Scales of Divinity - Cities/City-States
Introduction to Five Cities/City-States in the Fantasy Land of Soleos
Hi all, King Poliwag here. As many of you know, I haven’t been posting much lately. Life stuff. But I’m hoping to be back to it soon. Finishing up a two-part Ash and Bea story and then some more Bonnie chapters. The GCTO re-read will be back in November.
But today I wanted to give a little taste of my original series I’m slowly piecing together. This is much smaller than my character bios but I feel showing you the cities will be much better in some actual storytelling. Here it’s just a little blurb, plus a quote (which obviously may not be final) to give a little feeling of what these places are like. Hope you enjoy!
Regidia
Intro: The city where no one lives. Built many millenia ago atop the peak of Mt. Regidia in the Regidium Mountains, and maintained ever since, this is the city of the gods of Soleos. The streets are pristine, the buildings immaculate and the palace worthy of the greatest of kings and queens throughout the ages. Few are permitted entry by the elven clans that patrol the empty city. But few wish to enter, despite its divine purpose. For on the pathway up towards the palace is a dangerous tunnel.
The Tunnel of Madness.
“She emerged from the tunnel twelve days after entering. Of her companions, three had died, three were disfigured beyond recognition and three were utterly and completely mad. Only herself and two others had remained whole.
A dreadful excursion, but all in all, a successful one.”
Tatros
Intro: The most culturally vibrant city in all of Soleos. Located in the north of the wider country, Tatros lies between two of the most powerful cities. With Lunaria to the west, and Ferivar to the east, Tatros may have been vulnerable to the influences of their mighty neighbours if they were not so influential themselves. With the most talented artists, musicians and even athletes, Tatrosians bring light to not only their own fine city, but to the world itself. In Tatros, one may find themselves fulfilling work even at their lowest point, with craftsmen, musicians and even the Grand Circus always looking for help to provide their customers with the beauty they crave.
“She plucked at the strings of her treasured instrument, and the bustling crowd grew quiet as they searched for the source of the beautiful melody. Here, the streets were always full of music, but when she played, all went silent but for her and her songs. That was a strange thing in Tatros, for the people always wanted to join in.
But sometimes, the greatest of them needed to stand out.”
Lunaria
Intro: The city of magic. The city of a goddess. Lunaria is one of the oldest cities in Soleos. Built to honour the goddess of the moon, Lunaria is the home of the powerful and ancient order known as the Daughters of Lunessa. The Great Sister holds most of the power in the city, but is held accountable by her council. Lunaria is not a large city, but many people travel there just to feel a little closer to the goddess they worship. In times of trouble, the Daughters are able to see people camping out for miles outside the ancient Moon Gates.
“He grew silent as he stared at the Moon Palace. Was it the power of the goddess that lit it like a beacon on this dark, winter evening? Others around him were murmuring similar questions. Lunessa was said to be at her weakest at times such as this, but her city stood strong and proud. Could it be that the answer he searched for lay ahead, beyond those mystical gates?”
Kriminae
Intro: The richest city in Soleos. Perhaps the richest city in the world. Some say the merchants of Kriminae abandoned their fellow citizens for the gold of other cities. Others argue that the rich here are more generous. For where else can a man find an employer so reliable? But perhaps Kriminae’s true strength does not lie in its bank, but rather its access to the powerful mines within the Angel’s Wall.
After all, what is more powerful than magic?
“The bank defined his city, but it didn’t define him. A life is decided by choices, and he was very careful with his. Take a loan? No. Take a bribe? Perhaps. Be the lender and the briber? Yes indeed. But never through the bank. The bank brought money, yes, but money brings many things to a city. Opportunity most of all. But for what?
Well, anything really.”
Aethea
Intro: The home of the scholars and diplomats. Aethea is the home of the most prestigious college in the entire world. From the north to the south of Soleos, from Afkhar Raza to Amorlia, and even from Ezar Laios to Angelos. Everyone respected the wisdom that was to be gained from the scholars of Aethea. The success of the people-run government of Aethea frustrates the monarchies of nearby lands. What is more dangerous than the common man being in charge, and turning his fellow citizens into the wisest in the land?
But Aethea may be too strict. Aetheans respect the symbolism of the wise goddess, but they feel such shame when one of their own turns to faith. Faith is foolishness in their mind. Perhaps they have a point. What god would put a simple man in charge of his city?
Of course, the faithful may argue that a good god would do no less.
“She knelt before the goddess and prayed for wisdom. The shame of such an action almost made her weep. It was a silly thing to believe in the goddess. It was a silly thing to pray to her. It was a silly thing to ask for what could be earned by reading a good book.
But the books didn’t hold the answers she needed. When the answers came from one place, and that place could not provide, what was one to do?
She had turned to faith, and in Aethea, that was what a fool would do. Perhaps she was a fool.”