Helicules

Halflings 5%

Other 10%

Helicules is the capital city of the Carto Empire, positioned on the coast, it has perfect access to the trade network. The city itself has been home to different nations at a time, giving it a rich history.

## Landmarks

### Arena of Giants

The Arena of Giants is a giant arena used as a venue for many of the sports and entertainment events held in the city. The reason for its name is the giant human statues holding up the roof of the arena, inside there are the same size statues but kneeling down so they can hold the seating for the arena. The arena is split up in smaller parts for focused arenas, while the centre is a huge open place to be used for whatever the host likes.

### Blue Stone

The Blue Stone is a random stone coloured blue in the centre of the city, confused about its origins many citizens have simply acted as if it is the heart of the city. It is the location of the yearly festival celebrating the founding of the city.

### Lighthouse of Helicules

The Lighthouse of Helicules is a huge tower outside of the city that lights the way for ships coming into the dock during the night time. It also acts as a defensive structure in case of a siege, lighting up the attackers and showing the defenders their locations. Large ballistas lower down in the tower allow for ranged attacks, while it's magically strengthened build means it is hard to penetrate using any conventional means.

### Miguel's Obelisk

Miguel's Obelisk is a large stone obelisk in the city made to remember the events of the Battle of Helicules, when Miguel Baztan managed to defeat two armies in the same day and saved the city from Ilakan capture for the timebeing. It was built in **496PR** after the Carto Empire split off from Ilaka as their own nation.

### The Tapestry Museum

The Tapestry Museum is a museum holding some of the tapestry that has passed through the city over time, either copies or original works. This includes the previous nations that occupied or operated out of Helicules. Elite Tradesman that work in the material goods often have their items displayed here on a rotating basis.

### Tradesmen Walk

Tradesmen walk is a long road in the city of Helicules, with traders on either side. It is the place many merchants go when purchasing crafts of higher quality. Because of the amount of tradersmen, there is heavy competition amongst them, meaning it is not unheard of for arguments to break out over who can do a lower price.

## Education

Only small schools litter the higher districts in Helicules, used primarily by the rich, though anyone wealthier often sends their children elsewhere to study. The schools have a small competitive vibe with one another, but with the very little amount of students that can actually go means no sporting teams have been created.

## Guilds

As with any city, Helicules has many different guilds within the city, mostly dedicated to the different trades. Though some of interest are listed below.

### Aliquam

Aliquam is the version of the guild police, not acting as a normal adventuring guild they instead work in a way of checking the powers of the other guilds. Seen as neutral, they have the power to hold others accountable, and set up a lot of the regulation and procedures included in a guild. If two are in dispute, it is up to the Aliquam to act as the third party and successfully find a peaceful grounds for resolutions. In Helicules, a lot of ex-soldiers whom have not achieved their Achilles status work in the Aliquam to properly use their skills without much danger.

### Barktree Lions

The Barktree Lions are one of 3 big adventuring guilds in the world. They can be easily recognised in public by having a piece of bark from their Lion tree somewhere on their possession, usually seen on their armour of clothing somewhere. In Helicules, they have managed to plant a smaller version of the Lion tree, giving them a steady supply of the bark and a place their adventurers can worship in a ritualistic manner. Being so big, they often just work in the Radiant Wilds.

### Heavy Giants

The Heavy Giants are an adventuring guild based out of Helicules, while they have some headquarters in other cities of the world, they are still below the major 3. To recognise a member of the Heavy Giant is by their stature, as their initiation process weeds out many of the weaklings while allowing the strong to push through. Even their mages are of large stature, though their magic is often not as good as others unless of a naturally large race.

### Lucent

Lucent is another of the 3 big adventuring guilds in the world. Their name comes from their founder, who was said to always glow in some sort of fashion, but rather from his armour it was from his skin. To take on his image, many of their adventurers shine with some sort of light and bright colours in their armour or clothing. Like others, they often work in the Radiant Wilds, but have been known to take jobs that include working in the night so they can shine as much as they want.

### Sunwarm

The Sunwarm Guild is a merchant's guild that are often found in port cities like Helicules or towns around the world. They often own businesses of some sort within the place they reside in, their large network allows many of the tradesmen to sell their goods through their network for a commission. Due to their status they have a spot on the docks specifically reserved for them, which their agents and members are allowed to work with a reservation.

### The Blue Heroes

The Blue Heroes are a prized adventuring guild, holding history all the way back to the Second Era. While not as strong and successful as they once more, they still hold many buildings around the world. Though, they are often much smaller than they have claimed to be, including very little members. To keep up morale and appearance, their buildings have different pictures and drawings on them with blue paint.

### The Labourers Guild

The Labourers Guild is a guild that can help labourers find work, and employers to find the correct workers they want. Popular amongst the people, they help anyone find work for a commission on their first few pay checks. If they are unable to find someone work, they own a few businesses which they can place the workers in to keep up their reputation. Though with a city full of qualified tradesmen, they often find work for their members.

### The Story Tellers

With story-telling being so popular in Helicules, a guild has quickly popped up with a bunch of bards willing to fulfill what they require. They often hold performances at the arena, and many of their trainees move down the streets telling tales of the adventurers from the various guilds. With so many bards, they often lend their extras out to follow adventurers from the various guilds to gain new tales.

### Viper's Fang

Viper's Fang is one of the 3 big adventuring guilds in the world. Known for their use of poison, willingness to accept any task, even if it is dangerous, and their initiation process where the person must drink poison. Most of their work includes going into the Radiant Wilds, but it is not uncommon for them to accompany sailors on their travels as a form of protection.

## Sports and Entertainment

Other than the Tapestry Museum and Arena of Giants, there are multiple venues for entertainment and sporting activities in Helicules.

### Handball Court

Handball is a very popular game in Helicules, causing many teams to band together depending on trade and entering a tournament that happens every year. Spectators from all round often come and watch the games, including people from outside the Carto Empire and city. Every few years, an international game happens with participants from the other nations coming in to play off.

### Helicules Competitive Field

The Helicules Competitive Field is a building with a few open rooms that can be arranged for any form of competition being held at that current time. Already set up is enough room for spectators to come in and sit, while having enough equipment to organise any event. With growing popularity, there is a room dedicated to drawing.

### Story Shack

The Story Shack is a psuedo-inn that mainly works as a place for bards or storytellers to take the stage and spin what tales they have. Some nights are dedicated to a lying game, where the patrons must figure out if the tale is truthful or not, creating good fun for everyone watching.

## Religion

### De Vin

There is a only a single temple in the city of Helicules for the worship of De Vin. Covered in lots of white stone, mosaic glass and gold lining the pathways to the entrance.

### Hou

There is only 1 temple for the Hou religion. With a roof that can be opened in three holes, allows for the different moons light to shine in on an altar, which is where it is then worshipped. It is placed on the border of the lower district and middle district, positioned so everyone can come in.

### Novus

There is 2 Novus Temples in Helicules, and a small shrine to all the gods within the keep. One of the temples stands in the lower district, allowing many of the common folk to access it. Compared to the other, the lower district temple is much larger with more room for sitting and offices and a small library out the back. The other temple is in the noble district, able to be accessed by the Elite Tradesmen, the nobles and Achilles soldiers. While this temple is smaller, it is much more fancier with lots of money spent on every dedication to a god.