Location Descriptions

[Maeve]

From what Yin had posted, see, A New Home

Yin made Kes'Levy with Four (4) main Iron wood trees. I reckon that it'll be like this: (sorry, only made this using "Paint") *sheepish smile*



*The gray thing is the wall.
*The NW Major Tree (Yes, that's a tree!) is the Temple of the Mother.
*The NE Major Tree is the Palace.
*The SW Major Tree is the School for Shaping.
*The SE Major Tree is the Barracks for EG and BorderPatrol Guards.
*The Small green clusters are clusters of trees. Prolly forests.
* The brown wormlike thing sticking out into the blue color (which is the water) are the harbours or piers.

We'll use this until Yin says otherwise.

[Maeve]

Kes'levy: The Floating Willow Inn

It floated alone along the tidal shore of Kes’Levy, a proud, towering figure that stood defiantly against the backdrop of the encroaching surge of the sea, a lone figure under the canopies of the domed sky. This lofty mangrove tree dipped its stiltlike roots along the bosom of the sea, its branches lifted upward, as if opening its arms towards the heavenly father. This was a place where mischance happenings might occur, a place where food, drink and fun go hand in hand. It was a place where one could relax and enjoy, hear a musical ballad of an elven minstrel and simply take pleasure with the uncomplicated life of the province. Elven wines and foods were sampled, from the delicate Moonshine wine to the hardest drink of the dwarves, it was a magical, elven place of its own, a willow floating solitudely, a place known as… The Floating Willow Tree.

It would only need a patron of the edifice a single banner to ferry him from the busy port of Kes’Levy to the single mangrove tree of the Willow and back. He would be carried slowly in an elven canoe from the port by Khar’Ione the ferryman, whistling jauntily as he poled his customers across the seawater towards the Willow Tree port from the stern of his boat

The edifice was a two-story tree and Inside the Floating Willow Tree was a world unto its own, filled with melodic adhiel music, drinks and exotic food. Spheroid paper lanterns filled with glowing moss adorned the main chamber, basking the spacious room with warm lights for entertainment and relaxation. A small stage stood at the middle of the room wherein an elven bard busily strumming his lute, his baritone voice wafting around the air under the tune of his melodic music. Surrounding the stage were low circular wooden tables and cushions and pillows for chairs. At the far corner was a double-door that led to the kitchen and beside it was a bar carved from the tree itself were Nephe’line, the adhiel barmistress, was busily polishing the bar and giving drinks to her customers. There was a mezzanine as well for private discussions and simple personal relaxation with the full view of the main hall while second story was for lodging where the mistresses of the Inn kept the rooms clean and tidy.

[Maeve]

Kes'levy: Temple of the Mother

Just as in Taloh, the largest known temple is the Temple to the Mother, this vast and round place shaped from a single tree is the northernmost part of the city and dedicated primarily to the Goddess various aspects. It houses priests and priestesses as well as acolytes who come to study religion, healing and many types of magic.

It is divided in levels according to the three phases of the Mother. The first level, or main level to which the entrance is located is dedicated to the aspect of the maiden. Here many bright colors are found in the mosaics on the floor as well as colors of the room.

Above the main level is the section of the temple dedicated to the aspect of the mother. More themed with birth and sexuality than the main level. This is level also functions as a sort of hospital for expactant mothers. When a mother is in labor she can be brought here to deliver her children. It is the largest of the three levels.

The third level of the temple is actually located under the first level of the temple below the ground. This level is dedicated to the aspect of the crone, or matron. Here those who worship the darker aspects of the mother can be found. Many of the older scrolls and parchments can be found as wisdom and knowledge are the focus here.

[Maeve]

Kes'levy: Emerald Guard Barracks

Located towards the center of Kes'Levy lies the great ironwood that houses the Emerald Guard Barracks. It is the largest of a cluster of trees that form a crescent around an area that the shapers of Kes'levy have transformed into their training grounds.

The barracks is divided into smaller sections each serving a specific function. There are the sleeping quarters for the trainees and lower ranking officers. There is also the quartermaster's office and cooresponding reception area. Classrooms for studies are also located here. Students study everything including from astronomy to theology, as well as some magicks.

At the entrance to the barracks are two Emerald Guard on patrol. The guards work in shifts and everyday, three times a day there is a small changing of the guard ceremony in which the guards coming on duty relieve the standing guards. It is a tradition that dates back many many yahren.

