Arves, The Ruined Capital
"This city was grand, once. The castle looming on the hill was full of life and we were ruled by kind and generous people. And now..." - Unknown Vagabond
Demographics
68% human, 13% half elf, 10% elf, 6% Halfling, 3% other (dwarf, orc, kindling, etc)
Arves is populated by a wide mix of races and cultures, many remnants from the fall of Elvalon.
Professions of the people vary within the city. Most of the jobs available within Arves revolve around public service and city maintenance. Since it's destruction during the war, there is plenty to of work to go around. The city's primary occupations, however, revolves around the Fae Binders.
Wealth is distributed poorly, leaving majority of the citizens in mid-lower class, with the merchants lucky enough to have exclusive contracts with Arcane supplies for Fae Binders living at best middle class lives. The capitol's governor lives a life of luxury within his mansion.
Government
The settlement is ruled by a Governor appointed by the King of Agaland. Underneath him are a handful of clerks managing the day to day paperwork and documentation, reviewed each morning or as needed in emergencies.
The Governor has a large contingent of guards, appointed by the king, supplemented with loyal cronies to enforce the king's law and his own. Taxes are high, keeping the populace's take home income low. The taxes are used to pay the salaries of the soldiers and line the coffers of the governor, pay the king's taxes, pay the Binders Guild, and provide community meals (usually low grade food).
Defences
A massive stone wall surrounds the city, the first thing to be rebuilt. Another stone wall separates the abandoned castle from the city, shored up with runes and materials to prevent the rumored ghosts from coming down into the city.
Industry & Trade
The settlement relies heavily on the Binder's Guild and mages for their economic solidity. Many residents hold jobs in material gathering for arcane goods.
Infrastructure
The city's primary trade deals in Arcane goods, such as inks, herbs, potions, and parchments of various grades. There are several general goods stores where the prices are low and affordable for residents, but anywhere from two to six times higher for outsiders. Cobblestone roads make for transport easier, with four inns available for drinks and weary travelers.
Guilds and Factions
The Fae Binder's Guild calls Arves home.
History
Arves was once the capitol of Elvalon, the final bastion to fall to Hadrick Steelheart's invasion. The outer wall was destroyed by the siege engines, the city laid to ruins as soldiers were burned out of hiding. The king and queen surrendered before the destruction spread too far into the city and were publicly executed by Hadrick Steelheart in the town center, which now holds a memorial for them.
The dead were buried in the courtyard and castle grounds. The king and queen were entombed with honors within the royal tomb. The inner wall was immediately worked on to tear down the gate and close the gap once it was shored up inside and out with materials to keep the angry vengeful ghosts inside the castle grounds.
The city and outer walls were rebuilt and a Governor's manor built half way up the hill to the castle. The Nobles district was demolished and the Fae Binder's headquarters established on the cleared grounds two years later.
Alternative Name(s)
Binder's City, Ink Capitol
Type
Capital
Population
4,000 people
Included Locations
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