Ardis

Ardis is the oldest city in Yondar. Originally inhabited by the god for which the city takes its name, Ardis is a city of three levels, so-named Upper Ardis, Middle Ardis, and Lower Ardis. The city is built on both sides of the mighty Yon River and is connected at all levels by three massive bascule bridges (though there is rarely a need for Upper Ardis to make way for ships). Ardis is a city originally home to the high elves, and was ruled initially by the sorcerer-lords of the Noble Houses of Upper Ardis. They convene in the Senatorium, although after 505 YSK the Senatorium expanded to have representation for more than just the noble families and deal with matters larger than just Ardis. As such, more matters of Ardis itself have fallen to the Majistrate, which was formerly a position that secured trade and city security.

Above Ardis floats the magical Vertex Arena, where casters duel for honor and prize money, even at the risk of death. Upper Ardis contains the noble houses, an airship yard, splendid shops, the tower of the Majistrate, the Diamondhold - an impenetrable prison, and the Ardis Museum of Arcane History. Middle Ardis contains the temple district, multiple parks, a graveyard, the Silver Monestary of the Order of the Yellow Dragon, and the Eleemasynary Fellowship of Bardic Arts. Lower Ardis contains most of the populace of the city, several docks for ships coming through the city, and modest shops. Much of Lower Ardis has been reclaimed by the river.