# City: Silverwall > [!info] Quick Facts > | | | > |---|---| > | **Type** | Fortress City | > | **Region** | The Heartlands | > | **Government** | Monarchy | > | **Ruler** | [[NPC - King Thomas Garrik\|King Thomas Garrik]] | > | **Population** | Mixed (Human, Elf, Dwarf, Tiefling, Gnome) | > | **Known For** | Silver walls, martial culture, culinary tradition | > [!map] View on Map > [Open Interactive Map →](https://hawksrepos.github.io/elvensong-map/?location=Silverwall) > [!tip] Party Connection > [[NPC - Martha Greenroot]] departed for Silverwall with Little Jeffen. The [[Faction - Blue Blades]] also maintain a presence here. **Silverwall** stands as a monumental bastion of history and martial tradition in the Heartlands, a country accessible from [[Region - Prosperia]] via the sprawling valley basin of Skinnert's Pass. A city built vertically on Mount Talvar, protected by massive enchanted silver walls. ## Atmosphere & Description Silverwall stands as a monumental bastion of history and strength, tucked away within the Heartlands, a country accessible from Prosperia via the sprawling valley basin of Skinnert's Pass. While cities like Treston embrace the rapid changes of a new age, Silverwall looks backward to a rich heritage stretching back nearly a thousand years. The city is famously defined by its namesake: massive, ornate silver walls that shimmer with ancient woven enchantments, providing a magical and physical barrier that has withstood the test of centuries. Unlike the sprawling layout of the trade-cities to the west, Silverwall is built vertically, hugging the rugged slopes of Mount Talvar (a name meaning Father in old Dwarvish) which remains a holy site for the mountain's original Dwarven inhabitants. The city's culture is deeply rooted in martial excellence and physical discipline, a legacy of its long and violent history. For nine hundred years, Silverwall was locked in a constant state of war with the neighbouring Dwarven Forgehold. Though recent treaties have finally brought a halt to the bloodshed, the city's infrastructure remains a testament to that era, filled with robust city guard barracks, multitudinous hunting lodges, and elite training camps. With Auken currently enjoying a period of relative peace, the citizens have redirected their formidable energy toward adventuring, treasure seeking, and grand physical games. Silverwall serves as the royal seat for the King of the Heartlands, King Thomas of the House Garrik, whose lineage has ruled from the Lustrous Throne for a millennium. The Garrik family is known for being fair and judicious, governing with the assistance of a small council of advisors who manage the complexities of the economy and trade. Although it is a capital city, Silverwall maintains a certain independence and has deliberately resisted the fast-paced, globalist shift of the modern era seen in cities like Treston. It remains relatively wealthy with very little homelessness, though its storied history and independent streak have allowed secretive groups like the [[Faction - Brothers Guild|Brothers Guild]] and the [[Faction - Blue Blades|Blue Blades]] to establish a presence within its more shadowed quarters. The population is a unique tapestry within Auken, predominantly human but with a significant mixture of both High and Wood Elves and a substantial Dwarven community. Notably, Silverwall is home to the only established Tiefling colony in Auken, alongside a thriving community of Gnomes. This diversity has birthed a world-renowned culinary tradition; the city is famous for its food, and many of the continent's most prestigious culinary schools are found here.       ## Government & Society - Ruled by **King Thomas Garrik** and the **House Garrik** for a millennium - Governed with assistance of a **Royal Council** of advisors - Fair and judicious rulership - Deliberately resistant to fast-paced globalist shift of modern era - Relatively wealthy with very little homelessness ## Districts ### The Roots The Roots form the foundational tier of Silverwall, sprawling across the base of Mount Talvar and extending slightly beyond the enchanted silver walls into the surrounding low valleys. This district is the industrious heart of the city, housing the farming families who tend the fertile fields and the logging families who work the nearby timberlands. While the neighbourhoods here are slightly poorer and more modest than the heights above, they are filled with the warm, yeasty scent of local bakeries and the bustle of traditional mountain life. It is a community of makers and providers, where the architecture consists of heavy basalt and dark stone that feels as though it is growing directly out of the "Father" mountain itself. ### Hillswood Rising above the industrial base, Hillswood is the administrative and intellectual centre of the city, built vertically against the rugged mountain slopes. This district houses Silverwall's public buildings, prestigious institutions, and the city's famous culinary schools where the rich history of Heartlands food is taught. It is a place of grand architecture and manicured hanging gardens, serving as a hub for the city's robust guard presence and numerous training camps. Hillswood acts as the primary meeting ground for the city's diverse population of humans, dwarves, and elves, offering a refined atmosphere where the ancient traditions of magic and martial excellence are woven into the daily life of the citizenry. ### The Silver Tower At the highest point of the city, perched upon a small, exclusive plateau, lies the Silver Tower. This district is the royal seat of House Garrik, containing the grand estates of King Thomas and the various areas of study dedicated to the city's rich history and magical enchantments. The air here is thin and quiet, offering a somber and holy atmosphere that overlooks the entire valley basin and the distant Lake Fern. As the most secure part of the city, it serves as the ultimate retreat for the royal family and their advisors, standing as a shimmering monument to a millennium of rule and the enduring protection of the Silver Scale. ## Points of Interest ### The Royal Palace Situated within the Silver Tower district, the palace is a grand, tall structure laced with the same enchanted silver as the city walls. The interior features ancient murals