Alaron, the city of the elves within the Kingdom of Endon! Waterfalls and circular structures mark the aesthetics of those long-lived people in their peaceful abode, and many travel there to beg entry into their libraries and studies. But Alaron has remained peaceful and undisturbed by keeping the chaotic world at bay, and entry is often denied.

Alaron, city of the elves, sits on the western border of Endon. In truth, it marks the border, as the relationship between the independent council that rules Alaron and the monarchs that rule Endon has always been tense at best, and outright hostile at worst. The city was founded immediately following the fall of the Sthessic Vrasa, when the elvish slaves – which were few in number but nonetheless outspoken – banded together to found their own city-state.

Unlike the freed human slaves, who raised hasty cities immediately for use in their war against the Ssthessic, the elves built Alaron slowly, over nearly two hundred years. Since then, it has not expanded very much, as the population plateaus.

A carefully-cultivated ecosystem monitored by the locals maintains a precise balance between fish, insects, and plant-life, providing food and building materials.

Alaron is ruled by a presiding oligarchical council, though the representatives gain their seats through public services, whether that be an act of valour or of administration. It is an interesting system, but is nonetheless dominated by the elder and wealthy residents.

Travellers Hall. Sitting beside the lake at the bottom of the ravine, the Traveller's Hall is the elven approximation of an inn, but without the course and boisterous nature of such human establishments. It functions as room and board for outsiders in the city, and as a meeting place and notice giver for local needs. Any merchants that wish to sell their goods to outsiders will go to the main chamber of the Traveller's Hall.

Council Hall. The location of the ruling council of Alaron, it sits on an outcrop that overlooks the waterfalls and lake, and is where any judgement or imprisonment takes place.

A System of Circles

The elves, for whatever baffling and infuriating reason, base their constructions on the circle – a shape which distributes force evenly and ensures a lack of detritus build-up in the corners. However, circles are much more difficult to build and maintain: explaining the long-term construction of the cities. Any architect (or cartographer) who suggests to the locals that they consider a more rectangular build will be met with stony silence, be warned.

The Alaron Academy. The elven city hosts an academy of its own: a finishing school for the local children. It teaches all of the essentials for a socially-contributive youngster, such as fencing, debating, architecture (mainly circular), armour forging, foraging and hunting skills, and athletics. However, it should be noted that the school generally caters for elves, and prospective parents should expect their curriculum to take roughly 30 years to complete.

The Hall of the Moon. The elves of Alaron have long set standard by their mystics, in particular the divination specialists. So much so that in their earliest plans for the city they built the Hall of the Moon, an observatory-shrine.

Elfhenge. The city contains a mimicry of the other Henges of Endon: not one of the originals, but built by the architects who noticed the intense power of the originals. However, this henge does not function as they do, opening a doorway to another place. It merely siphons ambient magic for the use of the local mages.

What Little Welcome for Travellers

While Alaron is not particularly welcoming to travellers, the elves know the benefit of allowing some to come and go. And so, there are several locations within the city in which travellers find they have free reign - though leaving these locations may be a mistake.