Viram-Tes: Where our story begins. Here are a few quick sketches to illustrate a bit about this city that’s so important to our plot.
It’s composed of a number of floating islands, connected together by stone bridges, which have magical conduits which channel energy from one island to the next. The primary source of energy is found in the central core, where a large citadel (Pictured in the first image, the lower item) sits above a magical crystal that powers the city. This city is where the ruling council, composed of 5 immortal spellcasters, reside.
The city is composed of a number of sectors:
This sector holds areas for training of the magical knights the city uses as guards. It doesn’t have many these days, so a lot of the area has been converted to housing. There’s a large barracks in the north, and in the center is a small keep. The city still hosts a small army numbering in the low hundreds, though their only task appears to be policing the city, which only requires a small task force. Even still, members of the knights often enter the Citadel for long-term exercises and training in its depths, and are sworn to secrecy when they return.
The Librarium is a large building in the northern section of the Library sector. It holds a massive sum of magical knowledge, most of it recorded by the Council Members and their own students. There are also museums dedicated to artifacts from the surface world, items that hold relevance to the history of the city itself, and buildings dedicated to each council member. There are also a number of small magical academies, and alchemical experimentation centers.
The Artisan District is a home for all those lovely people who work with their hands. The streets are lined with shops, restaurants, and various other places of great creativity. In the center lie large guild halls, devoted to different pursuits in crafting. This is where the common folk of Viram-Tes go to shop.
The Agricultural sector is a marvel of magical work. Devoted to the pursuits of one of the council members, who grants great fertility and natural boons to this location, large farms grow crops and raise livestock at paces that were impossible on the surface below, providing food to all the citizens of Viram-Tes.
The Housing District is very much what is says it is: A large area of land, devoted entirely to residential structures. This is where nearly everyone in the city lives. As the population grows, many of the buildings are torn down and magically reconstructed, growing in height. This allows the city to continue to grow in population despite their limited landspace. Where this once held many small houses, the central areas now hold great spires where many people live.
The Park is a magically maintained lake and forest, along with a small amount of well-maintained grassland. It is reserved for the enjoyment of the citizens of the city, who wish to reconnect with nature.
This is the central core of the city. At the bottom of this island is the crystal used to levitate and protect Viram-Tes. It holds a citadel with five large spires - one for each member of the council. In Viram-Tesian history, it is noted that this was one of the first buildings constructed by the Council once the city had ascended.
Inside the core of the island, under the citadel, are spiralling tunnels and rooms, creating a massive “underground” complex that eventually leads down to a room meant to maintain and monitor the crystal. Citizens are allowed to enter the main level of the citadel, but cannot enter the tunnels beneath unless invited to. The same goes for each spire - only certain people are allowed within each spire.
This area is devoted to the fallen master of the city, who died to allow its people to ascend. It is a large stonework plaza, with a massive structure in the middle reserved for festivals, announcements, and large gatherings. The rest of the area is composed of open plaza, and a few restaurants and event halls. A massive statue to Vental Auram-Ke can be found near the entrance to the central plaza. It’s here where the story starts!