Silvar

Cities and Settlements of Ermarian
City of Silvar
Location
Continent Region	Exile Eastern Gallery
Residents
Allegiance Mayor Major Industries	Kingdom of Avernum Augustus Trading, Farming

This article refers to the city in the Eastern Gallery of Exile. For the town in Valorim, see Silvar (Valorim).

Silvar is the largest city in Exile. It is also the oldest city. Its large population, central location, and relatively safe surroundings have made it one of the most vibrant settlements in the caves.

History

Silvar was founded shortly after the Empire began teleporting unwanted citizens down into Exile at Fort Avernum, in 767 IE. Its early years saw much struggle and hardship, struggle both against the nephilim and other hostile creatures of the caves, and struggle to sustain life with the generally inadequate farming possibilities of mushrooms and giant lizards.

When Hawthorne II exiled a number of mages, in particular the Five, things began to change. Civilization was able to spread further from Fort Avernum, and people began to migrate away, to the farms north of Silvar, to western Cotra, and south to Mertis. Silvar became a central trading hub, sitting at the mouth of the Honeycomb, and on the waters leading to Cotra and Almaria. And of course, it continued to put up a proud and welcoming face to the new arrivals in Fort Avernum. The presence of the surrounding cities, and importantly, the construction of Fort Duvno in the north, made Silvar one of the most peaceful areas in all the caves. Under these conditions, it prospered, and grew. Silvar's famous great town square was built during this time.

During First Slith War

The war had little impact on Silvar because of its' distant location from the forefront of the war, and surrounding strategic defences. The city continued to welcome citizens to the Kingdom of Avernum as it had done many years before. One of archmage Erika's stone statues was situated in the town square during the war. Eyewitness reports that among curious citizens, Hawthorne's Assassins were seen interacting with the edification at least once.

During Empire-Avernum War

In 823 IE, the mighty port-city Cotra was destroyed. Silvar was forced to take in most of the refugees, but even after converting a large chunk of the city center into makeshift housing, they were unable to properly accomodate all the new arrivals. The new housing quickly turned into a crowded slum. Naturally, the chaos and the poor conditions attracted a number of bandits to Silvar, but were eventually killed.

Silvar was also forced to keep supplying the frontlines, like Fort Dranlon, to keep the entirety of the Eastern Gallery from succumbing to Empire control. The city guard erected checkpoints to roads leading to Mertis and Cotra, and the army recruited magi from the Tower to maintain a sharp vigil over the surrounding wilderness to catch any Empire raids.

Reconciliation and Retribution

Although these problems were lessened when the war ended, Silvar never quite regained its former glory. When the Surface Portal at the Tower of Magi prompted a large migration in 833 IE, Silvar was one of the main stopover points. And when the Tower of Magi disaster occured that same year, Silvar was, again, the place where many refugees ended up.

In IE 855, Formello and Silvar were afflicted with the Black Shade of Ice as part of the Vahnatai retribution. The creature was eventually destroyed by Shade Killers.

Government

Mayor sat on Council of Avernum.

Mayors

• Jonathan Stellas
• Captain Arlen
• Augustus

Trade and services

Since Silvar has always been situated in a centric location, it is natural that its' major industry has been trading. Countless markets and stores have come and gone in the city's history. Silvar has also been a home to a shipyard. During Empire-Avernum War, most of the vessels went for the avernite army. The shipwright did sell a few fishing boats off the side, however.

The bulk of the imports came directly from Fort Avernum. The Empire graced the exiles with cows, sugar, metal, tools and other useful items, oftentimes in exchange for services rendered. This trade was made possible mostly by the presence of an imperial agent, Thantria.

Imports

• Goods
• Sugar (from surface)
• Metal
• Mushrooms
• Mushroom meal
• Meat
• Cavewood
• Exiles

Exports

• Warships (army of avernite Kingdom)
• Boats
• Citizens

Services

• Inn
• Arms (imported)
• Armor (imported)
• General trade
• Training
• Shipyard
• Central Park