Ava

The largest Avernite settlement in Northwestern Avernus, **Ava** is considered by many Avernites to be the most pleasant place in all of Avernus. Owing to its library and proximity to Cirau's Lair, Ava has become something of a center for trade in magical wares in the Kingdom of Avernus.

## Description

Ava sits in the center of a large cavern just north of the Western Vault, surrounded on two sides by unyielding stone, and by a shallow river on the other two. The rest of the cavern is laced with a large number of farms that help to support the thriving town.

Although in a relatively peripheral and easily defended cavern, and having only three entrances, Ava still sports the sturdy stone walls common to Avernite settlements. That said, even bandits have never been more than a minor problem for the town, and Cirau's nearby lair serves to keep away the Drow. A bustling hub of trade, this safety and activity has made Ava one of the most pleasant and attractive of all Avernite settlements.

The northeast end of town, built along the town walls, contains a large livestock pen for giant lizards. Next door to the pens one can find the shop of a local Wizard, who sells potions and scrolls alike, albeit at slightly expensive prices. Between this shop and the town church sits the town blacksmith, who sells fine but expensive armor, and even finer weapons. As noted, the blacksmith sits next to the town's temple, a church dedicated not to one of the more typically worshiped deities, but rather to the Laughing God.

Carved into the cavern wall in the northwestern edge of town is the town's barracks. Although historically safe and free, the town nonetheless sports a sizable garrison and the Avernites are, as always, ever-wary of attack from the Troglodytes or other threats.

South of the temple, near the center of town, sits the **Great Library of Ava**. The third largest library in all the kingdom, Ava's library is also one of the only two which is open to the public. The town's southwestern quarter consists of a large public park. This park contains a natural spring which serves to feed the town's water supply, and to provide the park with its pleasant decor and environs. These public works  have helped contribute to the town's fame and fortune. The town hall, elaborate and ornate, sits across the street from the library itself.

Across from the park sits the town's inn, the **Black Pinnacle**. Its prices are slightly expensive, but in addition to rooms and the usual foods and mushroom ale, the inn also sells fungal wines, either made locally or imported from Almus.

Befitting its wealth, Ava is among the handful of Avernite settlements to enjoy a genuine sewer system. While this sewer is home to nothing more deadly than the usual disease-ridden dire rats, these rats have nonetheless made a considerable nuisence fo themselves by sneaking into the library from time to time and nibbling on priceless tomes.

## Transportation

The sewers and tunnels beneath Ava contain a teleport pylon which is part of the teleportation network created by the Conjurers of the Arcane Tower. This pylon enables one to teleport to and from the portal chamber at the Arcane Tower, which can then be used to teleport to any of the other pylons.