Avarice is the largest and most heavily populated city in Veargreum and is located in the center of the Opal Sea. The Opal Sea's tranquil waters defy tempestuous weather, while the lush green landscape and picturesque beaches captivate all who visit. The city boasts a solar-punk vibe, blending renewable energy sources and artificer technology with nature. Avarice's opulent art nouveau architecture, adorned with gold, tan, and brown hues, blends seamlessly with nature. Each building is unique to its craft however all the structures have a somewhat uncanny perfection even with the natural aesthetic.
Notable locations in the city include "The Golden Arch" a blacksmith shop owned by Breta, a retired adventurer, "Titan" inflating sky beetle rides, and the "The Oneticle Pub". Avarice encompasses an outer wall area and an inner wall area, with the latter housing the Founding Families, a prestigious Wizardry College, and the main Tealith temple. The Tealith religion holds prominence in Avarice, centering around the worship of Nexum, the god of magic. The city's grand temple serves as a sacred space for devotees, located within the inner walls. The College campus features sleek buildings adorned with intricate glyphs and magical shielding protecting its students from unauthorized individuals as well as those outside from wayward spells. The upper campus, with its expertly crafted woodwork and orbs of multicolored lights dancing along the walls in place of traditional torches, provides a haven for the most accomplished arcane masters from across Veargreum. The lower campus, located inside a stalactite overlooking the cavern beneath Avarice, offers similar qualities and appearance. From select windows in the lower campus, one can even catch a glimpse of "The Well," the central feature of the underground city known as the Capital Caverns located under Avarice.
A complex relationship exists between Avarice and the underground city of the Capital Caverns, established as a secondary city after Avarice's founding. Avarice benefits from the supply of exodus ore, a non-renewable resource mined from The Well, which fuels its magic and luxurious lifestyle. In contrast, the Capital Caverns receive little in return, creating tension and occasional violent conflicts between the two cities. The Capital Caverns aspires to gain independence from Avarice, striving for a fairer exchange of resources. However, due to Avarice’s influence, it may be difficult for those aspirations to happen.
Avarice's historical background reveals its significance in the formation and organization of Veargreum. Wallsons, Meadows, and Littlefoots, the Founding Families, played vital roles in the city's development. The Wallsons facilitated industrialization and established supply chains, while the Littlefoots focused on farming and food trading networks. Lastly, the Meadows were responsible for the military and secret intelligence aspects of Veargreum. The three families though powerful are not the leading government figures in Avarice or Veargreum, instead, they act as prominent families with some sway in the decisions of Avarice.
Avarice's governance is overseen by two leaders, a human named Beauford Petalgrass and a warforged named Miri. The two also hold seats in the House of Nine, the ruling body of Veargreum. Miri, a warforged known for her logical and strategic assessments, was specifically created to assist with political decision-making in Avarice. However, questions persist about her impartiality, as some suspect her purpose is to aid the wealthy rather than the common populace. This suspicion has greatly increased since Avarice took two seats in the House of Nine when all other regions in Veargreum each only have one representative seat.
Avarice owes much of its prosperity and luxuries to the intricate infrastructure crafted by the Wallson family. Their logo adorns most buildings and everyday appliances, testament to their instrumental role in industrializing Veargreum and establishing efficient supply chains that connect cities across the country. Such progress has also brought about a wave of consumerism and greed. Only the wealthiest families reside in Avarice protected by the Golden Guard and the natural protection island life offers they have very little to fear.
The Golden Guard, distinguished by their gold and red uniforms, serve as the city's protectors as well as their healers. Every group of patrolling guards has one cleric noted by their white and gold outfits. Due to this security, injury and even death holds a different meaning within Avarice. The city's guards are equipped with diamonds in order to perform resurrection spells on citizens who meet an untimely demise. Death has become a topic of intrigue, gossip, and temporary departure from the mortal coil, rather than an eternal fear. This makes the citizens rather curious about chaotic events outside of their usual. Rather than running, many tend to be onlookers trusting that they’ll be saved even after death.
Immersed in its captivating surroundings, Avarice thrives as a city of unique allure, commanding power, and diverse experiences for those who can afford to live there. From its stunning architecture to the interplay of renewable energy and magic, every aspect of this vibrant city beckons visitors to explore and uncover its many wonders.
