Standing atop a rise on one of the larger islands of the
Tempest Reefs, this tall, narrow tower overlooks the crashing waves and sharp rocks that make up the reefs. From this tower,
Mages study the frequent storms, do experimental
Magic work with the lightning, and watch for strange sails on the horizon from the south.
Southernmost Watch
The
Tempest Reefs are a long archipelago of islands and razor-sharp reefs that runs out into the sea from the
Southern Wastes. The Reefs form a southern border on the seas off the coast of Lasair, entirely preventing ship traffic from passing between the
City-States Region and the southern coast of the continent - including
Mina'Satie Bay.
The Reefs are not solid enough to support much in the way of building - in fact, a handful of ruins dot the islands from attempts at doing so centuries ago - except for one large peak reaching out from the seas. Atop this rests Fulminar Tower, a spire of stone raised with magic, serving as an outpost for members of the
Mages seeking to spend time at this most extreme point where land, sea, and air meet.
An Elementalist's Dream Retreat
For
Mages who work with
elemental magic, especially lightning or water magic, the tower is a dream. The storms over the Reefs are practically permanent, due to the confluence of cooler westerly winds and warmer southern waters, as well as a concentration of
Elementals that seem to frequently congregate here. This location allows mages with the right specializations to practice spells, to experiment with magical development, or simply to enjoy the ambience. Storm mages in particular are known to spend hours casting flight magic upon themselves and soaring upon the massive updrafts that the winds here create, circling thunderheads and watching lightning elementals cavort in the skies.
One little-known fact about Fulminar Tower is that its structure itself is designed to encourage storms from coalescing around it. It is built in a way to attract lightning, and there are several very powerful enchantments laid into several of the islands of the Reefs to draw elemental energy in from the surrounding seas. The fact that this makes the tower a perfect place to study storm magic a nice
secondary benefit to the tower's primary purpose.
Gateway over the Sea
The actual purpose of Fulminar Tower and the storms it summons is to exacerbate the already hazardous navigation conditions through the
Tempest Reefs. The narrow passages and shallow reefs already make it difficult for ships to pass through, and the storms make it virtually impossible. The
Mages consider this to be a desirable outcome because they value keeping the
City-States Region isolated from other lands, including the continent to the south across the sea. Traders from those lands are able to reach the southern coast - they founded
Almina - but are unable to make it up into the northern parts of Lasair.
In this way, the
Mages are able to maintain fuller control over the
Humans lands on Lasair, keeping the careful balance between the cities, and limiting access to knowledge of the outside world. The tower is thus a vital part of the Mages' power, though this purpose is known only by a limited number within the magocracy.
The Tempest Reefs are a long archipelago of islands and razor-sharp reefs that runs out into the sea from the Southern Wastes. The Reefs form a southern border on the seas off the coast of Lasair, entirely preventing ship traffic from passing between the City-States Region and the southern coast of the continent - including Mina'Satie Bay.
The Reefs are not solid enough to support much in the way of building - in fact, a handful of ruins dot the islands from attempts at doing so centuries ago - except for one large peak reaching out from the seas. Atop this rests Fulminar Tower, a spire of stone raised with magic, serving as an outpost for members of the Mages seeking to spend time at this most extreme point where land, sea, and air meet.
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