Ambriel

Ambriel is a city located in the continent of Ilvyss.

Overview
Ambriel is the oldest of the Freeholds, carved into the Wilds by an intrepid group of elves and aasimar before any other permanent settlements existed on the continent. Between the elves’ long-lived physiology and the power afforded aasimar by their otherworldly nature, they’ve kept a wide portion of the valley between the Spines and the Resden Forest clear and completely safe for hundreds of years. At this point, it’s a little more likely that the beasts and brigands of the wilds simply don’t tread in the Ambriel Valley out of habit than any real and present danger to them, although rumors do persist about powerful wards set into the earth itself surrounding Ambriel that act as powerful wards against evil and ill intent.

Perhaps as a result, the crime rate in Ambriel is almost frighteningly low. This is conducive to the public works programs that Ambriel is known for, including optional public education in magic and a home for orphans of all races that have nowhere else to go. While it may seem a bit cruel to ship orphans off to a strange city, it is common practice in the Freeholds to do so, as the home there offers some of the best education and opportunities for its wards possible. The only real downside to Ambriel’s publically altruistic nature is the fact that it’s caused some of its residents to act pious and holier-than-thou towards strangers, who they typically view as unenlightened about how to treat their fellow man.

The economy in Ambriel is largely based around the production of luxury goods—everyone knows elven-made is typically synonymous with long-lasting quality, and they’re willing to pay top dollar for it. Clothes, shoes, even the occasional piece of furniture, all are exported from Ambriel by their craftsmen’s guild, all at exorbitant prices. In particular the elves among the craftsman can take years to make a single piece, so trade in the town is at a trickle, and oftentimes things are bought before they’re even finished, so if one is looking for something other than the necessities, they may be hard pressed to find something immediately available in Ambriel unless they’re willing to gamble by purchasing something made by a craftsman’s apprentice.

Ambriel is the only one of the cities in the Freehold that is actually unilaterally ruled by someone of noble birth, though their title remains Duke or Duchess, rather than king, and they are democratically elected for a life term when the previous ruler steps down or dies. Each Duke or Duchess of Ambriel has their own methods of ruling, but the current Duchess is quite fond of relying on divination and the interpretation of portents to help her with her decisions.