Arboraeum

Arboraeum, the Golden Canopy, is a breathtaking marvel that stands as the capital city of Auroma. The metropolis is perched within the embrace of Grand Arbor, a colossal ancient tree. This magnificent metropolis harmoniously merges nature's grandeur with architectural splendor, creating a captivating and wondrous sight.

Geography

Arboraeum's unique geography is shaped by the majestic Grand Arbor, and the city's layout reflects its vertical integration with the tree. The city is divided into four distinct levels, each with its own character and purpose: the Root Level, located beneath the earth's surface; the Ground Level, situated at the base of the tree; the Trunk Level, extending along the towering trunk; and the Canopy Level, nestled within the golden-hued foliage.

Grand Arbor

Ascending into the sky, the Grand Arbor stretches its branches wide, its foliage forming a golden-hued canopy that blankets the city below. The tallest branches pierce the clouds over a mile in the sky, and its trunk spans an awe-inspiring width of roughly 900 feet. The natural wonder has been the home to the Zenith vespoid even before the Age of Order.

The Rootreach

At the roots of Grand Arbor, hidden below the earth's surface, lies a network of interconnected tunnels and chambers, connecting Arboraeum to the vast Tunnel Systems of Cavana.
Carved meticulously, these subterranean passages house various facilities essential to the city's functioning. It is here that the foundations of Arboraeum are rooted, both metaphorically and literally.
The Rootbound Bazaar At the heart of the Rootreach lies the Rootbound Bazaar, a bustling epicenter of commerce and trade. These winding tunnels are a hub for bulk transactions, import, and export goods, forming a vital link between Arboraeum and the wider world. Here, traders negotiate deals, exchanging vast shipments of exotic spices, rare artifacts, raw materials, and other commodities. The air is filled with the heady aroma of diverse goods, while the echoes of bustling trade reverberate through the passages.
Amidst the hustle and bustle, the towering figures of Jaw Snails move gracefully through the market, their immense shells laden with bulky cargoes. Many of them bear the crest of the Snail's Pitch Merchants Guild, the largest trade facilitator in Western-Varzzen. These noble creatures serve as steadfast transporters of goods, bearing the bounties of Auroma's pollen farmers, who load them with their finest honey. Meanwhile, large quantities of aphid products from Cavana and resources from Rusterov make their way into the queendom. In recent years, even exotic products from beyond the Great Sea of Sand and enigmatic offerings from Kamakiri have found their way through this bustling thoroughfare.
Canals and Waterways Carving a serpentine path through the Rootreach, a network of subterranean waterways brings life and movement to the depths. In the heart of the Rootreach, the waterways take on an otherwordly glow as they are infused by the Nectar Leylines that suffuse the ground with magic. These canals flow with shimmering currents, carrying not only water but also traces of the arcane energies that infuse the roots of Grand Arbor.

Groveheart Districts

The Groveheart Districts encompass the sprawling residential areas and neighborhoods that comprise the bulk of Arboraeum. The city spans Grand Arbor's base to the Radiant Mirror's shores. The districts include plazas, markets, and communal spaces where the worker caste citizens of Arboraeum gather to engage in social interactions and vibrant trade. The streets are lined with shops, stalls, and eateries offering various goods and delectable culinary delights.

Trunkwalk District

Moving further up, the Trunk Level offers a unique experience as buildings, platforms, and walkways seamlessly meld with the massive tree trunk. This level is characterized by a harmonious blend of nature and architecture. Tree branches intertwine with structures, creating an enchanting sight as vespoids navigate their way through the labyrinthine network of pathways. The Trunk Level is home to residential areas, administrative offices, and artisan workshops. Only well-off people can afford to live in this district.

