The Cheval Isle
The Isle is a hexagonal island about 50km in diameter that orbits above the Mirror Sea, coming near all three major cities around the sea. The isle’s population consists largely of full elves (mostly high elves). They are a highly magically advanced society, and rarely export goods/tools/arms developed on the isle. In recent years, there have been no proprietary exports, but quite a lot of import of magical and technological goods.
Cheval Diadem
- Diadem Petryll Cheval
- A great Eladrin wizard who possesses the dancing blade Timebreaker
- Diadem Xivil Cheval
- A great Dragonborn cleric of Mystra who possesses the enchanted circlet Omnioculus
The Isle is run by the Cheval Aerocracy, Whose main goal is to protect the Isle at all costs, and to keep its technology and society from stagnating. Some are of the opinion that the Cheval Aerocracy can be quite draconian with their rulings and methods, though others say that it is a misunderstanding between the elder elves on the council and non-residents.
The Aerocracy is highly interested in furthering technological, magical, and cultural advancement on the isle, and thus has a particular interest in the three main educational and research institutes in the cities around the sea: the TTMR Academy, the Central Libir Institute of Teaching, and the Grand Towai Anathaeum.
Rumour has it that the Isle has been having issues with vampire incursions and infestations in the last 2 years (though the first problems started occurring closer to 6 years back and were thought to have been dealt with), prompting tighter security measures on the isle, and restrictions of inbound travel.
Additional Info:
Tira asks: ” Is there anything supporting the idea the Aerocracy indulges in immoral or unethical practices to achieve these goals? Theft, bribery, threats, blackmail? ” Different people have different opinions on the matter. The Aerocracy maintains that all external affairs fall within the law, but as always, international law is a finicky matter. The government does not say that they do any of those things though. In the Mirasalor library, you can find some news opinion articles that both say that the Aerocracy is trying to exert influence on the 3 city states beyond its reach, others say that the state governments of the Mirror Sea states are just pushing anti-elf propaganda, which is why elves don’t like living among the shorter lived species in the first place.
Description
The metropolis of Cheval on the Cheval Isle is a wondrous sight to behold. Its white marble and ivory buildings rise high into the sky, with towering pillars with intricate flowing magical carvings (reminiscent of fantasy Greek aesthetic). The island itself is a marvel of magical engineering from a long gone era, held in orbit above the Mirror Sea by cores of transmutation magic embedded throughout the entire island’s structure, each of which is powered by the great Mythellar Reactor - the location and exact function of which is kept secret from the general public
Visitors to the busier parts of the city are greeted by the sound of elven lyres and the sweet scent of Mirror Sea flora. The city is host to bustling markets, grand temples (especially to Corellon and Mystra), and amphitheaters where a variety of stories are told through song and dance. The Cheval Hall Academy stands high among the other buildings. It’s illusion magic making its towers appear always a bit taller than the surrounding buildings, and easily spotted.
In the outer districts, streets of the city are alive with the sound of laughter, chatter, and the clanging of metal as blacksmiths craft weapons and armor for the city’s elite. In the city center, a massive fountain depicts the Olympian gods in all their glory, their faces carved in intricate detail and water spouting from their mouths.
At night, the city is illuminated by the glow of magical lanterns that seem to float in the air. The stars twinkle above, and the sea below is alive with bioluminescent creatures that create a shimmering dance of light on the waves.
Despite the city’s beauty, it is not without danger. Monsters from the depths of the
Sites Within the City
Notable Places Citywide:
- Xanto’s Clocks: The workshop of a female elf clockmaker named Xanto, known for her mastery of languages.
- The Ruby Shield: A modest elven tavern, decorated with exotic weapons and armor.
- The Shrine of Mystra: A crystal statue of Mystra, Lord of Magic, said to bestow favor to those who leave an offering.
- Diadem’s Court: The grounds and majestic palace of the Diadems of Cheval
- The Cheval Hall Academy: the one and only magical academy on Cheval Isle. It has a huge campus and excellent facilities. It is well funded by the Aerocracy.
- Cheval Central Higher Education School (Central High): A prestigious school for adolescent students located near the Academy. Lots of children of wealthy families attend here. There are other ‘High Schools’ around the city.
- Cheval Halls
A few NPCs:
- Mophe: Female Human Necromancer. Mophe is exceptionally beautiful, with black hair and soft brown eyes. She wears fine clothing and wields a club. Mophe is hunting the doppelganger which destroyed her homeland.
- Adis: male Human Fighter, Neutral. Adis has a round face, with straight brown hair and light blue eyes. She wears banded mail and wields a glaive-guisarme. Adis compulsively plays with a silver coin.
- Theta: Female Human Merchant. Theta has a long face, with red hair and blue eyes. She wears simple clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Theta has an animal companion, a red fox named Aras.
- Ates: Female Human Illusionist, Good. Ates is noble in bearing, with red hair and blue eyes. She wears golden robes and wields a quarterstaff and dagger. Ates has an animal companion, a red snake named Opias.
- Aurylus: Male Human Illusionist, Good. Aurylus has copper hair and hazel eyes, and a thin mouth. He wears modest garments and wields a quarterstaff and dagger. Aurylus blames the gods for every misfortune.
