Citadel of Light [Location]
Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2023 2:46 am
The Citadel of Light
The Citadel of Light has been the centerpiece of Ailos since it's construction following the War of Souls. As Ailos was given to the Order of the Dawnmartyr in thanks for their help with the Cult of Mending and the Graveplague, the Citadel was constructed to pay honor to both the Order and to Arcas. It's construction was finished in year 5 of the Age of Steel, and was built by the finest craftsmen and world mages that the earlier government of Ecith had to offer. It was constructed as a both a house of worship, but also a headquarters and small town for the surviving Dawnmartyrs within the Order.
The Citadel itself is large enough to house the entire population of Ailos at any given time, and always glows with the light of the imbued marble used in its construction. It hosts a library of historical texts and artwork related to the Order and Arcas, as well as the history of Ailos itself. Beneath the Citadel are the Catacombs, a vast labyrinth that serves as both a resting place for the ashes of Dawnmartyrs as well as Arcas' own personal tomb. The Catacombs are imbued in such a way to serve as a moving and shifting maze, protecting the remains and artifacts stored within. Those who enter that are pure of heart and intent will find the labyrinth guiding them to what they hope to find, to learn. Others will find the labyrinth actively working against them. The Catacombs serve as the testing ground for when the Order needs to promote a member to Grand Marshal, who must go through three Trials within the catacombs, a Trial of Hope, a Trial of Light, and a Trial of Justice.
The buildings around the Citadel serve as barracks, armory, support services, and various residences for the Citadel. Dawnmartyrs and civilians alike live and work here together. The Dawnmartyrs are heavily intermingled into Ailosian and Ecithian culture, so it families, friends, and lovers are common sights here.
Following the Imperial Invasion, the Citadel was left in ruins and desecrated. To this day, the Citadel remains unfinished in the rebuild and progress is slow due to the severely reduced numbers of Dawnmartyrs. The Commonwealth has sent craftsmen and mages and resources to aid in the construction, but being a new government and having to rebuild the nation, the help has been limited. The population of the Citadel is drastically reduced, with very few Dawnmartyrs and civilians returning. A once bright and vibrant placed has been reduced to a dark shell of itself.