Caraballa (Care-Balla)

        Rising like a mountain from the sea floor, Carabelle Castle dominates the skyline of Caraballa. Surrounded by reefs and the vibrant city proper, its pale pink walls glimmer against the deep blue of the Sea of Veil, illuminated by the shimmer of bioluminescent algae and crystalline minerals. From every angle, the castle is majestic—a fortress and a living work of art.   Living Stone: Versperite   The castle is built from versperite, a rare, living coral said to pulse with the love of the Goddess Vespera. Legends whisper that Sunken and Vespera shaped the castle during one of their secret trysts, imbuing it with enduring magic. Its surfaces glint like mother-of-pearl, and subtle currents ripple across its walls, as if the structure itself breathes with the sea.   Towers of Purpose and Song   Carabelle boasts fifteen towers, each unique and named after King Merladon’s children. Their purposes vary: some house arcane studies, others treasure vaults, and one contains a grand theater. Miora’s Tower is famed above all—her singing drifts daily from the balcony, weaving a serene melody that flows through the city’s waters.   From the towers, one can see the full expanse of Caraballa, the surrounding reefs, and the seasonal migrations of colossal sea creatures—from crimson-hued blood whales to gliding, moonlit luna rays.   Defense and Depths   Crenellations dot the castle walls, where harpoon gunners and water-cannon crews stand vigilant. Beyond lies the abyss, home to kraken-like predators and ancient denizens such as Basilis, a solitary creature who slipped into the realm of water when the world first tore open. Though a beacon of power, every defense is harmonized with the beauty of the ocean.   Hidden Passages and Secret Sanctuaries   Secret corridors twist through the castle, serving as escape routes, sanctuaries, or quiet refuges during the mating season. Only the closest members of the royal court know these paths, which connect to hidden exits across the city or to magical pockets where the currents themselves provide safety.   The Living Interior   Inside, one cannot walk—only swim or glide through halls adorned with care. Giant shells perch on ledges, murals depict the richness of sea life and royal lineage, and treasures from the surface—anchors, ship parts, statues—are interspersed throughout. The castle feels lived-in: toys drift in the current, papers float atop desks, and the spaces echo with the laughter and footsteps of a family thriving underwater.   A subtle fragrance of citrus and flowering coral drifts through the halls, mingling with the natural scent of the reefs. Gentle music hums from hidden corners, and schools of fish, crabs, and other reef-dwelling creatures weave between rooms. The castle is as alive as the sea itself—a magical reef of stone, song, and life.   Legend and Myth   Some say Carabelle was built long before the Aquarri or any mortals roamed Astrovos, a creation of Sunken and Verpera’s love and magic. Time has shaped it, the sea has lived through it, yet it remains eternal—a sanctuary, a palace, and a testament to the enduring wonder of the ocean.             Caraballa sprawls outward from Carabelle Castle, a city of several miles built in a wheel-and-spoke pattern, with the castle at its center. Its districts are a blend of underwater settlements and glass-domed habitats, allowing both Aquarri and land-dwellers to live, trade, and thrive together.   Districts and Life   The Tides Market is the city’s heart of commerce, where artisans trade goods beneath the waves and within glass domes. These domes allow land-dwellers to participate fully in underwater life, though outsiders sometimes think they are trapped. Many have even married Aquarri, adopting the ability to grow legs like humans.   The Artisan District hosts weavers, jewelers, and painters, many under submerged domes that serve as workshops and galleries. Currents function as natural highways, carrying people and goods swiftly across the city. Geothermal vents create pockets of heat where wondrous creatures, called Magmanons, thrive—bright orange-red beings that shimmer like molten stone.   The Biodomes   Hundreds of biodomes dot Caraballa, varying in size and shape, each housing thriving ecosystems. The Grand Garden, the king’s dome, is the largest. Exotic plants from the land are nurtured with careful enchantments that mimic day and night cycles. The garden pulses with life: insects, frogs, and earthworms maintain its delicate balance. This is where King Merladon cultivates his prized Ruby Jewel Minga Melons, as well as cloudberries and sprinkleberries from the Plates. Aquarri mages and visiting land mages tend the gardens, expanding both the bounty and their knowledge, as the dome itself hums with magical energy.   Another notable dome, the Dome of Sunken, is partially submerged to allow land-dwellers to commune with the god of the seas. Carved from deep blue stone, it is decorated with glowing depictions of a great tentacled deity whose eyes seem to follow those who enter.   Aquarri and Land-Dweller Relations   Aquarri and land-dwellers live together peacefully, having forged centuries of trust. Aquarri may take on legs if they choose, and relationships between Aquarri and humans are recognized and respected; children born from these unions are known as Squarri. Bonds with an Aquarri are said to extend the lives of mortals, sharing vitality and magic across generations.     Caraballa is home to a stunning diversity of creatures. Pools and reefs house countless sea life, including the rare Pearl Drake, while land-dwelling species—lions, razor-bellied hogs, cinder-serpents, and sundancer moths from Mothalisa—are safely kept in designated enclosures.   Senses and Atmosphere   The city hums with life. Music drifts from many corners, mingling with the sounds of bubbling water and the songs of sea creatures. Light glimmers off crystals, algae, and bioluminescent plants, casting a colorful glow throughout the streets and domes. Flowers bloom in abundance, filling the city with both color and subtle scents of citrus and blossom.   Daily Life   Life in Caraballa is filled with arts, commerce, study, and leisure. The Academy trains young minds in both magic and natural sciences, while patrols keep watch for umbral water disturbances and deep-sea predators. Though extraordinary, daily life has rhythm: moments of idleness, study, and celebration intermix with the constant pulse of a city alive under the sea.           Among the most cherished denizens of Caraballa are the Deep Sea Otters, revered as the messengers of the deep. Tasked with carrying messages across the vast Sea of Veil, they travel tirelessly between Caraballa and the Killing Reefs, ensuring communication among all oceanic communities. Their duty is sacred, and they are considered holy by Veil dwellers.   To signify their role, each otter wears a bright yellow sash, marking them as royal couriers. They maintain posts across the Veil and are known to find recipients no matter where they are, seemingly unaffected by the dangerous currents of Umbral Water.   Anatomy and Abilities   Lumino Otters are built for their extraordinary role. Their long, slender bodies and relatively short limbs allow for graceful, rapid swimming. Powerful webbed feet propel them effortlessly through the water, while seal-like adaptations let them hold their breath for extended periods. Most possess sharp claws for gripping and climbing, and all except the standard sea otter boast long, muscular tails that aid in maneuvering through both reefs and open water.   Role in Caraballa   Beyond their duties, the otters are beloved by all. Their presence is a symbol of trust and continuity, linking communities and sustaining the lifeblood of Veil society. Seeing a sash-clad messenger otter gliding through the city or weaving between reefs is a familiar and reassuring sight, a reminder that even in the vastness of the ocean, connection endures.             The Aquarri are a proud people, shaped by centuries of guarding the seas from ancient evils. Their long history has instilled a sense of entitlement and expectation of respect from other races. Yet, despite this pride, they have cultivated peace and collaboration with land-dwellers, fostering a society that blends magic, art, and rigorous protection of the ocean’s mysteries.