Vaudeville

Around a series of dry uplands, hilltops, and mountainous foothills, groups of people discovered standing stones that radiated dim light at night. These natural rock formations aligned with celestial phenomena at particular times of the year and are the basis for the modern calendar. But these settlers also discovered the Copper Dragon Cyprium Aes who, while generous with her time, words, and considerable wisdom - was nervous for her treasure and safety from past experiences. They won her over with music and laughter, and together she and her followers developed the Village of Vaude into the city of Vaudeville.
Every day in Vaudeville is beautiful, sunny, and pleasantly warm during the day, rain falling only at night, and dew watering the ground every morning. The wind carries the ethereal music of woodwinds and bells, and tiny rodents and birds can all speak and understand Draconic. This is where the great artists and musicians reside, where up-and-coming comedy thrives, and where challenges of intelligence make for riveting entertainment. Magic carvings of Cyprium Aes's smiling visage can be seen worked into stone terrain and objects all over, like she's her own mascot.

Creativity and Caution

Cyprium Aes is a great fan of music, comedy, tests of intelligence, and funny pranks. There is a great entertainment scene for all of these in Vaudeville, where the Copper Dragon herself could show up at any performance on any night in disguise. If she likes your work you'll earn her favor and a prorated rent, but if she doesn't you could find yourself in a metaphorical prison of no work.
As far as physical treasures go, metals and precious stones are a favorite of Cyprium Aes. In fact she sends out conflicting rumors about treasures she has and treasures she's seeking as a defensive tactic, often taking great joy in watching adventuring parties go on wild goose chases to find her a treasure she already has.

Culture

For Villagers, the ability to create, appreciate, and sustain beauty is the true measure of a creature or civilization. Their city is one of curiosity and creativity, of admiring how brightly anyone can shine before their lights go out. The only constant in the world is change, and Villagers change with it. Even the darkest corners of Vaudeville are more good-natured than anything, with the lower class eager to deflate the egos of the high-and-mighty with well-placed jibes.  There are some Villagers who become overwhelmed by Cyrpium Aes's presence, becoming prone to fits of giggling. They begin to believe that existence is a joke that you can either be in on or be made a fool of by.

Government

Vaudeville runs under a democratic socialist government. Life is often unfair, and it is up to them to rebalance its scales from time to time.

Industry & Trade

Vaudeville still hosts Trade-and-Barter markets once a week in different neighborhoods. There are always rumors of which one Cyprium Aes will visit any given Sunday. Music, comedy, and competitive games of wit and intellect are the most popular exports.

Infrastructure

Concealed passageways connect a number of tunnels, neighborhoods, and chambers of the city. Their secret doors are magical in nature, with the stone at a passage junction reshaping itself at the dragon's servant’s command to open a passage or close it again (similar to the effect of a stone shape spell). Whenever a creature with an Intelligence of 3 or higher comes within 10 feet of one of these secret doors, the dragon becomes aware of that creature’s presence and location. Each secret door radiates an aura of transmutation magic but is otherwise indistinguishable from solid stone. Four sloping tunnels emerge onto the surface among the hills, concealed by brush and tumbled stone. These openings allow Cyprium Aes to enter and depart the city via multiple routes.

Tourism

Vaudeville is home to many world-famous music and comedy venues and clubs, as well as globally recognized game shows. Top spots to visit for tourists. Unlike other dragons though, Cyprium Aes has no open museum of her treasures. There is an available list of all the treasures she's currently seeking though, whether or not she already has any of these is anyone's guess:

• A jeweled cloak pin bearing the symbol of an ancient secret society
• A smooth piece of amber with what appears to be a tiny sprite frozen inside it
• A metal egg that unfolds into a lotus-like flower
• A harp that plays by itself on command
• A six-foot-tall mirror of silvered glass in a precious frame carved with the shapes of coiling dragons
• A complex puzzle box made of rare woods and inlaid with stone
• The figurehead of a ship, carved in rare woods and set with gemstones—and bearing the likeness of the copper dragon’s head

Founders

• Cyprium Aes
• Ozan Alvey

Alternative Name(s)

The Village of Vaude

Type

Large city

Owner/Ruler

Cyprium Aes

Owning Organization

The Council of Dragons