Arbor Hallow

Arbor Hallow is the only known official entry into the Shadowed Lands of Avatar.  It is a city that lies on the cost of the Central ocean and established on the flat coasts of the Shadowed LowLands.  It is a port city with a sizeable fishing community and very simple set up. This city seems to be locked in an eternal Twilight, as the myths of darkness and Shadows seems to stay true.
The city itself is welcoming, almost too welcoming to outsiders. Travelers have reported a creepy feeling with the innkeeps and stores that are there. they just seem...-too- helpful. The Guild of Lore has no official establishment here, however they can be remotely accessed in certain locations. They claim due to local laws thier building permits would not hold true or be accepted.

Demographics

Arbor Hallow has a heavy human population, by first look. One would have to dig deeper to find out from all the strange and dark Rituals that occur in unknown locations or back rooms that these Humans are more than they seem. By this assumption, Vampires and Weres also make a sizeable portion of the population. There is also a Dark lziard-liek creature known as a Dramath, that also calls this place home.

Dramaths

Considered natives of the Shadowed Lands, these black-scaled lizard beings are akin to Kobolds. they are no higher than five feet tall, making them larger than Kobolds. It has come to mind that this race was uplifted by the natives of Avatar, for servant and domestic servitude. Their populations are too small to measure.

Vampires

Secluded by most, the vampires are not feral hunters as many think they are. Its an affliction caused by something that had bitten them, or some ritual that has transformed them. They resemble Humans with sunken features and pale skin. They mostly stay to the shadows and own shops, but there are cults that hunt in packs. Avatar being as enigmatic as it is, its townships have a law that no public feeding is permitted, however this does not stop a select few who gave into the idea of immortality further than others.

Weres

The Lycanthropes or lycans here are mostly wolfish, however the term of a Were can extend to many other animals as well. They make up most of the security and defense forces that are officially sponsored by the governors of these settlements within the Dark Shroud. Most stay in human form, but at times they do shift if the moon is right. Some of the criminal scum, have also contracted this affliction. It is worth to note that the criminals seem to have been made of were-rats and were-rodents. Due to this, it is not advised to go out at night, or the sewers of these settlements.

Government

Each of the Towns and settlements, like Arbor Hallow, are run by a Regent. this person is usually an aristocrat who is in direct command of the government of Avatar, if one can even call it as such. Arbor Hallow's Regent is a man known as Stellus Alterius. A human Lycanthrope that seems to be genuine to humble rule the settlement. He does not hide the fact he is a werewolf, and often will come to the aid of stranded travelers in the woods. He is one of the few though, as many regents wouldn't do such a thing.

"I am bound by blood, to protect and welcome all who come into these misunderstood lands. I will warn however, the Closer to the Citadel you get...the more...strict its regents are. Consdier it like a signal...the further away one is, the more control they have of their freewill. I will however, Not allow our Overlord to be defied, or insulted, for he has given us permission, to live on his land."

~Regent Stellus Alterius, The Catch

Guilds and Factions

Rumor has it, there is a theives guild that operates here as a frontman to its entire operations across Gaia. It is much easier to sneak in and out from under suc ha mysterious and loosly ruled empire. Due to this, Arbor Hallow has become the city for aspiring thieves, seeking to join the guild. How they operate is beyond knowledge, but they do have a presence in the Shroud and in other locations across Gaia.
The Twilight Pack is another guild here, as they operate as a fighters guild for hire to the city and areas around them. It  was founded by thre Lycan brothers who sold their services of muscle and protection for a modest fee. They only allow Lycans however, with maybe one or two non-lycans who have proved themselves worthy.

Architecture

The city is built of stonework and metal. A gothic style is prevalent in all of tis buildings and streets. The streets are cobblestone, lit by Oil Lanterns, as the buildings loom about like shadows. Despite the small population, there is a foundry that manufactures the metal fabrications seen in the nation. The Foundary and the Fishing community were the spark of the city's formation.

Founding Date

989 AS

Alternative Name(s)

Arbor's Stand, the Great Oaks

Type

Large town

Population

4590

Inhabitant Demonym

Arboreans

Location under

The Dark Shroud