Cavurous is built within an ancient place of power discovered by the Elves long before even the Three Crises. Deep, expansive caverns coated in purple crystals have a focusing effect on magic, allowing for the flow of vast currents of energy. The caverns have affected the animals that live here as well. Native creatures to Cavurous have outer layers of purple crystal like that of the cavern walls and show magical potential unlike that of their overworld kin. Along with the capacity to create stronger rituals than one could elsewhere, the cavern also allows for the creation of more powerful artifacts. Many of the greatest magical artifacts of the current day came from Cavurous.

The original founders were reclusive, hiding the location of the entrances to the caverns so they could secretly study the effects of the cavern and the beasts which dwell within. Over the centuries, these self-appointed guardians grew into a small settlement in the deep tunnels. Only the few within the Elven kingdom who communicated with the settlement knew its location, and even they only had a rough idea. When the kingdom of Keridwyn expanded, Cavurous was discovered. The elite within the kingdom agreed to keep its location a secret in exchange for the knowledge that had been gathered and the exporting of artifacts. The leaders agreed and created communicators for each of the major cities so that orders could be placed remotely. The agreement proved quite beneficial for Cavurous, which now could send out its artifacts and trade for mundane resources which were difficult for them to gather. The infrastructure improved vastly. However, word always travels with trade and the location became known to the other cities a scant few decades before the closing of Keridwyn’s gates.

With the location discovered, more managed to travel to Cavurous and another discovery was made. The caverns which focus magical energy also have a profound effect on acoustics. The city found a new draw of people, the artistic types. Before the collapse of the alliance, monthly competitions were held to showcase the height of music and theater. It is said that some symphonies are impossible to enjoy outside of the grand cavern of Cavurous.

When the gates of Keridwyn closed, the oversight of trade went with it. Cities were angered by the prices requested by the crafters of Cavurous. Some city leaders of Cavurous restricted the export of dangerous artifacts for fear of what the other cities would do with them. Communicators were stolen. Guides were killed in skirmishes with other cities, leading to more casualties to the beasts who live within the caverns. Before long, Cavurous found itself with few allies and many enemies.

Even during the dangerous time, or perhaps because of it, the artistic community is still strong in Cavurous. Music can be heard through the halls of the city every day. A council of elders who claim heritage from the early founders of the settlement make major decisions for the city. Their judgment is law. Although they prefer to let citizens manage their own affairs, they are harsh on those who require their attention. The greatest problem the council addresses on a regular basis is the issue of smuggling the city constantly faces. The vast majority of the population remain Elven, though all species are represented in some small amount.

Anatolious loves to burn. Small tongues of fire lick across the coal of his body. Even among Fire Materia, he is an exceptionally strong caster of fire magic. Born under the peaceful branches of the World Tree, Anatolious didn’t quite fit in. His talent for destructive spellcasting had limited use in the peaceful city, and his ability outside elemental magic was dismal. He grew up feeling like the only one without a purpose. In his adolescence, a careless mistake with his magic caused an accident where several houses burned down and one of the World Tree’s limbs was scarred with flame. The community discussed for several weeks before deciding that Anatolious should leave.

With each step further from the roots of the World Tree, his feeble peace wilted, replaced by resentment. His travels took him to Cavurous, where he finally found his use as a member of the Cavurous guard force. He was popular in the eyes of the guard. The dangerous creatures which prowled the tunnels outside Cavurous burned to a crisp at his gesture.

Things were not perfect, however. The captains of the guard quickly observed that Anatolious has a temper as hot as his spells, and his anger is quick to flare. Insubordination and personal conflicts arose frequently, and the captains constantly struggled to keep him in line. These were issues that would often get a guard dismissed, but Anatolious was too valuable. Instead, the captains promoted him to command over the sentries that protect the entrance and local trade routes where his temper is easily directed toward criminals, monsters, and opposing armies.

Long before Keridwyn, there was a malicious Elven ritualist with dark ambition. His name and memory were lost to history outside the mind of Gilsew. Among his dark schemes were his five Shade servants, whom he used to assassinate and instill fear as he pulled strings in the shadows. Their souls he bound to five daggers carved from ancient bone, which he used to compel them into his service. One of these Shade servants was Gilsew. Her old master is long dead, along with his schemes, but Gilsew is still around.

After the dark mage was killed, the blades were hunted down and destroyed, all but one. When Gilsew died, her soul was unable to move on, tied to the Material Realm by the blade which compelled her in life. Her soul lingered, haunting the tunnels in and around Cavurous. The inhabitants of Cavurous were harassed by her spirit. Using too much necrotic magic at a time would attract her, sapping the castors of their energy.

After Keridwyn discovered and assimilated Cavurous, a priest was sent to commune with the agitated ghost of Gilsew. Through powerful faith and magic, the priest was able to help Gilsew sort her memories and emotions, but she did not move on, could not move on until her dagger is destroyed. No one knows where it is, though the few who know of its existence assume it to be within the vast network of tunnels outside Cavurous.

Since then, Gilsew has spent time among the people of Cavurous. She masks her identity with various faces, allowing most within Cavurous to assume that her soul has moved on after the priest’s assistance. She has learned many secrets of the city and leverages them to motivate the people to action. Although her power diminishes outside of the deep tunnels, she defends Cavurous in battle. She now replenishes her allies magic rather than draining it.