Civil Institutions

There are many civil institutions throughout Endros that have a notable impact, even though they may function quietly in the background or be less widely influential.

Common Civil Institutions include:

• Fire Wardens: Trained Fire Sorcerers, Weavers, and Channelers who protect the city against fire damage.
  • Fire Wardens are not a primary occupation. They have permits to serve this role when emergencies arise.
• City Watch: Responsible for identifying demonic threats and notifying the Adventurer's Guild during emergencies.
  • City Watchers are hired as scouts and lookouts, not soldiers. They are there to observe and report.
  • Fairies are technically employed by the Adventurer's Guild, but interface regularly with the City Watch.

Grace Ward

Grace Ward is a full district within Skywood dedicated to taking in and caring for all of Endros's orphans, caring for around three thousand children at any time. The district is jointly operated by the Church, the House of Maidens, and direct involvement from Amara, the Goddess of Compassion. Concordia, the Queen of Skywood and Goddess of Pacts, ensures there is always proper funding through the Skywood government.

Orphans arrive from across Endros. Sanctuaries throughout the realm take in displaced children temporarily. The children are then escorted in groups to the Grace Ward, often by bringing them to cities with Astralei Portals where Maidens can transport them through the portal network. Once there, children receive exceptional care: all physical, mental, and emotional needs are tended to, along with formal education. Fostering arrangements exist but remain uncommon; the infrastructure designed to support pregnancy (magical healing, Fertility Bands, etc) means most citizens who want children can simply have their own.

Amara and her Saints visit frequently, and the children grow up regularly exposed to powerful waves of divine compassion through their presence. Their upbringing fosters deep loyalty to both Goddesses responsible for supporting them. Many Saints and Maidens are eventually chosen from among Grace Ward's residents. The district also produces a notable number of Adventurers, driven by a strong sense of duty for Endros. Some of society's most accomplished figures trace their origins here, particularly those brought in during their younger years.

Fey Conservatory

Fey Conservatories are lush grounds dedicated to protecting, nurturing, and housing Fey creatures. Depending on the city or region these may be large nature reserves, protected botanical gardens, enchanted stables or wards, or lush sanctuary grounds with additional greenspace.

Most major cities have at least one major Fey Conservatory and several smaller, often specialized conservatories:

• Nearly all Sanctuaries have an extended greenspace with Fairy Huts.
• Fey Stables provide special support for Sweetums, Battle Ostriches, and other mounted Fey.
• Post Offices and waypoints from the Courier's Guild have lofts suited for Bird Couriers.

Bathhouse

Bathhouses are common facilities found in Endros's settlements. They use Aethertech to warm, sanitize, self-clean, circulate, and otherwise maintain their water, making them extremely economical for the public. Built from polished stone, they feature cascading waterfalls, public and private stalls, pools, fountains, and showers. During the day, Fire Aether controls temperature for soothing baths, while Water Aether keeps water cool in hot climates. Serving as community hubs, these Bathhouses are places for relaxation, socializing, and activities like storytelling, music, and meditation.

The centerpiece of most Bathhouses is an iconic mermaid fountain that sprays water from her palms back into her basin. In Nature-rich areas, Bathhouses are often designed to integrate with their surroundings, nestled beside flowing rivers or integrated into vibrant gardens.

Funerary Services

Most of the dead in Endros are cremated through fire magic, typically with enchanted pyres, allowing their Prima to return to the world. Their ashes are interred in graveyards or memorial halls. Bodies are burned quickly, especially near shadowlands, as demons and Chimerans grow stronger by feeding on Fairkin, and an unburned body may draw them toward a settlement. Wealthy families turn to mourning houses, semi-religious institutions shaped by the followers of Thanatos, which handle elaborate funerals, body preservation, memorial contracts, and noble tombs.

Jails & Holding

Cities maintain jails for short-term holding rather than long-term imprisonment. They are operated by city authorities or the ruling noble of a territory, and hold suspects, debtors, and convicts awaiting sentencing. Archivist Halls keep secure cells of their own for subjects of criminal investigations. Long sentences are rarely served in a cell; capable criminals are sent into service in the Titan War, while others serve hard labor, often in the Onyx mines.