Qiel'Sedar
Qiel'Sedar is the city of the Light Shoal sea elves, located in the northern region of the Sea of Light.
Demographics
95% sea elves, 2% tritons, 2% locathah, 1% water genasi
Government
Qiel'Sedar is governed by a constitutional monarchy, with the king and queen advised by an elected parliament that consists of five representatives from each tower. The sea elves take a 'live and let live' approach to government, so their laws reflect that approach; they are more concerned with the general well being of the many over the individual, so their laws are in reference to ensuring the safety and well being of the populace. Their most severe laws are in relation to the trade and regulation of star coral, and war related crimes.
Defences
Built in a bowl-shaped portion of the sea floor, and strategically surrounded by reefs of star coral, the only way to attack the city is from 'above.' In order to improve this, the sea elves maintain a flock of giant jellyfish, and strategically locate them to create a perimeter.
They befriend dolphins and ask them to perform deep reconnaissance and patrols on their borders, as well as other sea life they can easily befriend or train to keep as additional layers of protection.
Water elementals are used as well, and this is one of the primary responsibilities of graduates from the College Arcana; on occasion, they will negotiate with marids for additional defense support, but due to their chaotic nature, these genie are unreliable.
Industry & Trade
The major areas of trade:
- Star coral
- Fish, especially the exotic types found in the deeper ocean
- Pearls
- Minerals from the sea floor
- Seaweed
- Shells
- Salt
- Works of art
Infrastructure
The Royal Tower sits in the middle of the city and is connected to each tower by two bridges that are enchanted to create a vacuum going in one direction, so it speeds the travel of the swimmer, and each tower has a bridge going one way, in and out. Each tower then has two bridges going towards the next tower directly to its east and west; this ensures fast and efficient travel between towers.
There are also art parks around the city, usually connected to a tower, where artists can display their latest works of art; some of these are encased in an air bubble so visitors from the surface can observe them as well.
Districts
The city is divided into 12 towers, with each one serving as a different district; the districts are:
- Royal Tower: This is where the king and queen reside, and where the parliament meets to discuss and debate the laws that govern the city. The Royal Tower is where the most storied families of the sea elves live, since they have been around the longest. This tower also holds other government offices, although there are not very many of them.
- Anvil Tower: The craftsmen of the city work here, and some even live in their shops as well. When the war with Clotgush peaks, this tower is alive at all hours of the day with activity.
- Tower Arcana: The main part of this tower is the College Arcana, from which the tower takes its name; this is where all citizens with magical talent gather to learn how to harness their power and practice its use. Students, teachers, sages, and retired magic-using soldiers usually end up living in this tower due to the proximity to the College.
- Host Tower: Designed for guests who live on dry land, this tower is designed with air pockets and is mostly enclosed to preserve the air inside for those who need it; enchantments are in place to renew and refresh the air supply. Since most of the populace is amphibious, it is easy for them to move around the tower to meet with different guests. There are living quarters for diplomats and other staff that work with the surface world, as well as for those odd land dwelling sentients who decide they want to try to live underwater.
- Phalanx Tower: The military of Qiel'Sedar lives, trains, drills, and plans in this heavily armed tower that is always active, ready to defend the city at a moment's notice.
- Commerce Tower: Merchants of all stripes reside here, hawking their wares; like the Host Tower, it also features air pockets and other accommodations for air breathing sentients, so they can comfortable shop underwater.
- Penal Tower: Even the sea elves have those that commit crimes, and this tower is where they are held; the deeper one goes, the more secure the tower becomes, with the most dangerous prisoners at the bottom. Prisoners of war are also kept here, although they don't normally last very long; once the sea elves have the information they need, the prisoner is executed.
- Shoal, Eveningtide, Morningtide, Reef, and Lagoon Towers: The remaining five towers are residential towers, where most of the populace lives.
Assets
Qiel'Sedar is a wealthy city, and spreads it around to benefit everyone; controlling star coral has filled the palace coffers, and provides capital for the military to maintain its edge, and the rest goes to maintaining the city and public well being.
Guilds and Factions
The Mercane Guild maintains a headquarters in Qiel'Sedar, as they are very interested in star coral and devising a way to gain a larger controlling share of this rare material.
History
Qiel'Sedar was founded several thousand years ago, not long after the War of Darkness. The sea elves and the sahuagin bitterly fought over the land the city was built on, the area was a large reef of star coral, and was highly coveted by both peoples, but the elves emerged the victor, and forced the sahuagin into the Thrumis Trench, where they founded Clotgush.
Due to the value of star coral, the city quickly grew in wealth, and a series of wise rulers used the capital to improve the city's defenses first, and then worked on the infrastructure afterwards; this has resulted in a strong foundation for Qiel'Sedar, and the succession of rulers has continued this course of action.
Architecture
Soaring towers that rise from the sea floor to heights impossible on the surface connected to each other by an intricate web of bridges, and all of these are constructed out of star coral, so the entire city shines with an inner light. They prefer natural surfaces, as opposed to smooth ones, and they don't make much use of doors, although they do favor windows large enough to swim through.
Geography
Qiel'Sedar is built into a bowl shaped portion of the sea floor, surrounded by a large reef of star coral; about 10 miles from the south side of the city, the sea floor drops off into the deeper parts of the Sea of Light. The sea floor to the north gently slopes upward for about 100 miles to the coast of Halirune; the coast of Iodod is to the east, but much further, so the sea floor varies in depth for many miles until it starts to slope upward towards the beach.
Natural Resources
The main and most important natural resource is star coral; other important resources include fish, pearls, multiple different types of shell, rare deep sea minerals, and seaweed.
Alternative Name(s)
City of Light, Shining Jewel of the Sea
Type
Large city
Population
80,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Sedarites
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Additional Rulers/Owners
Characters in Location
Comments