Nidavell

**Nidavell** is a city-state carved into the An-Ard mountain range in the southwest of Enthalstam.

## Layout and Locations

The layout of the city was entirely planned as a spoke-and-wheel design with wards creatively named the First Ward, Second Ward, Third Ward, Fourth Ward, and Fifth Ward. This was, unfortunately, the end of the planning for the city. As such, the city is an eclectic mix of technology and scholarship. Laboratories of all kinds can be found everywhere and anywhere in the city, including between and sometimes inside residences. Along a stretch of mountain wall is carved a half-mile long, six-story tall set of bookshelves (a gift from the First House of Geldheim). Despite being built near the top of the mountain, large cutouts of rock give the city natural light whenever it is light outside.

### Notable Locations

* Hreidmar Academy: the largest and most notable institution of higher learning in all of Tasche
* Hall of Tinkers: meeting place and seat of power of Nidavell's ruling council, the Council of Tinkers
* The Great Shelves: a half-mile long set of bookshelves running the length of the outer wall of the Second Ward

## Society

Nidavell is overseen by the Council of Tinkers, an oligarchy made up of the top scholar of each major field of study in the city -- each elected by their own colleagues. The current Counselors are:

* Archaeology
* Biology
* Alchemy
* Engineering
* Medicine

Generally, the Gnomes of Nidavell are playful and quick-thinking. Though they may be thoughtful and caring, they often act quicker than their brains can process -- which can get them in all sorts of trouble. Still, they remain fundamentally curious people looking to expand their minds. Though they can be skeptical and somewhat distrusting of arcane magic, only one area of study has been outright banned in the history of Nidavell: necromancy.

## History

The original city of Nidavell was built in the depths of the An-Ard mountains, a three-tiered hodge-podge of dwellings and shops carved into the stone of the mountain. Following the Cataclysm, the Gnomes that remained decided that an upgrade was needed and planned the current city above the old one.

### Relationship with Geldheim

An ancient grudge exists between Nidavell and the Dwarves of Geldheim.

Many millennia ago, the Second House of Geldheim was working with the Council of Tinkers on a project of great import. Upon realizing that the product of this could be a world-ending weapon, the Gnomes unilaterally destroyed it before the Dwarves had a chance to protect it. In the aftermath, they banished each other from their kingdoms and the grudge was born.

In light of the recent emergence of the Beltrent Enclave, the question of how to protect their city-state has arisen. While most Gnomes are content and prefer neutrality and independence, some scholars and most of the Council of Tinkers believe neutrality is not a viable option going forward. Some of the Council are taken with the vision of Edvard Beltrent and believe in his vision of a peaceful future, while others believe the Gnomes should align with Geldheim as a way of cutting off Beltrent's growth. As such, secret talks between the current leadership of Nidavell and Geldheim have begun with the intent of possibly recreating the doomsday weapon destroyed all those years ago.