Shallam is known primarily as the city of Light, and its Houses carry these ideals beyond its walls. Finding residence within the Chrysalis Basilica, the Empyreal and Guardian Houses share joint venture under the Church. Astute observers of Order and Light, the Crystalline Circle is home to several Magi and other classes inspired by their ideals. Once an ancient guild of monks, the Sentaari House still strives to benevolently change the world for the better. Another ally is found in the House of the Dawnstriders, a predominately serpent House that has turned from darkness to champion the light of Shallam.

Founded in the southeastern part of Sapience and situated at the bottom of the verdant Pash valley, the city of Shallam stands as a golden beacon to those under the banner of Good. As one of the oldest cities in the realm, sharing that title only with Ashtan, and possessing a legacy that spans thousands of years, Shallam grew from a small settlement founded by Sahart and his followers into a centre of art and culture, several Houses, organisations, and the illustrious Church.

Also known for its magnificent architecture, the city's gilded domes catch and reflect light for miles around the surrounding land and give the impression of being surrounded by a nimbus of celestial light at dusk and under the moonlit night. It is these mother-of-pearl crowns that have helped it earn the name Jewel of the East, but the title is also symbolic of the spiritual light found throughout its residents.

Shallamese society is helmed by the ideals of Compassion, Justice, Light, Truth, and Righteousness, and her citizens dedicate their lives to these values. Those looking to advance themselves mindlessly instead of the greater good may not find this stricter way of life suitable.

Settled within the cold heart of the Ithmian forests, the city-state of Hashan fully embodies her name as the Crown of the Ithmia. Rising above her humble beginnings as a small village into a polished metropolis, the Crown is a city-state of timeless tenacity and absolute fortitude where the diverse interests of her republic are supported by a unified existence. Hashan remains strong as the only city of true neutrality, serving the interests of no other when her own have not been secured.

Often misunderstood as apathy by those unable to understand the pragmatic nature of the city, Hashan is distinguished by her independent nature. Under the famed Great Canon of Hashan, Achaea's first complex legal system, the well-being and advancement of her citizens remains foremost to allow them the pursuit of anything they desire within a legacy of resilience and enduring solidarity. Hashan is unique in that she is blessed with the patronage of three Divinities. With honour, the city pays homage to her Divine Triad, the Lady Ourania, Goddess of the Moon, the Lady Valnurana, Goddess of Dreams and the Lord Vastar, the Sky God.

Housed and protected within her walls lie the defining element of Hashan itself, that of her city Houses: the first and oldest of the Houses, the Cult of the Serpentlords, the ritualistic and mysterious Spirit Walkers, the honour-bound monks of the Sect of the Black Lotus, and the ever enterprising masters of commerce, the Merchants of the Crown. With each passing year, the Crown of the Ithmia continues to display the ability to survive any hardship, forging purpose in the face of all adversity as she shines onward into the future.

Cyrene, Heart of the Vashnars, was a city established before the days of Nicator and Seleucar, but after the founding of Ashtan and Shallam. Like Seleucar, it was formed by refugees sick of the endless Ashtan/Shallam Wars. Cyrene's citizens kept its existence a secret by never venturing back to the cities whence they had come.

When the 'Other' threatened the existence of Sapience, bringing freezing cold and snow to our entire world, a blue dragon, long thought to be extinct, came out of the highest mountains of the Vashnars and descended upon Cyrene. Ainghaeal began terrorizing the citizens, eating those unfortunate souls that were in his path. Lord Sarapis, when he split Achaea and cast out the 'Other', caused earthquakes so great that the secret tunnels through the Southern Vashnars to Cyrene crumbled. The citizens of Cyrene leading a predominantly passive lifestyle, not knowing what to do, called out for help. Their combined cries were heard by all of Sapience. Quickly, warriors formed hunting groups and ran to the source of these cries for assistance. Ainghaeal was slain by these fearless warriors. Cyrene, now revealed to the world, had lost its entire governing body and sought a new leader. The citizens quietly approached Lady Czanthria, several of them remembering her from their time in Shallam as a fair, but stoic leader and asked her to be their new Imperiate.

Cyrene was re-founded on the principle of respect for others. There are still those that come to Cyrene to get away from the fighting ways of the other cities. The Houses strongly defend their city and their beliefs. Often considered to sit upon a fence, Cyrene's citizens are free to follow neutral-good paths. Those found to be evil, dark, or chaotic are not welcome.

Cyrene is home to four glorious Houses: the Wardens, the city's principal defenders; the Mojushai, a conclave guided by beliefs of humility, benevolence, and strength; the Arcane Kindred, a close-knit community of like-minded people united in their study of the Arcane; and Ty Beirdd, a collection of artists, poets, and performers in the high Scarlattan tradition.

Cyrene is located in a valley deep in the southwestern Vashnars. Lake Muurn bounds its southern border, and a river flows west to the ocean through a cavern inhabited by the monstrosity Khulhedra. It is rumoured there is a secret tunnel to the Aalen in these caverns, if one is bold enough to seek it out. Mhaldor

Far to the west, over the Vashnar Mountains, beyond the Gruun chasm, lies a blasted, blighted isle. A poisonous red haze swirls over barren rock, bubbling tar pits, and skeletal trees. Tortured abominations and carnivorous lycopods roam, seeking the flesh of the unwary.

At the end of a road lined with gibbets and impaled corpses, Mhaldor, the City of Evil, looms above the murk. Through the fortified gates, a horrific medley assaults the senses. As eldritch chitterings fill the air amidst screams and lashes from the slave pens, rotting undead and foul daemons stalk through the streets. The clank of knightly armour mixes with the rising chants of daemonic ritualists. The scratching of quills indicates scholars at work, delving deeply into the mysteries of the lower planes.

Steeped in malevolence, the storied Houses of Mhaldor are located in the Spires of Baelgrim Fortress, the redoubt that towers above the city. The Maldaathi, the city's knighthood, who serve with malevolent honour. The Naga, ruthless and bloodthirsty thieves who thieve Sapience's wealth. The Ebon Fist, cunning merchants and adventurers, who supply the city's economy. The Blood Congregation, Mhaldor's spiritual leaders, who spread the teachings of evil.

A theocratic dictatorship, Mhaldor exists solely to advance evil in all its forms. The city's rigid hierarchy is ruled by the iron fist of the Tyrannus, rejecting democracy, rights, and other manifestations of mortal weakness as beneath evil's servants.

"What is called evil is simply the drive for advancement, for greatness. We seek, through discipline and pain, to spur the advancement of nothing less than sentient life." -- The First Truth of Evil.

Bound by communal life to the earth, and forsaking the ramparts of traditional brick cities, the Village of Eleusis is home to the forestal Houses. No walls surround it, as the defenders prefer to use the natural camouflage that comprise it to protect those who call the Village home.

Wandering peddlers supplement the communal life of the village. Bakers, candle makers, forgers, and glassblowers make the village lively as they hawk their wares to the inhabitants of Eleusis.

What fuels Eleusian beliefs is a deep desire to protect the forest and those who love it. Eleusis is a community for all forest folk; a place where they can relax in safety and camaraderie. It is a village which exists solely for those who love the forest to be a bigger part of it.

Sitting in the treetops and stretching under the ground, Eleusis does not impose itself on the forest which surrounds it, but rather, it exists in harmony with its surroundings. It has no wall, no normal guards which patrol it. Instead, the very trees will come alive should its villagers be attacked as the treekin, dryads, and Tsol'aa archers who regularly visit respond to offenders.

"River, forest, sky
And ye with Nature at heart
Come together here"