Theras City

Summary

The capital city of the Kingdom of Therassia and seat of the House of Findael. Built on Theras Island of the great vulcano Dresnor.

Built on the western slopes of the volcanic island ofDresnor, it is a marvel of Elven architecture and magical ingenuity. The city sprawls from the volcanic heights down to the black-sand shores of the island, its districts connected by canals of glowing magma that provide heat, energy, and an unmistakable ambiance of power.

As the capital of Therassia and the seat of House Findael, Theras serves as the nexus of governance, religion, trade, and magic in the kingdom. Its strategic position makes it both an impenetrable fortress and a beacon of Therassian splendor.

Districts

1. The Palace District - The Crownspire Palace, a grand structure of white stone and enchanted glass, dominates the district. It houses the royal family, the Court of Nobility, and administrative offices. Ornate bridges span magma canals, linking the palace to other governmental buildings such as the Hall of Barons, where noble Barons meet.
2. The Lavaheart District - Situated near the base of Dresnor, the Lavaheart District is powered by the volcano’s magma. Foundries, forges, and alchemical labs harness the molten flows for their work. This district is also home to the Mage’s Enclave, a towering structure where the kingdom’s most skilled mages study and conduct experiments.
3. Great Dockworks - This district stretches along the black-sand coastline and houses the kingdom’s largest Docks and shipyards. Ships from across Therassia and beyond dock here to trade exotic goods and resources. The district is known for its bustling markets and skilled shipwrights.
4. Ashen Gardens - A serene district where nobles and wealthy merchants reside in elegant estates surrounded by enchanted gardens. Despite being near the volcano, the area is cooled by magic, with lush greenery and sparkling fountains.
5. Cinderflow Quarter - The lifeblood of Theras, this district houses the majority of the city’s population. Narrow streets wind between modest homes, workshops, and taverns. The residents here work in the forges, shipyards, and markets, ensuring the city runs smoothly.
6. Pyrestone Watch - Situated on the high cliffs overlooking the city, Pyrestone Watch is heavily fortified with walls reinforced by magic and magma flows. This district houses the kingdom’s army barracks and the Therassian Fleet Command.
7. Tower of Wael - The impossibly tall tower on a small island near the shore of Theras. It serves as a lighthouse and the Archmage's tower, labratory and is outfitted with arcane canons that increase the range of spells to miles.

Economy

As the most important maritime trade hub in the Kingdom it's massive dockworks, warehouses and guildhalls are filled with goods from all over The Scattered Islands. The administrative heart ensures that many Barons and minor nobility own homes and businesses in the city and this ensures a constant flow of gold into the city.

The city is renowned as the premiere place for art and delicate jewelry in the known world. Its specialised workshops employ many of the merchant class and highly skilled laborers to create beautiful pieces of refined goods, art and jewelry. There are many labor camps filled with monster races all over the city providing cheap workers to all businesses and the control collars are all produced by the local mage guilds.

Many workshops and factories are powered by the magna flows from the volcano through magical conduits. This enables the city to produce simple goods on a massive scale rivaling the mechanical factories of the Empire. Dresnor also provides rare ore, gems and obsidian glass as well as rare spell components for export throughout the world.

Government

Under normal circumstances one of the Kingdoms islands is controlled by a local Baron however since this is the seat of the Royal house itself it has an appointed Seneschal instead. Picked from among the Court of Nobility, many of the nobles try to put one of their own or a favorite in this position.

The Queen and the Princes, both the children and cousins of the Royals, are the official rules of the city of Theras and its island. The Queen herself sits on the thrones and holds court while the Princes are often appointed to important positions such as the Leader of the Royal Army, the treasurer or keeper of the Royal archives. Currently the princes hold the position of High Marshall of the Royal Army, High Admiral of the Royal Navy, Archmage of the Tower of Wael and Spymaster.

Military

Home to the largest fleet of the Royal Navy and the headquarters of the Royal army it boasts formidable defences. Not only are there a large number of regular troops and ships but the city is defended by three allied dragons ridden by the princes of the Kingdom, the Arcane Cannon of the Tower of Wael, and spellcasters from many mage guilds, holy orders and independent wizards.

The elite Royal Guards are stationed in the Palace district and are known as some of the best fighters in the world using both martial and arcane arts. Lava from the volcano can be used to fill moats and ditches around the city to make them impassible as well as specialised launchers can fire the balls at approaching ships or even turn on the city itself.