

Inhabitant Demonym

Arcosi

Location under

Ravenmoor

Owner/Ruler

Lord Eamon au Drasten

Owning Organization

House Drasten