Gyliad

Metropolis
Gyliad is not only the capital of Faethal, but the capital of the Free Realms of Taejen. Constructed immediately after 0PV by mortal races working in conjunction with celestials, Gyliad is a marvel of modern engineering and architecture as well as magical achievement. The city's now massive population, coupled with it being the geographic center of the Free Realms have induced an amount of prosperity that some of the longer-lived races had only dreamed of seeing again. The high white granite walls and beautiful vistas in the city create an aesthetic of victory, peace, and unity.

Into the Capital
Gyliad is build on top of the Azure Expanse, the massive freshwater lake nestled south of the Shield Mountains. Three major bridges connect the city to the mainland. The Grand Bridge in the center-south is the largest and most famous bridge, hewn from several miles of white marble and granite, with elements of mithral and gold leaf, it contains the names of every creature who helped construct it carved with magic into its facade. A massive structure that was the site of a huge battle during the Rebellion of Men, where the Ordo Aurea Filii Aquilae paladins attempted to hold off a huge contingent of lesser races attempting to sieze the city but were cast off the sides by a powerful mage. The Grand Bridge is both the most popular way into the city because of the gorgeous view of the supermassive lake, and because of its centralized location and seamless integration into the King's Road.

The Southwestern bridge is the Avia Maria Gania Filli Junia De'Destoro Bridge. Named after the gnomish architect that designed it and commonly called just the Avia Maria, this much smaller bridge only stretches a few miles across. Hewn from granite and adamantine, the bridge is often traversed by those who are only traveling into the city on foot without much about them. Travelers in recent years have been advised to avoid the bridge as activity by the Emerald Talon has made it too dangerous to use.

The Southeastern bridge is titled Morgrim Kvinn, jokingly Morgrim's Wife. The famed dwarven engineer spent more time working with and on the bridge than his actual family, and referred to the bridge as "the most beautiful thing I've ever done" which many of his team insisted he was including his wife when he said that.

Layout
Gyliad is setup as a circular territory roughly five hundred square miles large. Districts are broken up into circles separated by canals of water that measure about two hundred feet across. Gondolas and other small to medium sized boats constantly rotate through the channels and ferry people about the city, piloted and powered by various constructs, as well as a gentle current that constantly rotates clockwise about the city. Foot bridges rise up above the canals to allow people on foot the ability to walk across at their leisure.

Hearth Circle
The Hearth Circle is the largest and outermost circle, home to many of the city's lower and middle class residents. The blue collar workers form the backbone of the populous just like any other city, with the farmers afforded special access to early morning boats that take them back into the city free of charge. Trades workers and artisans make up a large portion of the Hearth Circle's people, with less successful artists and musicians making up a lot of the rest. Most of the businesses here consist of taverns, inns, and suppliers. Grocers set up shop here or close to it to maximize customer base, and smithies dot the area. Brothels of course are also found here since it has the largest amount of people willing to engage with them. The Hearth Circle unfortunately has the most crime in the city as well since it has the highest concentration of poor people, crimes typically aren't terribly violent and is mostly petty theft, although there are a around a hundred murders a year.

Merchant Circle
The Merchant Circle is home to much of the city's business and commerce, with most of the services that cater to the everyday needs and desires. While a wayward adventurer might fight a stray piece of magical equipment here and there, it's nothing terribly interesting or powerful, or if it is its most definitely cursed. The Merchant Circle more typically caters to the every citizen of Gyliad, and as such has much more mundane items available for sale. While an enterprising adventurer might find deeds for property or faithful beast for sale here, much of the area will be of little interest. Housing here is typically rented and not bought outright, houses here are usually owned by more well off merchants or artists. Incredibly successful trade workers might set up a home here, but usually not on the High Side, the section of Merchant Circle that borders on the High Circle.

Notable Locations: Gylian Ales, LORBAHN HAS LUMBER, Devils Never Cry, Raging Manticore, Ulfgar Custom (formerly), Iron Osbourne's College of Valor, Adventurer's Guild

High Circle
Here is where things get interesting for an adventuring party. The High Circle is home to much of the city's artifice and magic. Rare treasures can be found and purchased here, or insitutions of higher learning can be attended. The resources available in the High Circle are staggering to those that know where to find them. Those who live here are extremely successful trade workers, wealthy merchants, spellcasters in service to nobility, and of course, the nobility themselves. This is also the last place in the city where non-government officials can live, as the Holy and Grand Circles are for special residents. The luxury is reflected in the architecture as well, the buildings aren't crammed together like in the Hearth Circle, they're spread comfortably apart, often with small gardens between them. The Garden of Ioun, the legendary Justicar Sphinx is located in the High Circle, as is The Pen Is Mightier, home of the Free Realms most powerful magic items and accessories, with multiple entrances to its extra-dimensional shop scattered about Faethal. Westfield Academy is also calls its home here, the large clock tower in the center of its "W" shaped campus a landmark of the city. Numerous wizard colleges dot the circle, and though entry is expanse and exclusive, wizardry is a powerful art that has given many young men and women a huge advantage in society.

Notable Locations: The Pen Is Mightier, Mephisto's Cafe, Westfield Academy, Garden of Ioun, Prim Rose, East Wind Elven Traditional, Yeshen Blades, Teleportation Nexus, First Free Realm Bank, High Hospital.

Holy Circle
The Holy Circle is the location of the Grand Cathedrals, as well as the headquarters for the Ordo Leones paladin battalion. The Grand Council's members are also all housed here, as well as high-ranking religious officials. The Grand Cathedrals are a series of temples constructed to give all who live in the city a place to worship their gods of choice. The gods are grouped into families, with each family given a different temple to be worshipped in. Each of the twenty-seven gods is given a home somewhere, although worshippers of controversial gods such as Skerne or Baal are often harassed by common folk. The Grand Temple Exchange is also here, a place where people can come and pay a great tithe to receive magical restorations, or more interestingly, buy magical items holy in nature.

Notable Locations: Grand Temple Exchange, Ordo Leones headquarters

Grand Circle
The Grand Circle is essentially just the royal palace grounds and location for the various buildings the operate at the highest level of government, like the Grand Court or Grand Treasury.