Highbranch
From Codex Vocrotha
Highbranch was a city in the trees and of the trees, but the methods of its construction were strange, almost alien, to all but the Vasriel and the Solindriel who came after them. Despite their peoples' strong connection to magic and its use, they believed that using their powers to shape the mammoth Darçil trees native to the region would be disrespectful, even blasphemous. Instead, the transformation of these leafy giants into a gargantuan city with homes, roads and all the amenities of a modern city involved nothing more than weights, ropes, pulleys and the natural force of gravity. Branches would be spun, and twined, and twisted into everything from walls to roads to doors and lampposts. Blades were never used for any reason on the living wood, and only the most severe growths or infestations would be treated with fire: the hardy Darçil wood and its curious smell, similar to burning wood, repelled all but the most virulent or determined attackers.
Founded in 600 DR during the early years of the Golden Reign, Highbranch was a grand and populous city well before the Nightmare Imperium fell and Dalkiar enslaved by the Warlord. Highbranch is one of very few cities to actually survive the Nightmare, and in fact during that time served as a secret place of solace for those who would eventually resist the Twin Emperors. It is said that Eredil Lantradi chose Highbranch as his base of operations once it became clear he would have to resist the Imperium, and it is true that the Lantradi line, whose members are historically Tenebriel, not Solindriel, have a grand estate near the center of Highbranch, lofty even by Highbranch standards, where even the lowest homes were thirty yards in the air.
In the year 2930, Highbranch remained one of the most ancient cities in the world, nearing two and a half millennia of occupation. This left it in the company of only a handful of other cities: only Areg of the Spheres, stalwart Wellthane, towering Henge, Thurgar the ice-crested, Aluthon-Never-Touched-By-The-Sun, and fabled Yhsskhar across the sea could claim such an ancient heritage.
