Aurellium (Gilded Remnant)

Aurellium is a city of gilded ruins, where opulence and decay coexist in a delicate, eerie balance. Its streets are broad and cobbled, lined with grand but crumbling buildings, gilded balconies, and fading murals of prosperity long past. The city was once a cultural and artistic center, and echoes of its golden age remain in the theaters, galleries, and libraries, though many are now haunted or abandoned.

The population is sparse but persistent, composed of wealthy survivors, eccentric artisans, and scholars who cling to the city’s past glories. The city is layered with secrets, from hidden passageways behind murals to collapsed galleries concealing long-forgotten treasures. Waterways and fountains still run through the plazas, though stagnant in some quarters, and the air carries a faint tang of salt and decay.

Aurellium is a city of contrast: beauty and horror intertwined. Masks and ceremonies are common among the inhabitants, both as tradition and as protection against lingering curses. Travelers often find themselves lost in labyrinthine streets, lured into hidden galleries or vaults by light, sound, or rumor. The city is rich in culture and history, but exploration carries risk, for those who disturb its secrets may awaken curses or attract unwelcome attention.