Widton
Widton, the capital of Escya, is a sprawling city on the edge of the Crimson Desert, where sand meets sea. Known as the Gateway to Eslira, Widton thrives on trade, education, and maritime industries, serving as a vital link between Valon and the neighboring continent of Eslira. Its bustling markets, arcane institutions, and imposing citadel reflect the city's dual nature: a hub of opportunity and a stronghold of oppression under the rule of Duke Melvan Barclay.
Yet, beneath the surface lies a city teetering on the edge. The scars of the Great Magic War and the weight of the Duke’s authoritarian rule have created a breeding ground for rebellion, crime, and intrigue.
Yet, beneath the surface lies a city teetering on the edge. The scars of the Great Magic War and the weight of the Duke’s authoritarian rule have created a breeding ground for rebellion, crime, and intrigue.
Industry & Trade
Widton thrives on trade, magic, and maritime industries, making it the economic lifeblood of Escya:
Fishing and Shipping: The city’s proximity to the Iohan Islands and Silvercreek Piers ensures a steady flow of goods and resources. The fishing industry alone employs thousands of Widton’s citizens.
Trade and Craftsmanship: Widton’s markets are famous for their exotic goods, including rare spices, enchanted items, and finely crafted weapons. The city also serves as a critical waypoint for trade between Valon and Eslira.
Magic and Alchemy: The Arcane Institute produces skilled mages and alchemists who sell their services to the highest bidder, further enriching the city’s coffers.
Due to the growing influence of the Onyx Assembly there are many illegal goods who will also slip through the general trading routes like magical artifacts, drugs, weapons and slaves.
Fishing and Shipping: The city’s proximity to the Iohan Islands and Silvercreek Piers ensures a steady flow of goods and resources. The fishing industry alone employs thousands of Widton’s citizens.
Trade and Craftsmanship: Widton’s markets are famous for their exotic goods, including rare spices, enchanted items, and finely crafted weapons. The city also serves as a critical waypoint for trade between Valon and Eslira.
Magic and Alchemy: The Arcane Institute produces skilled mages and alchemists who sell their services to the highest bidder, further enriching the city’s coffers.
Due to the growing influence of the Onyx Assembly there are many illegal goods who will also slip through the general trading routes like magical artifacts, drugs, weapons and slaves.
Districts
Central of Widton lies the MIDTOWN which largely revolves about the most important purpose of the city - trade.
Northwestern of Midtown is a large wall which protects the place, next to the guards district, also called the SAIROL DISTRICT. Sairol contains most of the guards barracks and the well guarded prison, comfortably placed a short way northern the courthouse and execution side.
Southern of Sairol district and the palace lies the DRARUB DISTRICT, the most wealthy district, offering a lot of luxury and protection for the rich citizens of Widton.
In the Northwest of the inner city lies the BAYSIDE, containing the majority of Widtons' military apparel, ensuring the safety inside the city's walls.
Southern of Bayside lies the GESSIAC DISTRICT which fully embraces the academy and it's educational constitutions. It also offers housings for the more wealthy students and teachers of the academy.
Poorer members will have to build a living outside the protective walls, western the inner city inside the TWARRUDUN DISTRICT, a more poor and increasingly more dangerous and run down part of the city, the more you wander northern of the western city gate. It houses large parts of the black market and is a welcome place for smugglers and cutthroats.
Though the most dangerous district to visitors must be the EASTERN CITY. Once a glorious and prideful district, the district got vastly destroyed by the blue dragon Ryllaeled during the Great Magic War and mainly consists of rebuilt ruins, abandoned by the wealthy and left for the poor and criminals of the city. Some even say it leads into an underground cave systems which stretches across the entire city.
Northwestern of Midtown is a large wall which protects the place, next to the guards district, also called the SAIROL DISTRICT. Sairol contains most of the guards barracks and the well guarded prison, comfortably placed a short way northern the courthouse and execution side.
