Morn Arcanum Cities, Part 1
Caelim’s Bay
The Coastal Archives
Nestled on the rugged coastlines where the sea meets cliffs adorned with ancient runes, Caelim's Bay is renowned for its vast libraries and sanctuaries that extend both above and below the sea's surface. Here, mages study the arcane properties of the ocean, harnessing its energies for magical research and planar exploration. The city's docks are home to ships capable of navigating both physical and ethereal seas, exploring realms as diverse as the Elemental Plane of Water and the deepest trenches of the material world.
Population.
Caelim's Bay is a melting pot of scholars and researchers with an affinity for water. It is common ground for Water Genasi, Triton and Sea Elves, using their innate abilities to further research into the wonders of the world beneath the waves. The population is made up of a humble 23,000 people.
Races.
Elves: 50% Predominantly Sea Elves, and those with a deep connection with the elemental forces of water.
Genasi: 20% Water and Earth Genasi, drawn to the runes carved into the mountain and the ruins beneath the waves.
Human: 15% The lifeblood of the city, often specialising in trade, engineering or navigation.
Other (Djinn, Triton, elemental): 15% Beings who have frequently passed through the thinned veil of the planes.
Government.
Caelim's Bay is governed by a council of elders and representatives from each race. The Deep Senate, as they are referred to, focus on balance and the well-being of its people, and monitor the research into the elemental plane of water to ensure the veil is not stressed too much. They take a “research first” approach, favoring scholars and the magical inclined over general populace issues.
Factions.
Navigators' Guild: Comprised of master navigators and astrologers, this guild ensures safe and efficient travel and trade by ship, and their expertise is also critical in astronomical research and charting celestial courses.
Waveguard Fellowship: An elite group consisting of warriors skilled in aquatic combat and defensive tactices, crucial for protecting the city from aquatic assaults, breaches from the Plane of Water, and maintaining security of the city.
Key Locations.
The Hanging Archives: A vast library built into the cliffs overhanging the ocean, with subaquatic chambers containing ancient tomes on oceanic and planar magic. The structure extends downwards from the cliffs hanging like stalactites, with their lower floors submerged beneath the waves.
The Deepward Sanctum: A submerged sanctuary for scholars and mages to study water magic and commune with oceanic spirits.
The Runespire: A towering structure covered in glowing runes, used for planar research and rituals connecting the Material Plane with the Elemental Plane of Water.
Caelum’s Docks: The city’s bustling waterfront where enchanted ships are built and maintained for travel across physical and ethereal seas.
The Tidal Plaza: The central gathering space featuring enchanted fountains, where the Deep Senate convenes and citywide festivals are held.
The Moonlit Reef: An underwater garden illuminated by bioluminescent coral, used for meditation and arcane rituals.
The Obsidian Tidehold: A fortified training and residence area for the Waveguard Fellowship, with underwater combat arenas.
Verdant Veil
The Forest Enclave
Hidden within an expansive, ancient forest, where trees and buildings intertwine, Verdant Veil thrives in harmony with the forest, its citizens attuned to the natural magic that pulses through the land. Druids and rangers work alongside arcane researchers to study the mysteries of life, growth, and the elemental planes. The city is a key site for portals to the Feywild, facilitating a rich exchange between the denizens of both realms.
Population.
Verdant Veil’s population of 18,000 is a lively mix of elves, human and Fae creatures that have crossed over from the Wilds. The residents are deeply connected with the jungle, dedicated to arcane botanical research and knowledge.
Races.
Elves: 70% Making up the majority, often holding positions of leadership of expertise in arcane botanical knowledge.
Fae: 20% Dryad, Pixies and other forest spirits crossed over from the Faewilds, intertwining their magic with the natural elements of Verdant Veil.
Humans: 10% Individuals devoted to the study of nature magic and who have formed significant bonds with the jungle.
Government.
A governing body composed of the eldest and wisest members of the community, representing each major race. The council also features delegates from the Faewilds to ensure that any decision that is made does not impose on the Fae’s hospitality. This council makes decisions with a focus on ecological balance and the preservation of ancient traditions and magics.
Factions.
Greenwardens: A group of elite protectors, skilled in combat and stealth, dedicated to safeguarding the forest and its mystical secrets from external threats. They work closely with the fae to detect and neutralize disturbances to the natural order.
