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Ah, Silverymoon! My favorite Faerunian city.
Dieu is giving too much credit to elves here though. The city is human run and humans dominate and always have, although Elves have lived there in high numbers for a very long time. Generally, Elven culture is respected and looked highly upon though, that much is true.
Before I go on, I need to correct some of your facts.
The ruler of Silverymoon is no longer High Lady Alustriel (who is known as Lady Hope in the city). The leader of the city is now High Mage Taern "Thunderspell" Hornblade. Alustriel put him in power when she stepped down to focus on building up the Silver Marches as a whole in 1369 DR. The seat of power in the city is called the "High Mage." Alustriel is now known as the High Lady of the Silver Marches (also known as "Speaker"). Even though she stepped down, she still has the love and loyalty of the the majority of Silvaeren (citizens of Silverymoon).
There is no chief deity of Silverymoon. Mystras places of worship aren't even considered among the grandest in the city, in fact. Although, one could make the argument that the schools of magic are "temples" and they are among the best on Faerun, if not thee best. Here are the more popular faiths in the city: Helm, Lathander, Lurue, Mielikki, Milil, Mystra, Oghma, Selune, Silvanus, Sune, Tymora and the dwarven and elven gods.
The Architecture doesn't rival Myth Drannor, actually. The general spirit of the city however does. This is why the powerful mages throughout the cities history have tried to make Silverymoon "the Myth Drannor of the North."
With that out of the way, here are a few facts about the city and it's people:
Regarding faith: It's believed that Mielikki and Lurue blessed the stone used for the city walls and therefore protect the city from harm. People do believe many other Gods also guard and bless the city though.
There are many places of worship in Silverymoon. The Halls of Inspiration is a temple to Oghma and Milil. The House Invincible is a temple to Helm. Mielikkis Glade is an open-air glade to Mielikki. The Rhyester's Matins is a temple to Lathander. The Temple of Silver Stars is a temple to Selune. Silverglen is a large and wild-looking grove to Silvanus, though it was actually planted, it didn't grow there as a wild place. There are also temples to Mystra, Tymora and other gods.
Cleric and Druids are both highly valued in the city as wise people. There are multiple sacred groves and glades within the city that have been left to stand as the city grew. Many of them are places of worship to the Gods of nature, like Mielikki, Silvanus and Shiallia.
Cyrics faith is the only faith that is actually outlawed, even though people of evil faiths don't make that known because the city is very much so over run by goodly people.
The city: Silverymoon is protected, officially, by at least four branches of military/guard: Knights in Silver, which is the cities army; the Spellguard; the Argent Legion; and The High Guard. The Knights in Silver are led by Commander Sernius Alathar, the Spellguard is led by Jorus Azuremantl, and the Argent Legion is led by High Marshal Methrammar Aerasume.
The modern city was brought to life by Lady Hope. The city is still a member of the Lords Alliance. The place looks more like a series of connected glades, woodlands and gardens than what you think when you think "city." Old tall trees cover the skies of the city, alongside it's large stone towers. There are signs on the stone floors at every intersection that point North, so people don't get lost.
Thanks to the plant life and a well built sophisticated draining and water source system, the city doesn't stink as bad as the other large cities. The draining and water source system is dwarf built. The stone towers are beautiful and are often considered the most beautiful on Faerun. The plant life make it easy to get lost, like one is in a forest.
The Conclave is the recently formed university system that combines schools for magic, music and learning. Arkhen's Invocatorium is the school of sorcery. Everdusk Hall is actually a temple to Elven Gods, but it's upper floors have rooms to study genealogy, poetry, records and philosophy, all of Elven origin of course. The House of the Harp is a school for bards, musicians, orators and minstrels. The Lady's College is a school for wizards and the heart of the Conclave. The Map House is a place where maps, genealogy and records are kept for all to view at a fee. Utrumm's Music Conservatory houses written music, song scrolls and practice chambers. Some teaching happens here as well. The Vault of the Sages is home to a library and many sages who's combined knowledge rivals Candlekeep's written lore.
As well, the cities combined libraries rival Candlekeep in written lore. So, with it's libraries and sages, Silverymoon truly is a city of knowledge that could give Candlekeep a run for its money.
The people: Silverymoon is the cultural and academic center of the North, by far. Knowledge is highly valued in the city by the people. Because of this, most people are well informed in at least one area of expertise.
Witty sayings, comedy, lore, music, reading, poems and romantic fiction are all very popular. Revels, private dances and feasts are held very often and are attended by most people. Shops open and close with the seasons, because of changing interests. Common themes as interests change include knowledge, music and beauty.
Silverymoon really is the city of cooperation. All races live among each other: human, elf, half-elf, dwarf, hin, gnome and others. In fact, where humans might have homes at the base of a tree, elves might live above and dwarves below.
Humans, Elves, Dwarves and Half-Elves are the people with biggest populations in the city. People hardly segregate by race in the city though, as I said.
The goodly nature of the city is due to the influence of the local powerful mages and the harpers.
City magic: The older Northern area (Northbank) is connected to the newer Southern area (Southbank) by the "Moonbridge," which is magical in nature and appears as a silvery force. It can be activated and deactivated as needed to protect the city or allow for passing ships. It's generally believed to be more beautiful than the city towers. It was created by the mages Elue and Lynx. Elue was a former High Mage of Silverymoon and actually was Alustriel in disguise, but no one knows that (which means your character doesn't know that!). Lynx was the sister of Amaara Nharimlur, who was High Mage starting in 784 DR.
The city is protected by magical wards. The nature of most of these wards are a mystery to most. Harsh weather that occurs in the North doesn't reach the city as harshly because of the magical wards. It's well known that the city is warded by magic and that there is even stronger magic around the palace, which only certain people may even enter. The known details of these wards are few. The city inner wards are know as "Vaelun." The ward system works with a token system of which the details are not well known to the public.
About nobility: There are nobles in the city, but the society in the city is much more free than many other cities. Nobles don't rule over the common people here. Not anymore, anyway.
_________________ My Characters: Yuilith Kethil Menaiivan Garadeth
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