The political and spiritual heart of Vel Enweir, Balandel is a city of woven trees and luminous stone, suspended between branches and waterfalls. Walkways of pale wood curve between enormous silverwood trunks. Singing vines grow along archways, and moonlight dances on reflecting pools designed to hold it like still water.
Queen Aelra Sylanthiel’s palace sits at the highest point, an open-air sanctum surrounded by silent gardens and high watch-boughs.
Shopping District
| Owner Image | Shop |
|---|---|
 | The Silver Bark Armory (Weapons & Armor) An open-air forge entwined with a silverwood tree, where armor glints and blades hum faintly with enchantment. The clang of hammers blends with elven war songs. Owner: Calenhir Sylvenblade, a high elf with silver tattoos, an ever-serious expression, and forge burns he wears like medals. |
 | Root and Reverie (Magic & Arcane Goods) An herb-choked apothecary tower that smells of moss, pipe smoke, and forgotten dreams. Specializes in natural magic, druidic charms, and enchanted roots that squirm if you touch them wrong. Owner: Laeria Thorneleaf, a wood elf with vine-wrapped wrists, moss in his hair, and amber eyes that blink just a little too slowly. |
 | Thread of the Stars (Clothing & Light Armor) A silk-draped atelier selling mood-sensitive fabrics, enchanted leathers, and cloaks that shimmer like falling stars. The air smells of lavender and stardust. Owner: Nemaia Vale, a moon elf with violet skin, gold-pierced ears, and eyes that reflect the night sky like mirrors. |
 | The Scarlet Shield (Tavern) A warm, high-vaulted stone tavern near the embassies, known for attracting travelers of all races. Mismatched shields and banners line the walls, and the fire never dies. Owner: Serelion Vael, a golden-eyed sun elf with a weathered cloak, soldier’s posture, and a memory for every face. |
 | The Living Sigil (Poisons & Alchemy) A shadowed, cave-like shop humming with danger—shelves lined with venom vials, dripping tinctures, and jars labeled in infernal shorthand. The scent of bitter herbs and ozone lingers. Owner: Silaren Vohr, a moon elf with dusky skin, one blind eye, and a voice so soft it’s never clear if he’s joking. |
 | The Quiet Acorn (General Goods) A cozy, timber-framed shop with creaky floors and cluttered shelves stocked with travel supplies, rope, lanterns, and well-worn charm. A kettle hums eternally in the corner. Owner: Thandoril Elmheart, a broad-shouldered wood elf with streaks of white in his braid and laugh lines that rarely see use. |
 | Starpetal Arcana (Magic & Arcane Goods) A pristine, angular glass-walled boutique lit by soft motes and filled with elegant arcane instruments that hum with starlight. Scrolls are categorized by constellation, and nothing is ever dusty. Owner: Velastro Wyn, a high elf with ink-stained fingers, long silver hair, and robes that shimmer with subtle constellations in motion. |
 | The Velvet Crust (Magical Pastries & Enchanted Baked Goods) Tucked between a perfumery and a bookshop that refuses to alphabetize, The Velvet Crust is a narrow little patisserie with deep red awnings and frosted-glass windows etched in swirling, floury runes. The smell—warm butter, plum jam, and just a hint of thyme—wraps around you like a velvet cloak the moment you step inside. Behind the glass counter: rows of perfect, gleaming pastries arranged with near-military precision. Nothing is labeled. You are expected to know. Owner: Céline Aravel, a middle-aged elf with silver-streaked hair pulled into a bun so tight it could slice fruit. She gestures instead of greeting, sighs instead of answering, and offers a 10% discount—wordlessly—if you mention Dr. Bixby Wizzlethorpe. She still won’t smile. But the pear-saffron galette might change your life. |