Crestlyn Isle Cities

The various cities of Crestlyn Isle and their lore.

Capital Cities

Treimore

One of few pinnacles of trade and culture located on the Isle. Though industrious and busy, Treimore keeps a life centered tone to it. Because of this, the city and the industry/trade booming, it is inhabited by most races from elf to human. To accommodate the darkspawn, both above and below ground tunnels and covered networks have been dug and paved. The icon of the city is the huge metal pyramid in the center of the town; each corner representing the makers of the world; it is built off the ground with a metal rod through the middle of it into the ground. No one can recall how it came to be there or what its purpose is but the town was built around it and continues to spread as the inhabitants gather. The city is completely interspersed with races, and shops usually have more than one race selling products inside. The city is located on the water with a decent shipping dock. The buildings toward the pyramid are smaller and older and as the town goes out the buildings get bigger and newer. Most buildings are wooden but a few have been made of iron and the roads paved with blueish bricks. Darkspawn area below is referred to as Undermore and because of so, most shops are open all day with no off hours. Cultural related items from various racial backgrounds can be found in stores. The weather is cold and the city is located at the northeastern point of the isle. The smell of salt hangs in the air and the area surrounding the city is mountainous with sparse vegetation.

Steinhelm

The greatest dwarven citadel, Steinhelm is the center of the dwarves' traditional culture and trade. It is the ancestral home of the Ironbeard clan, and most ancient dwarven clans have representative liaisons who regularly stay in the city for extended periods of time to see that the interests of their respective constituents are seen to by the dominant clan leader, which has been the Ironbeard chairman since the city was constructed in 920 A.C. It is also one of the most xenophobic of all dwarven settlements on the planet; other races and unincorporated clans are met with cold reception, and all but dignitaries are completely forbidden from entering the inner city, which delves deep into the mountain, while lower class foreigners are restricted to the outer city built upon the mountain face. The oldest structures in the city are carved from the living stone, whereas newer buildings are constructed of steel and concrete. A city of at once artisanship and industry, it produces more and higher quality forged products than anyplace else. As the ages go by, it gradually expands underground as part of the oldest continual mining project in history.

Danroku-kyo

In the dark heart of coastal Abudar, human explorers went ahead of the elves. They found themselves unable to tame the supernatural wilderness and were forced to flee. Not weeks later, elven parties found the remains of a human settlement appearing to have been consumed by the forest decades ago; it appeared as long forgotten ruins, though the humans had only just left. The name the humans had given their outpost was found on a sign amidst the decay, and the elves adopted the name as they decided to live with the wild, not conquer it. Today, Danroku-kyo is a thriving city, a paragon of the natural harmony that elves are the masters of. The outskirts of the city are treehouses and rope bridges, while downtown, concrete domes look like the mounds of strange animals. The city's residents live in communal apartment towers for the most part. It has large facilities for meditation and celebration. It is completely self-sufficient, like all cities in Zihan, of which it is now the capital.

Lerdouex

In the center of the Kahlri desert lies the city of Lerdouex. A prominently human city, it is also the capital of Wihym. The city was founded by the humans that were split off from the elves in the Southern Forest. Most if not all the buildings in Lerdouex are made of finely chiseled sandstone and rock. Lerdouex spans an area of about 8 square miles, being one of the largest settlements in Crestlyn. The peoples of Lerdouex, the humans at least, have an almond tint to their skin from exposure to the sun. The city is considered more of a resort if anything as various races find it to be relaxing with many attractions. Because of this, Lerdouex makes it money through tourism, the settlers setting up taverns as well as hotels. Despite being located in a desert, there is much water to be found. In the center of town there is even a collection of hot springs, kept hot by the natural gases underneath. Lerdouex is also heavily focused on agriculture, 2 miles of land dedicated towards crops. Three men rule over Lerdouex, making decisions on what should be built next or if they need to expand. No extra accommodations were done to allow the Shadowspawn morning access, though they simply enjoy the city at night.

