Belcraft is the true seat of power within Crow. It is the home of the “Lord” of Belcraft, who is the king of the land in all but name. The Lord serves more as a governor for Belcraft, but holds immense power in making and enforcing laws throughout the country. Because of this, all major cities within Crow send a delegate to vote for the new Lord once every 10 years. Since voting is only held within Belcraft, anytime a delegate is not in attendance their region loses it’s voice in choosing their ruler for the next 10 years. Belcraft is also the center for high society in Crow and creates laws for the northernmost and southernmost parts of Crow. It is considered in fashion to speak the Elven language within Crow, although it is found that the versions of Elven spoken there differ greatly from that which is spoken within Elven lands. This has been pointed out politely by visiting Elven nobles and less politely by Elven rangers and journeymen. Belcraft is well built with stone walls and buildings that reflect the many diverse groups which exist within the city. Many different groups with varying cultural styles have had influence and holding within Belcraft since it’s inception many hundreds of years ago. Each group has influenced the architecture and building styles in varied ways. The end result has been a stone city whose next developing area tries to be grander and more glamourous than the last one. The main church in Belcraft is the largest within Ithis. It’s spires stretch higher than any other building in the city and many travel to Belcraft to see the church alone. The stadium at Belcraft encompasses acreage larger than that of current day Venture. The alleyways to the east hold a large market and many doors off of back alleys hold the laboratories for many of the most acclaimed tech wizards in the land. The tech wizards always pay to rebuild any buildings that their experiments (successful and unsuccessful alike) destroy.
The School of Theology and Wall of Gnostics both adorn the western quarter of the city. Here you will find many aristocratic homesteads. It is even rumored that the dealings of the Inner Circle, a group of arcanist mages with dark intent, move through the streets as nobles by day and hold strange ceremonies at night. Menrig the Pirate was spotted within the city before he became infamous and many young people with hopeful dreams join the adventurers guild in Belcraft.
Studying with the Gnostic Mages of Belcraft is considered to be one of the best and most vaunted sources one can learn the rites of magic from. Indeed many of the young scholars who study here are given posts within Belcraft's army. The army is not known for it’s use of mages, though. Indeed, it recruits Knight Generals from the ranks of the nobles within Crow and holds a large group of draftsman soldiers. These groups are sent throughout Crow to enforce laws, keep the peace, and deal with any issues which local militia or sheriffs cannot handle on their own. Belcraft soldiers only really take issues into play when it is too big for local authorities. Since there have been no major wars since the Andred-Crow War, there has been no major use for the military.
