Adkan

History

The city of Adkan was founded in 1510, near the start of the Lee River in the Cruzia Mountains. It soon became a trade hub connecting the mountains to the river valley and connecting Evermoor to the countries south of it. Ferry boats coming north brought dyes from Brightland, spices from Dekani, and leather from Edych along with other curios from the rest of the Minor Continent.

The ferry boats also brought people, often women from Dekani seeking gender equality in Evermoor or wizards and Elves escaping persecution in Beffing. They brought new ideas with them. Adkan transformed into a cultural mixing place and by 1562, was experiencing an artistic and cultural renaissance. Artisans of all varieties opened shops not far from the docks and began selling their wares south. Poets, playwrights, and musicians began to settle in what is now known as the Blue Voice Theater District. In 1567, the famous Nightengale Theater opened, attracting visitors from around the country.

By 1677, Adkan had earned the nickname "the City of Delights." The rapidly growing city was flooded with young writers, actors, and artists determined to seek their fortune. Wealthy tourists venturing north for vacation provided a constant opportunity to impress a prospective patron. In 1707, some of those wealthy patrons began the city of Roofknight nearby. Many of the buildings were designed by architects living in Adkan. Roofknight provided a steady stream of trade through Adkan, and considered itself the guardian of Evermoor's cultural hub.

Roofknight University was founded in 1779, and Roofknight became a center of academia and intellectual thought, just as its neighbor was a center of art. There was a clear wealth discrepency between the two cities, however, and as the university grew, many of its students found homes in the more afforable Adkan. Nevertheless, both cities continued to attract more and more people. Other, smaller towns sprang up nearby, and the two cities eventually grew into one another. In 1823, they were officially consolidated into a single city, Ilaen. With over 7 million people in the city, and additional 2 million in the surrounding area, Ilean is currently the largest city in Nideon. Adkan, or Lower Ilaen, as it now often called, never lost its reputation as the City of Delights and remains a popular vaction spot, as well as prospective home for all artists.

Important Locations

The Nightengale

by Kazuo Ota

Built in 1567, The Nightengale is the oldest still-running theater in Evermoor. Once privately owned, it is now run by the Ilaen Arts Council, a nonprofit organization that uses revenue from theater tickets to fund arts programs throughout the city. It is a must-visit for visitors to the city, for both the history and the specatular performances that are brought to the stage. The arts council also partners with local schools to host large-scale theatrical and musical events, giving students the opportunity to perform on the famous stage in between professional productions.

The Peak Hotel

Found at the highest elevation in the city, The Peak Hotel offers visitors breathtaking views of the Cruzia Mountains. In the winter, a shuttle takes patrons to a nearby ski resort, and in the summer hosts bicycle tours of the city. The snow here doesn't melt until early spring, and even those who can't afford to spend the night can cool down by taking a stroll through the gardens and warming up with hot chocolate in the lobby. The hotel also hosts events throughout the year, including readings by famous authors, performances by opera stars, and the Eve of Krourin masquerade ball.

by Rivage

Artists Row

In other towns, people will tell you a shop's been in their family for three generations. This shop has been in my family for three centuries.

— Adkan Artisan

About a block from the docks is Constance Street, better known as Artists Row. Both sides of the street are lined with local shops run by artisans selling goods they make on sight. From glass blowers to jewelry makers to woodworkers, tourists are sure to find something they want to take home. Many of the shops on artists row date back to Adkan's early days, and some have remained in the same family, passing down a single craft generation after generation. All of the shops here have an Original Art Ceritification. This usually means that the art is made on site and guarantees that the money from the sale goes directly to the artist who made the item. While shops on Artists Row are required to have the certification, many more shops and studios can be found throughout the city.

Stolen Treasure

Despite the name, the items at Stolen Treasure are not stolen, though the inside of the shop does resemble a pirate's treasure chest. Also near the docks, this shop is not on Artists Row because the antiques and curios found inside are not made on site. The shop is worth a visit, even for someone who is not buying, to see the variety of items on its shelves. The current owner, Ralph "Cat" Delany buys and trades regularly on the incoming ferries. He also buys antiques from estate sales in Roofknight and work from local artisans which they consider "lower quality" and prefer not to carry next to their other wares. He even sometimes gets donations. Though Cat is a fasttalker, he keeps meticulous records on how he obtained everything he sells, and the prices are low enough that its clear his markups are fair.

by Jonas Hoss

Founding Date

1510

Alternative Name(s)

The City of Delights, Lower Ilaen

Type

Large city

Population

4,000,000

Location under

Ilaen

Owning Organization

Evermoor

Districts of Note

• Blue Voice Theater District--Made famous by The Nightengale and many other theaters, this district is known for being a home for writers and actors. If a play doesn't suit, there are plenty of local pubs here hosting musical performances and open mic nights. Another popular site is Simmer Down, a local cafe which had many famous patrons in previous iterations.


• The Docks--Though the city now has a Transportation Station, the river docks remain a major point of trade with other countries in the Minor Continent, and as well as a means of arrival for many tourists. Most shops here are restaurants and food vendors, especially fishermen, but a few others, such as Stolen Treasure dot the road along the dock.


• Artisan District--Just off the docks, and home to Artists Row, anything purchased in the Artisan District is sure to be of good quality and most likely purchased from the artist directly. In fact, many of the artisans have their workshops attached directly to their stores, and some even live above them.


• The Peak--The newest and most upscale district in Adkan, both literally and metaphorically. The Peak is so named because it is the highest elevation in the city. Most of the people who live here are wealthy enough to live in Upper Ilaen, but consider Lower Ilaen better, typically because it "more authentic" or "less snooty." The Pek Hotel can be found here, for any tourist who wants to schmooze with the upper crust (or just treat themselves to a really fancy vacation.)


• Little Dekani--So named because many of the people who live here are from Dekani. This neighborhood has the best restaurants in the city, mostly female run. Visitors should be prepared to take their time because in true Dekani fashion, everything is made to order.