Southern of Sairol district and the palace lies the DRARUB DISTRICT, the most wealthy district, offering a lot of luxury and protection for the rich citizens of Widton.
In the Northwest of the inner city lies the BAYSIDE, containing the majority of Widtons' military apparel, ensuring the safety inside the city's walls.
Southern of Bayside lies the GESSIAC DISTRICT which fully embraces the academy and it's educational constitutions. It also offers housings for the more wealthy students and teachers of the academy.
Poorer members will have to build a living outside the protective walls, western the inner city inside the TWARRUDUN DISTRICT, a more poor and increasingly more dangerous and run down part of the city, the more you wander northern of the western city gate. It houses large parts of the black market and is a welcome place for smugglers and cutthroats.
Though the most dangerous district to visitors must be the EASTERN CITY. Once a glorious and prideful district, the district got vastly destroyed by the blue dragon Ryllaeled during the Great Magic War and mainly consists of rebuilt ruins, abandoned by the wealthy and left for the poor and criminals of the city. Some even say it leads into an underground cave systems which stretches across the entire city.
History
Widton’s history is shaped by war, magic, and resilience:
Legacy of the War:
The Starlit Archives deep inside the city's library contain records of the war, but much of the knowledge is forbidden or corrupted. Furthermore some parts of the outer city are still magically unstable, with residual energy creating strange phenomena.
Contrary to Miraland however Escya was fast to rekindle their relationship with Eslira, ofter marrying nobles with esliran descend to show their appreciation of their most valued trade partner. After a weak ruler in Leonce Barclay, mostly supported by his wife, his first born son Darcel Barclay finally managed to get a hold over the underground of Widton. Alongside his esliran wife Helena he reigned with an uncommon fierceness yet fairness compared to his father.
However the couples rule was cut short after a lethal accident in the Crimson Desert - the only survivor being the then eight year old Elaine Barclay. The girl was severly injured and many rumored her to be cursed after she showcased immense magical power after her accident. Due to her young age Darcels younger brother took over the rule of Widton until she would be of age. Her time of waiting was cut short however after she disappeared a few months after her return to Widton, now seating her uncle in Widton's throne. He often claims to be a just ruler, but many question if cost of his rule isn't just oppression and inequality.
The Great Magic War
During the Great Magic War, Widton was a battleground for powerful mages vying for control of Escya. The city suffered catastrophic destruction when the ancient blue dragon Ryllaeled was summoned to lay waste to its defenses. Large parts of the city were reduced to rubble, and thousands perished.Legacy of the War:
The Starlit Archives deep inside the city's library contain records of the war, but much of the knowledge is forbidden or corrupted. Furthermore some parts of the outer city are still magically unstable, with residual energy creating strange phenomena.
Reconstruction and the Duke’s Rise
After the war, the Barclay family, consolidated power and rebuilt the city. Due to the high pressure many generations of the Barclay failed to take full control over the city however, resulting in widespread growth of criminal organizations like the Lotus Clan, the Veil, the Tainted and the Shroud of Ciphers.Contrary to Miraland however Escya was fast to rekindle their relationship with Eslira, ofter marrying nobles with esliran descend to show their appreciation of their most valued trade partner. After a weak ruler in Leonce Barclay, mostly supported by his wife, his first born son Darcel Barclay finally managed to get a hold over the underground of Widton. Alongside his esliran wife Helena he reigned with an uncommon fierceness yet fairness compared to his father.
However the couples rule was cut short after a lethal accident in the Crimson Desert - the only survivor being the then eight year old Elaine Barclay. The girl was severly injured and many rumored her to be cursed after she showcased immense magical power after her accident. Due to her young age Darcels younger brother took over the rule of Widton until she would be of age. Her time of waiting was cut short however after she disappeared a few months after her return to Widton, now seating her uncle in Widton's throne. He often claims to be a just ruler, but many question if cost of his rule isn't just oppression and inequality.
Alternative Name(s)
The Jewel of the Crimson Desert
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Ruling/Owning Rank
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