Introduction

Welcome to the City of Alchemists, Nova Lucis!  The city exists in the world of Osova, homeland of the wickerbeasts, fera and humans.  Nova Lucis was built nearly 2000 years ago on the ruined foundations of a human settlement.  Many of these old structures can be seen serving as the basal forms of more modern buildings.  Think of modern day Greece where the ancient melds together with today, though Nova Lucis resembles more of a post renaisaance city in terms of style of buildings and building sizes (Venice or Barcelona).  The city is subeterranean, built in the crater base of a dead volcano after a catastrophic earthquake and ensuing explosion destoryed the human settlement.  Coastal standard and swamp wickerbeasts in the area decades later took refuge in the surround volcanic caves during times of war with nearby humans and evetually settled into what is now Nova Lucis.  The city is inabited mostly by standard and swamp wickers, though a few fera live here as well.  Humans are strictly forbidden from entering the city.

 A view of Nova Lucis' outskirts (image is actually the Son Doong cave in Vietnam)

Not only is Nova Lucis known as the City of Alchemists, it has also been called the City of Craftsmen.  Blacksmiths, artisans, sculptors, and other crafters call this place home, and wares created in the city are known throughout all of Osova.  It is a haven for merchants, buying and selling the wares of the craftsmen to other villages and cities across the continent.  Overall, the city is prosperous and has very little conflict within its walls.

The Landscape of Nova Lucis

Being inside a volcano, there is a large opening high above the city which allows light to filter into the crater and surrounding ridges and cleared fields.  Fera farms are located in the outskirts of the city and the nutrient rich soil yields good crops.  There is some forestry within the crater, but much of it has been landscaped to suit the needs of the city.  Some wickers have even gone so far as to build on the outcroppings high above the city.  A few alchemy ateliers are located in what's called Ridgewall Nova. The volcano is long since dead, but the expeled magma created a series of intertwining caves that are rich in mineral deposits and quartz crystals.  These caves also lead out of the city and into the surrounding forests.

The Council of Elders & City Milita

Nova Lucis is governed by a Council of Elders, who are elected to their position.  There are six seats on the council, though not every seat has to be filled to have meetings.  No fewer than three council memebers must be elected in order to maintain city functions however.  Again, the city's goverment functions much like ancient Greece once did, as it's a democracy.  All wickers have voting rights, wicker hybrids have partial rights with a few restrictions and fera are only allowed to vote in non-major descisions like for ordiances and new taxes for buildings and the like.  Underneath the Council of Elders is the Taisech, or Chieftan.  The Taisech is always elected by the Council.

List of Current Council of Elders Members:

• Hayn Kriemhild (female, Master Machinst)
• Do Weiland (male, Master Blacksmith)
• Tri Mokosh (female, Head of the Merchant Guild)
• Katheir Mithra (male, Master Sculptor)
• Cuig Arnica (female, Head of the Artisan's Guild)
• Shay Moongazer (male, Master Alchemist)

The titles given to the Elders are merely a formality; they are only ever used during meetings and trials.  Elders have a lot of presence in the city and many are involved in what makes the city so unique.

Nova Lucis has the natural walls of the volcanic rock surrounding it, but a secondary wall was built after the Moonlight Massacre and ensuing war to further protect its citizens.  Nova Lucis was neutral throughout the war, but still moblized a military in case the war ever came to their front door.  The military has remained ever since.  There are three units that make up the core of Nova Lucis' milita.  The first is the Garrison, which guards the outer wall and surrounding territory outside of the city and caves.  Secondly, there's the City Guard, a basic police force designed to keep the peace and act as bodyguards as needed.  Lastly, is the Elites, a small unit that guards the Council and the Taisech.  Elites are trained for years and are trained to respond to any situation, should it arise.

 Wickerbeasts, Osova & all associated lore are the creation of Simone White.  Used with permission.