# City: Gold City > [!info] Quick Facts > | | | > |---|---| > | **Type** | Ancient Capital (Diminished) | > | **Region** | [[Region - Eddaland\|Eddaland]] | > | **Continent** | Edaria | > | **Historical Role** | Epicentre of The Ascension | > | **Current State** | Diminished, surrounded by slums | > | **Known For** | Historical significance, Arag'Mar gold mines | > [!map] View on Map > [Open Interactive Map →](https://hawksrepos.github.io/elvensong-map/?location=Gold%20City) An ancient city at the base of [[Landmark - Arag'Mar (Gold Peak)]], whose historical importance cannot be overstated. ## Historical Significance Gold City was once the centre of power in Edaria and played a pivotal role in shaping the continent's history. ### The Ascension Gold City was the **epicentre of The Ascension**, during which the Eldari dynasty of Sun Elves claimed all Edaria as their dominion, granted to them through the power of **Milith and Elvarion**, the elven deities of the Moon and Sun respectively. This act marked the end of the **Age of Kings** and kickstarted a violent new age marked by war and conquest, forever changing the perception of the High Elves amongst many races. ### Human Empire After humans overthrew and destroyed the Eldari bloodline following their bloodthirsty extermination and subjugation campaigns, Gold City became the **centre of all human civilization**. ## Golden Age During its height, Gold City: - Hosted visits from foreign dignitaries - Was a site of worship for local towns and villages - Was a favoured destination for young adventurers ready to fill their pockets - Drew its wealth from the extremely lucrative mines of [[Landmark - Arag'Mar (Gold Peak)]] The city's riches came from the mountain containing the greatest concentration of rare metals in the known world, with dwarven mines extracting unprecedented levels of treasure. ## Decline ### Economic Factors The mountain's depletion around fifty years before the Sunrise Wars began the city's decline. New continental political centres drew focus away from Edaria and scattered it across an ever-growing world. ### Loss of Importance Gold City suffered as: - The surrounding farmlands became more independent and less interested in paying tribute - Foreign traders and dignitaries began to relocate south to the tri-capitals of Scavania - Port cities became the new hub centres for trade and economy - The city lacked easy access to the ocean for the new trading companies ### Dark Events - **Failed Restoration** - An attempt to restore the Eldari dynasty within the city failed - **Rituals of Madness** - The awakening of dark powers caused the city's reputation to plummet ## Current State > [!warning] Fallen Glory > Gold City is now another city among many that has shrunk away from the larger pages of history. The city has: > - Become surrounded by **large slums** > - **Crime and poverty** are rife > - Fallen far from its former glory > - Lost most foreign interest > > To those in [[Region - Eddaland]], the city still has significance, but beyond the country's borders, interest has waned considerably. ## Legacy Despite its diminished state, Gold City remains a site of immense historical importance, having been the seat of both the Eldari Empire and the human civilization that followed. Its history is draped in both glory and darkness.