Canopium Heights

Finally, the Canopy Level beckons with its ethereal beauty. Ascending into the golden-hued canopy, one enters a realm where sunlight filters through the lush foliage, casting enchanting patterns of light and shadow. Elevated walkways and suspended platforms connect the tree's branches, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes and the bustling city below.
Hive Palace The royal Hive Palace reigns majestically within the Canopium Heights. Suspended from a massive branch that stretches over the city like a guardian's arm, this architectural masterpiece serves as the seat of power for the queendom's monarch and the Regal Senate.
While the palace can only be reached on foot through a singular gate on the branch, multiple entryways into the hanging spires allow access through flight.
Luminae Combschool The Luminae Combschool is renowned as the most prestigious combschool within the city. This esteemed academy caters to the Noble Caste and the Soldier Caste, nurturing the intellectual and tactical prowess of the privileged few. Within its hallowed halls, the Luminae Combschool imparts comprehensive education, honing the minds and skills of future leaders, strategists, and guardians of Auroma.
The Luminae Combschool stands as a beacon of excellence and is highly regarded for its rigorous standards and the distinguished alumni it produces. Graduates of this esteemed institution often ascend to prominent positions within the military, political, and social spheres of Auroma, further cementing the school's reputation and influence.
Radiant Sanctum Perched amidst the golden-hued foliage of the Grand Arbor stands the Radiant Sanctum. This sacred temple is a grand place of worship dedicated to the Order Pantheon. This ancient landmark dates back to the city's inception, holding a position of profound significance within the heart of Auroma.
The Sanctum is built on a hexagonal platform at the highest possible point of Grand Arbor. Encircled by the sprawling branches of the ancient tree, the Sanctum looks as if it lies within a forest's clearing. Each corner of the hexagonal space is adorned with a different temple dedicated to one of the six prime deities:

• Temple of the Noble Breeze: The temple to Aurius is the largest of the six. A golden statue depicts the auroman's divine protector in full battle gear, his tempest wings spread in full flight.
• Temple of the Architect: Next to Aurius' temple, the awe-inspiring structure of Chitas stands as a testament to the profound bond between the Order Factions and the enduring alliance between Auroma and Cavana. This temple was thoughtfully crafted by the Cavanan Grandmaster of Architecture, exemplifying the unity of the two queendoms.
• Temple of the Jaw: Due to the recent Tunnel War and the subsequent animosity of the auromans against necrites, the temple of Katisan has fallen into disrepair. Despite the valiant efforts of the Senator of Faith to protect it, the temple has faced numerous assaults, causing the loss of priceless relics and severe damage to the statue of Katisan, which now stands without its head.
• Temple of the Word-Weaver: Within the halls of Gnol-Dotera's temple, ancient texts and sacred lore of the Order Pantheon are preserved. Under the watchful gaze of the Weaver of Words, the sanctum's scribes impart knowledge and wisdom to the devoted followers who seek enlightenment.
• Temple of the Forgotten Protector: Shrouded in a mysterious aura, the temple of Zaqatu remains void of worshippers. Yet the statue stands as a poignant reminder of the guardian's enduring protection, even in obscurity and death.
• Temple of the Broken Jester: The temple still depicts Mairun as the Keeper of Festivals in their original incarnation. The orthodox followers of the Order Pantheon still believe that this form is the one true Mairun and see the new beliefs from Rusterov as blasphemy. However, the open-minded Senator of Faith permits worshiping the Many Masked God within the temple.

Amber-infused wooden walkways radiate from each temple, gracefully winding their way through the branches of Grand Arbor, guiding worshippers towards the heart of the Sanctum. As these walkways interweave, they converge at the center of the structure, where they meet at the temple of the Radiant Cocoon. It is the centerpiece of the Sanctum, a magnificent open pavilion with a majestic statue of the cocoon in its center. The amber lines of the walkways fuse into the figure, giving it a warm and radiant glow.

Alternate Names
The Golden Canopy
Type
Capital
Parent Location
Zenith Valley
Owner/Owning Faction
Auroma
Founding Date
653 AO
Size
Metropolis
Population/Inhabitants
176,000 (73% vespoids,16% beetlefolk, 6% Formicoids, 5% other)
Notable Assets
Grand Arbor, Hive Palace, Radiant Sanctum, Rootreach Bazaar