Hestavar: The Bright City

[Fallen Seraph]

Although the bustling City of Brass might be the largest metropolis in the universe, many consider that the cosmopolitan heaven of Hestavar is the most beautiful, richest, and civilized. This light-drenched oasis can feel familiar and downright cozy in contrast to the weird void of the Astral Sea that surrounds it. Its grand architecture and gem-paved streets shine brightly upon the stone settings of its lagoon’s islands and earthmotes. Its gardens and parks are both lush and manicured, retaining their verdant beauty without a hint of the overgrown chaos indicative of the Feywild. Its people are cultured, civilized, and known for their passion for philosophy, craft, and the arts.

Dragon 371: Hestavar

Fairly fluff heavy article. It explores the city, its inhabitants, history, etc.

Crunch wise:
-5 NPC/Monsters (Angelic Captain of Hestavar, Exalted Bright Guard, Exalted Gallant, Exalted Brightmage, Hestavar Racing Drake)
-3 Magic Items (Hestavar Dueling Blade, Ioun Orb, Circlet of the Urbane)
-1 Epic Destiny (Prison of The Winds)

Also, looks like Erinyes will be returning sooner or later, if one of the pieces of artwork has anything to say about it.

 

[Phaezen]

Hestavar Racing Drake

Busy digesting the article, one thing that does stand is is this could (should?) have been a mount given the fluff around it and the Lightning Leap ability.

Other than that, the magical items look interesting, particularly the Ioun Orb's daily power.

Phaezen

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Dragon 371: Hestavar- The Bright City

New article online (Subscription Only):
Dragon 371: Hestavar

Although the bustling City of Brass might be the largest metropolis in the universe, many consider that the cosmopolitan heaven of Hestavar is the most beautiful, richest, and civilized. This light-drenched oasis can feel familiar and downright cozy in contrast to the weird void of the Astral Sea that surrounds it. Its grand architecture and gem-paved streets shine brightly upon the stone settings of its lagoon’s islands and earthmotes. Its gardens and parks are both lush and manicured, retaining their verdant beauty without a hint of the overgrown chaos indicative of the Feywild. Its people are cultured, civilized, and known for their passion for philosophy, craft, and the arts.

The article discusses a new dominion - Hestavar, the Bright City.
Hestavar is the shared dominion of Erathis, Ioun and Pelor, a result of them uniting against an Ancient Primordial (whose remains still affect the city.)

Inhabitants are Angels, Exalted, Devas and many more, and it contains several embassy to other Dominions (including Hell) and even some powerful nations of the world. It's a center of commerce, craft and trade.

It looks interesting. It's a city designed for epic campaigns, and even comes with its own epic destiny. I wonder how people familiar with Union see this city. It clearly has some fascinating features:
- The Dominion of 3 Gods
- An Angelic Bureaucracy
- The remains of a Primordial
- The Game of Making
- A mysterious killer (a recent event)
- Unique rules (For example, Exalted citizen return from death after a week, unless they worked against the goals of their gods)
- Clans of exalted replacing families
- An aerial race

The article also contains a few new monsters, items and an epic destiny related to the dead Primordial.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Damn, I missed your thread! Here's mine Jonny-Come-Late, maybe a mod can merge them.
http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rpg-discussion/249258-dragon-371-hestavar-bright-city.html

New article online (Subscription Only):
Dragon 371: Hestavar



The article discusses a new dominion - Hestavar, the Bright City.
Hestavar is the shared dominion of Erathis, Ioun and Pelor, a result of them uniting against an Ancient Primordial (whose remains still affect the city.)

Inhabitants are Angels, Exalted, Devas and many more, and it contains several embassy to other Dominions (including Hell) and even some powerful nations of the world. It's a center of commerce, craft and trade.

It looks interesting. It's a city designed for epic campaigns, and even comes with its own epic destiny. I wonder how people familiar with Union see this city. It clearly has some fascinating features:
- The Dominion of 3 Gods
- An Angelic Bureaucracy
- The remains of a Primordial
- The Game of Making
- A mysterious killer (a recent event)
- Unique rules (For example, Exalted citizen return from death after a week, unless they worked against the goals of their gods)
- Clans of exalted replacing families
- An aerial race

The article also contains a few new monsters, items and an epic destiny related to the dead Primordial.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Dang, there is already a thread for this topic:
http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rpg-discussion/249243-hestavar-bright-city.html

Mods, please merge!

 

[Phaezen]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing.

On a second readthrough, I think they just missed the mount keyword, so it should read Large Immortal Beast (Reptile, Mount) and a cost would be nice. Lightning Leap does have the mount keyword.

Phaezen

 

[avin]

First City of Brass is the largest commerce, now Hevastar is the most cosmopolitan... my conspiracy theory about Wotc's 4E crew hate Sigil is becoming stronger.

Sigil now is a common place, nothing to see there.

 

[Phaezen]

First City of Brass is the largest commerce, now Hevastar is the most cosmopolitan... my conspiracy theory about Wotc's 4E crew hate Sigil is becoming stronger.

Sigil now is a common place, nothing to see there.

Meh it's all marketing. How many cities on this planet alone claim to be the "windy city", the "friendly city", the "city that never sleeps".

Phaezen

 

[Fallen Seraph]

I also doubt WoTC hates Sigil what with it getting both a large section in MoTP compared to some other places, like Hestavar and being the city for Paragon level in DMG2.

Personally, I always viewed Sigil first and foremost in-terms of its "purpose" as a transport/trade-hub and a place to hide. Neither of these state, "cosmopolitan" (Sigil doesn't openly embrace people with welcoming arms), nor does it suggest that it has a large commerce (trade in Sigil be smaller, more private and intimate).