Estorion

Estorion, officially the Arcane Free City of Estorion is an independent Azurite free city located on the coastline between Akarros and Messilia, sitting on the banks of the Estos River from which the city derives its name.

Originally an academy city within the Azurite Empire, the city developed to become a hub for magic and knowledge. Since splitting away from the crumbling empire, the city is now ruled as a magocracy, with wizards and spellcasters representing the elite of the city. The city has managed to maintain its independence though careful diplomacy and employing its magic to deter any invader from taking the city. Today it retains friendly relations with its larger neighbors.

## Culture

### Melting pot culture

Estorion attracts many different types of people who are allured by the city's magic and wealth. Many come to study magic and become master spellcasters. Attracting so many people from far and wide has made the city a cultural melting pot. Azurites are the largest cultural group, although about 30% of the population are from foreign cultures. The most common minority cultures are Izharians at 10%, Seyanites at 7%, Damarians at 4%, Rinfolk at 3% and Chernavians at 2%, along with smaller samples of Vindalaeran Elves, Dakhazians, Tegrissians and Shadjahnis. Although a predominately human city, about 40% of its citizens are non-human, with the most common minority races being elves at 19%, dwarfs at 8% and gnomes and halflings at 7%. Other minorities include dragonborn, aarakocras, tieflings and aasimars.

### Wizard and commoner divide

There exists a stark divide between the average citizen of Estorion and those belonging to the wizarding class of citizens. With wizardry being highly revered, non-spellcasters tend to be viewed as second-class citizens. This has occasionally led to clashes between the wizards and the rest of the citizens. The wizarding elite point out the fact that the city is prosperous due to magic and that their monopoly on power is much more just, egalitarian and meritocratic compared to that of kings from other countries.

## Places

### The Lyceum

The Lyceum is a major academic complex located centrally in the city. The complex is comprised of 8.000 members including mages, teachers, researchers and students. The Lyceum is built on the small Isle of Litia in the Estos River and is walled off on most sides, with 4 major bridges connecting it to the rest of the city. The island is highly segregated from the rest of the city, allowing wizards to focus on their spellcraft without having to deal with the rest of the city rabble. Only students and faculty may enter and live in the city, whilst ordinary citizens need work permits or other special privileges to be able to enter.

The Lyceum is packed with various campus buildings, dormitories, auditoriums and wizard towers, as well as some residential quarters. Most of the Lyceum is lit up at night by magic blue light rather than by torches, giving the place a wondrous and ethereal ambience.

#### The Phoenix Tower

In the center of the Lyceum protrudes the Phoenix tower, a 120 meter tall wizard tower. The bottom floors are accessible to all members of the Lyceum.

#### The Starlight Senate

The Starlight Senate is the ruling and legislative body of Estorion, located in the northern part of the Lyceum. 99 senate members make up the legislature, all of which are spellcasters from the Lyceum. Members are rotated on a 3 year basis, requiring that the entire body be replaced with new members so as to prevent anyone from monopolizing power. Quotas exist regarding the representation of various schools of magic on the council, as well as a minimum of 2 members of the following races: Elves, dwarfs, halflings, gnomes.

Aside from the Senate, a second body called the People's Legislature also exists in the northern part of the senate building. The People's Legislature is made up of non-spellcasters representing the interests of the common people. This body is only made up of 25 members and holds less power than the Senate but is able to wield political influence, especially when the Senate remains split or when issues targeting the general public become to large to be ignored.