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Map of Velantis & Notes on Key Locations
🕑 Added 2021-11-13 21:02:10 +0000 UTCI shared the map of Velantis earlier in Wayfarer’s Discord server, but I thought I would cross-post it here as well, along with notes on the various important locations.
This map is still a draft. I am relatively happy with it, although there are some things that I am still not 100% on (there are a lot of important locations that would be informative to include, but it runs the risk of making the map overcrowded). I will likely be adding this version to the game in the next alpha build update, but it could change a little bit before then.
City maps are difficult to pull off well in Wonderdraft, especially a fantasy metropolis like Velantis. I'm not a city planner (😅), so trying to show the major roads and buildings wasn't really possible, especially with the assets I have access to. Velantis also has several layers of walls, which was difficult to communicate without it looking strange, so I ended up using the paths/region tool to define where the walls are instead of using any wall assets.
Map Locations
Velantis is a major metropolis, one of the largest cities in Rhesainia. It has vast cultural importance, both within the Arathian Empire and the former Lotharic city-states, as well as worldwide. Not only does it house the headquarters of the Guild of Mages, but it is also a central location to the Meissandic faith.
In its early history, the Velantian peninsula was home to several towns and villages that slowly grew together over the centuries to form one metropolis. Velantis now covers the entirety of the peninsula.
Velantian Districts
The city is composed of six official districts. These were all former townships and villages prior to the peninsula becoming one city. Each district is governed by a city councillor or magistrate. Councillors are elected officials who report to the archon and must retain a residence within their district and
- Acaitha. The harbour district and the only district to exist outside the city’s walls. Bordering Pariath Bay, it is the first location any travellers will visit. It is home to bustling docks, a rich market, and a vast number of storehouses and warehouses.
- Delorath. The commercial district. Its proximity to Acaitha and the secondary port in Vanescian Bay gives it easy access to Velantis’ trade system and many of its merchants sell imported goods and wares. The Merchants’ Consortium has a head office here for their Velantian branch. The Greater Temple of Antares is located here. The Themistrya is located off its southern coast and can be seen for miles.
- Falmar. The industrial district. It is home to the Faran Enclave, where much of the Faran diaspora live. House Osgar, known for their innovations in magical technology and their ties to Farandor, owns most of the district. The head office of the Arcanists’ Lodge is located here, alongside House Tormond’s estates. This is also the located of the Greater Temple of Nashira.
- Dessenia. A major residential district. It is home to the Greater Temple of Adara, the Plaza of the Hexatheon, and Seiran College.
- Ithyria. An entertainment, commercial and residential district. It is home to Eidranian City, the headquarters of the Meissandic faith, and the Greater Temple of Lyrana. The Crystalis, an ancient formation of blue rock and crystal, towers over most of the district. The district is home to Velantis’ art scene, which includes several galleries and lyranaeums (amphitheatres). The Greater Temple of Metisara is beyond its walls, on a small island off the south-eastern coast.
- Oriath. The palace district, home to the Velantian elite. It is home to Mahanin Palace, the archon’s home and political hall; Ruval Palace, the private home of House Anaxas; the Greater Temple of Belennor, and Diradan Tower. The district is walled off from the rest of the city and has complex security wards. No weapons are allowed within the district.
The seventh and unofficial district is the Undercity. Located within a steep gorge that cuts across the peninsula, it is among the poorest areas of Velantis and is often considered to be a slum by the city. Its culture is significantly different from the rest of Velantis.
Areas of Interest
Citadels
- Adrasus Citadel. An ancient stronghold constructed millennia ago, well before the Astrandium. The citadel is unexplored as its magic causes hallucinations, migraines, and eventual death for all those who attempt to go within its walls. It also casts a light across the Gairloch Mountains, giving a permanent red cast to the snow-topped peaks.
- Diradan Tower. One of six Rhesainian citadels likely constructed around the Astrandium. Like many of its sister citadels, Diradan was seized by the Guild of Mages centuries ago. The tower has been renovated and expanded to increase its size and complexity, turning its grounds into a labyrinthine complex that houses the Guild's headquarters and one of its most important schools.
Palaces
- Mahanin Palace. The hereditary residence of the Archon of Velantis and the seat of the province's parliament. The Palace is one of the oldest standing strongholds in the world, with its oldest walls dating back a couple millennia, and is named after an ancient Velantian king. It is built entirely of a unique red stone that cannot be found elsewhere. The palace’s grounds are extensive, featuring water gardens, pavilions, private temples, a lake, and the Anaxas Lyranaeum, where Lord Sandro Anaxas invites the city’s greatest players and entertainers to perform.
- Ruval Palace. The private home of House Anaxas, constructed not long after the Velantian annexation. It is considered a vacation home. At the start of Chapter 2, the Guild of Mages has temporarily moved into Ruval Palace in the aftermath of the Diradan Tower explosion.
Pallaedrions
Pallaedrions are an inter-city transit system that allow residents to quickly traverse the peninsula. Fuelled by multiple nodes of Dispersion magic, the Pallaedrions teleport its passengers from their current location to their desired one. The system is a new technology, created only some thirty years ago, and is the result of the combined efforts of the Guild of Mages and the Arcanists’ Lodge. It requires a great amount of magical energy and constant maintenance to support. It is the only system of its kind in the world.
Each district has a major Pallaedrion, with a number of minor ones scattered across the area at key points. There are thirty-six Pallaedrions in total.
Residents who do not wish to or who cannot afford the fees to travel by Pallaedrion cross the city by foot or by barge.
Temples
- Eidranian City. The headquarters of the Meissandic faith. This large temple complex is located on an island in Lake Naiadros. Though it is within Velantis’ walls, it is considered separate from Velantis and follows its own governance.
- Greater Temples. Each district as a greater temple dedicated to one of the Meissandic gods. There are lesser or minor temples scattered throughout the peninsula. The aristocracy will often have private temples built on their estates.
Ports
- Pariath Bay. Velantis’ main port. All non-Imperial citizens must enter the city through this port.
- Vanescian Bay. An access port for the commercial and industrial districts. Imperial merchants will often dock at this port rather than the one in Pariath Bay.
- Seiran Bay. A private port used by the Velantian aristocracy, primarily for journeying to Naros. House Anaxas has a private harbour here.
Other Key Locations
- Seiran College. Velantis’ university and a leader in magical technology research. Its entrance exams are punishing and competitive. Its alumni often graduate into well-off positions, either in Velantis or in their home countries.
- Naros. A private island filled with the summer homes of the Velantian aristocracy. Its white shores are considered extremely beautiful.
- Plaza of the Hexatheon. A large, central garden in Dessenia that features massive statues of the six Meissandic gods.
- The Narrows. An Undercity neighbourhood located in the narrowest part of the canyon. It includes one of the city’s red-light districts.
- Crystalis. A massive formation of blue crystal that rises out of Lake Naiadros. It has been studied intensely by scholars from across the world and is a tourist destination. It is magically inert. Contemporary scholars believe it is a remnant of the Astrandium.
- Lyranaeum. A major Velantian amphitheatre that stages performances by the most popular players. Melchior Larkspur’s theatre company is located nearby.
- Themistrya. A stronghold of black rock. It was a military outpost during when Velantis was an independent city-state. It is now a high-security Imperial prison.
