Locations

*This entry details the central locations of the world.*

Valtheim is a diverse and beautiful land, full of peoples and places as diverse as the environments they call home.

## Esterdell

*The capitol city of Valtheim. It's located just inland of a gigantic lake and is surrounded by a forest of pine. The topography is somewhat hilly, with a ravine running between the two parts of the city - Old Esterdell and New Esterdell. Old Esterdell is comprised of Valth's old manor, where the queen often resides, and all of the old structures from the pre-modern era. New Esterdell houses the Mage's Guild Hall and more modern constructions and stores. The Academy lies a distance behind Old Esterdell, hidden partially by the pine.*

Esterdell is always cold. Very cold. And very snowy. The magical aura that sits over this sprawling city keeps the climate cool and harsh, but the residents that reside there are some of the warmest-hearted in all of Valtheim. Winter only brings more bitter cold, and summer only a brief reprise from the frequent blizzards that plague the capitol. This city is not much one for farming, but the magic industry located here is rival to none. Sheep and cow, however, seem to thrive in this environment.

### **Sub-Locations**

#### The Academy

*A sprawling academic campus located near the edge of the city. This is the Academy's central location, but they have regional campuses located across the ether.*

#### Valth's Cathedral

*The first formal building in Valtheim, and the oldest-standing. A mysterious magical aura surrounds this cathedral, which has long since been closed off to the public. Neither Eine nor Charrtus-Shee will speak of this place freely. The stone structure stands deep in the forest, near a frozen-over lake.*

#### Mage's Guild Hall

*It seems only fitting that the city hosting The Academy should also be home to the largest hall of wizards in Valtheim. The Mage's Guild provides a home for any and all magic-users. One can register inside, then enjoy the spoils of being unionized with their fellow peers.*

#### Wintersea Manor

*Eine and Charrtus' home. It is a large manor located in the center of Old Esterdell, on a hill in the middle of the city. The manor is often open to the public, and is used as a meeting and event hall quite frequently as well.*

#### Winds District

*The oldest part of Esterdell, containing the old houses and stores of the native residents. Most of the city's mansions are located in this expansive area, serving as the bulk of Esterdell's size. The historic district is covered with snow year-round, and hosts many magical anomalies that the citizens find useful - the street lamps float, and light on their own when it becomes dark or stormy. The market street is also located here.*

#### New Esterdell

*Shiny and new, New Esterdell is located on the other side of a thin mountain dividing the city. A tunnel runs through this, connecting the historic and the new districts. A showcase of modern architecture combining magic enchantments and practicality, this district is ideal for rising idealists and artisans. On this side of the mountain, the district is warmer, and borders a large lake rich with fish and squid.*

## Foehnhaus

*Situated in a forest of gigantic trees, Foehnhaus is Esterdell's sister city. It's about a half-day's walk from the capitol, and the two cities often bind together as a front in times of war. The structures in Foehnhaus focus on beauty and utility, as the city is a home to countless artisans and smiths. The tall forest is perfect for hiding tall dragons, so the Dragon Rider's Guild Hall is located here... provided you can find it in the sea of trees.*

The climate here is perpetually stuck between summer and autumn, with frequent overcast skies and rain-showers. The temperature sits at a comfortable, cool level throughout the year, with natural winter waning on the colder side with occasional snow. Summer remains agreeable here. Due to its' location in the thick forests of Valtheim, the land is often shady and dark, giving rise to the... stranger fauna of the land.

