Shal'Azura

By and by Man will try

To get out into the sky,

Sailing far beyond the air

From Down and Here to Up and There.

Stars and sky, sky and stars

Make us feel the prison bars.

~Zephyr the Deft

Shal'Azura became the third city to be elevated into the sky in this new age of advancement. The method by which the city remains airborne is one of the era's most closely guarded secrets. Even though the city is situated high above the Panagrip Sands, its streets are often shrouded in swirling, cooling mists that ascend from the nine rivers beneath the scorching desert sky.   The city's design and architecture aptly embody the nickname bestowed upon it by its founder, Zephyr the Deft: the City of the Desert Rose, in honor of Zephyr’s beloved wife, Rosaeli. Particularly in the inner districts, the architecture is embellished with various carvings, murals, and stylistic elements reminiscent of desert roses. The central district, known as Warda, which houses the University, Guildhall, and School, is also named after her, with "Warda" meaning "rose" in the ancient dialect of Zephyr’s homeland.   Another reference to Rosaeli, though more understated and not immediately obvious, is found in Shal’Azura’s district layout. When viewed from a high vantage point, or by hitching a ride on one of the giant dragonflies native to Lake Haiyeti, the city’s districts resemble a rosebud beginning to bloom. At the center is Warda, the heart of the rose, while the surrounding districts fan out like petals in all directions.  

Government

The Erudite Triad rules the Third City in a state of enlightened despotism. The Triad is composed of nine counselors who are chosen from among the deans and professors of the Desert Rose University, Bennain Guildhall and Taqadum School of Technomancy. The Erudite Triad is presided over by the Majilisun.

Infrastructure

The city of Shal’Azura is filled with countless scientific and magical marvels. Modern gardening techniques enable flowers to bloom in this desert city, while the lightning rail links it to distant cities on the continent. Additionally, the extraordinary Westwind’s Vantage serves as a docking point for flying vessels arriving from far-off continents across the seas.   The city's architecture is magnificent, featuring numerous palaces and grand halls constructed from marble in various hues, embellished with precious metals. The constant mist from the rivers provides essential moisture to the numerous gardens, floral decorations, and standalone trees scattered throughout the city. Many private gardens are open to the public and are cultivated with exotic plants and animals from distant lands, such as birch groves, dandelion meadows and campestri choirs amidst small artificial fey circles.  

Districts

The city comprises nine districts, each named after one of the nine rivers flowing through its streets. There are five districts on the outskirts, three in the inner area, and one at the center. The rivers and their corresponding districts are used interchangeably.

 

Outer Districts

 

Inner Districts

 

Central District

Guilds and Factions

Aside from the Desert Rose University, the Bennain Guildhall and the Taqadum School of Technomancy, there are numerous mercantile enterprises, greatest among them the Ikthibar Consortium, the Merchant House Bayhe, the Merchant House Kasaal, and the Auctioneers of the Lantern Market. The Noonblessed, the Church of the Bench and the The Silver Calling count among the more influential religions, while the The Order of the Vigilant Eye and the Separ Talsam guard law and order in the city alongside the Erudite Triad's own special law enforcement teams.  

History

Shal'Azura used to be a tiny oasis caravansary known by the name Wadi Adkhar, before Zephyr the Deft arrived in the year 1 AC. Alongside his trusted companions Cuannur Bennain and Arsema Taqadum, he started gathering a small group of powerful and fearless people to help in his undertaking. Assisted by these people, who would become known as the Founders by posterity, Zephyr, Cuannur and Arsema worked tirelessly for more than forty years until finally realizing the dream of raising the city into the sky, renaming it Shal'Azura, the Third City.  

Founding Date
42 AC
Alternative Name(s)
City of the Desert Rose, The Third City, City of the Sun, City of Light, The Jewel of the Desert, The Sky Gem
Population
~150.000
Inhabitant Demonym
Shal'Azurans
Owning Organization
The Erudite Triad
Roses and Rainbows
Roses and Rainbows
"In Memory of my Desert Rose" by Zephyr the Deft
  Poem: Science-fiction Cradlesong by C. S. Lewis   Districts): (eatifa - arab. passion) (fajr - arab. dawn) (jamil - arab. beautiful) (karam - arab. generousity) (makira - arab. crafty) (amana - arab. honesty) (ladhidh - arab. delicious) (maerifa - arab. knowledge) (warda - arab. rose)
© MalleusBeneficarum 2025. All rights reserved. The Shal'Azura is an original fantasy setting. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or adaptation without permission is prohibited. This work is fan-friendly but not open content.   All illustrations were created by Malleus Beneficarumm using AI-assisted tools including Midjourney. These images were generated, directed, and curated as part of the original creative work and are protected as such under applicable law. They are not open content or public domain.   This work includes material from the System Reference Document 5.2.1 (“SRD 5.2.1”) by Wizards of the Coast LLC, available at https://www.dndbeyond.com/srd. The SRD 5.2.1 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode   This page may resemble content endorsed by, sponsored by, and/or affiliated with the Dungeons and Dragons or Critical Role franchise, and/or include content directly affiliated with and/or owned by Wizards of the Coast or Critical Role. This World Anvil Setting neither claims nor implies any rights to Dungeons and Dragons or Critical Role copyrights, trademarks, or logos, nor any owned by Wizards of the Coast or Critical Role. This site is for non profit use only. Furthermore, the following content is a derivative work that falls under, and the use of which is protected by, the Fair Use designation of US Copyright and Trademark Law. We ask you to please contact the creator if there is a violation to this disclaimer within this page.
Cover image: by Mussu
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Settlement
World
Shal'Azura - Age of Progress
campaigns
Exandria - Age of Progress Campaign
Category
Locations in World Encyclopaedia
Author
Malleus Beneficarum
Publication Date
9 Jan, 2025
Creation Date
29 Dec, 2024
Last Update Date
5 Jul, 2025
Visibility
Public
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