Mabrum

The Two-Side City, the Two-Faced City, the Halves, or the City of Curtains

The leaves are red, the ground is fit, the trees are high, the tunnels big, a cousin builds, a cousin dig- dig- digs.

— An Excerpt from a Mabrum Children's Rhyme

Introduction

Deep in the Loricatum part of the Rembremust forest lies a city of two halves, a home to two different kinds of elves. The place, though found easily enough on most maps, bares the name City of Curtains with good reason. Finding this place on map is easy enough, but actually getting there can be quite difficult, unless you have already have something linking you to Mabrum and its people. The woods are a source of many legends and myths, and sorting fact from fiction is proving difficult. Getting there, though, is worth it, as the town offers many wares and delicious foods and drinks which can hardly be found elsewhere.

Re'sag

On and within the tall, pale branches
And trunks, amongst the red leaves,
Lay a dozen wooden bridges each,
Homes, shops, places of worship and of rule,
And people of skin of leafy green,
Eyes shades of purple, blue or brown,
Here paradise we, the lost, have found.

— Poem found within the journal of Numforis, Benjamin, a travelling bard, c. 1056.

The Government

The government of Mabrum, much like the city, is split nearly in two. Though they function as one, they do not share a leader, except for one. The Aubretener (literally Tree-bearer) is named so because they bear the weight of the whole community, and are "responsible of all things, from where the highest branch touches the sky to where the lowest root may be found".
In Re'sag's case, the holder of the second most important position is the Su'd'ram (shortened version of Sutera-de-ram or 'bearer (or supporter) of branches' this person is meant to fill the role of the deputy of the Aubretener, at least up here, but also has other responsibilities and deals with things only on the surface levels of the city. Legally speaking, the Aubretener only has some power to command them, usually in times of emergency, sickness, or war, and most of the time the Su'd'ram is still able to make their decisions without much intervening.
This has caused issues occasionally, when personal prejudices and arguments had gotten in way of running the city, though, more often than not, protests and strikes had solved the issue rather quickly, especially as the Su'd'ram depends very much on the support of the people if they wish to get further than they are or even remain in politics, or in the city, at all. The Pratber (literally Thorn-whip) acts as a minister of Defense, and their power levels wary with each new Aubretener, seeing as legally the Pratber really acts only as a consultant and some leaders work with them closer than others.

Trade and Culture

While Mabrum is self-sustainable in many aspects, it is true that its citizens find happiness in products which can only be imported and not created. Thus, Re'sag exports many of their own and Abskdom's product, as most people, unlike the people living in this two-in-one city, tend to do their trading and travelling during daylight. Re'sag produces food for the entire city, or at least produces the food that cannot be produced below, such as grains, nuts, most fruits, and so on. Much is shared though, so it hard to tell at times what came from where. Re'sars are also producers of star-charts and maps, glasses, googles, and telescopes, and the metal brought from below is forged and bent into new shape, as much of the heat produced is brought back below for those who'd like it, or is simply released back into the air, depending on various circumstances. During the harsher months of winter and sometimes autumn, the roles are reversed, with Abskdom doing the metalwork and Re'sag gaining the heat gone unused below.

The Golden Syrup

One shining (both literally and metaphorically) product of Re'sag's industries is the tree-sap syrup, known also as the Amber Syrup or the Golden Syrup. The golden substance is found within the white trunks of the Sweet but thick, it is often cooked and incorporated into foods and alcoholical beverages, the latter often but not always stored for those cold months, when it is heated again and warms the heart and the soul.

Abskdom

Descending the large stairs, we had already been able to hear the sounds of people working, laughing, living their lives. The stairs, despite their length, the smooth surface still felt cramped to me, still felt like exploring a cave and not a city within what appeared to be a cave. Despite all of that, when I had first chanced a glimpse of it, and again when I had fully exited the stairs, and seen the ceiling, seen that I could not see the other side of this truly vast cavern, I felt something stir within me. It was beautiful. Strange lights flickered about the ceiling of the cavern and closer still to us and I was sad to see them go away some hours later. A local told me a legend about them, that they were all that was left of a strong wizard who had founded and then saved their city eons ago. We descended at noon and spent several days there, though I only know so because my calendar told me so. Down there, there is no need of a scheduled day, only agreements, talk, and flexibility. And mead. One can never go wrong with their mead.

— Excerpt from the journal of Numforis, Benjamin, a travelling bard, c. 1056.

The Government

Much like Re'sag, the Abskdom area is under the defense and is the charge of the Aubretener. However, much like the city above, the city below also has their chosen second-in-command. The Koricktaklar (from Subterr 'korenick' meaning 'root' + 'ricktenlar' meaning 'sculptor' or 'carver', lit. 'root-carver') oversees all that happens within the confines of Abskdom and is in charge of everybody's safety first and all things second. Their job is also to suggest laws to the Zakleidetar (from Subterr 'Zaklein' meaning 'law' + 'eidetailer' or 'detailer'), communicate with the Re'sag officials, and investigate possible places where the city could be expanded, amongst other things.  

Trade and Culture

Pets

Due to their place of habitation, the Abskdomers, or simply Domers, diverge from their upstairs neighbours in several things. For example, whilst the average pet in the branches of Re'sag might be a bird, a cat or a snake, the average pet in Abskdom is usually a lizard or a spider, both ranging from the sizes they are usually found in across the globe to ones that are as big as a person's chest; bigger specimens exist, though are usually not tame and thus are very rare as pets and more frequently found as food. Due to this unusual culture of animal companions, Abskdom is a large producer of silk and lizard meat and, of course, spider meat, as well.

Other Rare Species

The lack of sunlight, too, allows for some strange yet marvelous mushrooms to exist, too, as well as a rare species of giant snails, though the latter are banned (due to their role in the production of an addictive drug) and usually found in the deeper parts of the cavern, to which one must obtain a permit to enter, as they are considered dangerous and are thus vastly unexplored.

Clothes and Food Materials

Much of the goods produced down under are traded with Re'sag, especially as Re'sag brings many products down which are of great value to those who live undeground. Cotton and flour and flowers, pears, nuts, and so on. Cotton and other materials that are not created within are considered by some more luxurious than silk. Parasols are all the rage, too. That being said, many residents of this city, including those who are Subterr Elves and thus have a natural affinity towards sunlight and other strong sources of light, do frequent the other half of the city. Whilst in most cities in the world many shops (though not inns and taverns) close shortly after sunset, this is not true for shops in Re'sag, as there is extra profit to be made after dark.

The Unknown and Unexplored

A vast system of caverns and tunnels is believed to lay below and away from the city. There are few with enough skills and supplies to earn the licence from the local government which allows for entrence below. The only publically known entrence to the tunnels is guarded heavily against those who may attempt to go in and even that which may try to climb out. This unmapped area is generally refered to by the locals as the Underdark, and is the setting to many of the local horrifying stories and myths.

Known for:

Re'sag:

• tree sap syrup,
• poetry,
• tea,
• medicine,
• astronomy,
• metalwork.

Abskdom:

• silk,
• mushrooms,
• lizard meat,
• large spiders,
• surgical medicine,
• metals ores,
• gems.

Population:

• 26410
  • 72% Elf
  • 38% Forest Elves
  • 34% Subterr Elves
  • 15% Human
  • 13% Other

Inhabitant Demonym

Mabrom / (Absk)Domers / Re'sars

Witchcraft by Ann_Milovidova