The City of Vol

Vol is a floating city that hovers a great distance above the North West in the Verdant Velds on the continent of Vaeduin. The city is built upon the underside of a mountain's peak, which had been removed and inverted by a renowned arcanist by the name of V'Shal. Since its inception a smattering of other mountain peaks have been lanced, inverted, and then tethered to the city creating other districts surrounding the city's hub. Each district has been added to the city by a different wizard who performed the ritual created long ago by V'Shal. Being able to perform this ensures status within Volean society.
Magic here is extremely common, even for those working in Natannia Plaza within the shops, or at the Enchanted tankard as pub staff. Everyone knows how to, at the very least, perform a basic cantrip. It's been a part of the culture for the better part of the millennia.


There are many districts of the City each serving a purpose. The Erudition district is one of the largest and hosts the University known as The Arcanum, as well as other magical research facilities such as The Oghmeum where practitioners of the arcane go to study texts and tomes. One of the research facilities called The Chimerical is however in an off-limits-to-the-general-public-district known as Rubicon District, but it's affectionately called The Precipice to the citizenry. It is its own separate island. There is one more place of note which is on a small island between The Erudition District and The Precipice, which is a place where magical practitioners go when they have a mental Break. They are encouraged to The Lucych Anchorage; a haven for those who potentially pose a threat to society, where they can receive the care and attention required. 

The Citadel is the main island district and houses 10 alabaster towers, but the one in the centre and largest is known as the Myriad Mast where the Arcane Assembly convenes. The 9 other towers are specific to each school of magic. Each school has its representative, and together, guides the direction of the Volean empire. Lush Gardens and waterfalls contribute to its striking appearance. It often has clouds around the top that linger. Since it is the oldest and the largest island, logically it boasts residential and some commercial areas atop, as well in the belly, which is referred to as The Bastion.


Within The Bastion's commercial area are Guilds and a "Congress of religious research". Gods, in general, are not worshipped for the most part in the city except for Mystryl. Inside the religious congress are areas of research for many of the gods; both Shar and Selune are represented amongst many others. Sarenrae, The Raven Queen, Anhur, Oghma, Melora, Pelor, Tyche, Correlon, Mystryl, Mask, and even Telona all serve to provide inspiration for the creation of new spells. The Goddess most revered in Vol is Mystryl: Goddess of Magics. Across all districts, statues and artistic embellishments in the city architecture have been made in her image. In recent years mages and arcanists have begun abandoning Mystryl because of the power they have accumulated over the years.

There are several artisan guilds in The Bastion. Making art is of course not regulated here, nor do you need to belong to a guild to craft such items, however, to be able to craft and sell enchanted items one must belong to the Relicry.

Natannia Plaza is its own island; the third largest, but the second deepest of them all. On its first two levels are a mixture of residential, as well as commercial establishments. The plaza boasts most of Vol's markets, as well there are also taverns and gambling establishments. The lowest quarter boasts a bit more of the rougher underground and black market trade. This black market trade is directly connected to Lower Vol.

Not everyone has access to all parts of the city. Certain areas are relegated to people with the correct those of higher stature within the hierarchy of Magic users. If you are an arcanist (One of those who governs a school of magic) you will for the most part have unfettered access within the city, with the exception, of course, private businesses and residences. The average citizen, whether they are from Upper or Lower Vol wouldn't be able to access The Ogmeum unless they were at least a first-year student at The Arcanum. Similarly, The Rubicon district is completely restricted unless you've been granted a position within The Chimerical.
Students at the school, lucky enough to be granted an apprenticeship with a mentor will carry out duties delegated to them but will carry out magical research. To be accepted into The Arcanum one must pass an interview by a panel of each of the Head Arcanists. Each school only accepts 10 students per intake. This immediately raises your station within the city.

Government

Each School of Magic's head is a member of the Council. The Council of 9

• Abjuration - Mistress H'Sala
• Conjuration - Master Conjurer S'thayn (Recently deceased) Taken over now by Master Conjurer Ze'Sen
• Divination - Sage Valenea Eriphane
• Enchantment - Enchanter Rayne Thefir
• Evocation - Evoker Daylun Meriss
• Illusion - Master Etzasal
• Necromancy - Director V'Shal
• Transmutation - Master Naesala Inagwyn
• Experimental - Professor Veala Thenn

Each School of Magic is responsible for maintaining services within the city. Some examples for each school are:

• Transmutation - Repairing, Construction, Maintenance, Sculpture
• Conjuration - Transportation circles, Travel, Entertainment
• Divination - Resource detection and allocation
• Evocation - City Protection, Entertainment (Sports)
• Illusion - Entertainment, Education, Dissemination of News
• Necromancy - City Protection, Medicine
• Abjuration - Protection, The creation of Magic appliances (They often team up with Evocation for this)
• Enchantment - Diplomacy, Peacekeeping, City watch. Mental Health (They Team up with Abjuration for this)
• Experimental - Look at ways of advancing the Volean civilization via fringe magics in a controlled environment such as the Chimerical.

Each School Makes up the Arcane assembly, which is the Governing body within Vol. The Master of that school selects 3 representatives to vote on issues on their behalf. The representatives may decent from the headmasters, but it doesn't often happen. Decent by the representatives are permitted if they feel that the best interest of the citizenry isn't being taken into the account by the Master. There cannot be repercussions that befall these representatives. Discussions at the assembly are directed by the Rhetorician, and once voted on will instruct the Masters to sign the vote into Law. No Master has ever backed away from signing a decree by the assembly into law.

Type

Citadel