Aelanir's Climb
Aelanir’s Climb is a large port city (somewhere between 10,000 and 15,000 people), nestled at the top of the Teak Cliffs, which stand upwards of 400 feet tall. It is a remote city that is the most outlying city in the conglomeration of trade cities known as the Kalb Confederation. Engineers consider the lifts and the dry dock (built into the side of the cliff) to be a marvel of technology. A clan of Dwarves (the Oak Keg Clan) specialize in maintaining the Near Grave (Dry Dock), Lift, and Switch. These Dwarves show uncharacteristic cooperation with the Elven shipwrights; one might even think the two ‘factions’ were friends.
Legend has it that a particularly brash young Half Elven druid by the name of Aelanir once levitated to the base of the Teak Cliffs and used his nature magics to hollow out a cavern, ostensibly to give his love a place to hone her craft. By the end of the day, having expended his spells, Aelanir had no way to return to the cliff tops. Impatient to show off his work and flush with the arrogance of youth, he chose to climb. Some storytellers say that he succeeded, others claim he fell to his death among the rocks. Despite the disagreement, this tale is how the city gained its name.
Demographics
A good mix of human (30%), elven (20%), half elven (25%) and dwarven (15%) citizens and a peppering of other goodly races (9%). Recently, there has been an influx of tiefling, half-orc, and drow citizens, due to the influence of a winged, blue-skinned tiefling by the name of Aquzu who rose to prominence as the Keeper of the Western Eye.
Government
Aelanir's Climb is governed by a Ruling Council. The laws are benevolent and punishment (other than a few days in a cell) is considered to be a last resort.
Aelanir's Shield patrols the city and the major roads from Aelanir's Climb to the Bone Blade Mountains. There is a contingent of Shield agents in every township to the east of the mountains.
Aelanir's Keel patrols the warehouse district, the docks, and the waters surrounding the Climb; they are responsible for patrolling the trade routes and the few expeditions into the Haunted Sea.
Defences
Besides being located at the top of a 400 foot tall cliff at its western edge, Aelanir's Climb is surrounded by dense, high walls all along the outer edges. These walls are manned by Shield Agents and anti-siege equipment. The northern edge of the city, along the cliff, stands a tower that seems built from the very stone, itself. This tower is topped by a lensed contraption that, as legend would have it, can see to the very edge of the world (though, truly, only Aquzu, the Keeper of the Western Eye, would be able to tell precisely how far out it can see).
Industry & Trade
Aelanir's Climb specializes in ship building, exporting teak wood, apple ale, and fine elven wines.
Infrastructure
This is a bustling city with three major sections; The Marble District, Market Town, and Warehouse Alley.
The Marble District is where the city's elite live. It is walled off and exclusive; one does not enter the Marble District without title, writ, or special dispensation. Though, as one might expect, there are secret ways around, through, and under the walls. To be "Atop the Marble" is to be considered wealthy.
Market Town is the legendary section of town. One can literally find anything they want, save for slaves (which were banned in the Climb over 300 years ago). Aelanir's Shield headquarters can be found in the center of this swath of the city. From here, the 'Closer to the Marble' one gets, the more wealthy and expensive the shops become; from merchants making a living off of the finer things to those making a killing from the nobles. To find oneself on 'the other side of the marble,' one might find anywhere from a poor, humble merchant just trying to make do to a charlatan looking for their next grift.
Warehouse Alley is a collection of storage houses clustered cliff-side. The well-patrolled parts (nearest Maldren's Lift and the Switch) are fairly secured with few problems, but the further from the Marble District and the Shield Headquarters, the fewer patrols. This is the poorest side of town, where one might come across a den of squatters just as easily as a patrol of Keel Sailors.
Guilds and Factions
Aelanir's Shield and Aelanir's Keel are the two main "military" factions.
Alternative Name(s)
The Jewel of the East
Type
Large city
Population
10,000 - 15,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Climbers
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
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