Elftown

Elftown is a district of Neerhemhind that is heavily steeped in magic. Virtually all magical folk in Neerhemhind reside in the quarter, and each race has carried their particular customs and beliefs with them. Thus, the character and atmosphere of Elftown differs greatly from the rest of the city.

Paradoxically, Elftown developed out of political happenings surrounding the castle and court. Often, the entourages of various nobles would stay in this district, and throughout much of Elothninian history, it was considered a mark of status and prestige to include various magickal and magickally-influenced beings in their groupings. Though this practice has abated during Lilhelndine's reign, the steady stream of nonhuman visitors formed the beginnings of Elftown, and it was not uncommon for elves and gnomes to dissociate from the nobles that initially brought them to Neerhemhind and settle permanently in the area. Additionally, many of the diplomats from foreign nations of strange beings reside here, feeling more comfortable in neighborhoods where humans tend to be in the minority.

Today, Elftown is largely independent of the goings-on in Captfael Castle. It has developed into a substantial and populous district with its own traditions, economy, and style. Elftown has the dual role of providing a culturally recognizable home to various immigrant and displaced groups, such as the red elves, and is also a major tourist attraction for the province of Helletiern. As such, Elftown first functions as a pleasure area for travellers, where humans can see magickal traditions being performed and buy elf-made trinkets. The darker side of the market is well-represented in Elftown as well: word-of-mouth has it that there are brothels full of comely elves and luxurious be-pillowed dens where the finest and strongest variants of pipe-weed are available for illicit consumption.

But Elftown is not all shiny kickshaws and sordid indulgences. Locals of Elftown say that beneath the frippery and bibelots, the residents have developed their own cohesive society with its own customs and traditions. Magic permeates every aspect of their lives, and Elftown is one of the few places in Elothnin where highly-regarded shamans and priests live and work. Thus, virtually any magickal person in Elothnin who wishes to pursue these disciplines is sent either here or Susselfen. Given the highly cohesive and non-human character of Elftown, and the recent intensification of the Border Wars, it seems in some ways ironic that it lies in such proximity to the palace. Although no proof has been found, conspiracy theorists have begun to suspect that the elvish and satyr minstrels who reside there are singing anti-Imperial songs, as the lyrics are typically as opaque to mundayne listeners in the Common Tongue as they are in their original dialects. For this reason, tensions between Elftowners and the rest of Neerhemhind have begun to rise of late.