light | shadow | lightning
the world of sornieth as defined by schwartz industries
LIGHT
the beacon - the capital of the light district. while it is a large bustling city, it overlooks surrounding areas and has a working relationship with lanternlea port.
lanternlea port - a very busy port despite its size. the majority of the district's imports and exports are shuffled through here because of its access to the sea.
emperor's wake - an area outside of the beacon's red where an unknown family is trying to rise to power and overthrow some of the other, more well-known family names around sornieth.
hewn city - before the beacon was the bustling city it was, it was known as the lightweaver's basket and located in the area that hewn city now resides. after building up several important structures, the city was left half-finished as all relevant businesses moved to the coast. though there are rumors about why the lightweaver's basket was abandoned (and renamed hewn city), the official reason given was lack of funding. many people still reside here, as means to move into the beacon are few and far between.
daylight sanctum - one of the prestigious universities that exist around sornieth. contains lady lightweaver's library and requires government permission to access. (ellie graduated from here!)
moonportal - as the light district is far north compared to several other districts, it's not surprising that it was constructed to move good back and forth between light and shadow (as shadow contains the coveted trading post). though it has been abandoned for several decades, it was recently re-activated under a new budgeting proposition and seems promising in revitalizing trade.
SHADOW
the trading post - the busiest place in the shadow district. it's the pinnacle of business. there isn't a single place in sornieth that doesn't know of it. it's where many famous brands started their marketing, and continues to function as the main source of shadow's economy despite the trading post's frequent moving.
driftwood drag - unoccupied marshlands outside of the trading post. it's often hot, humid, and filled with mist. there's little to be obtained here outside of unique flora and fauna, unless one prefers solitude. (aurelius works here).
dusk sanctum - one of the prestigious universities that exist around sornieth. dusk sanctum holds many hidden passages that still remain undiscovered after hundreds of years. currently, it is the top liberal arts university, and boasts the largest museum of modern art.
sunportal - the companion to the moonportal. it has recently been opened again after a long period of inactivity in a push to create better ties with the light district. while it has met a lot more hostility among shadow denizens, it remains open for business.
forum of the obscured crescent/thorndark altar - many would be hesitant to call it a city, as the only inhabitants are the ones involved with mistress shadowbinder. she claimed the crescent as her base of operations, and maintains it under a darkness that doesn't lift. despite its close proximity to the sunportal, the crescent doesn't conduct trade. all trade is re-routed through either the trading post, or wispwillow grove.
wispwillow grove - by name, most would assume it's an isolated forest. that isn't inherently wrong. wispwillow is surrounded by wildlife, but within, is the most populated city in the shadow district. large buildings have been constructed from a metal that happens to reflect light, making the area seem darker and more uninhabited than it is. the grove is unique in that it chooses not to utilize lightning's electric technology, and instead relies on magic and natural phosphorescence. this has caused a lot of contention between light and shadow in the past.
LIGHTNING
goldensparc - capital of the lightning district. it's surrounded by mega-factories and high-rises, as well as a newly crafted defense system, T.U.R.R.E.T.S. (though the reasoning behind its construction remains a mystery to the general public).
wiretangle walk - many of those who work in goldensparc can't afford to live there. most blue-collar workers live adjacent to the city in wiretangle walk and make the long commute in and out of the city every day.
tempest spire/the source - while goldensparc is the capital, it wouldn't be able to function without the machinery constructed at the tempest. it holds the main power generator (the source) for the entire region, where it's spread through the spire. this is where the stormcatcher can be found when not conducting business in the city. it requires constant maintenance, and the day is split into three shifts to watch the reactors within at all times.
charged barrens - large stretch of unused desert sands. it's a popular place for dune riders to find a thrill, and for various scientists to test slightly more dangerous (government approved) experiments.
carrion canyon - a once thriving civilization, it fell due to drought. once the water dried up, people moved east to be closer to the coastline. in modern times, the canyon is little more than a sight-seeing attraction.