Cailleachthwaite (Cal-ee-ah-th-waet)

It was deep in a seemingly trackless forest where the old witch woman said you would find the door that would bring you to what you needed. She has said to stay on the trail least the fey folk torment you, you are no fool and knew to heed her wisdom and so you arrived at the door unharmed by the spirits of the wood. The door is just that a stone door in a stone arch covered in moss but there is no wall or building nor even the ruins of one that mark any sensible reason for a door to stand here. Though fear gnaws at you, you have no other choice the cost and rarity of the magic you need to cure your beloveds curse has been next to impossible to locate let alone pay for. Your only hope was the old woman in the woods who smelled of herbs, spoke to spirits and owned a goat that spoke and offered sarcastic but brutally honest wit.
Opening the door requires a simple charm you purchased from the old crone, a pouch containing a exacting measure of several herbs, a crows feather and exactly three drops of blood. You touch the pouch to the door and knock three times, no more, no less and speak the words "Maiden, Mother, Crone by the rule of three let the paths entry be and open to me" the old woman had told you this and you consider for a moment that if she lied to you that you may return to her and wring her boney neck however it becomes evident in a matter of seconds that she spoke the truth as the door opens and you see another world.
Before you is a city built in a beautiful otherworldly forest, like unto the homes of some of the elven and gnomish folk it is one with the forest a place where nature, magic and civilation are in harmony. You take a breath, steel your nerves and step into the portal because this is Cailleachthwaite The City of Witches and here all magic has a price and prices are negotiable.

Demographics

50% Human
10% Elf
10% Gnome
5% Gathlan
5% Skin Walker (Mostly Bear Kin)
2% Changeling
2% Fey-Lost
1% Sidhe (Fey Elf)
15% Various Others

Government

When Consolida embarked on the building of the city of Cailleachthwaite she described her dream of its government as a Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic under a mercantile magocracy. In laymen's terms the city state of Cailleachthwaite is a constitutional republic ruled with witches (of any gender) holding political power with their covens often acting as their political backers and parties. Consolida or Lark as her friends call her is both a figurehead representing the tradition of the Witch Queens of old while also acting as a tie breaker and possessing veto power on any and all political matters of the city state.
While the city state is a magocracy and certainly caters to witchcraft to some degree Consolida ensured that non-witches were given a fair degree or rights and freedoms as well as holding the majority of the voting power forcing any coven Seeking political clout and seats on the Parliament of Witches to seek the favor of the cities people.

Defences

The first defense is that the entrances to the demi-plane Cailleachthwaite exist as doors in a handful of locations and the Witch Queen is aware of anyone who use them. Entry via other forms of magic is possible but entering the demi-plane uninvited triggers fey wards that alert the Witch Queen, the ruling Coven and rumor has it may also subject uninvited guests with a powerful fey curse.
Speaking of fey wards the Queens various alliances with the fey, forest spirits and other powerful entities have resulted (If rumors are true) in hidden magical defenses and the sudden appearance of Sidhe Knights. In addition there are supposedly entire gardens of magical plant monsters, golems, summoned beings in addition to the Witchguard all ready to aid the cities covens in defending their home should any being be foolish enough to wage war on Cailleachthwaite.

This is all saying nothing of the Witch Queens power over the Demi-plane she and her Coven crafted. Rivers can change their flow, mountains roar and shift and much more, the demi-plane is at their command and any force that dares to bring conflict to Cailleachthwaite will soon find the very land and weather turning against them and least lucky might end up as books in the witch queens library.

Industry & Trade

Trade in magic (Witchcraft to be more exact in the type of magic) is the primary backbone of Cailleachthwaite, potions, magical tools and witchcraft are all offered at reasonable prices to outsiders who are granted entry. Fey also ply mortals for deals and crafters produce mundane tools useful for witchcraft are sold to residents and travelers alike.
As a mercantile magocracy the ruling covens who form the parliament have a vested interest in maintaining the cities financial well being and the prosperity of its voting residents and many folk are employed at every level of the cities crafts and magic from farmers and hunters who gather or grow herbs to traders who acquire gemstones and other rare treasures. Merchants come and go (with the Queen and Covens permission of course) through magical gates (the city even boasts a small harbor that properly guided ships can use to bring in bulk goods by the sea)

Infrastructure

Cailleachthwaite boasts many of the businesses and industry found in any large city however many are augmented by witchcraft. Animated poppets tend to gardens and farms, deals made with faeries ensure tidy house keeping and elvish and Gnomish ingenuity have ensured a city design that is in balance with natural and supernatural forces while remaining functional and attractive.

