Vir'thelgos
Vir'thelgos is the capital city of the Kingdom of Lorth'elon, a large metropolis located in the west of Elderan, situated at the base of the Silver Mountains, and overlooking the Grey Muirs. Around half the population of the Kingdom of Lorth'elon live within Vir'thelgos, with the city being home to the largest population of Moon Elves in the world.
Vir'thelgos is the home of both the Queen of the Kingdom of Lorth'elon and the Moonlight Elective, as well as being the capital of the religious worship of the Goddess of the Moon, Selene, with the city itself being devoted to the Goddess. Vir'thelgos is also always cloaked in eternal night, surrounded by a powerful magical enchantment that allows the city to always have a view of the moon.
Vir'thelgos is an ancient city, founded during the Bronze Age by an organization of Moon Elves, with the city created in dedication to the Goddess of the Moon, Selene, the Divine Patron of the Moon Elves. In the following centuries the city grew in size and influence, eventually taking to the skies during the Age of Arcanum, becoming one of the great floating cities of the age, and one of the only cities not to forsake their faith in the Gods. So when the War of Arcanum waged across Exorsia, and the Gods came to lay ruin to Vir'thelgos they found it empty and evacuated, with those loyal to Selene, and the Gods, fleeing underground, leaving the city defenceless. Without any resistance Vir'thelgos came crashing to the ground, but its people survived. After the Fall of Arcanum, the surviving population of Vir'thelgos returned to the ruins of their city and began the process of rebuilding, the population remaining strong in their devotion to Selene, grateful for the Goddess sparing them.
Government
Vir'thelgos is governed by the Queen of the Kingdom of Lorth'elon, who is also the head of the priesthood of Selene, the Goddess of the Moon.
The Queen is aided in the governance of the city by the Moonlight Elective, who are mainly responsible for governing the day to day affairs of the city, with some of it's members also serving as Prefects within the many settlements under the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Lorth'elon.
Defence
Vir'thelgos is defended by a large garrison of Silver Hand, the local guard and military of the Kingdom of Lorth'elon.
Vir'thelgos is also home to a large number of devotees of Selene, many of whom wield powerful Divine Magic.
Commerce
Vir'thelgos is a large metropolis, filled with hundreds of stores and businesses, with most of any goods or services being able to be found within the city walls.
Vir'thelgos imports most of it's food and resources from the neighbouring towns and villages, with the only industry located within Vir'thelgos being a small mining operation that tunnels beneath the Silver Mountains to producer ores and precious gems. Most of the trade travelling through the Kingdom of Lorth'elon also first travels though Vir'thelgos, giving the city a constant flow of goods and wares.
Many talented craftsmen and artists also reside within Vir'thelgos, with their quality wares and art being in high demand across Exorsia.
Geography
Vir'thelgos is located at the eastern base of the Silver Mountains, overlooking the Grey Muirs, the city nestled within a small valley.
Vir'thelgos is a majestic and beautiful city of Elven make, it's architecture ancient and unseen anywhere else in Exorsia, made up of numerous grandiose towers, and crystalline temples that dominate the skyline. The city is also magically cloaked in eternal night, the entire city domed within a powerful enchantment that can only be seen while within the cities border, allowing it's residence to always have a view of the Moons.
The buildings within the city are all delicately crafted, almost exclusively utilising white coloured stone, often marble for the more important buildings, many of whom are rebuilt from the ruins of the old city. The city also frequently utilises lunar iconography and religious symbols to Selene in it's design and decoration, many of such decoration being made of metallic silver, and enchanted to shine in response to moonlight, making Vir'thelgos is at it's most beautiful during the night. It is rare to find any building within Vir'thelgos that doesn't match with the cities aesthetic.
Vir'thelgos is split into a series of five districts, with each layer of the city becoming grander as you rise, with only the topmost layers of the city being the remnants and rebuilt ruins of the old Vir'thelgos, the Palace of Lorth'elon located at it's highest point, built into the mountainside. The layers of Vir'thelgos curve around the mountain like slanted discs, with each layer separated by a wall and connected by a series of gates along them. The layers are named in order, the Low Roads, the Lucid Ring, the Mosaic Boulevard, the High Spires and the Palace Grounds.
Low Roads
The Low Roads are the lowest layer of Vir'thelgos, located outside the city walls, and flanking the main roads into the city proper. The Low Roads are the poorest district in Vir'thelgos, being the location the more simple and less impressive buildings, many of whom do not match the aesthetics of the greater city.
The Low Roads are a sprawl of residential housing, as well as many industrial institutions, affordable shops, taverns and local businesses, all squeezed into every available space, and all interconnected by narrow winding streets.
The Low Roads are a more recent addition to the city, with it only becoming officially recognised as a city district in the 1900's, though the Low Roads had been around for far longer, receiving a significant population boom during the late 1700's. A majority of the Low Roads' residents are descended from more recent immigrants to the city.