[Maeve]

Borderland

The Borders of Taquar are bound by dense woods, where the trees grow thick and nearly impassible so quickly it is almost as if they close around intruders, confusing them and twisting their paths, only to spit them back out - sometimes miles away from where they entered.

The Border along the Downs is mostly stable, even with the recent resurgance of orcs invading those rolling farmlands. But the Broder along le Boise Noir has always been a perilous one, and the murky swamplands there seem to be growing, slowly eating away at the woodlands nearby and crawling with more and more orcs.

The Border near the Mountains is another strange one - home to the ruined fort of M'oibh Eort and the most isolated part of Taquar. Sightings of dragons in the mountains are not unusual and other strange beasts and creatures are often told of.

The Borderlands

Aftermath of the Great Conflagration of Samheen 19th

The Borders of Tel Aranae Quessir were left unscathed. Its dense woods and thick, impenetrable forested walls were still standing tall and proud against the expanse of the domed sky. Newcomers and foreigners to the dark forest of T’aquar were bound to get lost and confused inside the twisting paths and foliages of the T’aquar without the guidance and approval of the Border Guards patrolling inside the woods unseen.

Patrols along the western perimeters of Le Boise Noir were closely guarded more than ever against the resurgent raids of the Orcs, with its perilous, murky swamplands that seemed to grow, slowly eating away the woodland and forest nearby with more and more orcs.

While the Borders along the Downs and south were tightly watched by the Border Patrols, the rumors of attack that will come from the King’s Court and inquisition and followers of the One God, Dominicus, increased the vigil and lookout of the sentinels and patrol of the Border Guards.

The eastern Border near the Mountains was another matter. Home to the ruined fort of M'oibh Eort and the most isolated part of T’aquar. Sightings of dragons in the mountains were not unusual and other strange and twisted beasts and creatures were often rumored to originate from. Patrol Guards were ever alert and attentive when patrolling these parts.

[Maeve]

Taloh

Taloh is a city in three major sections: The Upper City, the Lower City and the Tarquir, the Royal residence and seat of the government. The dwellings and structures of Taloh are created entirely through 'shaping' - a type of druidic magic by which the elves encourage the tree to grow into a desired shape- even into large and fantastic dwellings, complete with windows and doors. Because the majority of the trees in Taloh are ironwood, they are also fireproof, allowing deadwood to burned as a heat source in winter.


The Upper City of Taloh literally is that:up. The city is located in the only grove of Ironwood trees known in the world. Incredibly tall and large, these trees are virtually impervious to fire and their trunks form the base of the Upper City, which is built entirely upon the giant branches and on ‘floating’ platforms, roads and walkways that can be used to travel from tree to tree, moving all across the city hundreds of feet from the ground.

The Lower City is where all goods are recieved and connects to the Upper via a series of walkways and descending ‘bridges’ sturdy enough even for wagons, horses, etc to travel upon them up into the trees.

In the event of attack, all of these walkways could be drawn back upwards, using the concentrated efforts of powerful Shapers, teams of which are working on the trees of the city, caring for and strengthening them constantly. The walkways might also be cut off and allowed to crash to the ground- but only by harming the tree, so that would be done only if there were no other option.

Taloh is NOT a city for anyone with a fear of heigths. Wink

In addition to the Ironwood trees, a few other details of T’aquar life bear mentioning: Although deadwood is burnt for heat when it is cold, it is done so only under controlled circumstances and fire safety is something every elf child learns from an early age.

Light is provided by lumenescent fungi which grow in the treetops and are harvested and put into lanterns or globes. These come in a range of colors, from white for a pure clear light to read by, to those with a soft rosey or yellowish tint. Globes of these are strung all through the treetops and gardens of Taloh and they do not dim nor go out with rain, although they are replentished with each cycle of the moon.



Taloh is home to the Fine Rose Inn, which has the only ‘human’ style tavern, used mostly by homesick merchants or lesser diplomats, but for the most part it is a ‘when in Rome’ situation and foreigners in T’aloh and across the elvin nation will have to acceed to local customs.

Rather than taverns, the elves of T’aquar have places called 'kosatan'. You can get food , tea, and spirits there, and although elves are not fond of beer or ale, if you are ‘in the know’ in Taloh, you might be able to get some. Wink

The kosatan also include platforms for viewing the moon and the changing of the leaves in autumn, listening to music or stories, impromptu poetry contests and dancing- all social pleasantries highly prized by the locals.

Most travellers to the capitol city come up the river and into the Quays, then ascend into the Upper City if only to see the sights, although all government business and a good portion of trade agreements occur there as well.