Districts

Maiden District Is mostly for entertainment catering to artists, performers, taverns and tourists. Like most things in the city witchcraft is very common place and many mundane performers compete with plays woven from illusions, animated puppets, broom racing and summoned creature fighting. The Maiden District carries a strong theme of youth and passion with bright flowers, statues of young lovers and fountains providing cool freshness to the air.
Mother District Mother. Mom's or Mothers District (it has a number of nicknames) is home to much of the cities vast middle class and the many places that cater to their day to day lives. While adventurers might find a few places of interest this homely and comfortable district is more likely to appeal to one looking to settle down and call Cailleachthwaite home.
Crone District The center of the cities government and religion with temples dedicated to druidic faiths and the deities favored by witches can be found here as can most of the cities prominent covens and government buildings. The Crone District itself could be mistaken for a heavy old growth forest with many hidden temples and strangely enchanted mansions and villas located in giant trees, at the bottoms of mirror blue lakes or walking about on magical legs. It is a place of magical wonder and difficult to navigate for outsiders at the best of times.

Assets

The Faerie Flea Market Located just off the main district the Faerie Flea Market is the local name for a branch of the infamous Goblin Market. Here Faeries of all kind shape and manner (but especially Fey Goblins often working for much more powerful fey) offer deals and wish fulfillment. The wishes may be anything ranging from a good harvest, or a dress that never rips or the power to turn frogs into gold. However the cost of any wish or service offered here is directly related to the power of the wish or service granted and prices can include ones first born child, the memory of ones first kiss or the ability to feel joy. All faerie deals are fair and the price is always equal to what is given thus buyer beware when they walk the Faerie Flea Market.
Consolidas All Natural Magic The personally owned business of the Witch Queen herself is an oddly cozy shop that offers spiced teas and baked goods for its clients to enjoy while they peruse a wide selection of shelved goods, books, magical tools, components and catalogs that magically conjure ordered products when the correct sum of gold is placed upon the page. Larks specialty is herbs, potions and medical magic however and they are always the stores best selling items.
The Living Library Another infamous shop owned by Consolida this bookshop is a vast underground library with quite possibly one of the worlds largest collection of lore regarding herbs, faeries and nature magic. It also has a respectable collection of lore and information regarding many other topics some that are only permitted to be accessed by people who have earned the Witch Queens trust. Rumor has it that there are beings who deeply wronged Consolida and her coven who were cursed becoming books that contain that persons knowledge and life story and act as soul traps and prisons for the Queens worst foes.
The Arena of Fiends An odd little place that is a bit controversial. The Arena is a place of magical sport where bound and summoned beings are pitted against each other the only rule is that demons, devils, deamons and other beings of incarnate evil are the only ones permitted to be used in these questionable fights. The owner claims he is an agent of righteous goodness and that by binding and making evil beings fight each other it weakens evil and deprives its agents of time they would be spending on causing corruption among mortals.
Familiar Friends This cozy little shop might be mistaken for a pet shop but it is better described as a familiar location service. Young and old witches alike are quite happy with the friendly helpful service provided by the staff and its owner a gnomish witch and animal lover named Fenkiki Luckypaws. What truly separates this place from a pet shop is that the buyer does not select the pets, rather they present themselves to the pets and a pet chooses its new master or misstress. The owner also supplies magical spells and components for contracting, building and conjuring more dangerous and advanced familiars however Fenkiki always stresses that with a familiar it is a deep magical bond that must given proper respect and anyone known for abusing or treating it poorly will always be outright refused service and some say many of the mice in her cages were people with an cruel and abusive streak to animals that Fenkiki taught a lesson as her love of animals extends to all creatures great and small.