### **Sub-Locations**

#### Dragon Rider's Guild Hall

*Foehnhaus' most famous asset is their enigmatic Dragon Rider's Guild. It is said that the guild hall is hidden to those unworthy of joining, and those who find it get an automatic entry - however, it is unsure how much of this is urban legend and how much is fact. Shrouded in mystery and antiquity, the Dragon Rider's Guild has become a moot point since the extinction of the dragons in the overworld. Though rumours are rising of roars in the forest, pillars of flame and the powerful wind of a dragon's flight once more... perhaps the dragons are not all gone.*

#### Artisan's Guild Hall

*The Artisan's Guild is located near the heart of this forested city. Much of Foehnhaus was designed and built by the members of this large and influential guild. Famous for their breathtaking architecture and use of precious metals, this guild actually hosts members from jewelry makers and gem collectors to architects and clothing designers.*

#### Charrtus-Shee's Castle

*The home to the city's mayor and dragon princess. Charrtus runs the city, though she often stays with her sister Eine in Esterdell. Her castle is suspended between the four tallest trees in the forest, high above the ground. A large staircase wraps around two of them, leading up to the top and to her home.*

## Agoir

*Agoir is located high up in the mountains. Once home to the mines and underground kingdoms of the dwarves, the locations of these have been long since lost to time. The structures near the center of the city are ornate and beautiful, laid with precious materials and stones, as is the way of the dwarves. However, the farther out from the center one travels, the more human the structures become, dividing the land in to large farms surrounded by the occasional mine shaft.*

The weather in Agoir is perhaps the most beautiful of all the major cities in Valtheim. They experience all four seasons in a mild way that many of the residents find too appealing to depart from. Autumn brings the largest harvest of the year here, and is manifested in a festival that incorporates all of Valtheim's people.

### **Sub-Locations**

#### Caerman Farms

*The largest farm conglomeration in Valtheim. These farms produce the majority of the country's produce and meat. Most of the farmers of the country live in Agoir because of this, and find easy and prospective work here.*

The conglomeration is a collection of individual farms owned by entrepreneurs and families, but it provides a sense of protection and security in their marketing.

#### Market Street

*Agoir has an interesting amount of unique shops located in the heart of the city. Most famous for their traditional medicinals and food products, plenty of homemade commodities can be found here.*

#### Manor House

*Once used for the mayor's home, the Manor House is now a public meeting place and is always open to the citizens of the city. Agoir, for the most part, is peaceful, and has not required a figure-head in centuries. Its' people are very efficient in keeping the peace.*

## Xusus

*Rolling hills and grassy plains seek to obscure this city. Trees border half of the city, while the rest opens up in to wide, open land. Xusus is a perfect hunting land, seeing significantly less snow in the winter and warmer weather in the summer than any of the other towns. The outskirts of the city appear to be tribal, but solid structures make up the bulk of the city. Horses are common for travel here, as well as a large meat and material trade, as it forms a crossroads with the highways that lead to the other three cities.*

Xusus is always warm. The bordering areas are sandy deserts, and it is quite the distance from here to the sea. Many of the local residents are from the tribes of the desert, and as such, Xusus has become a center of cultural diversity and incorporation.

### **Sub-Locations**

#### Nomad's Guild Hall

*The Nomad's Guild Hall is located in Xusus, nestled between the tall grasses and sand dunes. Formally the Adventurer's Guild, the name was changed after Valtheim became completely explored. Now, the Nomads' numbers contain cartographers, thrill-seekers, and those who feel like the open road is more of a home than a city.*

#### Amphitheater

*Xusus' most famous asset is their large Amphitheater. Made of pure white quartz, this public meeting hall often hosts theatrical and musical productions. Due to this, Xusus has a large number of aspiring musicians and actors. Magic competitions are a bi-annual event here as well.*

## Cape Town

*The trading hub of Valtheim. Most of the wealth and goods imported from foreign lands pass through this city's massive ports. This massive city is the largest port in Valtheim, and immigrants and merchants alike flood in through here, alongside the diverse goods.*

*Cape Town is tropical in climate, and remains a humid, warm temperature throughout the year. Perhaps the most imminent danger here are the hurricanes, not the pirates that occasionally call this land home.*

### **Sub-Locations**

#### Trade Center

*Cape Town's primary asset. All imports and exports for Valtheim pass through here, and they host a massive employee base to keep this process moving.*

*Other sub-locations will be added as the storyline advances. Many of these will be discovered by our members, so get out there!*