Asini is the capital city, where the king and his nobles reside. It contains The Academy of the Royal Guard, which teaches a style of high defense and flexibility. It is also known as "The trading capital of Via," for the merchants who are drawn to the safety and numbers of wealthy elite the capital is known for.
The city of Aveliel is named after Aveliel the Brave, the first hero of Via, who founded it on his quest to destroy the evil wizard. It's located on the island of Caspyrius, and has become a major trading outpost for those who want to trade with Dwarves and Orcs. It also contains The Academy of the Aveliel School of Swordfighting, which is a style built to take down enemies quickly and with no regard for one's own protection. It is located on the island of Caspyrius.
Deeplake was named for the lake it borders. It contains a single castle, rumored to be inhabited by a vampire. The townspeople live in fear of this creature, and are sometimes spurred to act on this fear due to a local disappearance or crop misfortunes.
Elmfair is a small village that has the misfortune of being on the opposite side of the continent from the Holy City of Romennor. It's peaceful and quiet, but also small, with no church. There is a single tavern and inn which can sleep up to twelve guests, and a small center of trade in the middle of town. It has some exotic goods, being so close to the port city to the east. Most of their commerce comes from the sale of livestock and grain, and some travelers pass through on their way to the ports.
Depending on who you ask, Eriden is either a small city or a large town. Set between a small range of mountains to the northeast of the continent, it is accessible only through a mountain pass barely wide enough for small wagons to squeeze through. The mountains are what keep the city shielded from the elements, griffins and rocs, giant carnivorous birds which inhabit the mountain range and plains surrounding the area.
Eriden was settled in the year 1038 by Milio, famously known as the first bard of Via and the man who established the bardic arts and customs. He was looking for an out-of-the-way spot where he could store his writings, write new songs and train new bards without disturbance from those seeking his songs and stories. He established a school in 1041, and a library in 1045, which is still being filled to this day with histories and songs of Via.
The only people who visit Eriden are those who seek bardic knowledge for themselves. Most of the revenue in the city comes from the school itself, as the valley is only just big enough to provide its population with its daily needs.
Though people who choose to pursue the bardic path are known for being gentle, kind and polite, the people of the valley have established their own style of defense. For the rare moments when the library is raided for archaic knowledge, or a roc somehow gets into the valley, the people are prepared, and have managed to defend themselves without casualties. Children are taught from an early age not to stray far from sight. Their tendency to cluster together for defense has earned the residents the nickname of "Eriden's Sheep". However, none would deny the effectiveness of this tactic.
Any attempting to find Eriden without a guide who knew the entrance to the pass would find it difficult, as the pass is unmarked, and only looks like a pass once one steps into it. Though there have been several offers to widen the pass to increase traffic, the people prefer their privacy. It is not that they dislike visitors; they simply value the peace and quiet they find in the valley.
Escor is the main continent of Via.
Romennor is the Holy City, where the main Church operates. Offshore from Romennor is the Religious Seminary, where student who wish to be priests are schooled. They attend for seven years before going on their apprenticeship to an existing church.
Shadowdale is the largest city in the Thorwilde region, and the only one with a church. Though it once contained several castles, all but one were destroyed, and the last one standing is shrouded in mist. Aciarren resides in Shadowdale.
Starryfield is a small farming town toward the western part of the continent.
Zicerbur is a small village near the western side of the main continent. It has a resident dragon named Spaierel. This dragon speaks Common, and taught the hero Father Valstan to speak Drakish. This led to peace between Dragons and Humans.
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