Letia Michelle Ames
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Dresza City, Dresza
"The entire mountain shimmered from base to peak. White marble glowed pink in the twilight, ascending in distinct tiers. Crystal spires stretched from one tier to the next. Each tier laced with bits of the green, as though the mountain had grown the city like trees. Everything architecturally matched in Dresza City, like a painting, unlike Elgar or The Bug City of Torac Ma Ca.
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Districts divided the tiers: housing, mercantile, library, university, temple, distinguishable by differently colored roofs. Each column, crystal window, diamond lamp was placed with purpose and perfection. A smooth-walled barracks lined the southern, lowest tiered edge, wrapping around a lighthouse burning like a candle beside the mountain; on the northern, lowest tiered edge was a temple for The Lady of Light built to mirror the barracks tower—yet somehow grander.
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But the thing that drew my eye, perhaps the most significant of all, shimmered from the apex of the mountain. A palace entirely of crystal and diamond glittered with light, like fresh snow. Spires stretched up on every side, and in the center resided a crystal sphere, near identical to Masoroth’s Star Chamber in the Ridge, but much, much larger. If his was a star, I could believe Imythre’s the Moon."
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~Conceptual description, as told by AnyaBella LaCorselle, Princess of Altia.
Infamous
Dreszans
Imythre came to rule by request of her mother, the goddess Sahlore, The Lady of Light, nearly a thousand years ago. This happened even before the dragons and titans were driven from the world.
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As one of the last great magi, she has been known by such names as "The Healer," and "The Winter Queen."
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*Side note: Imythre has changed dramatically from early revisions of AN UNCHARTED DESTINY. At conception she went by the names Gladys and Geldrysia, and was inspired by the author's grandmother.
Clothing
Dresza is one of three leading cultures on the Western Continent known for its fashion, rivaling Meelan and Jontala. With the influx of Altian refugees in the past three years, many Dreszans have picked up the Altian love for structure within their styles, though how that structure is revealed varies dramatically. Some take to the form fitted approach, revealing broad swathes of skin. Others wear elaborate collars, shoulder pads, corsets, petticoats often alter shape as well. Men and women alike wear corsets and shapewear.
It is incredibly rare to see someone without some form of metal detailing on their clothing. Altians tend to wear collars and shackle-like bracers as a statement of solidarity with their enslaved countrymen, though Dreszans have not picked up that style.
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Next to shape, textures take high priority. Satin, silk, velvet, and tulle of the highest quality the wearer can afford abound. During the cold winters, rich quality furs, heavy wool, and tooled leather drape, sculpt, and sweep over the body.
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The point is, if it looks good, its worn. Always with the goal of accentuating the wearer's attributes.
Music inspires much of Letia's writing. Every Day by Atis Frievalds, "feels" like Dresza City to her. Letia does not own any part of the music.
WORLDWIDE
Imythre of Dresza
Concept Art. Digitally hand-drawn by the author, Letia Michelle Ames in the program Krita, March of 2025.
Capital
Dresza City
Ruler
Imythre, The Lady of Dresza
Peoples
Most residing within are named "Dreszan," no matter their race. Humans, dwarves, halfling, and elves all live within the major cities, though humans make up the vast majority and smaller settlements are less diverse. There are a few subsets of cultures, and Imythre is well known for accepting the down-trodden as refugees. Altians and Muschavi are two outside cultures that make Dresza their temporary home.
Languages
Dreszan, Common, Altian, and Muschavi. Some of the smaller settlements embrace cultural dialects as well.
Trade
"With its longer than average winter season, one might think Dresza a poor producer of agriculture, but that is certainly not the case. With the natural magics in Dresza's soil, the invention of greenhouses, and, recently, Altian's farming ability, the country has become a powerhouse of agriculture. Add this to their already booming lumber trade, and Dresza has a diverse and rich trading system," as marked by Vena’Sati Covisia R’jala Correr, in service to renowned BaShea The Trader.
History
Founded nearly a thousand years ago by the goddess known as The Lady of Light, Dresza is one of four major sources of magic in the known world.
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Though magic has weakened, even died, in parts of the world, with Imythre's healing magic and gentle hand, it remains shadowed throughout the country.
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Rumors of war have come to Dresza countless times, in no small part because of Imythre's brother, Isriat. His desire for the magic within her lands has led to many arguments. Imythre, however, has managed to stave off actual war every time.