Herbalist’s Circle: Experts in plant-based magic and herbal medicine, this faction includes alchemists, healers, and botanists who develop new ways to use the forest’s resources to heal and enhance magical abilities.
Key Locations.
The Living Archive: Unlike any traditional library, the books here are living plants, each leaf inscribed with knowledge. This organic archive grows with time and is tended by a dedicated group of botanical mages.
Mossbridge University: An educational institution where students from various backgrounds come to learn about natural and botanical magic under the guidance of master herbalists and fae instructors. Its curriculum includes practical applications of plant magic, environmental stewardship, and elemental control.
Glimmergrove: A mesmerizing bioluminescent jungle located on the outskirts of the city, known for its glowing plants and nocturnal wildlife. It serves as a peaceful retreat and is used for night-time rituals, meditations, and community celebrations.
The Thicket Arena: Situated in a naturally formed clearing surrounded by dense foliage, this arena is where the city’s inhabitants practice and compete in magical duels and demonstrations. It's a place for both training and entertainment, showcasing the magical prowess of Verdant Veil’s residents.
The Canopy Library: A vast collection of botanical and fae knowledge, housed in tree-top structures.
The Circle of Seasons: A druidic conclave that maintains the balance between the natural world and arcane influences.
Eclipse Basin
The Valley of Shadows
Situated in a secluded valley that experiences longer nights due to its unique magical atmosphere, Eclipse Basin specializes in the study of shadow magic and the understanding of the Plane of Shadowfel. The city is bathed in a perpetual twilight, creating an ideal environment for those who seek to harness the power of darkness and delve into the mysteries of the unseen. It is a place where the boundaries between worlds thin, and scholars research the delicate balance between light and shadow.
Population.
Nestled in a region where shadows linger longer than light, Eclipse Basin's population of 12,000 are uniquely adapted to the low-light conditions, thriving in an atmosphere steeped in mystery and arcane energy.
Races.
Shadar-kai: 40% Native beings to the valley that adapted to the darkness, they are the core of the city’s culture and magical practices.
Elves: 30% Drow, primarily, who have been drawn to the city for its darkness, and its poximity to the powerful Shadowfel and its energies.
Dreugar & Deep Gnomes: 20% Similar to the Drow, they were drawn to the cities for its similarities to the Underdark.
Other (Tiefling, Human, etc.): 10% Often mages or adventurers drawn by the allure of shadow magic and the mysteries of the shadow realm.
Government.
Led by the elder Shadar-kai Vorynth Duskweaver, who has surrounded himself by the most powerful scholars of the city, this council governs with a focus on secrecy and the harnessing of shadow magic for protection and governance. They operate largely behind the scenes, making decisions that ensure the safety of their people and keep the unsavory creatures of Shadowfel at bay.
Factions.
Nightweavers: This guild comprises the city’s most adept shadow mages, who specialize in the arts of illusion, espionage, and manipulation. They maintain the city's defenses and are often involved in covert operations.
The Umbral Guard: Trained in the arts of stealth and combat, these warriors use their mastery of shadow magic to defend Eclipse Basin from physical and arcane threats. Their presence is both reassuring and unseen, blending into the shadows they protect.
Key Locations.
The Night Market: This unique marketplace opens only under the cover of night, bustling with traders and mystics who deal in shadow-crafted goods and secretive information. Here, one can find anything from cursed artifacts to potions that grant night vision.
The Shadowforge: A crucial facility for the city’s defense and economic stability, this workshop specializes in the creation and enchantment of items derived from shadow essence. Artisans here craft everything from shadowy cloaks to weapons that thrive on darkness.
The Veil: Located on the city’s outskirts, this area is known for its thin barrier to the Shadow Plane. It attracts scholars and mages eager to study the interdimensional energies and creatures that occasionally slip through.
The Obsidian Sanctum: An ancient and revered site, this temple is filled with age-old relics and runes dedicated to the study of shadow magic. It serves as both a research facility and a place of worship for those devoted to understanding the deeper aspects of shadow magic and its origins.
The Nocturne Academy: A prestigious institution where mages learn to manipulate darkness and summon creatures from shadowy realms.
The Well of Stars: A deep pit at the city’s center where celestial energies are strongest, allowing for powerful divination and astral projection.