Balaur

The capital city of Qedivar, Balaur is a thriving metropolis, built into five burroughs, each dedicated to the five areas of Qedivar.

Boroughs

Duke's District

The Duke's district is the central area of Balaur, and contains the Regent's Tower, the home of Duke Rosaline leader of Qedivar. Her home is exceptional in that it is a 50 foot diameter tower, 625 feet tall and floating 125 feet in the air, making it the highest structure in Qedivar, almost able to see over the northern mountains, and which reaches close to the top of the protective bubble over Qedivar.

Below the Tower are administrative offices, and below them an underground prison/dungeon. Also in the district are the various homes of the four Marquis and various counts that live in the capitol. (All the Marquis have a second home in their area, but some counts and knights work out of the capitol only, and some never come there.)

Dorftown

The northern section of the city, known for the primary people that live there, and the trade that comes from the Wyrmcaves. As in the other districts, craftsmen gather near the Duke's District where they can easily trade with the other boroughs. Some of the buildings have short stories, but they go both high and deep in engineering marvels, some wondering how they stand, but they always do. Festive flags, lights and streamers flow through the various areas and Dorf culture is clearly on display and celebrated here.

One draw here is Dorf cuisine, consisting of various combinations of preserved meats, sharp cheeses and rich breads. One common type of eatery has a dorf chef take the meats, fry them over an metal stove over a burning fire, chopping them up in a sauce of rich fat and beer, meltinc cheese over the lot and serving up to the patrons who sit communally around the fire.

Thaumboro

This borough of the city leads to the western area of Qedivar where the Tower of Viir school of wizardry lies. As such this neighborhood is known for its magical oddities, knowledge, and alchemical supplies. The most upscale part of the district is Clockwork Garden, a series of homes owned by families of Clockwork Wizards, Automatons created in ancient times who specialize in magical manipulation and many of whom, along with elfs and gnomes teach at the Tower school.

Well traveled here is the Mechalchemist Alley a group of mechanical and electrical expert wizards who create and fix automatons, magical batteries, and potions and elixirs of all sorts.

For those more adventurous, nestled in the very center of the Clockwork Garden is the Flesh Zone a place dedicated to the non-automaton citizens of Qedivar. All varieties of appeals to the senses can be gotten here, including everything from good food to sensual sex. This district was founded by a group of sex workers who appealed to the automaton council and found common ground for their mutual desires to no longer be exploited. Since then, they have benefited one another, and have created a haven of safety for consensual experimentation within the city.

Not to be missed here is elfs/gnomish fusion cooking which creates extravagantly sculptured food and desserts out of cave lichens and other underground creatures imported through Dorftown and considered cultural cuisine of the elfs. While many Qedivarians have no interest in slugs or moss, the desserts should not be missed for their unique flavors and beautiful sweetness.

Meriton

• southern section of Balaur
• home of, primarily, Merlings, halfling size amphibious people (and a few merfolk & sahuagin in the lake)
• Main feature, Lake Aurum a large constructed lake fed by (and flowing out to) the Sabine River, which runs from the northern mountains down to the southern seas
• food: large sea beasts roasted in giant metal drums, anlong with a fried cornbread. People eat it buffet style

Hamstead

• poorest section of town
• home to farmer's markets.
• food is largely vegetarian, stir fried in giant bowls
• Primarily humans.
• Automatons of Thamboro looked on with distrust, while many people have sackcloth stick servants of unknown manufacture
• Hamstead Gate, to the west is the larges, allowing four four carts to come in at once, as the western plains is the primary breadbasket of Qedivar