Ae°calikaslavven (eɪ kælɪkæslævːɛn)
The city of the Demon King’s Castle in the Demon Realm and capital of the United Demon Realm.
Demographics
Species
- Demon - 75%
- Beastkin - 10%
- Troll - 5%
- Human - 1%
- Siren - <1%
- Kinfolk - <1%
- Elf - <1%
- Fae - <1%
- Dragon - <1%
Demon Variant
- Traditional - 45%
- Beastly - 25%
- Trollish - 15%
- Inspired - 12%
- Arcane - 3%
Government
Governance of Ae°Calikaslavven, like most demon cities, is split between two bodies - the Court and the City Council.
The King and their Court are responsible for broader health and safety, public works in the wider surrounding area, creating laws, managing taxation, and diplomacy with other cities and realms. This also includes the management of the Field Walls that surround the farm and ranch land outside of the city and castle proper, as well as the running of the castle itself.
The City Council is responsible for the management of the city specifically - including public works not managed by the court, infrastructure, enforcement of the King's law, and bringing the general concerns of the citizens to the attention of the King.
Defences
The outermost wall is referred to as the Field Wall - it surrounds the city, the castle, and the farm and ranchland around them. Its primary purpose is to keep out hostile plant and animal life which previously made widescale agriculture impossible, and is manned by the Demon King's Army to monitor and handle any potential threats.
The city and castle each have their own protective wall - the City Wall and Castle Wall, respectively.
The City Wall historically served the same purpose as the Field Wall, and is now considered a redundant measure on that front.
The Castle Wall is used as a more traditional defense against both wildlife and potential attackers. While demons often competed for the right to rule in ages past, the King was seen as the person most able to protect everyone under their rule - as such, castles were built away from the cities they ruled. This was to prevent major civilian casualties during a conflict for rulership, as attacking the city one meant to rule was seen as foolhardy.
In addition to the Castle Wall, the castle is built near the drop-off of a river canyon to prevent an enemy from fully surrounding the location. A dry moat surrounds the castle as well, with two raisable bridges - the wide front entrance and the smaller bridge reserved for high ranking staff and court members.
Industry & Trade
Being the first demon city to develop agriculture, Caslavven is also the realm's leader in both it and animal husbandry. While the supply of produce is still supplemented by Beastkin Realm imports, the city is almost able to sustain itself agriculturally (in addition to the fishing industry). Demon animal products are also much easier to obtain in Caslavven, including eggs and milk. Goods from outside the Strength triad also often pass through Caslavven before heading off to cities up or down river, being in a better position to manage them than Gnomesaroy.
Infrastructure
Ae°Calikslavven has a robust system of roads and underground aqueducts, as well as boasting siren engineered cliff trollies that provide easy access to the lake and river below.
Districts
Internal City Districts
Temple District
The central district of the city where on can find temples to Maenscul, the Deity of Kings, their twin sibling Vouscu, the Deity of the Hearth, and Vemera, the Goddess of Judgement. Within Vouscu's temple can also be found a smaller temple to their queerplatonic spouse, Nosu, the Deity of Wisdom. Also found in this district are Guildhouses and legal establishments such as courts or administrative buildings. This is due to Vemera holding domain over such matters.Court District
This district is where public works maintained by the Court can be found - such as tax houses, the Royal Hospital, and public maintenance. This is also the location of the City Council Building and related establishments.Market District
The main hub of trade and commerce within the city. Similar establishments can often be found on the same street or same area, leading to smaller subdivisions within the district. A large central fountain in the district features a statue of the demon deity of commerce.Entertainment District
Where one can find entertainment of all kinds in the city - from theater houses and poetry arenas to brothels and fighting arenas, the Entertainment District has plenty of options for someone looking for something to do.Lake District
This district is in two parts - one being in the city proper at the top of the canyon, and the other half being at the bottom of the canyon next to the lake. Trade from other cities and fish are primarily supplied to the rest of the city from this district. The fish market is found in the Upper Lake District, rather than the Market District.Residential Districts
There are several residential districts within the city, named by types of metal. The Gold District contains estates for use by the royal family - usually children no longer wishing to reside in the castle - and housing for visiting dignitaries and diplomats. The Bronze District houses noble estates and residences. It takes its name from being close in color to gold, which is a color reserved for the King and Court. The Copper District houses mainly wealthy common citizenry - primarily merchants. More expensive inns and temporary housing for visiting merchants can also be found in this district. The Silver and Iron Districts house the bulk of the common population. The Mercury District houses most non-demon residents as well as much of the inspired demon population in the city due to many demons looking down on them for their human ancestry. Most regular inns and temporary housing can be found in this district as well. The Clay District is the poorest residential district, often home to those in low-paying professions, those who are unable to find work, or those new to the city from an outside settlement. This district also houses much of the inspired demon population due to the stigma against them often preventing them from finding higher-paying employment.External City Districts
Demon King's Castle
The castle is basically a small city unto itself - many permanent staff members and their families live on the grounds. There are dormitories and apartments within the castle, as well as bunkhouses and individual houses on the grounds for higher-ranking staff. Military barracks are also located on the grounds, and the castle canyonside has dwarven cliffside trollies to maintain its own supply of fresh fish. These, however, have been designed with a topside mechanism to release them from the cliffside in the event of a siege not present in the city trollies.Fields
The city and castle are surrounded by fields used for both agriculture and animal husbandry.Guilds and Factions
Court Factions
Conservatives