painted across the ceilings, and at its heart sits the Silver Throne, the seat of King Thomas of House Garrik, whose family has ruled for a millennium. ### The Ingot Located in the Roots against the southern city wall, this is the most famous inn in the Heartlands. It is celebrated in songs and stories for its boisterous performances and raucous harvest festival parties. ### The Darkharrow Way An ancient tunnel at the northernmost point of the city. Once a silver mine and later a military war path, it has been closed off for two years following a strange incident. ### The Kybahn Lodge A legendary hunting lodge outside the city walls that serves as a meeting place for ranger conclaves and mountain trackers. ### The Keepers Temple of Silver A holy shrine for the Order of the Dragonscale at the base of Mount Taralest. It is a place of profound devotion that houses a genuine scale of the silver dragon, Vombraxx. ### The Tower of Wills A wizards' tower next to the royal palace, formerly the home of the legendary transmuter Archmage Corven, now used as a study and rest stop for powerful mages. ### The Empty Tray A renowned bakery in the Hillswood district, famous throughout the city for its vast selection of traditional breads and snacks. ## Organizations ### Order of the Silver Scale The elite paladins of Silverwall, powerful and devoted warriors who take the Oath of the Mountainlord beneath the celestial glow of the Silver Scale. They are good-aligned protectors of the ancient balance, though they observe strange customs and believe that Vombraxx, the Silver Dragon of legend, will eventually awaken to destroy the kingdoms of men. Their primary place of worship is the Keepers Temple of Silver. ### Brothers Guild A fraternity of ex-military humans who act as bodyguards and mercenaries. While they were mostly members of the Silverwall guards or military, they possess no official legal power and are permitted to exist by King Thomas only as long as they do not overstep their bounds. Led by Mr. Orn. ### [[Faction - Blue Blades|Blue Blades]] A small presence of a thieves' guild that originated on [[Region - The Discovery Coast]]. These magically talented initiates follow a strict code to only steal from those with an abundance to provide for the poor, placing them in constant conflict with both the formal guards and the professional veterans of the [[Faction - Brothers Guild|Brothers Guild]]. ## People ### King Thomas Garrik A 41-year-old human male of South Auken descent, King Thomas is the current scion of a lineage that has occupied the Silver Throne for a millennium. Distinguished by his shock of white hair and piercing brown eyes, he is a man deeply consumed by the weight of his ancestry, often spending his private hours poring over ancient diaries and intricate family trees. In a bid to secure his own place in history, he has recently embarked on an ambitious program of public works, renaming buildings and founding new institutions in his family's honour. Despite this, he remains a distant and somewhat reclusive figure, preferring the quiet counsel of his advisors to the pomp of public appearances. ### Royal Council #### Lord Burrow The elder statesman of the Royal Council, Lord Burrow is a quiet and reserved man whose sage advice has guided the crown for years. He is a figure of immense respect among the common folk of the Roots, many of whom believe that it is his steady hand, rather than the King's, that truly manages the day-to-day burdens of ruling the city. #### Lady Che'Sallin Hailing from a wealthy merchant family in Durdany, Lady Che'Sallin brings a shrewd economic perspective to the council. Though her coffers are overflowing, she lacks the popular touch; she is often viewed with suspicion by the public, who see her as more interested in her own financial interests than the welfare of the Heartlands. #### Loremaster Pynn A female Gnome of immense wit and charm, Pynn's rise through the royal court was nothing short of meteoric after her arrival ten years ago. She serves as a fountain of intelligence and ancient lore, yet she remains a pervasive enigma—aloof, mysterious, and always seemingly three steps ahead of any political rival. #### Grey Fable Often referred to simply as 'Grey', this Tiefling from the frozen lands of Norn is perhaps the city's most discussed resident. A powerful spellcaster, he is a frequent sight walking the streets of the Roots, though his presence always sparks whispers of a scandalous past involving piracy or escapes from distant prisons. ### Famous Residents #### Saint Anton The newly appointed leader of the Order of the Silver Scale, Saint Anton is a young Half-Orc with striking, forest-green skin. Though he is relatively new to the mantle of leadership, his genuine kindness and devotion to the ancient balance of the Heartlands have already made him a beloved figure among the city's faithful. #### Mr. Orn As the leader of the Brothers Guild, Mr. Orn is the embodiment of military discipline. Stern, weathered, and utterly unflinching, he commands absolute respect from the ex-soldiers under his charge and maintains a precarious, yet stable, relationship with the King's guard. #### Dreavus Myr A Half-Elven ranger originating from the distant woods of Sylvaria, Dreavus is the proprietor of the Kybahn Lodge. He is a master of mountain lore and serves as the primary point of contact for the various ranger conclaves that pass through the Heartlands. #### The Great Chef Martin A titan of the city's famous culinary scene, The Great Chef Martin operates an exclusive fine-dining establishment nestled just below the Silver Tower. A master of his craft, he is famously particular about his status and insists that his full moniker be used in every address. ## Culture & History - **Nine hundred years** of war with neighbouring Dwarven Forgehold (now ended by treaty) - Deeply rooted in **martial excellence and physical discipline** - Infrastructure reflects military heritage: guard barracks, hunting lodges, training camps - Citizens now focus on adventuring, treasure seeking, and grand physical games - **World-renowned culinary tradition** with prestigious culinary schools - Home to only established **Tiefling colony** in Auken - Thriving **Gnome** community - Diverse population: humans, High Elves, Wood Elves, Dwarves, Tieflings, Gnomes