Aita Iscoinos

INTRODUCTION

High up in the Inner Mountains, carved into a series of caves and natural landfalls, the hidden elvish city of Aita Iscoinos is the last outpost of the Wind Elves in the north of the north. It is a lush, green place, with carpets of moss and growing grass, hidden caves of flowing water, and some of the finest gem-cutting workshops in the land. It grows its own food in the outlying fields, and runs its affairs independently from the King of Thalasson, save for the occasional yearly tribute paid in coin, gems, furs, amber, and fruit from the high Inner Mountain orchards. The Iscoinoroi also have a rare connection to the Silver Road secreted along a hidden path some rods south of the city, deeper into the mountain, which keeps them in contact with the rest of elfdom.

THE HIDDEN CITY

Aita Iscoinos, which means the "City of the Trust," is a secret place. From afar it looks like nothing more than a pinewood with strangely tended parkland and ruinous stone towers and domes protruding through the trees. When one enters the hidden city, however, one finds that it is a network of open-air spaces and old buildings used for meeting, singing, dancing, poetry, and trading. The city itself is entirely located in the mountain, being a series of airy lighted caves through which many pleasant rivers flow. It is defended by a line of Wardstones that march down the approaching road, which, when they are sung into activity, cause the land to be shrouded in mist and any traveler attempting to make their way into Aita Iscoinos in those times of danger will find themselves foiled by the confounding magics.