Many were opposed to Lavven as King during his rule, and their views have held on through the generations. Demon conservatives are those that hold to traditional demon values - such as the strongest rule, though in demon culture, this carries a connotation of also being a capable leader beyond pure physical strength. Despite benefitting from the many human-inspired innovations brought about by Lavven, the conservative faction dislikes anything associated with humanity due to the animosity between the two realms. They also tend to be suspicious of magic due to its rarity in the Demon Realm. Manual labor, physical prowess, piety to one or more deities, and respect for professions with cultural high value placed on them - such as beast hunters and blacksmiths - are all values of conservatives.Moderates
Those between conservatives and progressives - while they may be wary of humans, they're not openly opposed to innovation solely based on humanity being the source. They're usually for innovation, provided it has a clear benefit within a reasonable timeframe and budget. They often view magic ambivalently - usually seeing it as too rare to be viable for anything major within the realm but useful otherwise.Progressives
Demon progressives are self-proclaimed Lavvenites - they believe in pushing the envelope in innovation and finding new ways to do things. They openly look to humanity as a source of inspiration, but rather than pressing for public works, many instead model aspects of human society - such as fashion styles, reading literature genres, or obtaining human artwork. While they'll support political initiatives they see as progressive from others, many progressives do not push for actual change themselves - mainly due to being nobility and having a large degree of separation from the common people Lavven's innovations were designed to help most. Many also have a fascination with magic due to its rarity and attempt to push for its wider use despite the impracticality of such a venture. That isn't to say there are no true progressives within the demon Court - simply that the bulk of those claiming to be part of the faction progressivism more as a series of social fads than a movement.Caslavven Tradesman Guilds
Blacksmiths
The oldest known guild in the Demon Realm, the Blacksmith Guild maintains ties with Mesescima, the city famous for its blacksmiths. Blacksmiths are also often called upon to perform romantic marriages in lieu of a priest of Vislaelos, being the followers of Vislaelos's husband, Soken, the God of Blacksmithing.Merchant
The Merchant Guild is the main source of trade within the Demon Realm - due to the hostility of the land and the cost of maintaining river trading vessels, it is difficult for small merchants to compete. The guild does not handle much trade outside of the Demon Realm, however - though branches near Realm Gates often maintain ties with guilds in other realms. Its main headquarters is found in Mavasnier, the city next to the Beastkin Realm Gate.Fighting
Demons value physical prowess, and as such, a thriving industry for combat as entertainment exists. Based in Gnomesaroy, branches of the Fighters Guild exist in almost city to run local arenas and scout talented fighters for the Grand Arena in its home city.Agriculture
With the rise of agriculture and animal husbandry, there has also formed a guild headquartered in Caslavven.Artisan
There are many branches of the Artisan's Guild, but outside of Naengaquena, most cities have only one joint Guildhouse. The guild tends towards progressivism, especially as it relates to art.Stonemason
Due to the wood scarcity caused by carnivorous fauna, most demon architecture is done in stone, clay, and packed earth - all of which fall under the purview of the Stonemason Guild, primarily headquartered in Messaonars.Pharmacy
Headquartered in Lajaonar, the Pharmacy Guild is focused primarily in the creation and discovery of new medicines. A branch can be found in most public hospitals, and most cities have a small academy for new pharmacists to be trained at.Fisherman
As fish has long been the primary food source in the Demon Realm, a branch of this guild can be found in almost every city - though the headquarters is located in Coujieul.History
Ae°Calikaslavven was founded by Lavven before he became the first Ascended Demon King. It was previously a small settlement he declared himself the king of after defeating the previous leader in combat. Using innovations he learned in the Human Realm, Lavven shaped Caslavven into a city influential enough to earn him an invitation to the Hundred Years Ball.
During Lavven's Unification Campaign, Caslavven became the hub of his military operation. After the Realm was unified, however, Lavven and his successor and granddaughter Emerri turned their focus back to projects focused on public welfare. Emerri was the king that started work on the Field Walls, though it was her successor and nephew, Voune, that completed the project which allowed for the development of demon agriculture and later animal husbandry.
Ae°Calikaslavven has remained the biggest hub for innovative initiatives that would later spread to the rest of the realm.
Tourism
Caslavven is often visited by those of every corner of the Demon Realm, being the capital and founded by the first Ascended Demon King. It is also popular for Beastkin visitors, who culturally enjoy traveling far and wide. Maenscul's temple and the Entertainment District are the most popular tourist locations, though many enjoy touring the city as a whole.
The castle is not open to visitors in general, though one can gain access fairly easily by visiting a family member or friend.
Architecture
Demon architecture primarily utilizes packed earth and clay in a mixture similar to adobe or cob as well as stone. Structures are generally built as a series of domes with centralized fireplaces, though other styles can be found in Caslavven - primarily Beastkin structures replicated in stone and clay. As such, curving lines and soft shapes dominate demon structures.
Most adornment comes in the form of mosaics pressed into the clay before it dries, utilizing metal accents, or painting the dried exterior. Often, repeating patterns similar to those found in weaving are used.
Geography
Caslavven sits on a lower portion of a river canyon, and is otherwise surrounded by vast plains. A large lake connected to a rive sits at the base of the canyon, accessed with cliffside trollies. To the southeast, a large inactive volcano can be seen in the distance.
Climate
The Demon Realm has a stable climate of primarily cool temperatures, with occasional rainfall most the year and heavy rainfall in the season for it.
Natural Resources
Like all of the Demon Realm, Calavven is rich in metals and minerals. It also has a significant amount of white clay found only in the southeastern region.
Grain crops, fruit orchards, and vegetable farms provide a significant amount of food products - with ranches providing animal produce.
The lake and river are rich with edible fish and aquatic plantlife.
Founding Date
498500 FR
Founders
Alternative Name(s)
"Lavven's Hope", Caslavven
Type
Capital
Population
1,000,000
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Comments