Guilds and Factions

The Witchguard One of the oldest traditions in that a Witch Queen (or King) must have a Huntsman to act as her agent, bodyguard and warrior. Other tradition oriented witches' in the north often seek out a guardian to act as their huntsman (or huntress) Consolida's witchguard was once a clan of werebears and their skin-walker kin who were nearly all killed when she was betrayed in ages past. However in her quest to reclaim her lost throne she rebuilt the tribe and appointed Sorren Bjornson as her personal Huntsman. As the city has grown Sorren was appointed head of the cities security and the gruff werebear has not disappointed in expanding the witchguard into an elite organization of skilled combatants dedicated to the protection of Cailleachthwaite and its witches. Much of Sorren's werebear family are dedicated to Lark and the Rowen Circle and proud to be keeping the tradition of the witch queens huntsman and protectors alive and strong.
Major Political Organizations in Cailleachthwaite
The Rowan Circle The most well known of the Covens is the Rowen Circle and has its roots in the Witch Queens own personal coven. Made up of orphans (many are changeling girls rescued from their mothers monstrous designs) most of the members of this Coven view Lark not just as a mentor but a mother and in many cases savior. This founding coven is responsible for building and enchanting much of the city and hold a large amount of political clout in the city. Most if not all hold to the traditions of the craft but are willing to change and adapt for the good of the people and their art. Often acting as balance to more polarizing covens in the city the Rowen Circle is sometimes looked at with jealousy and mutterings of favoritism in certain circles.
Coven of the Silver Well A popular but small group of covens dedicated to charity, social welfare and the well being of others the Silver Well are dedicated to celestial powers and more often then not are viewed as well meaning but impractical. One of the smaller of the covens who via for social and political power in the city state they have never gained a significant amount of power among the city states Parliament of witches with many considering them to be too eager to spend too much money on social welfare and charity. Predominately worshipers of Trathar they vehemetly oppose The Witches of the Setting Sun when ever they can.
Sisters of the Moonlight Grove Often a contender for the largest number of seats on the Parliament of Witches of the Sisters of the Moonlight Grove are supported by and in turn support the druidic faiths. Traditionalists worshipers of nature they are hard to separate from the druids who they work with. The sisters agenda is typically in line with nature veneration and maintaining what they call the old ways. Typically the Moonlight Grove are considered conservative tradition and religion oriented and slow to adapt or change to new ways or ideas.
Sisters of the Aether A small coven dedicated to esoteric study of the stars, the planes, alien worlds and realms The Sisters of the Aether are considered academics of a sort they are also considered scatter- brained and unfocused. They stress intellectual and social freedom and are well known for use of various herbs, mushrooms and magic to transcend the bindings of the mortal mind and peer into other realms. Many accuse the Sisters of the Aether of being overly hedonistic and their intellectualism a façade and an excuse for their indulgences.
The Crystal Rose Coven The Crystal Rose claim they are all artists who beautify the world around them by their very presence. All who join the Crystal Rose treat their witchcraft as an art and either practice other arts or support artists of all manner and kind. Typically seen as shallow and ephemeral by their detractors and as purveyors of beauty and preaching self improvement and betterment by those who admire them. Many of the men and women of the Crystal Rose are celebrities' or support local celebrities' who excel in various artistic fields. The Crystal Rose have never been overly ambitious but their presence can be felt all over the city where it brings life and beauty to all it touches.
The Circle of Sacred Twilight This Coven is in fact the result of a merging of dissatisfied members of two other covens, a number of the Witches of the Setting Sun and the Silver Well after becoming dissatisfied with the extremism of both to form this new Coven dedicated to the equal veneration of all the gods of magic. Similar but smaller and less extreme then their mother covens the Sacred Twilight has yet to gain enough power or wealth to be considered a real power player but the steady gain of power and willingness to forsake or embrace power in all shapes and kinds regardless of its nature marks them for the potential for great power.
Witches of the Setting Sun Worshipers of death and darkness the Setting Sun are tolerated but kept at arms length by many. Boasting ties to the Black Order of Mages in the city of Degara and suspected to be dedicated worshipers of the goddess Sindra they employ necromancy, manipulation and subterfuge to maintain wealth and power. Careful not to cross the social, ethical and legal status of Cailleachthwaite openly those who dislike and distrust this coven persist that they engage in dark rituals and secret schemes in private. Ruthless and ambitious their wealth and power has quickly started to Rival that of the Moonlight Grove and may soon match or overcome that of the Rowan Circle.
The Circle Garden of Candles A popular but often underestimated coven the Circle of the Garden of Candles is typically referred to as hedge witches, kitchen witches and other domestic terms by other Covens. The Circle of Garden Candles mostly concern themselves with practical magic and day to day witchcraft having been formed to help common folk and witches who use their magic in simple day to day tasks. While other covens might mock them the Circle of Garden Candles are among the hardest working, trustworthy and capable covens in the city.

