IMPORTANT PLACES
TRIBES
Spiritdrift, the Whispering Isle
Tribes are the smallest types of civilizations in the Prism Realm. Typically, tribes are found off roads and maps, in the further reaches of biomes. Most tribes take quite a lot of effort to reach, and have been specifically put in places that can make it relatively hard for them to be found. Tribe members usually live in hide or cloth tents (and can be nomadic) or they use the environment Tribes are generally made up of a few family groups that meld and function as one society. They are small enough that Arkaines recognize each other and know each other by name, and a stranger entering their midst could bring a little bit of skepticism to the status quo. In general, there are usually not specialized buildings in tribes. Instead, if buildings exist they tend to be homes in small groupings. Each member of the village is responsible for his or her own task, but there are no specializations. While there can be blacksmiths and clothing makers, it is unlikely to find any that have devoted their life to one specific task. Instead, it’s much more common for every arkaine in a Tribe to know a little about everything, and be assigned to one task, such as hunting, gathering, cooking, taking care of young ones or travelling to villages and cities to sell pelts. Because of this, many tribespeople are Adventurers and Merchants. Tribe population does not get over 100 Arkaines, or they will be considered a large village and under the rule of the Prism Council.
Drycall, the Fortune Peninsula
SMALL & LARGE VILLAGES
Lacaster, the Broadhelm Forest
Villages: Villages are the next step for Tribes. Villages are divided into two categories, large and small, and are often located in more commonly traveled areas, therefore making their exposure to strangers limited, but much more accepting than that of the Tribes. Villages are often a gathering of several tribes that all live and function together, and as such have allowed for more freedom amongst the Arkaine population. Their homing structures tend to be more solid and official, with less nomadic tendencies, and they often have a system of bartering within each other, instead of simply giving each other the supplies that they all need to thrive. There is far more of a coin focus in both small and large villages than tribes, but they are not active enough to rely only upon that. Instead these villages, especially the smaller ones, tend to rely more upon less traditional roles. Larger villages, however, have clearly defined social statuses for the members there. It is much more common to find a large clothing shop or blacksmith in a large village than it would be to find the same in a small village. Large villages also have enough population to allow very basic apprenticeships in their crafts.
Small village populations range from 100-500.
Large Village populations range from 500-1000.
Moongrasp, the Northern Opal Forest
CITIES
Deathfall, the Flamesky Mountains
City: A city generally has a very large population and a booming economy. They can often be centered where several roads meet, and therefore visitors from every direction and biome can meet to trade and sell goods. When an area reaches City status, they tend to have a more strict outline of cultural standards, as well as a much larger population. There are far more specialized buildings, and some of these may be better than others, and therefore in direct competition with others. Cities can grow at a wild rate, and having an almost ever changing population. It is not uncommon to find someone who has been studying their trade their entire life located in a city. Finding masters for specific trades in these cities would not be uncommon. In fact, some may even advertise their locations, in order to seek out the best apprentices. Cities tend to use an exclusively coin based economic system, instead of bartering, and sell more refined goods than simply pelts and carvings, although this is certainly not off the table. Cities are seen as big, wonderful worlds to those that have come from tribes, simply because of their enormous size and population, as well as the vastness of them. Cities are also noted for having a system of crime and punishment called the Prism Guard. The area around cities tends to be well traveled, and therefore much of the 'prey' has been replaced with common birds and smaller rodents.
City populations tend to range from 1000-8000 individuals.
Whitebridge, the Sunbasin Prarie
TRADING POSTS
Aeranas, the edge of the Flamesky Forest & Mountains
Trading Post: Trading Posts are not actually defined as cities or villages, but instead large spaces used for gathering and travelling merchants to sell their goods. In general, trading posts are regarded as fairly safe areas for Arkaines from all backgrounds to come and trade their goods, and are probably the best place to find anything and everything you could possibly want outside of the Capitals. Trading Post property is controlled by the Prism Council member of each biome, and they are a bit selective about the permanent merchants that are put in, and most merchant families who live in trading posts permanently are working on their trade from dawn til dusk. Many permanent residents live in living quarters above their stores, or live in condo-type buildings It is not uncommon to find Masters of certain trades frequenting trading posts, and some even stay in the trading posts throughout the year. Trading posts can vary in activity and population depending upon the time of year, as well as just the general activity of the merchants on the road. Usually, merchants do not stay in trading posts for more than the few weeks required to sell their goods. Despite this, some families do tend to stay in these areas all year, and are often used as anchors in order to keep the area going. These families that stay also tend to be in charge of the trading posts, and responsible for keeping the area safe and upholding the laws. Trading posts can be found in meeting points of roads and ports, as well as near other larger cities. They are generally easy to access, and can be found throughout the year. The active periods of trading posts can vary, and most times there are “seasons” for various types of good that come in predictable patterns, therefore drawing visitors based on what “season” it is.
