Y'an Dorei

Deep within Holonore lies the sprawling city of Y'an Dorei. It is home to the Spring Palace, where the royal family of Nylne Aesi and many members of the nobility spend their spring. Most visitors call it the most beautiful city in the kingdom, particularly during springtime, when most of the plants are in bloom, and the magic is high.

However, those who live there know a very different Y'an Dorei. To them, the city is a cesspool of corruption and crime, which is hidden under a flowery facade to keep the royals and nobles from discovering it. The city guards are paid off, and the mayor holds less power than the local crime lords.

As a forest city, or lymdorei, the city is built into the trees. Buildings wrap around the outside of towering giant trees, connected by stairwells, bridges, and platforms. The structures themselves are built with wood, leaves, and vines; while even the darkest, most dangerous places in Y'an Dorei are decorated beautifully with flowers of every hue and color.

Districts:

Y'an Dorei is divided up into four main disticts, the Skybrush, the Canopy, the Walk, and the Underbelly. Each district has a unique flavor that sets it apart from the rest, as well as several sub-districts.

The Skybrush

The Skybrush is the highest and wealthiest of all the districts, home to many nobles and royals-adjacent. The entirety of the Skybrush is built on platforms above even the tallest trees. The Spring Palace is located in the Skybrush, raised up on the highest platforms.

Buildings in the Skybrush are elegantly built from white and pale blue woods, and decorated with glowing Arae flowers of mostly blues, purples, and pinks. Roofs are often made of delicate panels of wood, which can be moved to allow those inside to fly out. Intricate paintings cover almost every exterior surface. Railings and trim are often golden and set with gems. The architecture of the Skybrush is light and airy, meant to look both opulent and spacious.

All entrances to the Skybrush are carefully guarded by the city guard. Only the royalty, nobility, and wealthy members of society are allowed into the Skybrush. Most of the residents of the Skybrush rarely if ever descend to the lower levels. Most crime in the Skybrush is more along the lines of fraud, bribery, wage theft, exploitation of the lower levels, and similar types of crime.

The Canopy

Just below the Skybrush lies the Canopy. It is home to the second level of society, those who aren't quite wealthy or powerful as the Skybrush residents, but enough to live comfortable lives. The Canopy sits in the treetops, surrounded by the branches and leaves of the trees. Many of the residents are heavily involved in organized crime, usually at the head of it, or are subordinates in the schemes of Skybrush residents.

Buildings in the Canopy are usually similar in style to the buildings of the Skywalk, but the wood tends to be more saturated colors, and the Arae flowers are can be found in many shades. The roofs are usually built of wooden frames with woven fabric tapestries. The architectural style of the Canopy values conformity and unity, so many buildings are very similar to their neighbors.

Unlike the Skybrush, many lower citizens will go into the Canopy during the day, usually for work. Canopy residents tend to be owners and managers of lower-level businesses, running them with an iron fist. Otherwise, they are merchants and artisans.

The Walk

The Walk is the third layer of Y'an Dorei. It is home to the civilians and workers of the city, and wraps around the tree trunks. Most citizens will never see enough wealth to even live in the Canopy. They are often exploited by the residents of the Canopy and the Skybrush.

The architecture of the Walk is more varied than any other level of Y'an Dorei. Wooden walls are painted in vibrant, eye-catching colors, often decorated with many different flowers of a variety of colors; matching, contrasting, complementary, and even completely unrelated. The roofs are made of layered leaves, sewn together with various colorful threads. The walkways and platforms are decorated with flowers and colorful fabrics. The Walk values uniquity and individuality in design, almost the opposite of the Canopy.

Citizens of the Walk are found in most walks of life, from fesser merchants to craftsmen. However, most are employed by citizens from the Skybrush or the Canopy, and often exploited. In the Walk, crime tends to stick to theft, murder, and other more immediate crimes.

The Underbelly

The lowest layer of Y'an Dorei, the Underbelly is home to the lowest members of society. Criminals, outcasts, and menial workers all live in the Underbelly, directly on the forest floor. The residents are often scorned by the other levels.

Unlike the other three levels, there is no defining architecture for the Underbelly. Instead, it is very slum-like, with shacks and shabby buildings cobbled together from leftover materials. The few buildings of actual substance are usually bars, taverns, gambling halls, brothels and the like. However, most buildings are decorated with plants of many types, creating a unique beauty in certain areas of the Underbelly, one which is rarely appreciated by those who don't live there.

The people of the Underbelly are considered to be the lowest of the low. The few who have even somewhat steady jobs are usually menial laborers, domestic servants, or work some other demeaning job. Many rely on crime as their primary-- or even only-- way to make ends meet. Theft, murder, violence, and more are all staples of the Underbelly.