Pitmerden

== Description ==
Pitmerden, at first glance, seems to be a rather minor town. While its walls are well-kept and its buildings impressive, it is a rather small settlement with a few hundred houses. This however betrays the true scale of the city, most of which has been constructed in the so-called Prismatic Vault, a large cavern under the city.
Traditionally, the Order of the Vaultkeepers governed the city since the Laurian Wars however, they've been forced to surrender that power, instead being reduced to manage and fund expeditions to the vault. Governing now is the responsibility of Governor Glendyn Maxwell.
=== The Upside ===
This district lies directly above the entrance to the Prismatic Vaults. At night, the air here seems to shimmer with light refracted from the caves below, giving the streets a strange, dreamlike glow and sparkle. It mainly consists of rentable houses and is home to merchants, soldiers, and scholars who study the properties of light and time. The Vaultkeeper’s Tower, a tall tower constructed of crystalline blocks from the vault reflects the sun in a spectrum of colours, traditionally housed the Council of Reflections, Pitmerden’s ruling body. It is now mainly used as a military station for Governor Glendyn Maxwell.
Some points of Interest:
* "Vaultkeeper’s Tower" - Military / Government Building
* "Laurian Postal Office" - Government Building
=== The Crystal Walks ===
The first subsurface and market district of Pitmerden, the Crystal Walks, is mainly a single long winding stair street descending into the Prismatic Vault below. It is famous for its vendors selling intricately carved crystal artefacts and gemstones that reflect light in mesmerizing ways. It’s also home to the Shattered Goblet, a renowned inn where the glass windows constantly shift in hue depending on the time of day, bathing patrons in a rainbow of colours.
Some points of Interest:
* " Shattered Goblet" - Inn
=== The Prismarch ===
The Prismarch district is built within the massive open spaces of the Prismatic Vaults, a vast cavern system beneath Pitmerden renowned for its crystal-lined walls and reflective surfaces that distort light and, sometimes, time. This district is the spiritual and scientific heart of the city, where scholars, mystics, and adventurers gather to study the Vaults or prepare for expeditions into their shimmering depths.
The district itself is designed to mirror the beauty and mystery of the Vaults, with buildings made of glass, mirrors, and polished stone. The streets twist in spirals and arcs, creating a labyrinthine layout that mirrors the chaotic nature of the surrounding vaults. The architecture features vaulted glass ceilings that catch and refract the natural and artificial light, filling the district with a constant array of colourful reflections.
At the district’s centre is the Vaultkeeper’s Cathedral, a towering semi-natural structure made entirely of crystal and glass. The cathedral serves as both a temple and a research institute dedicated to the exploration and understanding of the Vaults. The Order of the Vaultkeepers, a group of scholars, engineers, and mystics, is headquartered here and serves as both the protectors and curators of the Vaults. They oversee all expeditions and ensure that the delicate balance of light and shadow is maintained. Near the entrance to the vaults stands The Crystal Veil. A tavern frequented by adventurers and explorers who come to Pitmerden to delve into the Vaults. The interior is decorated with shards of crystal from the depths of the Vaults, casting brilliant and unpredictable light across the walls. Stories of discoveries and near-mystical encounters are often shared here over drinks. And sometimes, one can hear or see past conversations, and is thus a popular mourning location for those who have lost companions on their expeditions.
Some points of Interest:
* " Vaultkeeper’s Cathedral" - Temple, Research Institute, HQ of the Order of the Vaultkeepers
* "The Crystal Veil" - Tavern