Trading posts have no constant population, but can have thousands of Arkaines gathered at any point in time. Generally, there is between 200-800 permanent residents Arkaines.
Oceanspire, bordering the Oceanspire Lake and the Ember Ocean
PORTS
Mirstone & Mirstone Bay
Ports: Tribes and small villages usually fair small personal ports, but few that are open to the public. Some large villages have public ports, especially those that may border the sea. Cities with ports, however, are an entire new system. Usually, the larger a city is, the more ports it has, whether it be bordering the sea or freshwater. Port Masters, those who are in charge of the many public docs, will document what boats and ships come in and out of the port. Larger ships have a higher fare for docking, especially cargo ships, and small personal ships have a decently low fare. Dock Keepers are paid to help mariners dock their boats, and are paid by the Port Master. Cities that sport public sea-ports usually have quite a booming economy, as it gives Merchants an easy and reliable way to get their goods from one place to another, especially in bulk.
If a city borders a lake or the sea, it is likely to be more populated than other cities. Asari, because it is in the very center of the Realm, defies this general rule.
TEMPLES
The Mooncrest Temple, Mooncrest Island
Prism Temple: Every city is outfitted with a Prism Temple, that provides the same services as the Asari Prism Temple on a smaller scale. No villages have Prism Temples, only cities and the Capital. Each Prism Temple is ran by two Priests/Priestesses, who has a number of people to help them within the Temple. Each temple provides a library, with rows and rows of information at anyone's fingertips. Each Prism Temple also has a Garden, where easy-to-harvest food is grown, so anyone who is in need can eat their fill. The most important place within a temple, however, is it's Worship Area, where lessons/classes are taught and the gods are worshiped. Usually the size of a Prism Temple largely depends on the population of the city it resides in. General mage training happens at night, when the moon is out.
The Mooncrest Temple and the Sunkeep Temple also offer all of these services.
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Starfell Arena: Every city is outfitted with a Starfell Arena, where anyone can apply to study under fighters of all kinds. Each Arena is outfitted with a lounge and sleeping area below it, where students who work and live there full time reside. Usually Starfell Arenas are very close to Prism Temples, and usually the Warrior of Balance who is in charge of the Arena works closely with the two priests who are in charge of the temple. Championships are held less often at normal Starfell Arenas compared to the one in Asari, that has one almost monthly, but most have one at least each season. In general, fighter training happens at dawn, and carries out until after noon.
The Mooncrest Temple and the Sunkeep Temple do not feature Arenas.
The Sunkeep Temple, Sunkeep Island
RUINS AND HOLY SITES
The Underground Crystal Cave, the Prism Island
Prism Island is the only island or area in the Prism Realm that has been completely overgrown by crystals, which is why it's protected by the Prism Council (hence it's name). In ancient text, the Prism Island is known the Isle of Color. The entire Island is a holy site, an area where it's illegal to hunt any creatures or take any goods from the area, but it is open for visitation by the general public. The crystals of this huge island reach deep down into the dark ocean that surrounds it. Odd, intricate, bioluminescent fish and small sea mammals are plentiful here, even though the island itself has very little life on it. The island is eerily flat, with little to no change in sea-level in the terrain. It seems that the island may have once been a fairly normal island at one point that simply crystallized suddenly, but researchers still have not figured out the mystery of how Prism Island came to be. Trees still hold delicate crystallized leaves, and the grass and foliage that was sparse upon the island still holds their shape in some areas. In other areas, huge, 10 to 50 foot crystals jut out ruggedly from the landscape. Most of the life that can be found on the island can be found in the underground caves.
