Sauliv

"Good day, class. I am Professor Dolov Lerden and I will be introducing you to the world of arcane philosophy," he said, "please have ready any stationary you need to take notes." Lerden was an interesting fellow. A man that was almost forty and claimed to know much of the magical happenings in the world yet he himself was not a classically trained mage. He couldn't be. He was far too young when the destruction of Sauliv happened. "Our first topic to be covered are the fundamentals of alchemy and how it correlates with science," I raised my hand rather impatiently. "Yes?" "Professor Lerden, when will we speak on your recent findings in the city of Sauliv?" I spoke fast and nervously, knowing that I was being rather obnoxious with such an off-topic question. "Ah, well I'm afraid you've taken the wrong class if you wish to speak on architecture," he replied with a smile so friendly that it could only mean see me after class.
"What is your name, girl?" he patiently asked as he stacked his collection of furled, yellow pages into a leather binder.
"Vatia, Professor. Vatia Talicia."
"Do you know what your name means, Vatia?"
"It means I'm of Vraji ancestry-"
"Not at all," he interrupted as he stood. His feet carried him over to the door which leads to his office, I figured. "Come with me. You've much to learn."
Professor Lerden spent the next month or so tutoring me in private about Sauliv, the secret city of wizards in the lost nation of Abanver east of Domnstel. Despite his calm and collected demeanor, it was amusing to see how excited he became when speaking on the lost wizardry of Carovige. He showed to me every inkling of information he had about the city. Moreover, he told me of how dangerous it truly was to venture there due to the lingering magics and soldiers of the dead. Within his office were artifacts worth far more than the wages he made teaching here in Traiova. "Someday soon I'll find myself foolhardy enough to trek north once more. I won't let my nerves get the best of me this time - I'm ready for whatever Abanver has in store." I was excited for him, truly. I spent many hours reading over his scribbles and journals.
Sauliv to Professor Lerden is more than just a mystery waiting to be rediscovered. It is his life's work. He has nearly a dozen journals filled with sketches and detailed descriptions of magisters that lived there, the architecture, and even daily life. The mystery part of all of this is that no one quite knows why the city ceased to exist. One day mages came and went and the next they were completely gone. Bridges to and from Abanver were destroyed and the land, thick with ancient trees, was in disarray. Nearly no one lives to tell the tale of what happened there nearly a century ago, though many like Lerden seek to recover information. He won't admit to it, but I am nearly certain that he would love to acquire artifice from the bygone era of magic.
I must admit, though, Professor Lerden never did tell me what my name actually meant.

Type

Forest, Boreal (Coniferous)

Location under

Ulvad