Vitryme

City of the Aesentia Borealis

**Vitryme**, (pronounced /vɪtrim/), also kown as the City of Frost and Glass, is the capital city of the country Obietnica. It is located in the northern recesses and led by Grand Duchess Vociferamini Exaudio. The city is famous for the centre of pure permafrost ice that is so clear it resembles glass.

## Description

### Geography

The city itself lies on a mixture of ground and solid permafrost. The centre and most noble part of the city has made use of an ancient glacier, building their homes and palaces upon it. It also makes use of the River Eirwen, a river with a thick layer of ice across the top but if one was to break through it a frigid waterway would be reached that supports a plethora of strange life. The city is surrounded by barren snowfields, with clusters of tough plant-life. The native dialect is famous for not containing the word 'horizon' as the thick snow storms will obscure any such scenery from ever being visible.

### Architecture

The city has many stone buildings making up it's outskirts - ones that are squat and sturdy, made to protect from the environment and not built for aesthetics. Most of these buildings are a tough grey stone. All sport a type of specially designed chimney to produce heat without letting any of the cold from the outside into the homes. These homes are built very closely to the rivers edge or on it in many cases, being built onto the bridges that cross over the glacial water.

The centre homes make use of the Vitryme - the Frost Glass - which has been used to produce the beautiful palace walls and towers, as they reflect the light in such an ethereal way. This material seems completely immune to the effects of fire, and require specific tools to cut that the Grand Duchess' family guard fiercely. The buildings built from and on the is material are works of art, things of such exquisite beauty that when travellers finally struggle into the cities limits many say they have reached heaven.

*"The light of Aesentia shall reflect within the Vitryme, reflecting across the entire tundra, the Borealis brought to Earth, and there we shall find Utopia" - Old Prophecy about the city Vitryme*

## Society

### Demographics

The city of Vitryme can be home to anyone, however, most are those capable of survival on the journey to the city. Those who are from wealthier backgrounds and can pay the price to get across the tundra can make a home for themselves. Those who don't have to put faith in their own skills and fortitude. So while anyone may be part of the upper-crust, the poorer parts of the city see a lot of Genasi, Tritons and Goliaths; those capable of dealing with extreme cold. These people are usually very tough as they make a living off of killing the unique wildlife that journey across the tundra, such as caribou, wolves and the occasional bear. But this is always done at risk nowadays due to "*Beasts"* being an ever present and mortal danger.

#### Notable People

 Voxurna Exaudio
 Duchess Orianna Tatius
 Father Kallias Tatius
 Laird Lliamh Reverie Tatius

## History

### Introduction of Red Deus

The elixir arrived in Vitryme in 156 - Red Era, when the Sanatio Church were permitted to build a headquarters within the Vitryme Palace District of the city. In exchange, samples of the Frost Glass were allowed to be taken by the Alenlun Scholars. *Red Deus* existed only amongst the upper crust of the city for many years, allowing them to get severely attached to the elixir. Eventually after 200 years the nobility were so addicted that it made it's way onto the streets of Vitryme. However it is noted that it's spread to other settlements wasn't very present due to how difficult travel is in the environment.

*Vial Echoes* did not become used currency until 850 - Red Era, however, as there was still a long standing relationship with other countries that had to be upheld.

### The Beast Scourge

The city has had it's encounters with the *"Beasts"* and have had their share of Hunters supplied by the Sanatio Church and Alenlun Scholars. However, it is noted that the mortality rate for these warriors up north has been immeasurably high. And so the remaining few are mostly kept to the noble houses of the city, such as the Tatius Family. Nowadays most ice fishermen and regular hunters carry something a little sharper, just in case.

*"Beware any large shadows under the ice, as it might not be your lucky catch" - An old fisherman's advice on the ice*

The city has had heroes in the past stay within their walls, such as the folk hero Aesira the Allegiant. She spent much of her life there, and some noble families claim to be of her bloodline presently.