Invenas, The Heartwood, Sloane

In the northwest corner of The Heartwood, nestled between the Shattered Range and the Tempest’s Gauntlet sits the segmented Elven city of Invenas. Settled in the early days of recorded history, this city started as a religious site settled by six clans of Elves. They were the Boer clan, the Haell clan, the Rhuidhen clan, the Calauth clan, the Talandren clan, and the Maeir clan. The site sat next to the Yuir River and eventually became a trade outpost for those traveling north toward Balazaar. Over the millennia, the outpost grew into a walled city with six distinct wards that coincided with past cataclysms. The wards are named The Gilded Ward, The Crest Ward, The Vice Ward, The Merchant Ward, The Military Ward, and The Artisan’s Ward, and were built in that order.

The city’s culture includes family, community, hospitality, and industry. With a heavy Elven population, there is a strong sense of history and achievement. Each ward has a unique history, style of architecture, and purpose within the city. The Gilded Ward serves as the administrative heart of the city as well as its religious center and harkens back to classic Elven architecture. The Crest Ward is a financial and educational center set within a more Gothic style. The Vice Ward is the city’s playground with many different styles of design from varying cultures, and one of three wards for trades. The Merchant Ward is the trading hub of the city with its many open-air markets and is a destination for many local and national traders. The Military Ward is the home of the city’s guards and army, known as the Blessed Legion, in a brutalist fortress-like district. The Artisan’s Ward is the city’s arts district, constructed to mimic the crafters, performers, and dreamers that call it home. 

The city is governed by the Founder’s Council, consisting of six representatives: one from each ward. Within each ward are elected councils that help to keep things running smoothly and elect a council member. These elections run on a six-year cycle and are determined by the populace. When the Founder’s Council is gridlocked on a decision of importance, a lottery is drawn, and a single member of the population is selected to weigh in on the situation at hand. This person is known as The Voice of the Populace. At times, this person can be the deciding vote or their assessment can sway the council into changing their position to break the tie. Throughout the city’s history, the Voice of the Populace has only been used a handful of times, the last time being the tipping point for the Web of Fates takeover of the city.

Invenas is known for its wealth of knowledge in a variety of subjects as well as its robust trading infrastructure. Whether traveling North toward Balazaar or South into the Heartwood, the city is the major stopping point on any pilgrim or trader’s journey. If they seek higher education, the Keality Academy of the Arcane or Otraketh Boarding School reside in the city. Armed escorts on their travels can be found through the Blessed Legion. Appetites for gambling, fighting and that of the flesh can be found in The Golden Heart, Heroes Hand, and Fools Frolic. Trade can be found in Inziri Square, Ethillon Market, and Alea Plaza. Any manner of specialty wares can be commissioned at Everbright Forge, Verdant Visions, and Elysium’s Embrace. For those who are on a religious pilgrimage, many temples reside within the walls of the city. However, three major temples are the focal point of worship. 

The Great Oak is the dominant deity within the confines of Invenas with several others occupying space, including The Philosopher, The Moonweaver, Lady Steelheart, and The Hunter. Followers of The Great Oak see priests and Druids as two paths to the same place. They are structured nearly the same as a grove of Druids. Outside of major rituals or holidays, the temple is open day and night. The priests or Shepherds give guidance as needed but don’t proselytize. “Many hear the call on their own” is a common phrase heard among the Shepherds. Followers of both The Philosopher and The Moonweaver worship in tandem. Both of their doctrines follow the passage of time, from life to death. Both focus on the accumulation and dissemination of knowledge. One focuses on the setting sun while the other watches the rising moons. Sages, philosophers, historians, and librarians are within their ranks. Lady Steelheart is followed almost exclusively by those in the Blessed Legion. Her priests are within ranks at most levels, including those with authority. The Hunter is followed by those who live on the outskirts of the city and in the nearby forests. There is no one temple or location as each worshipper has their own personal shrine or a familial one.

With family, community, hospitality, and shared history as the cornerstones of the city, the yearly harvest festival called The Festival of the Ring is an experience unlike any other. Over six days, the city celebrates the harvest and each of its wards. Many different cuisines and games are brought to the forefront and enjoyed by the masses. Each day one ward, starting with The Gilded Ward, holds a remembrance of the heroes of each age and their stories. Performers reenact defining moments in the city’s history and traditional food and drink are prepared specifically for these events. The Festival of the Ring is meant to symbolize the growth of the city and a look back to the tales of old, much like one would look at the rings of a tree to see its growth throughout its life. 

Notable people and places

• Sarya Zumran, F Wood Elf:
  • Elected Founder’s Council member from The Gilded Ward
  • Lauded Archivist and Historian at the Setting Sun Athenaeum, she is the foremost expert on the origins of the city
• Captain Haldir Wynren, M Wood Elf:
  • War Priest of Lady Steelheart and Captain of the Blessed Legion’s City Guard Division
  • A stalwart and dour man, set on keeping the city safe again after the Web of Fate. His whereabouts were kept secret during their reign and a secret guiding hand of the Resistance.
• Dancing Lace (Lace), F Cheetah Tabaxi:
  • Owner and proprietor of the Songweaver Academy
  • A captivating performer and a dedicated mentor, inspiring her students to embrace their unique artistic voices. She has run the performances of the Festival of the Ring for the last six years.
• Nener Thistlecrest, M Lightfoot Halfling:
  • Owner and proprietor of Cart & Quill Cartography
  • An avid explorer, originally from the Heartwood proper, he used his shop during the reign of the Web to help traffic those who were targeted by the cult out of the city and out of harm’s way.
• The Glass Garden
  • The Glass Garden is a botanical oasis where nature and art intertwine to create a breathtaking sensory experience. This public garden showcases an exquisite collection of flora, with an emphasis on plants renowned for their vibrant colors, unique shapes, and intriguing textures. What sets the Glass Garden apart is the incorporation of glass sculptures and structures that blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings.
• The Royal Mind
  • The Royal Mind is one of the oldest buildings in the Gilded Ward and the city at large. Originally the home of the Maeir Clan when the city was first settled, it still retains the façade it had when it was built. The exterior features columns, large bay windows, and a large arching roof. The sign that hangs on the exterior is a large Oak slice with the appearance of a Forest Green and Gold wax seal featuring an oak leaf in the center with the words “The Royal Mind” in intricate script.