Vandorythe

The grandest city of Isaldul, home to most of its markets, tradespeople, and citizens.

## The Shantirith

   Each of the seven trees of Vandorythe, called **Shantirith**, has its own name and serves a different purpose. These trees are the most ancient living trees of Isaldul, and each holds something of great worth in its wood.

**Arivae** (“light, life, and soul”) is a vast museum of art, music, writing, and other such creative endeavors, comprised solely of works created by Isalduians.

**Alushtas** (“healing rainwater”) is a place of healing, growth, and medical research, for any who seek betterment of their physical and mental self.

In contrast, **Sauavae** (“fire that renews”) is a spiritual center where Isalduians seek enlightenment and answers to emotional turmoil or other issues they may be facing, a temple of sorts where patrons to various gods and religions might worship.

**Sehandrii** (“traveling wind”) is where Isalduians go to obtain readily available necessities like food and commission luxury items in exchange for other goods or services (very occasionally money when dealing with the few outsiders granted access to Vandorythe and Isaldul).

**Sehcen** (“soft earth”); is a public gathering place for important meetings or various performances.

**Est’Faelas** (“state of peace and rest found in balance”) is host to Isaldul’s greatest multi-story library. This is where the sages spend much of their time, and anyone seeking information is likely to find it there.

Lastly, **O’Si** (“mother nature”) is an indoor garden maintained with great care, unique engineering, and magic, available to the public of Isaldul for some of their botanical needs such as spell ingredients.

## Geography

Other buildings between the trees are made of carved or gilded redwood, shaped by elven carpenters. These kinds of structures comprise the living quarters, public recreation areas, workspaces, and most other important areas that don’t require as much space as the functions of the Shantirith.

On the forest floor below and surrounding much of Vandorythe, especially towards **Salyava'trea**, there are lush permaculture gardens where the Isalduians grow their food, textile fibers, healing herbs, flowers, and any other plants they desire. Plants that cannot grow outdoors are grown in elegant greenhouses. These greenhouses may be suspended amongst the canopy in order to obtain enough light, or built in sunny patches on the forest floor. The greenhouses are made of gilded redwood and glass. Some of the more ornate greenhouses feature intricate stained glass that cast colorful designs far onto the forest floor below.

Redwood, called **Harsanor** in Elvish, is very resistant to decay; coupled with the magic of the elves, it can last indefinitely. The giant sequoias are also naturally very well-insulated by their bark, which is sometimes several feet thick, making fires a minimal hazard. Once again, in tangent with their magic, their resistance is made even stronger.

The glass used in the greenhouses and other buildings is crafted by glaziers. With the help of sages and occasionally druids, it is made much stronger than ordinary glass, and can be crafted to have certain insulatory and light-passing properties. Metals used to make tools and gilded wood can be manipulated similarly.

Isalduians grow their own food and the other plant materials that they use such as lumber and textile fibers. However, they import other substances like ore. While there are abandoned mines in the mountains that may still have rich ore and gem deposits, they’re abandoned for a reason. As such, commissioning certain items that use scarce materials may likely have long waiting times.

As for accessibility, Isaldul has its fair share of amputees and sight or hearing-impaired, among other ailments. A culture of young adults going adventuring with a sure safety net upon their return is bound to lead to serious injuries, though usually Isalduians are level-headed enough not to risk their lives. Isaldul’s healers can cure many ailments, and there are artisans who can custom-create artificial limbs with a wide range of use and aesthetics. In addition, Isalduians place great importance on the wellness of the mind and soul, not just the body, and there are many specialists of all kinds who can help treat any ailment. Those that cannot be treated are given all the accommodations they could require.

The pathways and bridges in Isaldul, and especially Vandorythe, have been endowed with magic that grants them sentience in order to aid the injured and disabled. To the blind, for example, they may issue telepathic directions or faint pleasant sounds such as birdsong or instrumental music in order to guide the person to their destination. Those with injuries that hinder their motor function can be guided, lifted, and otherwise moved by nearby tree branches, roots, water, earth or air. This same function gently prevents anyone from falling from the bridges of the Shantirith and being killed.