The Academic Grounds
The one true settlement in Konsearna. This is where all education is held and where all Fey courts gather (except the Court of Daggers) for balls and events.
Demographics
The Academic Grounds are built around the Greenhorn, a true scholar town. As such, the majority of inhabitants are younger Fey, in their study days. Of course there are teachers, both of Fabled rank and unranked, but a lot choose to stay on the outskirts of the Grounds, or within their own domains.
It's hard to place a definitive number, as with the change of night and day, the population ebbs and flows. At it's peak rush hour, it would not be underestimating to guess that about 2 million folk roam the streets. It is after all, the only true settlement in Konsearna. Though when night rolls around, only about 400-500 thousand people stick around.
As it is a bustling metropolis, peddlers, merchants and buskers are abundant. It is impossible to turn a street corner without seeing carts and wagons, shouting deals (especially aimed at Greenhorn). For Fey that didn't manage to score a Greenhorn title, this is the ideal place to still find other forms of employment and possible teachers. It is a saying in the city that a master without a student, is clearly no master at all.
Government
Having been founded as simply an area of study, there is no true governing body. As with any part of Konsearna, it falls under the Court of Daggers' jurisdiction, but they rarely visit.
Instead each sect of study set their own policies. These have become known as the Branches (eg. the Branch of Dance, the Branch of Magic ...). The merit and safety of the education cannot be guaranteed, but Greenhorn endure it for the sake of learning. Inhumane lessons and learning hours are simply part of Greenhorn culture. The manner of your studies is purely decided by your master, this is why Fabled teachers are the most sought after. If they fail to teach properly, their reputation would be tarnished.
For the merchants and peddlers within the city, there have been attempts at organizations to rule. These have all failed. Every time. Fey's reckless natures do not mix well with efforts to systemize their barter economy. Instead it is a cutthroat business to sell within the Academic Grounds. Sabotage and foul play are to be expected.
Districts
The Academic Grounds, once a bare field where students could practice with teachers, is now the biggest maze possibly in all of the Cradle. Most Greenhorn are only able to navigate their own specific areas.
It is a hodge podge of buildings, sheds, workshops and arenas. Somewhat in loose districts, a visitor would notice that areas of study similar in nature, tend to coexist in spaces.
All the Branches surrounding performing have colloquially become known as the Colosseum district. The largest district by any means is the Branches surrounding invention and evolving the mechanical and biological, the district gaining the nickname the Playground. The most secluded Branch is the Branch of Magic. Most conservative and limited of all studies, the district has become known as the Labyrinth. The Magic district employs ever moving buildings and corridors, where only ever a practitioner of magic could move around freely. For Fey of other studies, this labyrinthine structure system is overwhelming and impossible to navigate.
Architecture
The common thread in the Academic Grounds architecture, is that nothing looks the same. A city built from free thinkers, the buildings vary so wildly that you can tell a different hand created each. Any and all possible materials are used. Some even shipped, smuggled or stolen from other nations.
As the city has grown, buildings have started layering higher and higher. Incredibly precarious architectural feats have been pulled off, simply to allow for a few more housing options for Greenhorn. Most merchants choose to sell within the city, but then setting camp or temporary abodes on the outskirts to avoid thieves and saboteurs.
The busy streets of the Playground.
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