Dane
Caelen
Dane Caelen
Dane Caelen is the shining jewel of The Sylvan Kingdom. The first city of the high elves, Dane Caelen has been their ancestral home since they fell from the skies. The architecture of the older buildings here shows their enmity toward the winged elves, as they are topped with twisting spires and wrought iron spikes, leaving little space where they could land.
Dane Caelen is a city with much history and relics of older times are easy to find here. While the elves now officially worship the Radiant Dragons, many of the buildings here existed when the Astar Uln were said to still walk the world. Statues to the old gods exist in buildings and forgotten tunnels. In a sense, the current Dane Caelen is built on the ruins of the old one, but the old one never truly went away.
Dane Caelen sees four seasons. Summer brings clear days and bright, hot sun. Autumn brings rain and an increasing chill. Winter brings dark nights, light snow and cold rain. Spring brings breezy warmth and many flowers.
As Dane Caelen is the richest of the high elven cities, most of the citizenry is well off here. The standard of living is higher than anywhere in the isles and rivals that of the richer cities of Qua’Lorn. The wild elves that live in the city often see to the more menial jobs and do not share as much of that prosperity, but their conditions here are far from squalid. Queen Caelen Dicelle seems especially intent on improving their position domestically as she attempts to improve relations with the tribes abroad.
While the population is predominately elves, most races of Samsarras can be found here and outsiders are certainly welcome, as their ports take in trade from all nations. Mirlethians are often looked upon with suspicion, as the two nations have a history of war, but that quickly fades if they prove themselves to not be a threat.
The city produces great works of art and artisans from all over the Kingdom are drawn here. The forests also provide the woodcutters and huntsman with ample resources. Farmed produce and grain is generally imported, but wild vegetables are gathered en masse from the woods daily. If they were said to have a signature meal, it would be roasted game atop fresh wild greens, piled high with pungent wild garlic and hunter’s grass.
The city guard protects the citizens inside the walls of the city. They deal with crime and general urban disruption. They are recognizable by their green tunics and hold authority of law in the city, even over members of the elven military that dwell in the city.
There are other martial units in the city as well. The Purple Hoods are the royal guard of Dane Caelen and accompany the royalty wherever they may go. The Queen is never seen without multiple guards. There are also the Silver Helms, which answer directly to the church. While they mostly guard holy sights, units of them will on occasion be sent on special missions by the priests.
Population: 16,300 high elves, 2,100 wild elves, 600 dwarves, 350 gnomes, 250 Mirlethians, 400 misc.
Religion: The worship of the Radiant Dragons here is near absolute. The many wild elves still worship the Astur Uln. Other cultures worship their own gods, but physical churches for them do not exist.
Government: Prince Caelen Nivra, Queen Caelen Dicelle’s younger brother, administers Capital Forest, as well as the day to day dealings of Dane Caelen itself. The Queen certainly has a large physical presence here as well. The Asyra family has much input and political sway, as does the queen’s wizard, Rezmunen.
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The Endless Gardens
The Endless Gardens is the courtesan district of the city. It is a very respected profession in elven society, as the idea of monogamy is generally foreign to them and love is a very open thing. Extensive laws and protocol provide for their protection. The gardens that stretch between the four houses are always beautifully manicured and often full of courtesans and their clientele, whiling away sunny afternoons and drinking wine beneath the stars.
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Ankhor's Dive
Perched upon a rocky outcropping over the sea, Ankhor’s Dive is a haven for the less than reputable visitors to Dane Caelen. his lively tavern and wayside inn draws an eclectic mix of dwarven sailors, human nomads, and elves doing business best not done inside the city proper. A torched lined path draws patrons in and, with luck, helps them find their way out again after imbibing fine imported dwarven spirits. Ran by Völkhor Longsmock, the dive is always exciting.
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House Fire
House Fire is governed by Giriselle Divine. This house is known for it’s passion, and public displays of such are honored, to a certain extent. There is a common joke in Dane Caelen: The rooster may crow in the morn, but House Fire crows all the long night.
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House Water
House Water is governed by Agrissa Deep. This particular house specializes in comfort of the soul with all of its members being heavily trained in techniques of relaxation. It is the most pristine of the houses, with not a thing being out of place.
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House Earth
House Earth is governed by Breseena Rumble. While physical relations are not unknown to this house, they strive for something deeper. It is a point of pride of House Earth that they call all of their patrons by name, even after meeting them once. They are adept at providing emotional support and comfort, often taking on a familial role for those in need of such. House Earth offers very little pretense.
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House Air
The Lairde of House Air is the Elf known as “The Everchanging.” House air is the most fluid of the houses. Many members do not have a strong sexual identity, and those that do will change it on a whim. While being free with love is common to elves, nowhere is it more exemplified than in House Air.
