Spiral
Overview
The Urizen lived in Spiral long before there was an Empire, but even then it was isolated. The main thrust of pre-Imperial Urizen settlement was in Morrow to the north, and the two territories were connected by a tenuous "bridge" of spires stretching across Zenith. Even then, the place had a haunted reputation. At some point in the distant past, powerful magic was worked here and the echoes of that magic occasionally caused trouble for the Urizen in their mountain fastnesses.
At the heart of the territory is the Black Plateau, great plateau of volcanic glass with a dire reputation. Artefacts from the Black Plateau are often considered haunted or touched by malign evil, and are generally destroyed when they are encountered.
Recent History
Spiral was lost to the Empire in 331 YE. Barbarians from the Broken Coast came up through Aulus along the coast, and with weapons fashioned from the glass taken from the Black Plateau overran the defenders of Spiral, resisting all efforts to throw them back.
Major Features
The Black Plateau
A great plateau of volcanic glass with a dire reputation. Artefacts from the Black Plateau are often considered haunted or touched by malign evil, and are generally destroyed when they are encountered. Barbarians armed with weapons fashioned from the glass taken from the Black Plateau overran the defenders of Spiral, resisting all efforts to throw them back.
Home to one of Urizen’s finest libraries: as the barbarians drew near the Urizen carried the entire contents to Endsmeet. The Spire itself lies ruined. The infamous Emperor Nicovar was born here, and lived much of his early life at Ankarien; this did not spare the library from his destructive wrath as he descended into madness.
Fort Mezudan, “The Fist”
This fortress was under construction at the time the barbarians attack, but workers and guards refused the order to destroy the walls. When the original defences against the barbarians fell, the workers armed themselves and held the semi-completed fortress for two weeks until Imperial reinforcements arrived. For that reason the stone-crafters guild have always had nominal control of this fortress, and no decade has gone by without some major renovation or improvement being undertaken.
The Legacy
This vast mine complex is one of the few places in Spiral that remain under Imperial control. It is mostly played out today, but still manages to produces significant quantities of mithril for whoever controls it. According to legend the site was part of a great gift to the Urizen people but who gave it to them, and why, are deatils lost to time.
The Legacy is a national Bourse position which produces mithril. Control of the Legacy is assigned to whichever Urizen candidate receives the most support from Urizen owners of mana sites. This Bourse position produces 22 Imperial wains of mithril every season.
Regions
Ankra
The partially constructed Fort Mezudan stands here.
Ankarien
Apstrus
One of the better knows spires in Apstrus was Solen's Doubt. Dedicated to experimental philosophy, it was a place for solitary study and thought. Unsurprisingly, it was overrun during the barbarian march to the Black Plateau.
Apulus
Ateri
Cinon
The slopes of Cinon are littered with ruined spires, long since looted by the barbarians. Most of these spires stood over plentiful mines and there were many rich veins of tempest jade and weltsilver. The most famous of the lost spires was proabably Damakan’s Forge Damakan was renowned as the greatest Urizen swordsmith of antiquity, and even today her blades change hands for small fortunes. Although many of her secrets went with her to her grave, a small lodge of smiths have maintained her forge and traditions in its original site in the Spiral. Crafters who were allowed to work with this lodge are rare indeed, but those few who did were able to create swords of surpassing excellence. The spire fell to the barbarians forty years ago - it is unclear how many of the secrets of the weaponsmiths fell into their hands at this time. The smaller settlement of Ossen's Spire served as a gateway to Damakan’s Forge, where those who wished to serve there came here first, and those who wished a sword from there lived at Ossen's Spire to prove their worth before being granted the honour.
Ossurary
Ossuary takes its name from the large number of giant bones regularly unearthed in the mines here. Scholars are at a loss to explain them - some claim they may be the bones of great drakes or perhaps even dragons. Many of these bones have been exported to other parts of the Empire where they are studied or presented as curiosities.
The Legacy is in Ossuary; a vital resource that provides mithril to the people of Urizen, which is primarily used to enhance mana sites. If it were lost, the Urizen would suffer a major blow to their prosperity and potential ability to work magic.
Screed
OOC Notes
- The Urizen (and thus the Empire) control Ateri, Ossuary, The barbarian orcs control Ankra, Apstrus,