Ayrith

== Description ==
Ayrith is a major city on the banks of the Diamond River. Though a sizable city, its architecture and feel resembles that of a small, quaint town. Mossy cobblestone lines the street, ivy grows from the old houses, trees, and flowers grow naturally betwixt the houses and water fountains feed the birds and insects.
The city became famous for its Fireflies. Each night, as the sun sets, fireflies ascend and fill the streets in and the nature around the city with the beauty of their glowing dance. Why this location is important to them is not understood, and research into them is strongly opposed by the local populace. What is known is that the fireflies are related to a local spirit called Vel Vera, though whether she followed the fireflies or vice versa is not known.
This spectacle has attracted the romantic and the creative and today Ayrith is a hub of romantic literature, painting, and composure. All of which have added and expanded the vast list of festivals celebrated in the city, to such a point that almost every night is host to a festival or celebration.
=== The Firefly Gardens ===
Spread all across Ayrith, the Firefly Gardens are the many lush parks, flowing fountains, and gardens of the city. As night falls, the fireflies emerge in droves, lighting up the city in a magical display. The streets of the gardens are lined with quaint cafés, outdoor performance stages, and art studios. Artists and musicians frequently gather here, creating and performing against the backdrop of nature.
The Gossamer Brush is a famous artist's supply shop, offering finely crafted tools for painting, sculpting, and writing. Lira’s Lyre is a music shop that specializes in handcrafted instruments, and musicians from all across southern Ferra visit to purchase Ayrithian-crafted pieces. But undoubtedly the centrepiece of the firefly gardens is the Elysium Amphitheater. An open-air performance space, is built into a hillside, surrounded by flower gardens. It hosts plays, concerts, and poetry readings nearly every night, with the fireflies providing a natural, ethereal backdrop. Hidden in deep in the gardens is a shrine to Vel Vera, said to be the guardian of the fireflies. Meeting her during a nighttime stroll is said to bring about luck in love and joy in life.
Some points of Interest:
* "Gossamer Brush" - Artist's supply shop
* "Lira's Lyre" - Instrument shop
* "Elysium Amphitheatre" - Amphitheatre
* "Vel Vera's Shrine" - Shrine
=== Crescent Bend ===
Named for the crescent-shaped bend in the Diamond River, this district is known for its romantic riverside walks, serene water gardens, and impressive views. It’s a popular area for festivals and outdoor celebrations, and the banks of the river are often dotted with flower-laden barges and lit lanterns that float along with the gentile current.
The Firefly’s Embrace is the most famous inn in Crescent Water, offering luxurious accommodations that overlook the river. The Moonlit Petal is a famous riverside tavern that hosts nightly music performances and is known for its vibrant, romantic atmosphere.
Some points of Interest:
* "The Firefly's Embrace" - Inn
* "The Moonlit Petal" - Tavern
* "Laurian Postal Office" - Government Building
=== The Old Quarter ===
The oldest part of the city, the Old Quarter, developed much of Ayrith’s charm. The cobblestone streets and ivy-covered stone buildings give it a timeless feel, one in tune with nature. It is quieter and more reserved than the Crescent Bend, housing many historical monuments and older architecture.
The Old Quarter also holds the remnants of Ayrith’s original fortifications. Though the city is not as militarized as others in the Empire of Lauria, it still maintains a sizable garrison in the Tower of Light, which provides a watchful eye over the Diamond River. 
Some points of Interest:
* "Tower of Light" - Military Building
=== The Whispering Fields ===
The whispering fields refers to a set of mansions and countryside estates around the city. The Whispering Fields are where wealthy travellers and nobles come to experience the peace and beauty of Ayrith’s nature and the dance of her fireflies. 
Starfield Manor, an estate owned by the famous Ayrithian poet Sapphira Starfield, is one of the most well-known mansions in the area, now open to visitors as a museum.
Some points of Interest:
* "Starfield Manor" - Museum
== The Festivals ==
This is an incomplete list of the festivals commonly celebrated in Ayrith.
=== The Firefly Festival ===
* Held every spring, the Firefly Festival celebrates the peak of firefly population illuminating the night sky. The city is adorned with lanterns and flowers, while artists and performers fill the streets, and couples walk beneath the firefly-lit skies. It is the city's most famous festival, drawing visitors from all across the region.
=== Sapphira’s Day ===
* A festival celebrating the life and works of the poet Sapphira Starfield, it includes public readings, recitations, and music performances based on her poetry. The festival takes place all across the Whispering Fields, where Sapphira lived and wrote.
=== The Festival of Harmonies ===
* A celebration of music held in the Elysium Amphitheater, this festival brings together musicians from across the Region. Performances range from solo artists to grand orchestras, and the air is filled with the sounds of harps, violins, and lutes.
=== The Dance of Dreams ===
* A midsummer festival that emphasizes the connection between art and nature, with outdoor performances of theatre and dance. Dancers dressed in colourful costumes perform choreographed pieces in the city’s parks and gardens, often accompanied by music or poems.
=== Crescent Serenade ===
* Held in late summer, this festival is dedicated to the river. The citizens set out in small boats with glowing lanterns and light candles to float freely on the water, while musicians perform soft, ambient music that creates a serene and dreamlike atmosphere. It is a festival of remembrance, mourning, and celebration. It marks the end of the year in the population's mind (though the official calenders don't enter a new year until late winter) and they use the chance to remember those they have lost, celebrate their legacy and be together with those who have newly entered their lives.