This huge Underground Crystal Cave holds the only ruins of civilization that can be found on Prism Island, and it's the only place on the island where living vegetation can be found. There are many openings to this massive underground cave, although they are very deep drops (multiple stories) and quite dangerous to explore. These caves and it sports many kinds of interesting, bioluminescent creatures, plants, and fungi. Large mammals are not common within these caves, although stories of large, flying creatures who nest at the top of the caves have been told in the past, but have never been confirmed. Research shows that at one point these caves were inhabited, but Archaeologists are unsure of how long ago this tribe lived, or what caused their extinction. All that is known is that they lived primarily off of fungi and small mammals, and they lived in homes that were carved out of the exposed stone that is available in the only in the caves, and no where else on the island. These people were likely very primitive, and very cut off from the rest of the Prism Realm, but their culture shows remains of a very peaceful, tribe-like way of life until their demise. It is presumed that the Crystal Cave Tribe lived in the walls of the caves and swam in the freshwater underground lakes approximately 8000 years ago.
The Twilight Ruins, the Twilight IslesThe Twilight Ruins are located on the further edge of the Twilight Isles along the southwest coast of the Twilight Ocean. Like the other ruins, they've long since been abandoned, and no tribes or cities dwell close to them. The Twilight Ruins are a vast series of impressive buildings, similar to Greek architecture, situated on rolling hills and filled with open spaces. It features a massive, ancient tree that sits right in the center of the Ruins, large enough to cast shade over nearly every part.
In the past, the Twilight Ruins served as a religious hub for many travelers and pilgrims of all shapes and sizes of Arkaine. Many devoted religious followers would spend their days in the Ruins, living in peace and devotion to the Gods. It was a Haven for the faithful, and a mecca to be visited by the devoted.
All Ruins and Holy Sites are protected by the Prism Council. According to the law, you can travel to ruins and explore the area, but you cannot camp on any of the protected site. You also are not allowed to hunt or fish, or take any natural items from Ruins/Holy Sites.
THE CAPITAL
The City Circle of Asari, The Red Desert
The Capital: Asari, in the middle of the Red Desert, is currently the Capital city of the Prism Realm. While there are plenty of cities that come close to Asari as far as density and population, it currently is the only spot in which the Prism Council regularly meet in order to determine peace amongst the Prism Realm. Asari contains a much larger population than anywhere else in the Realm. Those who move to the city are drawn by the extravagance. The City Circle contains anything and everything an Arkaine could want to buy or find, including masters and grandmasters in trade crafts. Asari directly borders the Asari Oasis, specifically the Asari Pond. The buildings in the capital are usually made of sandstone or white marble, and most tower over the sand dunes of the desert. The city is multi-leveled, with the Asari Prism Temple residing in the very center of the city at the highest point.
The Capital of the Prism Realm, Asari, currently has over 14,000 Arkaine within it.
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Asari Gilded Guard
♦ The Asari Gilded Guard is a elite team of Fighters who train and hold positions at the Starfell Arena, which is right across the stone-path street from the Prism Temple. Anyone can train for fighting in the Starfell Arena, but only those who prove their skills to the Prism Prime may be assigned to the Gilded Guard. The Gilded Guard members are chosen by the Prism Prime, and are directly under his or her rule. When needed, the Gilded Guard will travel with the Prism Prime to take care of more... violent tasks.
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Asari Prism Temple
♦ The Prism Temple in Asari is a spectacular looking building, made mainly of white marble. It's walls, however, look like a reflective greyish glass. Upon further inspection, one is unable to see through this reflective glass from the outside of the building. It's huge white and gold plated double doors are always open, with a second set of closed doors waiting just on the inside of them. Two Asari Gilded Guard members are posted at each entrance of the Prism Temple at all times.
♦ Upon entering the Prism Temple one will be greeted with a bright, vibrant array of colors within the Worship Area. These colors that splash against everything within the temple are due to the incredibly colorful stained glass walls, the same that looked grey and reflective on the outside of the building. Unlike the outside, it is incredibly easy to see through the glass on the inside of the temple. These colorful glass walls are made to block out the harsh desert sun, and keep the temple always cool. The walls are lined with benches, velvet cushions scatter the floors and sit patiently atop intricately designed and woven rugs. A small waterfall trickles down over a carving in the wall on the opposite side of the huge room, pouring into a small self-sufficient pond, and curved stairs reach up on either side of the pond. An array of different colored flags and tapestries hang from the ceiling.
