Formed thousands of years ago from the caldera of a long extinct volcano, Firefall Lake is a wondrous sight to behold. Lush and vibrant, the forests and fields that surround this natural gem give little evidence of the region's violent past. The size of the crater indicates that at the height of its activity, the Firefall Lake volcano would have sent lava flows to the Northern sea and ash clouds across the continent.
Now, the ancient flows provide rich mineral deposits for local farmers, and annual flooding during the spring thaw ensures that year after year these minerals are replenished. Firefall Fields is known to produce some of the finest wines, an unusual feat for such a northern region. Legend has it that the ancient heat of the volcano still warms the ground which allows the grape harvests to flourish long after the summer sun has died.
At the heart of Firefall Lake lies an island which holds the ruins of an abandoned town, some 75 years vacant. Little is remembered of this settlement or its decline, but the area is considered cursed to live in, and few adventurous souls spend more than a few days on the island.
Showing posts with label Dancia's Guide to Modern Vendaria. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dancia's Guide to Modern Vendaria. Show all posts
2.7.12
The Sapphire in the North
The Blue Keep of Dacton gains its name from the river and delta which it guards. Its high crenelated walls are actually a deep attractive shade of red from the mineral rich clay harvested from the Blue delta. These are the same clays which are used to make the pottery for which this region is famous.
Regent Mallory currently presides over this bustling port city and is responsible for the maintenance of several prominent trade routes. Coordination with the major trading companies, such as Ascorian Imports and Trades and the Kelpwater Company, enables Dacton to be the unrivaled hub of the Central Seaways.
Though it is a burgeoning metropolis, Dacton knows a relative peace because of the excellent efforts of the local sheriff and the Blue Keep's garrison. "The Sapphire in the North" is a beautiful and eclectic city quite worth the visit.
Regent Mallory currently presides over this bustling port city and is responsible for the maintenance of several prominent trade routes. Coordination with the major trading companies, such as Ascorian Imports and Trades and the Kelpwater Company, enables Dacton to be the unrivaled hub of the Central Seaways.
Though it is a burgeoning metropolis, Dacton knows a relative peace because of the excellent efforts of the local sheriff and the Blue Keep's garrison. "The Sapphire in the North" is a beautiful and eclectic city quite worth the visit.
24.5.12
The Nine Wonders of Ascoria: #4, The Keepers' Sanctum
Ages ago, as one of the first major architectural ventures of the post Pact era, Defirium Karthswane, first overseer of the Keepers, commissioned the soon to be famous "Miles" Milo Glannon to build his order a magnificent keep. Milo designed Sanctum to resemble the planar representation of the cosmos. A ring of
16 amphitheatres surrounds the complex while four covered practice rings and two outbuildings nest against the tower itself. The tower stands a remarkable 10 stories high, its grey, yellow and white granite visible for miles in the
countryside (it is oft remarked that this is how Milo gained his nickname).
The main floor houses the atrium, a beautiful entrance that boasts an arboretum and gives entry to the common area and the mess hall. Grand marble stairs lead up to the second floor where the initiates take residence and have their classes. The fine marble for this project was mined from all over Ascoria, some of the furthest coming from Pell and some of the most expensive coming from Tirinas.
The third floor contains the acolyte residences and the indoor training area, the fourth floor contains further classrooms. It is typical for more than 300 initiates, acolytes and adepts to reside within these residences, and still more are to be found about keepers business within the real. It is estimated that in times of need Sanctum could accommodate a reasonably sized legion.
The fifth and sixth floors make up Sanctum's extensive library, vast sums of knowledge from all realms of life are kept here and the collection grows continuously. It is a collection said to rival that of the ancient Library at Sorica Tor, but since its loss to the sea no one can verify this.
The seventh floor is where the keepers hold daily council and where the initiates and acolytes can seek private and group audiences with their elders outside of scheduled study time. The eighth floor contains the quarters for all higher ranking Keepers. The ninth floor is the site of the alchemical laboratories. Although procuring and placing the equipment and supplies there is often difficult, the safety from aberrant experiments is increased due to its proximity to senior members and distance from common residences. The tenth floor opens up to the Panoptikon. It is a covered balcony that contains the Planar Focus, as well as affords a generous view of the surrounding countryside. It is unsure who was commissioned to create the Planar Focus, it is for the most part considered a piece of art, but it is rumoured to be salvage from the pre-Pact era, and possibly of Cathucan design.
The main floor houses the atrium, a beautiful entrance that boasts an arboretum and gives entry to the common area and the mess hall. Grand marble stairs lead up to the second floor where the initiates take residence and have their classes. The fine marble for this project was mined from all over Ascoria, some of the furthest coming from Pell and some of the most expensive coming from Tirinas.
The third floor contains the acolyte residences and the indoor training area, the fourth floor contains further classrooms. It is typical for more than 300 initiates, acolytes and adepts to reside within these residences, and still more are to be found about keepers business within the real. It is estimated that in times of need Sanctum could accommodate a reasonably sized legion.
The fifth and sixth floors make up Sanctum's extensive library, vast sums of knowledge from all realms of life are kept here and the collection grows continuously. It is a collection said to rival that of the ancient Library at Sorica Tor, but since its loss to the sea no one can verify this.
The seventh floor is where the keepers hold daily council and where the initiates and acolytes can seek private and group audiences with their elders outside of scheduled study time. The eighth floor contains the quarters for all higher ranking Keepers. The ninth floor is the site of the alchemical laboratories. Although procuring and placing the equipment and supplies there is often difficult, the safety from aberrant experiments is increased due to its proximity to senior members and distance from common residences. The tenth floor opens up to the Panoptikon. It is a covered balcony that contains the Planar Focus, as well as affords a generous view of the surrounding countryside. It is unsure who was commissioned to create the Planar Focus, it is for the most part considered a piece of art, but it is rumoured to be salvage from the pre-Pact era, and possibly of Cathucan design.