History

The history of Cailleachthwaite started long ago when Consolida ruled as the witch of the North at the time she ruled from dark and foreboding forests and lost magical ruins and most agreed she ruled well. However power, corruption and greed would drive one of her own students to betray her and kill her causing her fey soul to return to the realms of the fey shattered and with most of its memory and power lost.
Being Sidhe Consolida knew that she might die and be reborn and prepared a number of tests and trials to ensure she would reclaim what was lost to her and while these trials and adventurers are stories in of themselves this is the history of Cailleachthwaite. The city was born of Larks return and the knowledge of her betrayal and failure. The people who turned on her now schemed to overthrow Vistaghast and the Talrochs and threatened to disrupt the careful balance between magic and the non-magical world. As "Lark" regained power and worked against the Coven of 13 she decided that she had to ensure that witchcraft could never be threatened again at least in her homelands.
So she embarked on path to respect the old ways but also improve upon them, she would build a new coven made of orphan girls with a talent for the craft who needed a home and design plans to build a grand city of witches where she would reign as queen undisputed and ensure that those loyal to her would have the lions share of power. When the Coven of 13 was shattered and the nighthag who ruled it defeated she set to work with her adopted daughters to bring their dreams of Cailleachthwaite a city of witches for witches to call home.
While only a young settlement many world powers keep their eyes on Cailleachthwaite both because of the power and because of their alliances with the fey and the lords of both Vistaghast and Talroch. Many feel the city state is poised only to grow in power and rival even older and more established magocracies like Degara.

Points of interest

The Moon Gates These are the magical portals that allow entry into Cailleachthwaite and appear as large arch ways adorned with mosses, flowering vines and carved with images of the moons cycles. The largest of these gates spans across the bay and can permit the passage of large trade ships, locals have nick named this massive arch the Moon Bridge and can often be seen using it to walk across the bay.
The Old Rowen Tree At the heart of the city in a vast garden stands a majestic Rowen Tree that was the first plant grown here when the city was built. It is considered good luck to collect a fallen leaf from this tree by locals and many claim the area around it is protected by powerful magics.
The Monument of Bears In memory of Larks fallen Witchguard a statue of the great werebear warrior Bjorn Snorison stands guard over runestones raised in memory and honour of the fallen people of his clan. It is a somber peaceful place where many come to pay their respects to the honored fallen and read their runestones.
The World Sappling A small world tree or irminsul that was rescued by Consolida grows just outside the city and can be seen towering above all other trees and buildings. The tree is young for its kind however and has yet to truly develop many of its magical properties however many who consider such trees sacred will make a pilgrimage to pay their respects to this megalithic tree.

Tourism

Those who seek the knowledge and power of witches or are witches themselves seek out the city state of Cailleachthwaite, many come for its magics and lore but just as many seek it out to avoid persecution for their ill understood art. A small few come to enjoy the atomosphere and tranquility it offers in a region often beset with trolls, giants and evil forest spirits and it has become something of a popular neutral ground for the rulers of the Vistaghast and Talroch Isles to visit.

Architecture

The Architecture of Cailleachthwaite is a blend of Elven, Gnomish and Fey styles with hints of The Talroch and Vistaghast Isles. What is most important is that it not feel as if it is severed from nature. Above all the city flows into and out of the natural world and when this is not possible buildings will be designed with a smooth organic lines or with crystal and gemstone aesthesis.

Geography

The Demi-Plane where Cailleachthwaite is located is a carefully constructed realm with its water, rivers and landforms being designed by its creators. Its Geography also changes with needs and moods of the ruling coven. Currently the city is located on a small bay with a large river bisecting the city and emptying into the water from the distant mountains snow melt.

Natural Resources

The City state of Cailleachthwaite is located in a demi-plane roughly 5000 square miles in size that was created via ritual magic by the Circle of the Rowen. With in this small area one can find nearly every type of biome imaginable. This intentional design is to provide environments where nearly every variety of herb and natural material that might be useful for every discipline of witchcraft can be harvested. The wild life and ecosystem have been carefully designed and selected to compliment the city states needs as well for farming and other renewable resources and hunting.

Founding Date

557 Age of Sundered Destiny

Founders

• Consolida "Larkspur" the Witch Queen of the North

Alternative Name(s)

The Nine Ladies of Magic and Moonlight, The Coven of Nine, The Coven Council

Type

City

Population

15000

Inhabitant Demonym

Cail-folk

Location under

Nations: The Vistaghast Islands

Owner/Ruler

Consolida "Larkspur" the Witch Queen of the North

Additional Rulers/Owners

• Asa Maresdottir
• Aud “The Ugly” Ragnarsen
• Fantasia Cozysocks
• Freydis Maresdottir
• Frida “The Sly” Volkastaad
• Kala Maresdottier
• Karli Witch of the Waters
• Ragna Maresdottir

Ruling/Owning Rank

Witch Queen

Owning Organization

Circle of the Rowen Tree

Characters in Location

• Consolida "Larkspur" the Witch Queen of the North