The Courts of Ayrillia

The five Courts span the most extensive section of the Ayrillian continent, each with its purpose, culture, and traditions. All of the Courts serve under the rule of the King. Though distinct in many ways, they are united by a common structure—each Court funnels its resources and loyalty to Crystillia, the seat of power.

The heart of the realm, Crystillia is the political and governing centre of Ayrillia. Its people often wear blues and whites, mirroring the colours of their sigil—a blue seven-pointed star on a white flag. The star symbolises the seven seats of the Crystillian Council. Wealthier citizens in Crystillia’s grander districts, such as Silveridge, wear corsets, embroidered dresses, tailored tunics, and fine cotton trousers. Those in the poorer quarters wear whatever they can afford, often foregoing Court colours entirely. Status in Crystillia is easily determined by attire—fabric quality, embellishments, and tailoring separate the elite from the common folk.

The trade hub of Ayrillia, the Court of the Gilded Sun, is where wealth determines status, and appearances mean everything. Those of the Gilded Sun favour golden hues, dressing in rich reds and lavish golds. Outfits are often adorned with heavy jewellery to showcase their wealth. Even those who lack significant wealth will go to great lengths to maintain the illusion, often wearing metal accessories painted gold or purchasing imitation silks to keep up appearances.

A military stronghold, Emberhold supplies the kingdom’s armies and is home to Ayrillia’s largest forges. Its people wear practical browns and beiges, their clothing built for function over form. Men not serving in the military typically become blacksmiths, armourers, or weaponsmiths. They craft the arms that fuel the Court’s endless conflicts. Women are expected to be homemakers, raising the next generation of soldiers. Though it is not illegal for women to enlist, they are met with overwhelming prejudice, and their lives are made unbearable should they try. The only viable path for a woman to join the military is through the Court of Obsidian, where different rules apply.

The cultural heart of the Courts, Musillia, is a land of art, music, and indulgence. Citizens wear bright colours, often crafted from light cotton and silks, favouring orange, pink, green, and blue hues to reflect their love for self-expression. Education here prioritises painting, poetry, storytelling, theatre, and dance. The streets of Musillia are filled with bards, performers, and festivals. Musillia is a popular retreat for the wealthy and retired, where pleasure and creativity flourish, though some whisper that its hedonism has led many to ruin. Despite its revelry, Musillia plays a key role in shaping the culture of the Courts, providing the nobility with its most skilled artists and entertainers.

Little is known about the Court of Obsidian, the most secretive of the Courts. What is known is that it trains spies and assassins for Crystillia and Emberhold. The Court's influence lurks in the shadows of Ayrillian politics. Their sigil is a purple seven-pointed star, suggesting that their clothing consists of deep purples and blacks, though few outsiders have ever set foot within their domain to confirm it. Children born in Obsidian are sent to specialised boarding schools, where they are trained from a young age to become members of The Silent Guard Corps—the elite intelligence network that serves the King. It is said that graduation is the only way to survive training. Those who fail to meet graduation are executed.