Leazuire

A massive forest colony in the eastern section of the Southern Forest. The colony is entirely populated by the southern elves as they believe the other races have no respect for nature so only elves are permitted entry. When in the forest area where the colony is found, it appears to be completely hidden as it is actually built in the canopy of the forest. The only way to reach the city is to seek out the gatekeeper, whose location is held secret by the elves, who will then warp the elves to the city above. Some think that simply climbing the trees would grant access, though the trees are magically grown to be much taller than those naturally found in the forest. The city lies nearly 1,000 feet above the surface and the trees themselves have been enchanted to be exceptionally smooth. Leazuire is the capital of the country Chim, located towards the west side of the country. Not much is known about Leazuire, with it being completely hidden from the other races. Though the elves use it mostly as a base of operations, the declaration of war against the shadowspawn being agreed upon here. It is entirely a city made up of various guilds, organizations and court houses. Little housing exists as Leazuire was meant to be a city of only temporary living, no one staying for more than 2 months. Legal documents, decrees and decisions about the southern elven race is made here and nothing more.

Philosum

Philosum, the capitol of Dhey-rye, is located in the north-west Kahlri Desert. The city is strongly focused in academics and philosophy. Possibly the philosophical capitol of Crestlyn, Philosum houses the largest library in the known world. The peoples of Philosum are exceptionally intelligent in various areas of science, literature and politics. Very few shops are found in this city, the streets lined instead with laboratories, schools and governing bodies. Though no money is made through tourism, revenue is brought in from the marketing of inventions or selling newly created medicine or enhancers to other countries. Philosum is open to any who wishes to study or simply to tour the great city of knowledge though none can stay for extended periods of time without working there or having a permit authorizing stay. The city is also where laws of the country are passed, treaties are signed and diplomatic meetings are held.

Durnii

The grand city of Durnii houses the southern elves' trading hub. The hub itself swears neutrality and the country it is the capitol of, Kirst, has repeatably stated they want nothing but peace unlike the rest of the Southern Forest. Many countries come to Durnii to exchange goods of the highest quality, usually luxuries or magical equipment though caravans take alternate routes to avoid entering Chim. There are many high class citizens, as living in Durnii is expensive, and travelers or tourists usually spend a large sum in the available inns for a room. Durnii law makers are all housed in the city, though they have a circular sector of the city in the center where they stay. Many a item can be found in the streets of Durnii. Magical items, exotic foods, trinkets, clothing and oddities are all found in the city streets. The city itself can be best described as a grand bazaar with stands along the road and markets hanging from the trees.

Malifeen

The capitol of the Ley-fer country in the Southern Forest. Malifeen is the largest elven city on Crestlyn, as well as the most militaristic. The city itself is governed with a very strict set of laws which are punishable by death, in addition all residents must serve in the military or be exiled from the country. Here the dictatoresque leaders live, training themselves as well as the soldiers to be Ley-fer's elite troops. Only elves born in Ley-fer and have lineage in Ley-fer are allowed to enter this city. The country of Ley-fer is also shutdown to all races except for southern elves. Malifeen constantly has soldiers at the ready for any situation as well ready for declaration of war by the city itself; this has given them the early advantage in many wars. Not much is known even to citizens of Ley-fer, with the city being secretive even to its own kind.

Tridurn

In the far west of the country Doarn, a grand city of magical advancement thrives. This city is known as Tridurn and is the Shadowspawn's capitol metropolis. The city has been nearly completely destroyed during the War of The West, though has been rebuilt and improved after decades of work. Also due to the war, the city is surrounded by a visible magical barrier that only Shadowspawn and their guests may pass through. 95% of Tridurn consists of Shadowspawn, the rest being humans. Countless hours are spent each day in an attempt to advance current known magic. This is where magical breakthroughs in theory or creation of new, specialized schools of magic happen. Tridurn is also very strict with its laws, people having to be on their best behavior. Alcohol is not permitted past the barrier and as a such a mechanism is implemented to evaporate all alcoholic substances and drugs upon passing the barrier. The laws of the land are not taken lightly as those caught stealing are simply exiled on the spot and same for those causing fights in the city.

Jinn

In the heart of the Forlorn lies its capitol city, Jinn. A Shadowspawn founded place that is famous for tourism. Various interesting structures exist that naturally draw the attention of many travelers such as the cold springs which should not exist naturally. The endless labyrinth challenges a man's navigation skills, while the tower of horrors provide harmless frights for those who call themselves fearless. All these attractions were built using physical illusions as well as magical spells to cause the impossible. Many thought the Shadowspawn too secretive or simply viewed them as aloof, but the construction of this entertainment center has caused most of the criticism to disappear. Jinn was created in order to show the other races that they, the Shadowspawn, aren't all boring and distant. In truth Jinn is quite a radical change in Shadowspawn culture and was created as is to ease political strain. Behind all the attractions and restaurants, Shadowspawn work in cartography and geology of the region.