Volantis
Hardly a shell of Jewel of the Forest, it once was, the city of Volantis has suffered through great wars. Volantis is the northernmost city in western Anestor, sitting at the southern border of Astreia's Forest. Beautiful wooden spires stick up above the trees, carved with intricate care in the old style of the elves. It was once a beautiful trade city, a place for elves and gnomes to intermingle, but that time has ended long ago. The gnomes no longer trade with southerners, and Volantis has little to offer beyond timber. There are not many economic ventures, however, the people are free.
The majority of people who live in Volantis are the descendants of elven slaves. Most still follow the temple of the Sacred Eight, but there is a desire within the population to also remember the gods their people once were so connected to. Because of this, the culture is wildly unique and diverse. A single citizen may believe in the teaching of the church of the Sacred Eight, but also leave offerings in forest for the fair folk, or participate in sacred rites to the moon and stars, sacred among the elves.
While humans are of course welcome to visit the city, those with the blood of Marcisians are viewed with suspicion. They are also warned. The fair folk in the forest do not experience time as mortals do. For them, the atrocities committed by Marcisians is as fresh as the day they happened. Because of this, those with Marcisian heritage in particular are in jeopardy if they leave the safety of the city for the north. They are told to avoid Astreia's Forest, or at the very least, do not travel the forest at night unless they wish to be reborn a tree.
Industry & Trade
Most inhabitants work in the lumber industry, which is sent down river to southern cities.
Infrastructure
Bright wooden spires stretch out of the forest, with waterfalls spilling out from between the buildings. Waterfalls are common in elven architecture, as are spires. Roads are narrow and winding, built around trees of importance. The docks have been carved with care, and while the Marcisians once scraped them away, as they were in favor of the old gods, they have been restored by elven artists since the end of the revolution.
History
Volantis was once an important trade city placed between Astreia's Forest and Elgranar (the old elven kingdom once found in Western Anestor). The gnomes of Astreia's Forest and the Elves of Volantis had a good relationship in those days, and trade was welcome. After Marceaux invaded, the elves were slaughtered en masse. Many traveled north into the forest, hiding among their gnomish allies. It is possible that there are still some elven civilizations within Astreia's Forest, hidden within the trees. The remaining elves were relocated away from Volantis, enslaved by the Marcisians. Their mages disappeared in the night. Their shrines to the old gods were burned. Their carvings representing elven history and elven beliefs were destroyed. Their archives which detailed the history and magic of the elves were confiscated, sent back to Marceaux to be researched. The empty city was then inhabited by Marcisians. A temple for the Sacred Eight was erected on the bones of an old elven holy site, and the 2nd Legion of the Marcisian military's 5th regiment moved into the town. Marcisian commoners who'd proven themselves loyal were also offered the ability to buy land in the small city, and for many, this was the first opportunity any in their family had had to own anything.
The Marcisian military was posted in Volantis mostly as a forward base in the war of the north, maintaining the border between Astreia's forest and the rest of Anestor. The Inquisition, in particular, was interested in the area, as they found Astreia's Forest to be one of the last regions held by heretics. While it was understood that converting Astreia's Forest would be the greatest challenge they'd ever faced, the Inquisition believed they were up to the task. How wrong they were.
To make their intentions of removing all otherworldly beings in Astreia's Forest clear, the Inquisition commissioned a grand statue be built for the god of duty, Leto within the forest, blowing his horn northward in the face of heresy. The fey were not amused, nor were they afraid. After years of fighting with the gnomes and forest itself, the 5th regiment made their last mistake. They attempted to burn the forest down. It was then that the Marcisians saw Astreia's true power as more than two-thirds of the regiment were turned into trees over night. The remaining legionnaires retreated back into Volantis. Their attempts of laying claim to the forest ended shortly thereafter when what was left of the military killed their captain and deserted the cursed place.
The new land owners of the small city were not so easily frightened away. Most stayed with their homes, which they'd grown quite fond of. They didn't have the funds to move, and for most, this was their only chance and land ownership they'd ever had. They didn't want to give it up, so they stayed, but without the constant protection of the military, they were raided regularly by the gnomes of the north, and with far less citizens stimulating the economy, many businesses began to fail. The once beautiful city fell into disrepair.
When the revolution took place, a company of elven soldiers demanded the people of Volantis submit, but the citizens were proud of their heritage. They saw themselves as Marcisian, and they resisted. It is said that one foggy day, the elves charged from the north, and at first, the people of Volantis held off the assault, but then the winds shifted, and spirits from north descended upon them, killing all those with Marcisian blood. The city was then reclaimed by the rightful rulers, the elves.
Geography
Deeply wooded area. There is a lake to the east of the town rich in fish and kelp.
Natural Resources
A hard wood forest, though lumber is never taken from north of the city, as the locals know to avoid harming trees within Astreia's Forest.
Fish are found in the lake east of the town.
Game animals are common, which provide meat and fur.
Kelp is found in the lake, and used in many dishes.
Type
Large town
Included Locations
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