Aetheria

Aetheria is a fortified medieval-style city situated at the northern edge of Oldeshire, straddling the borders between the Lost Valley Region and Kaluara. Built by Lord Drekar, the city is part of the Vaelthranni Compact, a political union encompassing several northern settlements including Kuzvak and Kaldaron.

Overview

Set amid rolling grassland hills and nestled between two rivers, Aetheria commands attention with its imposing architecture and elevated location. The city was carefully designed to blend military utility with artistic grandeur, and its natural terrain has been used to dramatic effect in its layout and structure.

The **Aetheria Citadel**, its most iconic landmark, dominates the eastern skyline. Constructed between two steep hills, it features a grand fortress on one hill and a 50-meter-tall watchtower on the other, which rises an additional 30 meters thanks to its elevation. The two are connected by a skybridge, a 55-meter-long elevated span from which hangs the city’s symbol: a red cross atop an orange sphere on a yellow field. This banner is repeated throughout the city, flying above rooftops, shopfronts, and in the castle keep.

Architecture & Layout

Aetheria’s buildings reflect a cohesive medieval aesthetic: stone walls, oak rooftops, and single-story layouts are the norm. The cobblestone streets are narrow and winding, reflective of the city’s adaptation to the hilly terrain. The exception to this architectural theme is the Aetheria Train Station, the only sandstone structure in the city, topped with a red brick roof and connecting Aetheria to the Cerelia Line of the Shire Transit Authority.

Access to the citadel is gained via the Path of Kings, a dramatic grand staircase that ascends from the city toward the eastern cliffs.

Districts & Landmarks

Despite its compact size, Aetheria contains numerous landmarks and institutions:

• Brightforge Blacksmith – Known for its finely crafted arms and tools.

• Lakeside Farm – A pastoral area near the eastern river, supplying produce to the local market.

• Church of the One Cobblestone – A religious structure devoted to the local spiritual tradition centered around unity and permanence.

• Swiftflow Watermill – Still operational, it provides mechanical power to several nearby workshops.

• Aetheria Mine – A historic source of iron and stone, now partially open to tourists.

• Direblade Barracks – The garrison of Aetheria’s local guard and compact militia.

• Aetheria Grand Bazaar – An open-air market featuring traders from Kuzvak, Kaldaron, and beyond.

• Aetheria Infirmary – The city’s primary healthcare facility.

• Wizard’s Respite Tower – A mystical obsidian tower rising from a lake in the city’s center, home to local enchanters and arcane scholars.

• Aetheria Museum – Features a famed permanent exhibition titled “Tragic Accidents: A Survey of Adventurer Misfortune in the Shire.”

• Aetheria Academy – A small school for magical and classical studies.

• Aetheria Grand Library – A stone-walled archive known for its collection of early Vaelthranni treaties.

Politics

Aetheria is governed by a local council under the authority of Lord Drekar and is considered a core holding of the Vaelthranni Compact. It plays a key strategic role due to its proximity to three major Shire regions and serves as a cultural and political bridge between them.

Transportation

The city is connected to the Cerelia Line via the Aetheria Train Station, and a small river dock allows for boat traffic and transport of goods downstream. Narrow streets and vertical layouts make foot travel the most common method of navigation within the city itself.