Mistforge is the most advanced industrialized city in Aethos (the larger world). They are known worldwide as the largest producers of magisteam technology, using water-based magical cores to power steam-powered automatons and vehicles. Most of the magical cores are bits of fossilized bits of the original World Tree, which seeded the earth with all life and magic. The tree has since decayed a formed into the Khuzdul-Ardaoiva Mountain Range (World Lifeblood Mountains) where remnants are mined from the fossilized rock. Mining operations are controlled by Dwarven Nobility.

The Great Industrialized City of Mistforge

Most of the city is open to interpretation as stories come in. I will start gathering a list of places and arrange them accordingly. There may be times when places overlap with other stories. In such cases, one name will be chosen and shared for continuity. 

Central Keep

The Central Keep is the headquarters of the Knight Patrol throughout the city and home to the largest, most prestigious kops (KPs). The architecture is built from an actual ancient keep bearing all the hallmarks of a medieval military fort. The location sits directly across from Castle, the city's council building. 

Castle

The city council building was established in an ancient palace, reconstructed to both preserve the medieval aesthetic while marrying it with the sleek look of the modern steampunk society. The building hosts the mayor [name TBD] and other important politicians (council members, staffers, etc.). Castle sits at the heart of the city. (Always referred to as 'Castle' and not 'the castle.'

Cloudscrapers

While Castle stands tall at the center of the city, architecture farther out has been built into many tall buildings called cloudscrapers (aka skyscrapers), especially in the human district of Wyndomir Heights. Many zeppelins dock at the tops of cloudscrapers for citywide transport.

Districts

Central Square

The most upscale and busy district of the city where Castle and the Central Keep are located in the city's center. It's the largest trading district and as a result the most racially diverse during the day between merchants and buyers. Residences in this district are extremely luxurious and owned by the upper crust of society. Architecture blends the mechanized industry with medieval tradition throughout.

Eledh Osto (Elf Town)

The elven district is one of the most racially pure regions of the city. Non-elven outsiders are often shunned or ignored. However, the younger generations of elves (less than 200 years old)  are more modern and accepting of others. Architecture matches the beauty of Art Nouveau they are typically known for.

Holdfast (Underground Dwarven district)

The underground city leads all the way into the Khuzdul-Ardaoiva Mountain Range (World Lifeblood Mountains), where they mine and import fossilized bits of the World Tree's trunk for magisteam technology. The underground Art Deco building style is unmistakably dwarven and impressive.

Wyndomir Heights

This district encompasses most of the city's outer ring and is home to the largest number of cloudscrapers, catering to the ever-growing human population and the growing number of large-scale businesses.

Krazberd Ghetto

Welcome to the slums, where criminal activity and poverty go hand in hand. The one perk? No one cares what race you are here because they are all the forgotten dregs that society would love to eliminate. Even goblins, trolls, and orcs are "welcome" here, as they have nowhere else to go. But if you want exotic foods, risky nightclubs, and the best corrupt gambling around, there's no better place.

Shadowvale Forest

The largest protected magical forest within a day's travel by hydro (car). However, there are no roads in the forest. Only walkable trails that are "Enter at your own risk." The forest is filled with magical creatures and plant life that both flourish and preserve the rich, fertile land. Many intelligent races prefer to live in the wilds over life in the big city and run into skirmishes with Mistforge's militia from time to time, often resulting in heavy casualties for the indigenous populations who lack advanced weaponry. 

The lumber is of particular interest to developers because of its durability and magic reserves, which, while not as powerful as a bit of the World Tree, often create the safest and most luxurious residential suites for the wealthy. However, to keep the peace, Mistforge has classified Shadowvale as a protected forest, preventing loggers and would-be looters from stripping the forest of its natural resources. 

Knight Patrol Ranks

These are the formal rank titles.
Colloquially, most are referred to by their last name, [informal title], or by civilians who don't know them as "Sir Knight."

Knight’s Constable [Constable]  -  Everyday Patrolperson

Knight’s Sergeant [Sergeant]  -  On-site Detectives (Rookies)

Knight’s Inspector [Inspector]  -  Lead On-site Detectives 

Chief Knight's Inspector [Chief or Chief Inspector]  -  Desk-bound investigators who direct/aid on-site Inspectors

Chief Knight's Constable [Chief Constable]  -  Head of each district

Knight's Commissioner [Commissioner]  -  Head of all Mistforge Knight’s Patrol

Fashion

Common Steampunk aesthetic: late Victorian with a sudden interest in including the growing use of cogs and gears as jewelry/woven into dresses. Typical Tophat with Goggles (richer folks might have more ornate goggles, while poorer ones might have fully functional ones they actually use. (and sometimes can’t afford the top hat). Feel free to expand/indulge, but in general, it should mostly resemble general steampunk culture. Google is your friend.

Currency

• 10 copper coins = 1 silver coin (3 coppers = 1 apple)

• 10 silver coins = 1 gold coin

• 10 gold coins = 1 platinum coin

• 100 platinum coins = 1 mithril coin (highly rare - used for diplomatic trade)

• Gold coins are often called clams, especially in gambling.

Unique Words

(More to be added over time for general use)

• AKN: All-Knights-Notice (instead of putting out an APB [All-Points-Bulletin])

• Cloudscrapers: their word for skyscrapers

• Kop / Kopper: slang for Knight Patroller (KPs)  (instead of cop/copper)

• Kretz / Kretzes: slang for scumbag / sleezeball

Most technology is steam-based, known as Magisteam Technology, using bits of World Tree trunk to produce steam/control, commonly called magic cores. There can be other technologies using different elements (e.g., fire cores for heating and cooking). However, it's called Mistforge for a reason, so try to use steam when it makes sense. I will add more here as ideas/submissions start coming in. 

