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Sheha Alari at midsummer. Bar Sarn column shown to the right, Gwathren Sarn to the left.
The city of Sheha Alari is the only known city of the Snow Elves (Sh’eha).
Snow Elves mostly travel the northern ice fields and protruding mountain tops in small groups, hunting the rothé, caribou, and migratory birds that wander onto the edges of the ice. Larger communities may live together temporarily inside ice caves, but as these caves shift size or disappear with the movement of the glaciers, so do the communities. There is one known Snow Elf city - Sheha Alari. Ninety miles from Easthaven, the ancient city inhabits a volcanic-warmed valley perpetually carved out from the massive icefield around it. The city’s population changes seasonally from around 800 to 1200.
The valley was once long-inhabited by Nakulutians a millennia ago. However it was the snow elves who carved and built the sturdy stone structures into the giant columns that rise from the valley floor, sometime around 400 D.R. after migrating west from the Great Glacier. The main inhabited column (Bar Sarn) glows year-round from the magma that churns at its center. Giant doored arches carved into the column allow the light and heat out to the surrounding settlements.
When the volcano is active (which happens every 80 years, on average), great flumes convey the lava flow away from the buildings and into the valley floor. Once the volcano is again quiet, the Sh’eha spend years chipping away at the lava stone to clear the channels again for the next occurrence. The volcanic activity prevents the water from freezing over entirely even as the icefield above drops as low as -80 degrees. The falling snow meets the spring-warmed water to form great pools of water and slush which surround the city. These pools are inhabited by pike bred over the centuries to survive this unique environment. The population of these pikes is carefully managed and provides the Sh’eha the bulk of its sustenance.
Over the centuries, the Sh’eha have developed a rare symbiotic relationship with remorhazes that inhabit the icefield above. The Sh’eha provide food and water, treat any wounds a remorhaz received with a special poultice, and protect eggs laid near the valley. In turn, the remorhazes treat the Sh’eha as trusted companions, defending the village and its residents as well as bringing to them, or leading them to, the bodies of recently-dead remorhazes so that their chiton may be harvested to create shields and armor. Unlike the Ulutiuns of Ahtitlak, the Sh’eha have never successfully utilized them as mounted beasts.
Trade
Trade
Centuries ago, the Sh’eha traded with a number of cities, and forged a tenuous trade agreement with frost giants from the surrounding areas. However, this trade network has dwindled and they now trade almost exclusively with Mirabar, far to the southeast. Decades ago, there was an attempt at organizing trade with the Ten Towns, but this ended in disaster and intensified mistrust when human guards attacked and killed several Sh’eha for unknown reasons.
Sky (or Cold) Iron found from meteoric deposits in the icefield.
The Snow Elves have developed an effective tracking system for the many meteorites that fall in the icefield. Meteorites are observed on clear nights from a spire that rises several hundred feet above the flats of the icefield. Using astronomical data, fairly precise estimates are made as to where meteorites fell. Fresh impact craters are easily spotted once a party is within a few hundred feet of them. Following a meteor shower, more than half of the city will often span out in search parties. It is also not unusual for meteors to be chanced upon by Sh’eha hunting parties.
Sheha Vajra
Cold iron or "sky-iron" (Aiwenorang) is iron found in a pure state and is forged at a lower temperature to preserve its delicate properties. This meteoric iron is the supreme substance for forging the physical representation of the Sheha Vajra (A type of club with two ribbed spherical heads). Since it is believed to have already been tempered by the celestial gods in its passage across the heavens, weapons forged of pure sky iron are often used by the Sh’eha in spiritual ceremonies but are too brittle to be of much use in actual combat.
Outside of the Sh'eha, the dwarven smiths of Mirabar are the only ones who know of the smithing process necessary to create “cold steel” from sky iron without it becoming brittle. Unlike standard steel, pure cold steel is exceptionally amenable to enchantment. Cold steel has only one perceptible physical difference from standard steel: A pale blue shimmer in the presence of firelight.
In exchange for sky iron and, occasionally, remorhaz chitin, Mirabar trades outside goods of the realm with the Sheha. The Sh'eha deal directly with the dwarves of the undercity, mostly bypassing the human city of the surface. Both parties show a mutual respect for the secretive nature of the other’s home and do not intrude with probing questions, keeping their conversations brief and only to the nature of trade. Their long relationship has proven too valuable to risk with ulterior motives.
Trading parties from Sheha Alari face numerous risks along the long trade routes. There are the usual environmental risks of traversing a hundred of miles of icefield, followed by climbing treacherous passes in the Spine of the World. But there is also the constant risk of an enemy party seeking to know the location of Sheha Alari and raid it for its riches. Because of this, trading parties include members (Faer Sigil) who are selected for their psionic abilities while young and trained in the way of the Soulknife. Acting as spies, counterspies, and assassins, the Faer Sigil root out both outside spies and members of their own race tempted into espionage against their own. These trading parties rarely take the same route twice.
Mirabar, 130 miles from Sheha Alari as the crow flies.
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