Archbell District
Residential district for the well to do. The Archbell district is home to tower houses and larger manors. The apartments of Archbell are luxurious.
The buildings here are primarily composed with marble, ivory, and brick. Streets are wide and lined with lush plants. Public transport here is in the form of porters ( Conjuration specialists that teleport, who fetch their customers on the backs of giant beetles called Air Skimmers).
Canals flow along certain streets in the district, kept clean by permanently enchanted water purifying tiles. These canals have friendly fish in them which feast on inspects and food scraps. They can be traversed via floating discs which drift above their surfaces.
There are many public gardens and packs here.
Notable Places:
- The Courthouse: A grand building of stone walls, filled with busy magistrates and advocates.
- The Keystone of Sacharon: A giant white keystone hangs in the air, 60 feet above the street, fixed and immovable. It is said that anyone who touches the keystone is protected from the risk of falling for the rest of the day. This is not true.
- The Aerotrade Guildhall: An ornate marble and brick building constructed with a combination of magic and stonemasonry. It contains a large meeting hall and several smaller meeting gardens and guest quarters for travellers. No trade is actually conducted here.
- Telatree Manor
- Lumien Manor
- Hexelroot Manor
- Drakos Manor
- Swift Deer Inn
- Hall’s Walls Market
Brightlamp Ward
A mixed mid-lower income neighborhood. The parts adjacent to the Archbell district are most well off, while areas further away are less so. However, even the less well to do are not bad off due to universal basic income provided by the Aerocracy - a generally accepted exchange for the dictatorial/parental state nature of the Aerocracy.
The ward is also home to a large number of commercial spaces, mostly selling services (household repair and the like), but with some selling goods (foods, crafts, etc.)
This is the most racially diverse district in the city (which is not necessarily much), and many different types of food and clothing can be found here from a range of different cultures.
Mousing is primarily in the form of high density apartments or smaller houses and duplexes. The streets are still well maintained, though less opulent. Smaller parks can be found here.
Notable Places:
- The Old Pilgrim: An old elven inn, within which a magical spell allows everyone to know your name.
- The Academy of the Elemental Arts: A small, single building school of young witches and wizards, known for the ghosts which haunt its halls.
- Eranas’ Clocks: A neglected clockmaker’s workshop, filled with swinging pendulums and interlocking gears. Erana has not been seen in a few weeks.
Broad Market
Notable NPCs:
- Demesid: Male Human Bookseller, Neutral. Demesid has a long face, with thin copper hair and amber eyes. He wears worn clothing and carries a long knife. Demesid treats his wares like living creatures.
- Clytosel: Male Human Slaver, Evil. Clytosel is short, with blonde hair and green eyes. He wears worn clothing and a wooden holy symbol. Clytosel deals in orc slaves, but guarantees their obedience.
- Pheophuia: Female Human Butcher, Neutral. Pheophuia has curly auburn hair and light green eyes, and wears glasses with brass rims. She wears worn clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Pheophuia is known for her fish sausages, each infused with a potion of water breathing.
- Aelen: Female Human Entertainer, Neutral. Aelen is tall and thin, with grey hair and grey eyes. She wears tailored clothing and a sable fur cape. Aelen is known for her short temper and sharp tongue.
Drakescourt District
Notable Places:
- The Odeum of Acephas: A two-storey theatre of half-timbered walls, within which anything might be an illusion.
- Aremis’ Anvil: A cluttered blacksmith’s workshop, built atop an outcrop of volcanic rock.
- The Wolf’s Lodge: A modest elven inn, said to be haunted by the ghost of a silver dragon.
Cheval Hall Ward
The incredibly well funded academy is situated within its own ward. The light stone paved streets are immaculately cleaned by Broombas 24/7, and maintained by a dedicated mage cleaning crew. The ward is extremely well guarded against vampires, and classes are continuing as normal.
you are struck by the grandeur and sophistication of the white marble and brick buildings that rise high into the sky. The district is bustling with students, scholars, and professors from all over the world, all coming together to learn and share knowledge.
The buildings in the district are a mix of traditional brick and white marble architecture, with each structure more impressive than the last. The marble buildings are adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures of mythical creatures and heroes, while the brick buildings are more practical in design, with large windows and spacious rooms for students to study
Notable Places:
- A ruined keep of rough-hewn stone walls, said to be haunted by the shadows of the warriors who failed to defend it.
- The Theatre of Cnusosil: A two-storey stone-walled theatre, said to be built upon the ground where a sidhe noble was betrayed and murdered.
- Clusima’s Pottery: The workshop of a male human potter named Clusima, who was once a great wizard, but stumbled into a fortune and retired.
Goldenring
A middle class residential ward along the circular canal that runs within the city.
Notable Places:
- Greenhome: A two-storey stone-walled building which has been completely overgrown by flowering vines scale-like leaves thorny vines writhing vines. It is the home of Myli, a young green dragon and philosopher.
Sites Beyond the City
GM navigation: 00 - Cytgard GM Home · 00 - Cytgard Map Gazetteer · 00 - Locations Index
Related notes: Cheval Aerocracy · Lumien Manor · Witches and Wizards