Aedes Ceranis - The Unconquerable Fist

I always imagined the mountain's flanks to be white. From all the bones, you know? A thousand broken armies are bound to leave many of their own behind.

— Aelia, Queen of the Ambronii

When asked about Vardania's mightiest fortress most will mention the cyclopean cities of the Avitae, the vast castles of the Ferans or the great temple-fortress of Nurn. Few will ever think to look into the continent's northeastern corner. Because there, seemingly far away from any border or threat, stands by far the greatest of all.

Invincible Fist

by Baptiste Forey

Aedes Ceranis rises starkly from the flanks of Mount Gerion. Vast blocks of grey stone tower over the surrounding landscape, some rising up to two-hundred meters above the mountain's treeless expanse. Its form can easily be seen up to a hundred miles from the mountain and dominates the high plateu of Magna Caria.
It quickly becomes obvious that Aedes Ceranis is not a normal fortress. It has no walls, towers or even a moat. Just sheer pillars of stone that rise into the air. Blocks built upon blocks, sometimes in the form of pyramids, sometimes in stranger variants. Ramps, bridges and other contraptions cross the strange arrangement in a complex net that appears like fungal growth climbing along the trunks of titanic stone trees.
But there is intent behind the strange design of Aedes Ceranis. Its sheer surface hides a complex system of moveable components that can be retracted at will. Where first there was only a blank wall can suddenly appear a terrifying array of weapons platforms. Appearing fragile, its walls can withstand even heavy ordnance.

Internal Systems

Protected by thick sheets of iron and stone there is a complex system of pipes, elevators and air ducts. They xan bring water, warm and cold, supplies and clean air into every room within the fortress and do so at rapid speed. The main parts of the system are contained within the center of the buildings, meaning that even if outlying parts are damaged, the whole system will continue to operate. To maintain this system at full efficiency, the garrison at Aedes Ceranis includes a large contingent of technicians and artisans. Operations can be guided from a single control room within the central tower.

Life Underground

Already impressive from above, it is only from below that the Fist's true dimensions become apparant. A vast network of underground bunkers, halls, factories and storage units drives deep into the confines of the earth. The vast majority of Aedes Ceranis' almost 200.000 occupants live here, coming up to work in the fortress or the fields, mines and towns around it during the day. This system also houses the fortress' food storages and water supply, sourced from the glaciers that cover Mt. Gerion's peak. Additionally, the fortress has its own arsenal, making it fully autark in terms of supplies.

A Thousand Armies

Aedes Ceranis was built on the ruins of the ancient city of Ashin, once capital of the Sikirian people. Following the Desolation of the North in 793 DA, the land had been empty and the old city was completely destroyed in 798 DA, by forces from the south, in an attempt to cleanse the land of madness that had been left behind.
Life returned in 1798 DA, when the Second Hegemony began to work on a new fortress on the flanks of Mt. Gerion. It took over a century and hundreds of thousands of workers, but in the end there emerged a fortress that has stood the onslaught of nature, man and time for nearly two millennia.
Since then it has been the capital of tyrants, the last stronghold of beleaguered nations and the birthplace of empires. Nearly a thousand armies tried to scale its walls. And in 3330 DA, it became the stronghold of Adeon Vargan, last of the great imperial warlords and only remnant of the Fourth Hegemony.

Much as it appears a pearl when threatened by others, never forget the monster hiding underneath. A beast that needs a hundred thousand souls to even stay awake for a day.

— Viktarian, Imperial Warlord

Alternative Name(s)

The Invincible Fist

Type

Capital

Population

160,000

Arsenal of Destruction

Aside from its walls, Aedes Ceranis possesses over three hundred individual weapon systems to defend itself. From Rodine Lances to Rhomeian Strike Ballistae, sound weapons, steam guns and even a mirror weapon. Entire armies have been torn apart by even a few salvos of this arsenal.

Strange Origins

No one is quite sure why the Hegemony built such a titanic fortress in this, usually safe part of the continent. The original documents calling for its construction were lost and the empire simply decided to finish what it had been building for decades.

Tyrant's Nest

Aedes Ceranis is infamous for the many tyrants that used to call it home. No other fortress has seen as long and illustrous a line of warlords and madmen. From the genocidal usurper Vespasian to the Furies of the Severan Dynasty and finally the Iron Wolf himself, Aedes Ceranis draws in power like no other.

by Lucia Hsiang