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Money Hall
Money hall is home to a delegation of tinker gnomes from Gnome Home. They are the bankers of the city, funding both the crown and many other institutions. It is said you are not truly from Dane Caelen if you do not owe money to Money Hall. There are other places one might go for funding if they’ve burned Money Hall, however…
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The Grand Mithraeum
The Grand Mithraeum is the largest temple in all the elven lands. It is overseen by Felcenia, a true cleric, and is also often home to Eimrag, the Joyful and Drugal, Bringer of Wrath. The two are radiant dragon siblings are are viewed as gods by the common folk. It’s rumored that artifacts from times past have been stowed away beneath the Grand Mithraeum to keep them safe from those who might question the elven religion……
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The Crashing Oak
The Crashing Oak spent a long time holding the title of biggest inn in Dane Caelen. In recent years, Ankhor’s Dive has taken that qualifier, but The Crashing Oak still has the most renown. Bards from all over the world have played on it’s stage and practitioners of the arts know it as the best place to find a patron. The nobility will generally not leave the city walls to go to The Dive, instead spending time in the balconies of The Oak on plush cushions, drinking the finest elven wines.
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Avrin Tower
Caelen Yilustroth was the first of the high elven kings, and it was he who led the fight against the avriel. Toward the end of his life, he sought to make peace with the winged elves and Avrin Tower was to be their embassy. The peace was short lived and the avriel were banned from the city. Avrin Tower has been left empty as a reminder of their betrayals. It’s said strange lights can be seen in the tower at night, though most think it a tale to frighten children.
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The Palace of Eternal Twilight
This is where the ruler of the Sylvan Empire lives and has been since the foundation of Dane Caelen. It is a great domed building surrounded by high walls on all sides. The towers twist upwards toward the heavens, each topped by a wrought iron spire. They point toward the elves ancestral home in the skies. Inside the palace itself is a huge sprawling complex full of maze like hallways and forgotten passages. The main hall rises all the way to the peak of the dome, which is painted to look like the night sky. Numerous sconces, candle lit chandeliers, and lanterns rotate on a complex system of ropes and pulleys, giving the illusion of stars drifting through the cosmos. Those that have seen it will never forget its splendor.
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Spirewall
Spirewall is home to the royal wizard, Rezmunen. and his hawk. The tower rises high above the city walls, looking out over the eastern forest. Though discouraged from doing so, citizens commonly leave small offerings for both the wizard and the hawk outside of its outer wall. There are two members of the Purple Hoods, the royal guard of the city, posted at the main gate at any given time.
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Stone Keep
Stone Keep is the home of the town guard, headed by Currasant Darkrose. She keeps a tight reign on those under her command, though she is fair. She’s known for being both physically tough and mentally resiliant and she does not hesitate to stand up to the Purple Hoods (The Royal Guard) and The Silver Helms when it comes to domain over the cities safety.
Stone Keep is one of the most defensive buildings in the city, second only to The Palace of Eternal Twilight. It has room inside for many citizens if cause ever arose.
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Stone Keep
Stone Keep is the home of the town guard, headed by Currasant Darkrose. She keeps a tight reign on those under her command, though she is fair. She’s known for being both physically tough and mentally resiliant and she does not hesitate to stand up to the Purple Hoods (The Royal Guard) and The Silver Helms when it comes to domain over the cities safety.
Stone Keep is one of the most defensive buildings in the city, second only to The Palace of Eternal Twilight. It has room inside for many citizens if cause ever arose.
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House Asyra
House Asyra is home to the Asyra bloodline, who are second in stature only to the Caelen family. Asyra Jerin is the patriarch of the family. He holds much sway in the city through both his position on the royal council and standing with the other families. House Asyra also lays claim to Teleron, arguably the finest Elven smith that lives.
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Ysin Hollow
Ysin Hollow is a place of great natural beauty. The sea here has hollowed out the stone under it, creating a large rocky outcropping. The sounds of waves can be heard below. In the midst of it are two holes where the waters flow onto the rock at high tide. There is a smaller one and a larger one more inland, the crashing sea water below shooting up from it like a geyser. It is tradition to throw offerings into the smaller hole and watch the larger one for an omen.
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The Dreaming Veil
On the rocky shore of Dane Caelen sits a cave, worn into the rock by an eon of waves. During high tide, the Dreaming Veil is not very accessible as it fills with sea water from below. When the waters recede, however, many Elves visit to meditate among the strange harmonic sounds that emanate from the cave. They say that the cave brings inner peace and can heal the sick. Some even believe that a child conceived in the cave is destined for a good life, though the act needed to do so is illegal in public and can certainly bring trouble from the town guard
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Open Sky
The dance of the Godsingers was created by the Avriel who would swoop through the air in combat as though doing an elaborate dance. The high elves adopted it to their lives on the ground and have practiced the art for the entirety of their history. There were once thousands of Godsingers and schools of training existed throughout the land. Now they number under one hundred and the ruins of Open Sky are the only place left one might learn the ways.
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Water Bottom
Water Bottom is the nickname lovingly given to the Telenar Mithraeum. This seaside temple was long ago dedicated to Mishtil, the child goddess of healing and health of the Astar Uln Pantheon. Now it is sworn to the radiant dragon gods of the isle. This church, once respected by nobility, now mostly sees sailors giving last minute prayers before shipping out to sea.
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Elgolor Manor
Elgolor Manor is but a shadow of it’s former splendor. Where once it housed on of Dane Caelen’s most prominent families, it has since fallen into disrepair and the Elgolor families name has faded from the public discourse.
The decline started when Demuna Elgolor died from a mysterious disease two and a half centuries ago. The lady of the manor, Axilya Elgolor, withdrew from both society and her family, neglecting the daily business of the manor. She stopped entertaining visitors and closed the gates to the once great house.
This Tenarlian, the winter solstice, her past comes back to visit…