Silvermoon

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Silvermoon is a metropolis between the Evermoor and the Nether mountains in Northwest Faerun. It used to be the capital of the now-fallen Netherian Elven Empire.

The city itself is a place where knowledge and magic are held to the highest regard. Since its founding in 637 DR, it has held as a bastion of lore and ancient magics, which are held within the several grand libraries spread across the city. Otherwise the city is spread out over a fairly large area, and divided both by nature with the Raven River as well as by the elf-made inner wall. Though the people within the inner wall mostly live in higher standards than those in the outer ring, the average person within Silvermoon can have a fairly high standard of living than those in other cities. This fact makes Silvermoon an attractive place to live, and as such immigration has to be strictly regulated.

Throughout the ages, the city has undergone great changes in population. While at first the city consisted of only elves, as its influence grew, dwarves and humans started to move into the city in small numbers. A few decades after the conquests of Valator IV the human population (and subsequent half elves) within the city started to greatly increase.

History
Some time before 637 DR a village of an unknown name is founded along the Raven by a group of migrating elves. After years of slow growth, the first wall (which would become the basis for the inner wall) is built and the name Silvermoon is adopted, signifying the true start of the city. At this time, the city is inhabited only by elves.

Several more elven city states emerge within the region of northwest Faerun, and in the following centuries many city states in the region ally themselves with each other, creating a large but loose empire of elves called Netherin. Silvermoon was at this time the largest city state within this empire, and also the de facto capital of the Netherin. The empire, and Silvermoon among it, grew in prosperity and power over the next few centuries, until the first orc invasion of around 1360. During this invasion an army of orcs was able to penetrate the walls of Silvermoon. This event was later called the Orcish Wound. Through fierce street to street fighting and the magnificent strategic mind of general Alustriel Silverhand this force was eventually ousted from the city, and the walls were rebuilt. The great orcish invasion was repelled in the end, but it proved to be a major drain in resources for all of Netherin, causing a significant slump in the Netherian economy and welfare of its people.

Following the orc invasion, the elven empire was sent into a slow but steady decline where the several alliances among the city states weakened. Around 1480 DR, the Human Imperator Valator IV and his army took advantage of the declining situation of the Netherin and conquered many of these weakened city states, and then sacked a great number of them. Since Silvermoon was located quite far northeast within the region, it had more time than most cities to prepare its defences, which were already great. The city itself was also quite defensible, since it was located in between the tough-going Evermoor, the steep Nether Mountains and the thick High Forest. Only the plains to the city’s north lends itself to an attack, and even from there one has to attack across the Menzis river. As this city slowly became the last true bastion of free elves from Valator in the region, many notable people moved from their home cities to Silvermoon, which actually contributed to somewhat of a renaissance of science, magic and culture within Silvermoon in an otherwise dark age.

The armies of Valator IV arrived in the Silvermoon region in 1490 DR. First they staged a siege of the city, but it soon became apparent that Silvermoon had long stocked up on supplies. In a battle that the Valatorian army was unprepared for, the Silvermooners chased the humans back across the Menzis in the spring of 1492 DR. Having no other viable choices, Valator IV eventually dared a second crossing of the river, and then died in the ensuing battle. Thus, Silvermoon remained an independent city state, and is still independent in 1770 DR. Still, it has firm ties with the Lord’s Alliance that governs most of the region west of the city.

After Valators conquest had ended and many Humans had settled themselves in Northwest Faerun, Silvermoon also became an attractive spot for these newcomers to live. As such, a population explosion began and Silvermoon grew quickly.

Politics
The politics of Silvermoon can be divided into two different branches. These are called the Representatives and the Olden Oligarchs. The Representative branch is a collective of elected positions, among which is the official leader of Silvermoon, the lead representative. This role lasts for 10 years each cycle and is as mentioned before an elected position chosen by all official citizens within the city. Because of this, the lead representative role has been fulfilled by not only elves, but also humans, half elves and even some dwarves. A notable lead representative is Darhad of Phloxeviresq, who was a dragonborn. The other representatives of Silvermoon have limited influence over different aspects of the city. This representative branch came to be around 876 DR after the elves of Silvermoon demanded more representation.

The other branch is, as the name implies, an oligarchy. This oligarchy consists of several well off families within the inner city, including the Demesis family. The two branches of Silvermoon politics make the laws and regulations of the city in tandem with each other. If the representative branch writes up legislation it has to be checked by the old oligarchy, and so it also goes the other way. While this system has many times caused conflict between the well off families and regular folks of Silvermoon, the system has often been tweaked enough and enough concessions have been made by both sides that it is still how the city is ruled to this day.

Culture
Since Silvermoon has a mixed cultural population, many different cultural traits could be found in the city. There is a stark divide between the inner elven city and the outer human district. The elves live in a comparable paradise forest, while most humans toil and labor in their outer ring and the outlaying city sprawls.

Festivals
Like many other cities with a human culture, Festivals were a cornerstone of Silvermoonian cultural expression.

Raven's Blessing
Main article: Raven's Blessing

On the 7th, 8th, and 9th of the winter month Becember, the Festival of Raven's Blessing was celebrated by the Silvermoonians. The Festival started in the evening of the 7th with a huge egalitarian banquet in the inner ring of the city. The festival also hosted markets, spectacular performances, religious ceremonies, and games. The festival was celebrated by all layers of Silvermoonian society.

Locations
Within and around Silvermoon are several notable sights. These include:

The inner and outer walls

The walls of Silvermoon are, due to the craftsmanship of elves, humans and dwarves both very strong and very ornate in detail. Carved into the sides of some parts of the wall are several depictions of different historical events to do with the city. Other parts of the wall have carved in them beautiful designs of varying styles.

Folucan College

The Folucan college was founded in 1128, and was initially only a bards college. In 1521 the college also branched out to teaching wizardry, which it is still doing to this day. The campus itself is quite large and is located on the outskirts of the city.