Castalla

Castalla, the capital city of the Arcadians, is located in a cradle between the Twin Peaks and surrounding mountains.

Castalla (art by next_mars)

It developed from the Early Ages as a temple town at the gate of the famous Zokan’ji, a temple built by the Azure Empress to worship the stars. Since then, wars have been held, territories have been exchanged, and now Castalla is a flourishing city primarily of Arcadians whose heritage is intermingled with the Mani.

The city has about two million inhabitants. It is situated in a mountain valley beneath the Twin Peaks. The only way in and out of Castalla is through the main gate or up over the mountains via ski-lift like apparatuses.

Wyverns live in the nearby mountains, so Castalla is equipped with ballistae and other anti-dragon tech. Castalla's features include:

College of Whispers

The College of Whispers is a tall iron tower full of mages and wizards, and it overlooks the city. It has a library, magic relics, and lots of history and knowledge contained inside. Young and talented magic-users (with the wealth to afford the lengthy application process) study here in prep to become court wizards or council members across Arcadia’s network of nobles. Magic is reserved for the elite few in Arcadia due to past concerns with something called the “aetherplague”.

The Stone Wall

Castalla is surrounded by an impressive thick stone wall that has stood since the ancient days when the Azure Empire attempted to colonize Arcadia. It stands about a hundred feet tall, and spans the entire width of the valley that leads into Castalla -- thus making it impossible to march an army into the city.

The Royal Military Academy

Arcadia’s main military academies are located in Castalla. They mostly train militia. In times of war, the academies are emptied and trained men + women are sent to fight. Levees are raised from Arcadia’s towns and brought to the now-empty academies to train for three and six month periods, before being sent as reinforcements to war.

An'mani Avenue

Castalla has a place called “An’mani Avenue” that is full of Mani people, foods, and businesses. It is where the original temple of Zokan’ji can be found.

Lake Alexandria

This frozen lake in Castalla is named for a long-gone monarch who was rather self-centered. It serves as a place for ice skating, sightseeing, and a place for the city's many children to play in the park beside the lake's edge. In the center of the lake is a small island that has a shrine dedicated to ancient Arcadian legends about the protective bear spirit whose visage is present on the Arcadian flag.