The Duskspire

The Duskspire is the seat of the monarchy of the Lake Kingdom of Llembir. Located between Lake Vora and Lake Varo, it is one of the largest hubs of religious scholarship and research in the world.

## Geography

The Duskspire sits in a clearing exactly halfway between Lake Vora and Lake Varo, in the Fyrewood.

## Government

A group of elven clerics known as The Conclave leads not just Duskspire, but the entire Lake Kingdom. The head cleric is chosen in secret from a group of hopefuls, and their true name is never revealed to their subjects. Known as The Witness, they are intended to represent the Lake Kingdom's close ties with the gods.

## Society

Unsurprisingly, life in Duskspire revolves around religion, and the elvish pantheon of gods in particular.

## Trade

The two lakes, Lake Varo and Lake Vora, are both nearby and provide food in the form of fishing and farmland, which gets transported to the city to feed its inhabitants.

## Defenses

The city around the Duskspire is surrounded by dense forest. Although the roads to the city are relatively safe, any attackers would have to move slowly, allowing the city to prepare its defenses, which include a number of different monastic sects as well as the Knights of the Conclave, an order of multi-deity paladins who protect The Conclave and all its lands. The Duskspire itself appears to have innate magical defenses, though how they work remains a mystery to its inhabitants to this day.

## History

The Duskspire was originally the name for the tall obsidian tower that was discovered halfway between Lake Varo and Lake Vora when the elves first came to the Fyrewood. The tower still stands, but it is now at the center of a large city, both of which share the name of Duskspire. At first, the elves were wary of the tower, but as they began to explore it, they took it over for themselves. Sitting between two lakes that are central to religious and cultural myths of the locals, it was only natural that it eventually attracted religious scholars. As more and more came, the tower (and later the city surrounding it) developed into the religious hub that it is today.

## Rumors & Legends

### The Lakes

Each of the large lakes nearby is the birthplace of various legends and myths of the Llembirian elf society. Lake Varo is where Laothu, the Lake Princess, is said to dwell, though no adventurers have been able to find her on any of the lake's many islands. Some say that the reason she has not been seen since she led the elves to the Fyrewood is because she has been locked in a millenia-long battle with an ancient foe at the bottom of the lake.

Lake Vora, the smaller of the two lakes, may not be associated with an origin myth, but it is no less important to Llembirian culture for that. The farms and fishing established on this lake's banks produce more food than any others in the Kingdom, and the elves believe this to be due to a blessing from the gods. They do not, however, agree on which god is to be thanked for this blessing. Many arguments, and even some full-on battles, have occurred over these disagreements.

### The Witness

The face of The Witness has never been seen by elven eyes, as they always wear a hood and mask, concealing any distinguishable features. Any time the previous Witness dies, a new one is chosen in secret. Sometimes, this occurs without even telling the populace, as The Witness is supposed to be an ageless symbol of divinity. This ritual has created many conspiracy theories amongst the general population of the Lake Kingdom. Some believe The Witness to simply be a puppet of The Conclave. Some say The Witness may not even be an elf at all. Others claim they know exactly who The Witness is: "It's my old neighbor who disappeared three years ago", "My cousin swears she saw enough skin to recognize her old barber", things like that.

## Notable Locations

The Duskspire itself dominates the skyline of the area, as well as the day-to-day life of everyone in the area. The two lakes nearby are notable as well for their many villages, myths, and legends surrounding them.

## Inhabitants

Like most of Llembir, Duskspire is primarily home to full-blooded elves. Wood and high elves are most plentiful, but sea elves and even eladrin are present as well. The only type of elf you won't find here are drow.

Duskspire is more open to half-elves than most of Llembir, but prejudice against them is still fairly prevalent. They will even welcome some non-elven outsiders to study there, but admission is difficult and suspicious eyes are everywhere.