The Literary Minds of
J. B. Garner
The Collected Maps of Gaia
From The Royal History of Aardsland by Prince Brenton Donovan Aard IV, Canid noble and historian
It’s hard to say which came first, the Walled City or the Great Den of Majestic Aardsland, Bosom of the Great River and Lover of the Orb Sea – colloquially known as Aardsland. The historical record remains vague at best, muddled by the fervent shouts of Aardslandian royalty and Inami faithful alike.
However, what we know for certain is that the Aard family, led by Sebastian Flavious Aard, amassed followers and wealth through might of arms and glibness of tongue during the same period as the City’s rise to prominence.
Wisely seeing the Walled City as an ally instead of a potential enemy, Sebastian promised he would guarantee the sovereignty of the City and help defend it against those who would threaten its independence in exchange for the City’s support. The First High Alpha agreed and, with that legendary figure on his side, Sebastian soon consolidated his growing domain into a proper den.
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Aardsland was born as his council crowned him Great Alpha Sebastian Aard I.
From A Visitor’s Guide to the Walled City by Eve Torrent, Avian tour guide
The Walled City sits on the entire delta of the Great River, a large landmass to begin with, made even larger by the City. The Great River flows around the eastern and westerns sides of the delta and therefore the eastern and western sides of the City.
The First Level of the Walled City is divided into three vast districts. Foundation fills the middle of the Level, separating the other districts with a collection of the most impoverished of the City’s population.
Westwater and Eastriver are both more prosperous. Each is dominated by the various docks and warehouses that exist to provide services and trade along the two sides of the Great River. However, crime and corruption run rampant here.
I would advise travelers through these districts to know where every Guardpost on their path is located.
From A Visitor’s Guide to the Walled City by Eve Torrent, Avian tour guide
The Second Level of the Walled City is perhaps the least common destination for tourists, traders, and thrill seekers, but it’s often visited by those who’ve departed the City and now returned to families left behind.
Even more so than the Third Level, the Second is the largest hub of residential areas in the entire City. Families of all kinds of Folk live and play in the Second while they work all up and down the City. If you wish to see the quiet, idyllic aspects of the Walled City, head to the Second Level to spend the day.
From A Visitor’s Guide to the Walled City by Eve Torrent, Avian tour guide
The Third Level of the Walled City is sometimes called “the forgotten Level” by natives. Unlike the other Levels with their distinct cultural and architectural features, the middle Level has nothing that is easy to point at to make it stand out. And yet, it is in many ways the place where all the disparate elements of the City melt together.
Part of this springs from its central position geographically, of course, making it the point through which the various Levels pass to interact with the others. More than that, however, it’s prized by the City’s most savvy as a tributary of knowledge and culture, as well as a launching point from which any other Level can be reached with minimal time and fuss.
From the journal of Watchdog Vela Redmane, 14 Octavian 736 PR
My experience with the Fourth Level was limited to my regular visits to Myrien’s Gardens, my less-regular visits to Packie’s tower, and the occasional Guard errand to pick up supplies from Packard’s Magic Emporium.
Only slightly less well-to-do than the Fifth Level, the Fourth Level was a maze of high-end businesses, finely built houses, and the City of Temples – home of the majority of the religious centers. Nym’s Cathedral was the second largest of these, only slightly smaller than the Wallmaker’s temple, and it soared over the courtyard that marked the Western Stair landing on the Level.
Despite its size, the Cathedral was surprisingly stark, with an alabaster façade and hard-angled architecture. There were flashes of color in the multitude of stained glass windows, each depicting scenes from the Pure One’s hymns and famous events from the faith’s history. If one paid close attention, the dichotomy of Nym was obvious, as scenes of great joy were intermingled with ones of sacrifice and martyrdom, all for the sake of hope and purity.
From A Visitor’s Guide to the Walled City by Eve Torrent, Avian tour guide
The Fifth Level of the Walled City is the heart of the government and the focal point of the noble houses. The only Level of the City that is fully open to the elements, it’s considered an essential place to visit for any sightseer or first-time arrival to the City.
Of special note are the Alphas’ Quarter, the High Alpha’s Palace in the center court by the Guardtower, the Temple of Inam Wallmaker, the deified first High Alpha of the Walled City, and the Proving Grounds of the Inami Griffon Riders.