Sundown (Past Chronicle [Dates Here])
Sundown Location Guide - by T.A. Saunders ©2012
<Yimir ri Sado (School of Blades)
When the Elvish Quarter was commissioned at the conclusion of the Sundown Civil War, one of the first structures to be placed within the newly added section of the city was the Yimir ri Sado. One of the important aspects of Moon Elvish culture is the intricate and beautiful fighting styles developed from their natural ambidexterity. While boasting to be the only place in the Windsong Republic Blade Dancers can be instructed, other more mundane fighting styles are taught, for those seeking more grace than the brutal tactics of the gladiators at the Coliseum.
The building itself is quite large, with a great dome in the center, with four smaller domes comprising the four points of the compass. Each dome has a sorcerously-reinforced glass roof so participants can practice in all weather conditions. Each of the adjoining, smaller domes are training areas while the center dome is reserved for actual combat. While a place of violence, the interior is decorated with many elaborate fountains and garden arrangements, reminding those who walk within the school of the ancient magnificence of Am-Shei.
The building is a wonder of architecture to behold; it is a round structure, with risen and vaulted walls and tiers to accustic purposes, with a massive golden dome that can be opened and closed with the weather conditions. Seating is comfortable with the tiers fitted with cushions and up-swept armrests. The center, where performances take place, has a risen stage in the middle that can be lowered to mesh with the Kassoa wood floor.
As previously mentioned, performances take place here year round and all are welcome to partake of the Dorna, though as with any performing arts function, those who attend are expected to dress properly and show respect for the performances taking place. Each week a new play is conducted here and each weekend a new music performance is offered, giving a wide range of events to choose from.
Alua ri Zorah (Light of Zorah)
One of the great disservices paid to the Moon Elves of Sundown was the fact that their matron goddess, Zorah was barred from worship within the borders of the city. With a vast majority of Humans in Sundown and most of them claiming Kaal as their patron god, it was almost required that Ko allow at least a temple to the Sun Father to be built. With no desire to have further divine influence in her city, all other religion and worship of Deities and Spirits of Imarel was prohibited.
With the ousting of the vampire regime and the new government, worship of all Spirits and Deities was allowed, providing that worship did not bring danger to the citizenry (such as the Cultists of Khavos had done). With that new freedom came a great calling to build a temple dedicated to Zorah, to match the one built for Kaal. With the commissioning of the Elvish Quarter, the Alua ri Zorah was built with magnificent crystal panes, reinforced with magic so they could be molded and shaped together to form a great, shining spire. Within the spire, Elementalists and Druids worked together to stone-shape a natural terrain that gently ascended the interior of the crystal spire. Wild animals roam freely, amongst a thicket of carefully managed trees and grass.
The Druid who tends the Alua ri Zorah, Misa L`Tayro, is fairly new to the auspicious rank of Hierophant (the Druidic equivalent of a high priest amongst those who follow Zorah) and had taken the position here with great humility, knowing what it meant to her fellow Tallis-Shei who before now, did not have a place of worship they could culturally identify with, until now. As such, she is most dutiful in tending to the exotic spire-grove and is often available for council.
Shei Dorna ri Virys (Elvish Hall of Lore)
In establishing a district of the city that addresses the cultural ties of the Tallis-Shei people, it was unanimously decided that a library of some sort that contained works of art, literature and relics had to be established. Part museum, part library, the Shei Dorna ri Virys has been filled with works and relics that were donated from various personal collections across Imarel. Many of these books and items can be dated back to when Am-Raynia was first constructed and the Kingdom of Shei was the name of the territory now known as the Kingdom of Vyss now stands. Other, older items are thought to have crossed the Forgotten Portal from ancient Am-Shei; these particular items are protected with great zeal by Tallis-Shei honor guards assigned to the Shei Dorna ri Virys.
The building, like many Tallis-Shei structures is domed, with a gold roof and pillars that have sweeping, leaf-like flanges that rise beautifully from the tops of each pillar with flowering vines decorating the length of each. Within the structure, there are four floors plus a basement, where the most valuable and rare items are kept by the honor guards mentioned previously. Each floor is constructed of a rose-colored marble and is dedicated to a certain aspect of Elvish culture. The first floor is dedicated to history and lore, the second art and music, the third is dedicated to customs and culture and the forth is dedicated to weapons, armor and military history.