Xialon

Xialon, known as the city of wind and sky, is a floating primordial city. It is known as a technological and magical modern, renowned by both historians and mages alike. It is split into three different parts; an outer and inner wheel as well as a central hub. The outer wheel holds no districts, with the only buildings of importance being the four great engines, each of which are connected to the center with a spoke. Connecting these four engines are four walls known as the outer rims, completing the circle, but these walkways are inaccessible to most citizens as to reach them one must pass through the engine rooms, which are closely guarded. The inner wheel is made up of eight districts which are then connected to the hub by eight spokes. Each district is defined as the region of the inner wheel between two of the spokes. Although there are no actual gates between each districts, in each spoke there is a grand archway which is the main way to pass between two districts. While the spokes do have other smaller archways which serve as streets, these are much smaller and not large enough to accommodate large volumes of traffic. Four of these spokes continue out into the outer wheel as the four spokes which connect to the four engines, where they become notably thinner as they are no longer connected to the nonexistent ground. At this point they only contain their inner tubes as well as a walkway so that the engines can be accessed.

The city's structures have been found by researchers to be created partially from natural stone as well as some parts being constructed from a type of concrete which clearly has some sort magic in its construction but which has not yet been replicated. The structures are also reinforced with both magically imbued as well as nonmagical metals, with more reinforcement on vital structures such as the spokes and engine rooms. It has also been noted that many of these important structures are covered in ancient runic symbols, which are believed to be further wards, though only some of the runes have yet been translated.

The city is also filled with ancient artwork which are known to be extremely sophisticated despite their age, such as murals, considered by many to be of unmatched quality. In the center of each district, there is a statue of a person who was integral to the city's founding, and this figure is repeated throughout the murals and carvings lining the corresponding district. These murals line the walls of the city, and despite exposure over the years, their colors of gold, silver, and magically imbued pigments remain bright, and focus on the figures. The stone carvings are present only on the spokes and other important buildings, and depict events involving the figure in the statues, though in these cases the focus is on the events rather than the people. These are a wealth of information on the history of the city, though all events are difficult to place due to a lack of outside records which mention the city.

As one approaches the hub at the center of the city as well as on the base of the statues, they will encounter raised stone slabs containing ancient phrases, most of which have been translated and appear to refer to the statues, the city, and the world. These statements are often vague and seem to mostly refer to a sort of civil or religious code which is hard to place but nonetheless contains important information on the life of the ancient Xialon dwellers. Based on these carvings, is believed that the ancient founders of Xialon were intending to create a floating utopia, although it is still known what the purpose was or who it was for.

The hub at the center of the city is split between a massive palatial complex, the main engine that keeps the city afloat as well as Xialon's power source. The palace and its ground take up most of the hub, with a graceful design that even the elves have been unable to replicate, and it is assumed that magic was heavily utilized in its construction. The grounds contain a garden which causes those who enter to lose their worldly desires and struggle to leave. While eventually those who enter muster the strength to leave, the loss of focus is often permanent, and causes those who entered to be seen as having become a blank slate, even to the extend of ending relationships of many years and abandoning business ventures. Those who remain in the gardens for too long replace their old goals with the desire to study the gardens and the city and to emulate the ancient inhabitants.

The pathway into the palace itself is also a marvel in its own right. Passing through the ground, it splits as it passes around the city's final statue, which depicts a woman of an unknown humanoid race before reconnecting and ending at the palace's front steps. The statue is described as so lifelike that some believe the woman it depicts is actually contained within and is merely frozen in time. The woman herself, referred to as the founder is remarkably beautiful and elegant wearing regal armor. Her left arm holds a sword, pointed towards and piercing slightly into the ground, while her right holds up an orb, which her sightless eyes seem to peer into. At the base of her statue is a phrase carved into stone, believed to be her own words, which reads "Those who have knowledge rule, those that rule must have purpose. Protect, serve, and guide, that is the purpose of those who rule and in turn have knowledge". From this saying has come the idea that the original inhabitants put a great deal of value in knowledge, ensuring that these who ruled would be knowledgeable. The palace itself contains magnificent works of art depicting both the founder as well as the other important figures, but the feeling which suffuses the very air itself enhances the halls considerably beyond the arts. Many people have claimed that entering the palace causes them to become both energized and calm, as well as being inspired and more alive.

The final piece of the city is is what the researchers have dubbed 'the great engine'. Situated beneath the palace itself, this engine is the main thing that keeps the city aloat. The engine is intrinsically connected to various pipes which flow through the city, connecting it to both the spokes of the city as well as the city's power source.