Windrose City
Last updated
Last updated
Windrose City is a neutral territory that is able to remain neutral largely because of its positioning in the center of the continent. They deal with tons of trade and can therefore exert control over trade routes, plus the giant walls around the city make it hard to be conquered from any one side. The city trains wizards/warriors at the Academia Windrosia, there's supposedly a hidden black market somewhere in the Sewers, and legend says that The Tower of Knowledge that the Old Wizard lived in was right where the giant statue of the first Governor in the middle of the city is. The Adventurer's Guild has its main base here as well.
Windrose City is generally peaceful, only fighting to protect themselves, but the Governor is said to have his hand in countless deals with Whiskers of all kinds. He, alongside most other governmental figures, reside or at least can be found in the castle of Windrose at any given time. The Governor isn’t evil, but certainly is ambitious…and that can be just as bad if left entirely unchecked. If something happens in the world, the Governor likely knows about it because of his vast intelligence network and it’s no stretch of the imagination to think that he might have his hands in events transpiring all across the continent.
The greatest trove of knowledge on the continent, the Academia Windrosia is a true testament to the efforts of whiskerly scholars. The library alone is likely the most expansive in the world, housing countless studies on the various elements and forms of magic alongside their application, historic records, ancient scrolls, and even some artifacts from the previous world. A scholar’s dream.
The Academy itself is the most prestigious place a Whisker can go to learn magic, history, or craftsmanship. Some of the greatest minds have come to study at the Academy and some have even stayed on to teach long after their graduation. One of the Academy’s most beautiful features lies in a tower in the central library which, at its highest floor, houses the Zen Fountain. It used to be the living quarters of a well respected alumni of the Academia who pioneered breakthroughs in mana research. Scholars of the Academy often visit the fountain when feeling stuck. Word around the tower is that if you look long enough into the fountain, you’ll find your questions answered.
The current foundation of Windrose City was built atop an older settlement. Not much is known about the previous incarnation of the city but legend says it was built from the rubble of The Turris Sapientae, The Tower of Knowledge. The current sewer and underground aqueduct system was constructed around the ruins of the previous settlement and because of that the undercity has turned into a labyrinth. Rumors above ground suggest a bustling black market is held somewhere in this maze, trading all manner of magic artifacts and creatures, but scouting parties of Windrose knights have never found a trace. Either there is no black market… or it’s hidden exceedingly well.
Being the village closest to Windrose City, Borgeshire has always been like the spiritual heart of Windrose. A comfortable village, located between the North and West gates, that sees more than its fair share of travelers. It’s a particularly common rest spot for those traveling to or from the Northern Mountains, especially for those most curious Whiskers not wanting to travel directly through Windrose City
The smallest settlement under the jurisdiction of Windrose City, Vorndale Village is a quaint area specializing in wheat farming. Despite being close to a commonly traveled road, Vorndale rarely sees tourists as most travelers often opt to rest at Elstrom instead. Regardless, the Whiskers of Vorndale are a kind and hearty bunch who never turn away tourists or travelers alike. They’re known for their hospitality. In particular, they claim to be the best drinkers on the continent and jump on any opportunity to prove their claims to travelers through all manner of drinking contests.
Elstrom is a small settlement in the Northeastern region of the Southern Desert. The residents of this village are humble whiskers, living comfortably between the sand, fertile land, and sea. It's an excellent location for an easy lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of Windrose City. It’s even become a bit of a tourist attraction, being so close to both the Southeastern Sea and the Southern Desert while still being able to enjoy a cooler climate.
The Rosewood River cuts through the Southern Desert, the Western Kingdoms, and flows into the South Sea. Controlled by a dam just outside of Windrose, the city uses the river to supplement its moat for protection and to ensure there is a place for sewer water to flow. This has created a river that is not consumable; however, with all the waste in the water, it’s also created a delta towards the sea that cultivates the best soil in the Great Pond. Dawnbrook and Southcliff both manage several fields of crops near the waters as the soil stays moist and rarely needs mending.