Seven Up, the city of Sprites
by GreenbrierLOCATION and HISTORY
High in the mountains of Ierendi island lies a secret city of these tiny magic-wielding fey, hidden in a ravine surrounded by steep and nearly impassable terrain. Anyone flying over the ravine would see only 14 unusually large citrus trees poking up out of the gap in the rock, with their broad canopies blocking any view of what lies beneath. Long ago when sprites found the ravine, seven lemon trees and seven lime trees were planted. Not enough sunlight gets down into the ravine for horticulture to flourish naturally, but the sprites magically nurtured and enhanced the trees until they have grown far beyond the normal size for lemon and lime trees. The city takes its name from these trees, as seven trees of each type were raised until they spilled out over the top of the ravine. Seven Up is located in the humid uplands section of the island (see Gaz 4 pg. 7), but near the transition zone to sub-alpine uplands.
THE CITY
Sprite homes are found all over the trees and the walls of the ravine, clinging to every available surface like cliff swallow nests. Some larger dwellings, used by their pixy cousins, dangle from the branches of the trees like butterfly cocoons. Nestled in the boughs of the trees are larger communal structures such as city hall, the library and the magic academy. A few grottoes have been carved out of the walls of the ravine with quarters for visits from the larger fey or other races, including the city's inn which occupies the largest grotto. Visitors who are unable to change size themselves to fit comfortably are magically shrunk by the sprites for the duration of their stay in Seven Up. The floor of the ravine is largely smooth and flat, having been magically shaped over time. Fruits and vegetables are grown in small fields amongst the gnarled roots of the lemon and lime trees, while the ground in the center of the ravine is clear serving as a boulevard and market area with a giant central bonfire for dancing each evening. Continual light spells are used throughout Seven Up to provide enough light to see, but the sprites like having plenty of shadows around so the city appears to be in a state of perpetual dusk.
THE DISTILLERY
On the north end of the ravine floor a spring bubbles up out of the earth, providing a pool of fresh water for the city. Beside the pool sits the largest building in Seven Up, the famous (amongst the fey) elixir distillery. The distillery is a beautiful, delicate yet ramshackle structure made of tropical wood from the jungles of Ierendi. The sprites of Seven Up brew a tasty beverage made of juice from their lemon and lime trees mixed together, which is known throughout the world in other fey settlements. This sweet elixir is called "Seven Up" by the sprites after their city, but most other fey around the world just call it "Sprite". Seven Up/Sprite makes an excellent base liquid for magical potions, providing a bonus to the success chances for brewing a potion if the other ingredients are added to this elixir. Of course, the sprites do not trade it with humans or other non-fey or sylvan races so it is extremely rarely found outside the strongholds of these races.
DEFENSE
The city is constantly watched over by patrols of sprites, who flit about outside the ravine invisible to mortals watching for any climbing or flying threats approaching Seven Up. It would take hours of very difficult climbing for any humanoid to approach the ravine, so they would be easily deterred. Flying threats are more feared as they could materialize quite quickly, but any invaders would be met by many magic-wielding sprites and a small force of pixy fighters. Most intruders can be pixy-led away without incident, but if truly threatened the sprites of Seven Up could bring considerable magical firepower and many, many curses to bear.
The few Makai who live in this region have no interest in bothering the sprites. Their legends have many tales of encounters with the menehune or "little people" who live nearby, as the mischievous sprites do visit the Makai villages from time to time. Some of the oldest and wisest Makai have a general idea of where the menehune live, but would never dream of trying to get there and discourage any others from exploring in the area near Seven Up.