♦ The Asari Library is a huge wing of the Prism Temple (the left wing). Like the Worship Area, t is open at all times. It houses hundreds of wooden tables and thousands of cushions to allow anyone in the city who would like to study the books and scrolls do so. It reaches 3 stories high, with a open center, and a walkway along each story. Tables and cushions are neatly organized on each of the 3 levels. On the third story of the Library, there is a small area for lounging and reading, rather than large tables set up for studying. There is a straight, rugged path through the length of the library that ends at a large, golden spiral staircase. The staircase is beautifully crafted from gold, and intricate skymetal details of vines, roses, and leaves adorn it. The staircase leads up to the Observatory. The walls are lined with stained, wooden bookcases, intricately carved, displaying the story of the Gods all the way around the bottom trim. Large, golden ladders sit on rails and reach up just over forty feet tall, where the glass ceiling of the library can be touched by hand. These bookcases are expertly organized. Tomes and scrolls about fighting, adventuring, and just about everything else are able to read, but the book or scroll may not be taken out of the Library. To check a tome or scroll out, simply take your item up to the center table, where 2 Keepers reside at all times to offer their knowledge and help. They will keep a list of who has what item. Camping and sleeping in the Library is not allowed.
♦ The Prism Temple Telescope is the largest telescope in the Realm, and it sits at the highest point of the Temple in the Observatory. To reach it, one must first go through the Library, until they reach the stairs on the opposite side from the main entrance, and walk up 5 flights of stairs. The walls that arch upwards into a half-dome that make up the Observatory are of the same material as the one-way glass that the majority of the Prism Temple is made out of, but it is perfectly clear, unlike the colorful glass that protects the Worship Area. It is open to public use, however there are at least 4 Keepers protecting it, watching over it, and tracking the stars and the planets at all time. These Keepers keep track of the stars that come to life each and everyday in the Prism Realm sky, especially those days where an Arkaine passes. The Observatory is a place of knowledge, peace, wonder and sorrow, and it has no room for violence or loudness.
♦ The Asari Temple Garden is a large wing of the Prism Temple (the right wing) that is open from dawn until dusk. It's a large greenhouse, made entirely of a translucent, blue-tinted glass, and skymetal framing. There is a stone path that passes directly through it, and vibrant flowers, fruits, grasses and trees grow on either side. A small waterfall and stream trickles through this spacious, 3-story high room. This greenhouse houses multiple species of small mammals, and provides a community-garden type area within the Temple. Camping and sleeping in the Garden is not allowed.
Asari Prism Market & City Circle
♦ Within the City Circle of Asari, there is a huge pond that sports many kinds of fish, called the Eclipse Pond. It is fine to fish in the pond but it's frowned upon to bathe in it, as there are many public bathing houses nearby. The Eclipse Pond is surrounded by stone paths and greenery. The paths are lined with benches and coconut trees, as well as berry bushes, and other forageable fruits and roots. These paths run through large fields that separate the Eclipse Pond from the rest of the city. These fields are a haven for those who live in portable housing like tents, and travelers who are camping instead of staying at an Inn.
♦ On the outter City Circle, Inns and restaurants line the area. The stone paths that lead into the fields and towards the Eclipse Pond lead up to family owned meaderies, taverns, and inns. Street vendors line the path on the opposite side of the paths, just on the edge of the fields.
♦ The Prism Market of Asari is absolutely booming, bustling at all times, day and night. Bright satin and sheer cloths hang from both professionally made and makeshift market stalls, creating shade over the paths in the sweltering heat of the day. Lanterns are hung and lit at night to line the path at night, although it is a bit less active than during the day. You can find just about anything at the Prism Market of Asari, as it is the largest Market in the Realm.
Asari Starfell Arena
♦ Anyone can apply to train at the Starfell Arena, but to be accepted into training, they must demonstrate both some basic knowledge of fighting, and a devoted life to the Gods. Early each morning, students are woken to train their bodies. They begin with meditation and yoga, which happens across the road at the Prism Temple, before they find their way back to the Starfell Arena to train in the underhall. Students are divided up into their weapon type and fighting style interests, and are trained from there. During the evenings, students may enjoy their freetime, or participate in brawls. Championships are often held at the Starfell Arena, for both Mage Duels and Fighter Matches. The Starfell Arena in Asari is one of the stops during a Fighter's Balance Voyage.
