Nidavellir

Total Population: ~500,000

Hewn into the very side of Mount Jolnir, Nidavellir is the mountain stronghold and metropolis of Moradin and Yondalla. With alabaster streets and onyx buildings, Nidavellir is a marvel of architectural and engineering mastery. Lit by channels of molten lava that flow through the mountain and magic crystals embedded into the cave tops that shine as bright as the sun, Nidavellir is also known as the glowing city. Nidavellir is also the eldest of the four outer cities, being found only a few years after Tian Xia City. As such, Nidavellir is full of ancient histroy and a large part of the cities culture is centered around preservation and veneration of history. This tradition is best reflected in the Royal archives which is the single largest collection of written materials in all the land. The archives contain detailed historical records of everything and anything that was worth noting since the beginning of recorded history. The city is also host to the Eternal Necropolis where the honored dead of all walks of life are enshrined so they may be revered and learned from in future generations. In addition to the rich stores of knowledge and history, the city also boasts the richest and most prolific mines and forges. Priding themselves on impeccable craftsmanship, it said that a simple shovel or rake from the forged in Nidavellir is worth as much as heard of oxen with plows.

### The Eternal Necropolis

The Eternal Necropolis is perhaps the most important structure on the continent as its business is that of life and death. All mortal beings who pass away a receive funeral rights end up in the necropolis. Here, their final rights are performed and their bodies are offered to the goddess of death Yondalla. Only after these rights are performed may their soul return to the Leylines and rejoin the cycle of rebirth. To t neglcect these rights would be to allow the soul to wander aimlessly in chaos and become fodder for demons or worse become part of the undead hordes that plague the lands. Do to the grave stakes, the morticians and grounds keepers of the necropolis are treated with the same respect as royalty. The leader of the necropolis is the Chief Mortician and Yondalla's current avatar. They are in charge of the death rights of the most important individuals and any awakened individuals.

### The Volcanic Forge

Built into the molten heart of Mt. Jolnir, the volcanic forge is powered by the blazing heat of pure magma and the crushing weight of the mountain. Under these conditions steel can be tempered to almost mythical levels and all manners of rare minerals and metals can be smelted together to make unimaginable alloys of incomparable strength. However, because of the extreme conditions under which this forge operates, only the most skilled blacksmiths may even think of stepping foot into the complex and only a true grandmaster can handle the heat and pressure at the anvil and furnace. It is said that any legendary weapon or armor can trace its roots back to the volcanic forge and many adventurers seek out the forge to have their own legendary arms and armor created. The forge is also the birthplace of the stone golems that defend the city.

### The Royal Archives

The Royal Archives occupy almost a fifth of the city's total area and is almost a city in and of itself. With research materials, reference books, and historical accounts on anything imaginable, one could easily spend 100 lifetimes in the archives and not learn everything there is to know. Yet, the librarians and the head librarian of the archive seem to know where anyone book is at any place in time as if they were remembering what they had for breakfast that morning. While the mages and scholars at the arcane sanctum and the academy of arts and science may be in charge of pushing the boundaries of the known world, it is the Royal archives that ensures their works are never forgotten and provide the foundation upon which every scholar stands upon.

### The Catacombs of the Ancients

Deep within the Eternal Necropolis lies Nidavellir's Leyline nexus and the catacombs of the ancients. Like the many subterranean lava flows found in Nidavellir, underground Leylines snake their way to the catacombs of the ancients to create the nexus. In this ancient cavern, the first settlers of the continent and the first champions of the gods are laid to rest. There are even rumors that the catacombs existed even before Shang Di tamed the continent and that there remains of even more ancient and terrible beings to be found there.

### The Earthborne

While Nidavellir has a normal standing army complete with companies of light infantry and skirmishers, they are known for their elite heavy infantry Regiment, The Earthborn. Comprised entirely of animated stone golems clad and in armor as heavy and solid as the mountain itself, The Earthborne form an impenetrable line or wall of rock behind which their allies can rest easy. Their prowess is not limited to defense though as their armor is often equipped with deadly instruments of war ranging from portable flaming ballistae to earth shattering hammers and maces. They strike with all the force of an erupting volcano and leave only ashes and rubble in their wake. How all these golems are created however is a closely guarded secret of the grandmasters of the volcanic forge.