Birthrite
"Obviously the mission is important, but for my money, the best part of Birthrite is being beneath the lights at night. Enchanting doesn't even begin to describe the feeling." - from the memoirs of Lewin Von Treet, Vault: the Land of Stuff and Things
City Description
Population: ~ 500
Founded: 2277 (113 years ago)
While the ultimate fate of Lithenlight's Clutch is something of legend now, the descendants of those who took the eggs into Mythrasil Forest are very real. Over centuries those descendants have carried the burden of not only the theft of those eggs, whether right or wrong, but the knowledge that without that theft, the Pegasi would never have allied with Highcroft, and the Firetide War would have gone very differently; perhaps never even have happened at all.
That guilt drove those descendants to found Birthrite, a town in the southeast territory of Vad where the eggs and young of myriad creatures are kept safe from harm and tended to with care and respect. Birthrite is not a large city. The work of the people of the town is laborious and exhausting, but the reward is knowing that hundreds of creatures' futures are secured beneath the Nest.
One might be curious how a town of mortals located directly south of Frusning has managed to survive. The answer is the Tuk and the Nest. When the descendants of the Clutch thieves came to Vad to found Birthrite, they brought with them small creatures from Mythrasil known as Tuk. These non-verbal but incredibly powerful people use a unique protective magic that shields Birthrite from even the might of Esperwake. While the rest of the Castoff must rely on natural cover to keep them safe, Birthrite simply uses the power of the Tuk to survive. And the Tuk are happy to provide it, as they are lover of all things seeking to be born and grow.
Birthrite maintains a harmonious balance between its people and its creatures. Newborn sphinxes, chocobo chicks, and baby owlbears scamper through the verdant walkways of the town, living side-by-side with the people who tend to the nurseries and hatcheries. When a creature is old enough to leave, it's escorted into the wild to find its way alone or with its own kind. The primary focus of Birthrite is on conservation, and many of the eggs found there are not meant to hatch.
The Tuk have another enchantment that shields some of the eggs from the passage of time. This stasis allows endangered and rare creatures to have a future, frozen in time and ready to repopulate the world should something ever happen to the rest of their kin in the wild.
These enchantments are a visual marvel themselves. Known as the "Nest," the combined enchantments that keep Birthrite safe from harm are visible from miles around. The full spectrum of ever-shifting colors in various shapes and sizes create a light show set against the night sky that is not to be missed. Those beautiful hues are a constant reminder that not only are the denizens of Birthrite safe from harm, but the young and eggs they have are equally protected.
Birthrite isn't all just safety and protection, however. The town has an egg themed festival that attracts people from all over Vault, or at least the ones willing to travel to the Castoff. The festival known as the "New Hatching" celebrates a yearly cycle in which Tuks are born from their own eggs. Many of the eggs that have been in stasis but are ready for the light of day are hatched during this festival as well. It's a celebration of new life unlike anywhere else.
Birthrite itself is a beautiful village nestled among the waters and lush vegetation of the Castoff. Its egg-shaped homes and domed architecture gives it a singular visual distinction. A soft music is magically played throughout the town to calm the frightened newborns, and the sounds of nature are always audible. The raucous noise of a city is disdainful, and the pleasant atmosphere is not only important to the people but important to their way of life.
While the wards and enchantments protect the city, it has its share of troubles. Predators looking for an easy meal, relic hunters hoping to score a rare animal egg, and even denizens of the town who disagree on what constitutes an endangered animal consuming resources and precious hatchery space. But for all its troubles, Birthrite stands as a testament to the preservation of life and taking responsibility for the past.
City Landmarks
The Sun Mother - for those eggs and newborn who require the warmth of a parent but have none, the Sun Mother has a magical light and heat source that ever shines above a glass enclosure, ensuring every creature has what it needs to emerge hale.
The Hatchery - where those eggs ready to be hatched are taken. The hatching can be observed from nearby platforms, and the environment is made ready for each distinct creature in its own way
Tukington - so small are the Tuks that they require their own part of the town to live where they don't have to contend with their very large friendly neighbors.
The Wilds - some animals and creatures require a place to begin their lives but in a place where they can't threaten the lives of others. Particularly dangerous creatures are birthed in the Wilds where the enchantments of the village keep people safe
Bridge of Many Colors - when an animal or creature is ready to leave Birthrite, there is a sendoff ceremony where those who've interacted with it form a procession over this bridge, seeing it off over one of the many rivers in Birthrite
People of Note
Donna Quinn: Female Human, in charge of acquisitions and timelines for birthing plans
Boris Yelko: Male Dragonborn, egg hatching expert and overseer of all egg-related activities
Nestled for Napping: Female Tabaxi, warden of all dangerous animals and hunter/explorer for finding creatures in the wild