The Great Stairway
The Great Stairway stands as both a testament to dwarven engineering prowess and a bulwark against the encroaching darkness that once threatened to engulf the realm. Rising defiantly from the desolate crater floor, it is the sole passage to ascend from the abyssal depths to the heights above, a towering edifice of stone and steel that guards the realm with unyielding vigilance. Through the fortress runs a river, an artery channeled through the many canals and sluice gates. Serving not merely a source of sustenance, but as a lifeline upon which the fortress relies for its very survival. Through ingenious engineering, the river is harnessed to power the massive gates that seal each floor, their iron-bound timbers groaning as they swing open or shut at the command of the dwarven guards.
Above the battlements, ballistas stand vigilant against the threat of aerial assault, their massive frames poised to loose bolts of iron death upon any winged foes that dare approach. Yet, the defense of the fortress does not end at its walls; scattered across the rim of the crater, smaller outposts house additional siege engines, their watchful eyes scanning the skies for any sign of demonic incursion. Within the fortress, the dwarves labor tirelessly, their only purpose to serve as guardians of the realm. Driven by the memories of the Demon Scourge, they stand as stalwart defenders against the encroaching darkness, their resolve unshakable even in the face of overwhelming odds.
At its base lies the Iron Gate, the formidable entrance to this bastion of defense. Hewn from the heart of the mountains themselves, its towering walls of iron-studded stone serve as the first line of defense against any who would dare breach its formidable defenses. Beyond these walls, the river flows wide and deep, serving as a natural moat, deterring would-be invaders. As it runs deeper into the hellish landscape of the crater, it becomes the source of the ever-concealing fog that shrouds the fortress's base. From the higher floors, only the towers and highest points emerge from the mist that perpetually enshrouds the walls.
As one ventures deeper into the fortress, they ascend through each successive floor, each rising slightly higher than the last, like steps leading ever skyward. The second floor, known as the Forgeheart Armory, stands as the primary armory and repair workshop for the fortress. Here, skilled dwarven smiths meticulously maintain and repair the weapons and armor of the guards, ensuring that they are always prepared for battle.
Moving upward, the third floor, the Arcane Sanctum, serves as a repository of knowledge and sentinel against arcane threats. Mages from the Arcane Collective oversee the powerful spells woven into the fortress walls, ensuring their potency in the hour of need. Amidst the fortress's stony halls, the Arcane Sanctum stands as a beacon of arcane power, ever vigilant.
Ascending further, the fourth floor, the Sentinel Heights, offers a semblance of ordinary city life within the fortress's stern confines. Here, most of the dwarves make their homes, resulting in a bustling environment unlike the lower floors. This floor houses the fortress's only marketplace, where merchants ply their trade to the guards and soldiers stationed within. Nearby, the kitchen bustles with activity as cooks and servants prepare the food supplies that sustain the fortress's defenders. Bathed in sunlight streaming through the fortress's openings, the Sentinel Heights exude a sense of warmth and vitality, in contrast to the somber depths below.
And at the summit of The Great Stairway lies The Final Ascent, the last floor and pinnacle of dwarven ingenuity and determination. Here, amidst the swirling mists of the crater's rim, the last line of defense stands ready to repel any who would threaten the realm. For as long as The Great Stairway endures, so too shall the spirit of Ëndria remain unbroken, a beacon of hope amidst the shadows of despair.
Founding Date
4126
Type
Fortress
Parent Location
Owning Organization
Contested By