Lucid Ring
The Lucid Ring is the second layer of Vir'thelgos, located within the first of the cities walls, between the Low Roads and the Mosaic Boulevard. It is primarily a residential district, with numerous neighbourhoods, all ordered in a network of concentric circles, centred around a communal courtyard at the heart of the district. The Lucid Ring is also the location of the primary Silver Hand barracks, as well as the Pencala Prison, both of which are located in the south of the district.
The Lucid Ring is a later edition to the city, constructed following the Fall of Arcanum, around the same time as the Mosaic Boulevard, with it's architecture possessing a more modern, utilitarian aesthetic.
Mosaic Boulevard
The Mosaic Boulevard is the third layer of Vir'thelgos, located within the second of the cities walls, between the Lucid Ring and the High Spires. It is primarily a commercial district, the location of much of Vir'thelgos' businesses, with numerous shops, inns, taverns, entertainment venues and market stalls, where almost any good or service can be found.
The Mosaic Boulevard is named for the beautiful and colourful plazas that reside throughout the district, with all the shops positioned in a circle around these plazas, many of whom are decorated with mosaic pattered floors, statues and flower displays, as well as possessing fountains and communal gardens.
The Mosaic Boulevard is a later edition to the city, constructed following the Fall of Arcanum, around the same time as the Lucid Ring, it's architecture possessing a more modern aesthetic in comparison to the old city. The Mosaic Boulevard also forgoes the classical white, marble aesthetic of the rest of the city, for a more vibrant and colourful one.
High Spires
The High Spires are the fourth layer of Vir'thelgos, located within the third of the cities walls, between the Mosaic Boulevard and the Palace Grounds. It is home to the city elite, as well as being where a majority of the local Moon Elf population reside, many of whom are descendants of the survivors of the Fall, with almost all of the buildings and houses having being passed down through the generations.
The High Spires are filled with numerous tall, residential towers, that dominate the skyline, and from where the district gets it's name. The High Spires are also the location of the Grand Temple of Selene, the primary site of worship in the city, which sees hundreds of daily visitors, as well as being where a majority of the population gather on the 15th of every month to celebrate the Seleméra.
The High Spires are part of the old city, with much of it's buildings and architecture being restorations of the city as it was during the Age of Arcanum. A majority of the buildings in this district are built of a white coloured stone, usually marble, as well as being decorated with lunar iconography and religious symbols to Selene, giving the High Spires a uniquely ancient Elven appearance.
Palace Grounds
The Palace Grounds are the fifth and final layer of Vir'thelgos, located at the top level of the city, and separated from the High Spires by a fortified wall that encircles the district, connecting to the mountainside at each end. The Palace Grounds are home to the Palace of Lorth'elon, the residence of the reigning Queen of the Kingdom of Lorth'elon, as well as being the location of the meeting chambers and offices of the members of the Moonlight Elective.
The Palace of Lorth'elon takes up most of the district, a vast complex of marble which is positioned directly adjacent to the mountainside, it's tall spires ascending into the sky, the central one holding up a large silver disk that magically reflects the exact light of the moon Theira upon it. The grounds outside of the palace are a beautiful garden, filled with pristine flower beds, trees and ponds, with winding pathways that weave between them, perfect for wandering conversations.
Notable Locations
Grand Temple of Selene
The Grand Temple of Selene is the primary site of worship in the city, dedicated to the worship of the Moon Goddess, Selene, the Divine Patron of the city, and the majority religion of the Kingdom of Lorth'elon.
Located within the High Spires district of the city, centred within a large plaza, is the majestic and towering temple of marble walls and columns, a large, silver symbol of Selene emblazoned above it's doorway. It's open air roof giving a constant view of the night sky, and the Moons within it.
Palace of Lorth'elon
The Palace of Lorth'elon is the home of the Lorth'elon Queen, within which resides the royal throne room. The palace is majestic and ancient structure, located at the highest level of the city, taking up most of the the Palace Grounds district of Vir'thelgos.
The Palace is a vast complex of marble which is positioned directly adjacent to the mountainside, it's tall spires ascending into the sky, the central spire, the Moon Spire, holding up a large silver disk that magically reflects the exact light of the moon Theira upon it. The grounds outside of the palace are a beautiful garden, filled with pristine flower beds, trees and ponds, with winding pathways that weave between them.
Other Buildings
- Halls of Enlightenment. The Premier school of Magic in all of Elderan, located within the High Spires.
- Pencala Prison. The primary prison complex of the Kingdom of Lorth'elon, located within the southern Lucid Ring. The name "Pencala", is Elvish means “without light”, due to the inmates being incarcerated away from the moon’s light.
Vir’thelgos - Historical
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