Automata (bots)  -  semi-autonomous robots that obey a limited set of simple instructions (they don't talk or interact and are usually generally limited in purpose)

Hydromobile (hydros)  -  cars

Hydrobike (bikes)  -  motorcycles

Airships  -  Blimps filled with hot steam and maneuvered by propellers.

Hydrotruck (trucks)

Trains  -  Regular Trains (but uses magic core to produce steam instead of coal)

Hydropower Electricity  -  Limited electrical power for simple light bulbs, steam heaters, and electric fans (circle 1910 levels), but also sometimes combined with magic cores to make things like an ice-cooled fan or fire-core-based heater/stove.

Guns  -  While guns exist, they are more limited to hand pistols and simple rifles. No machine guns. But steampunk-style weaponry is also encouraged

The magic of wands and sorcery is fairly rare now. The original source of magic came from the World Tree: The mother goddess who seeded the earth with life. The tree came down to the earth and took root. But instead of taking nutrients from the barren soil, it gave life to it. The earth blossomed with life and magic until it had given everything it had to the world. Its branches slowly withered, and eventually, the tree died.

All magic can be traced back to the world tree, but while life persists and flourishes, magic forever recedes, and the strongest sources can be found in artifacts connected to the world tree.

Magical Sources

Wands

Wands were once crafted from still-living bits of the World Tree. Most have been destroyed or worn away over centuries. Wands today are considered sacred relics whose magic may vary from extremely powerful (can manipulate the elements to the user’s whim) down to dead/useless, which most are by now. New wands can’t be made since the World Tree is no longer alive. Recommend avoiding wands unless you pitch the idea first.

Magical Artifacts

Magical Artifacts are still rare but more common than wands, and are often carvings or statues that contain larger chunks of the World Tree, with an area effect equal to the element they contain. The carvings/shape often hone the control of the element, focusing it toward a specific task.

The World Tree

Raw World Tree Bits contain a rougher magic with less control and cast a milder area effect of the element, often to improve the quality of the area (calming the weather, warming the area, making soil fertile, providing fresh drinking water). While these are weaker sources of magic, they are the most common because the magic drains more slowly and lasts longer. They are often used to power various mechanica and automatons. (Mistforge's key mining operation is fossilized trunk pieces (water element) that were buried into the earth over the millennia and powers all steam-technology.

Wizards

Wizards are near-immortals who were once individual seeds of the World Tree. Most have died from one battle or another, while the remaining often keep to themselves and live quiet lives. Their own magic has receded and vanished, leaving them powerless (but this is unknown to all but them). Many learned they could regain some powers by ingesting bits of the World Tree. A few bad apples over time have tried this in pursuit of power, only to be quickly overthrown. (RESERVED: evil wizard steals important magical artifact to create automaton army)

Magical Creatures

Various Fae mythologies and Tolkienesque creatures possess varying amounts of magical energy. Use online lore to see what abilities different creatures/animals/faeries/etc. have, but avoid anything too powerful (gods, demigods, or large destructive forces that would otherwise upset the balance of life/civilization if included). 

Magical Plants

Many trees possess soft magical properties, nowhere near as strong as the World Tree's, but useful for simple steam technologies that are more readily replaceable than mined fossilized world tree. (Like gas for the hydromobiles and hydrobikes)

Elements of Magic

Air Magic

Manipulates air and weather. Wands and artifacts made from the leaves of the tree are extremely delicate, but powerful. But their lifespan is much shorter than the other elements. Virtually all air wands were either destroyed from overuse or the decay of time. A few dead air wands exist in collectors trophy cases or museums. Several larger artifacts often keep weather peaceful in large metropolitan areas like Mistforge. Dried leaves are often stored in simple glass jars and kept as a means of keep houses ventilated and cooler in the summertime.

Fire Magic

Manipulates Heat and flame. Made from the branches, they are also more powerful and shorter lived, but wands and artifacts made from these are more stable. Maybe a dozen or so wands still exist and are classified as illegal contraband and a threat to the citizenry. Most are kept secretly by the upper class and nobility for emergencies. Artifacts often provide a source of heat for living spaces or kitchen stoves.

Earth Magic

Manipulates soil and rock. Made from the roots of the tree, wands can manipulate the ground into building materials or create walls and barriers. Artifacts are often the core of large crop fields, while smaller, poorer farms often try to plant a bit of raw root rejuvenate the soil.

Water

Manipulates water, ice, and steam. Made from the bark and trunk of the tree. This is by far the largest source for magic still in existence and is mined throughout the Khuzdul-Ardaoiva Mountain Range (World Lifeblood Mountains). While large chunks are used for maintaining crops, it’s often used to produce water for regions experiencing a drought. But Mistforge is at the forefront of steam technology, using tiny pieces to produce concentrated steam that powers various machines. These machines can be sea ships, air ships, automobiles, motorcycles, factory robots, to simple automatons that can do very specific repeatable tasks (no conscious decision making).

Life

(RESERVED - DON'T USE) The rarest of elements, made from the seeds of the world tree, creates magical life. So rare, no one actually knows about them in living memory. Most seeds spawned into magical forests and birthed the many different magical creatures within.