Solaris
Summary and history
The City of Solaris is very different compared to the other cities in Sorus. In Solaris, magic is present at evert street corner. Everlit lanterns provide magical illumination at any time of day, young and old mages come and go to Lunar Academy, and merchants advertise their wares with bright minor illusions and the use of thaumaturgy. The infrastructure of the city is also improved and maintained by magical means via the Magewrights . Solaris has long been a magically gifted elven society that sees magic as a powerful but dangerous tool. For the majority of its existence, Solaris has kept their arcane research hidden from the other "irresponsible" races. It is only in the last century that Solaris has started accepting non-elves into the city. This has caused a divide of the population; there are those that identify as Old class and those that identify as New Class.As you walk through the streets of Solaris, you're reminded of the hustle and bustle of a busy city. The buildings appear to be modern, similar to what you've seen in the city of Norbury , with stone, timber, and brick houses, even some reinforced with dwarven steel. You see elves haggling their wares with buyers of all races and backgrounds, but there's also humans and dwarves that have shops directly opposite sides of each other, clearly trying to outdo one another. In direct contrast to this atmosphere, some streets have a quiet and serene atmosphere. Religious clergy pray openly at various shrines dedicated to the Goddess Mystra . Large ornate stone slab walkways separate houses built with traditional elven architecture, as scholars, mages and elder elves walk the old class districts.-DM description of Solaris
The Land
Solaris was constructed around an offshoot of the Dun River , which provides fresh water to its citizens. While this city has plenty of urban elements and the air is typically rich of magic pollution, Solaris' citizens still respect nature and acknowledge their elven heritage. The Olithir , the last surviving forest in this region is still intact and kept safe inside the city walls. Near Solaris you can find both the Ancient Oak Wood Forest and the Elven Silk Fields .The People
While Solaris used to be predominantly a high elven society, it has become very inclusive of other races in the past century and the city now boasts a respectable amount of humans, dwarves, halflings and a small amount of magically inclined dragonborn. Thanks to Lunar Academy, most of the population is magically educated to a certain degree, up to knowing a few cantrips and 1st level spells. The more wealthy residents of Solaris pay for continuing education at Lunar Academy and learn spells up to the 2nd or more rarely 3rd levels. The people of Solaris hail primarily from two classes: the old and the new class. The old class includes elvish nobles, scholars and researchers or those who would see Solaris return to its former exclusive magical research society. Some have joined the old class due to concerns over the recent immigration wave or how magic is being misused to "better the city". The new class includes merchants, scholars and nobles who support the recent expansion of the city into a more modern magical society that welcomes all and provides magical services across Sorus. Plenty of peasants and working class folk of other races also support the new class doctrine.The Leadership
The Archmage of Solaris is in charge of all political and financial decision pertaining to the city. Additionally, the Archmage has jurisdiction over the rest of the Elvish Lands including the Silk Fields around Solaris and the Ancient Oak Wood Forest North of Elothil. However all military matters are handled directly by King Feanor Elothil . The Archmage is generally a powerful wizard both capable of protecting Solaris, and leading the city. The Archmage is advised by the Solaris High Council (see article for more details as to Solaris Politics and elections). Eladore Lunar is the current Archmage.Law & Defence
Massive walls encompass the city of Solaris. They were built as a means of defense against the Drow, in case they would one day attempt to reclaim the surface. A second set of walls separates the main city from the Solaris Noble District . At the heart of the noble district, in the center of a moat and surrounded by a third set of walls is the Eldalonde; a great palace housing both the Archmage and her council, and the crown jewel of Solaris. The Arcane Protectors are a guild of wizards who uphold and enforce the laws of the Archmage. They were founded and currently led by Elrodan Hawk .Due to the high number of magic users in Solaris, the use of magic for criminal means such as theft, assault, murder, fraud, bribery or blasphemy is strictly forbidden. In addition, using magic to charm, enthrall, invade privacy, disrupt magical infrastructure, incapacitate or harm in any way is also strictly forbidden. In order to prevent any loopholes and to maintain the proper order of the law, any magical act that is deemed questionable will be fully investigated, and the perpetrator will be brought before the Solaris High Council for judgment.-Laws read by an Arcane Protector to travelers that enter Solaris For additional protection, stone golems serve as eternal guardians, protecting banks, wealthy shops, and important locations from assault during all times of day. These golems can be purchased for a very high fee. They typically only appear within the Solaris Noble District .
Criminals
While magical crimes are hard to commit in Solaris due to the Arcane Protectors, that doesn't stop all crime. Like in any big city, it has its share of illegal activity. Most notably, Solaris is currently afflicted with a drug epidemic. While magically enhanced substances have always been around, the drug R.Caine has proven to be especially dangerous and highly addictive.Trade
Solaris is a large city with a fast developing economy that rivals Norbury . The main source of revenue for Solaris used to be the production of elven silks and the trade of ancient oak wood (from the Elven Silk Fields and the Ancient Oak Wood Forest ) . Though recently, Solaris has expanded its services to offer the trade, creation and identification of magical items to other Realms on Sorus. These items range in both rarity and cost, but what Solaris doesn't lack is quantity. However, while in Solaris, use of magical items to commit crimes remains as illegal as the casting of restricted spells. Tal'Vo's Rarities are one of the most renowned magic item shops. The Tal'Vo's have many competitors, including ARCANIUM and Jamund's Marvelous Arcana . A large source of revenue is the Grand Tournament. Though a Grand Tournament is not a regular occurence, the insanely large crowds that it gathers combined with the admission price serves as a massive boost to Solaris' economy. Aside from magic items, Solaris also provides enchanting services; to imbue existing objects (magical or not) with magical properties. This process is usually very costly and requires magical essence typically extracted from monster parts. Maria Locke is one of the best enchanters in Solaris. Solaris also offers a range of magical protection services such as the creation of traps, wards and golems. These are used to protect private property but are generally expensive services offered by Professional Warding Solaris. This guild has a sister organization in Norbury . Magic is used in entertainment establishments to enhance the experience of a guest, such as the creation of impossible colors, hypnotizing or mind-altering effects, magical intoxication, illusory sensations and more. Temporary magical effects are also sought after—moving tattoos, magical hair color and even magical body enhancements that offer great benefits but can also be costly and risky. These enhancements are controversial due to the fact that they are performed using monster parts. They are currently only available at the Monstrously Faboulous Parlor .Entry
In order to enter Solaris, travelers must first undergo a basic magical scan and answer some questions from the Arcane Protectors . The goal is both to educate the unaware as to the magical regulations of Solaris, but also to ensure that dangerous magical items are not brought in needlessly.
Maps
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Solaris
Founders
Type
Large city
Population
> 28,000
Location under
Included Locations
- ARCANIUM
- Armory of Meda
- Club Windstar
- Common Bathhouse
- Dragon Bell
- Dwarf's Way
- Fairy Queen
- Finesse and Feathers
- Guilhartz Artifacts and Relics
- Hooters
- Jamund's Marvelous Arcana
- Leomunds Tiny Pizza Hut
- Mead and Magic
- River's Way
- Sekos Marvelous Wands
- Shield and Sheath Inn
- Shining Jewel Tavern
- Solaris Noble District
- TalVos Rarities
- Tantalizing Untangled
- The Arcane Assistant
- The Busty Barmaid
- The Dragons Arsenal
- The Everyday Elf
- The Fox's Apothecary
- The Griffons Quill
- The Olithir
- The Over-Flowing-Flagon
- Tims Tailor and Textile Services
- Travelers Rest
- Trix's
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Comments