"We've built this as a reminder, not just of the peace between human and elf, but of what happened before. To remind us that it can never happen again". - Garius Belmere, Chief Architect of Gwent Ravan
Gwent Ravan, or "Monument of Mending" in Common, was a massive monument built into the southern foothills of the
Royal Mountains. It stands as a reminder to the events of the
The Ironwood War, the deadly military conflict fought between the Elves of the
Ironwood and the humans of
Astora. It appears as two warriors, one elven one human. Both carry weapons let down at their sides, while the opposite hands are embraced with one another. In the years since the monument's establishment, a small hamlet has grown around it's base.
The Mountain Jewel, one of Astora's premiere establishments, has set up at the base of the monument.
Architecture
The monument itself is made up of two, several hundred foot high, stone statues. One is sculpted in elven fashion, displaying the likeness of an elven warrior. The other is sculpted as a human soldier. Both statues face each other, with a hand in each other's embrace. The other arms hold weapons, though they are displayed in a subdued fashion. Both statues stand on a base of solid rock, cut directly out of the foothills. The architecture around the base is very elven in fashion, displaying cultural decorations and fauna.
Revealed in AoR 608, an addition was made to the Monument at Gwent Ravan. A 25ft, gold statue of
Farithil Firsthand was introduced, also set into the rocky base of the monument. It sat ahead of the two statues, measuring about a quarter of the height of the original creations.
History
Establishment
The idea for Gwent Ravan was first had in the few short years after the end of the Ironwood War. The prospect of elves joining Astora had been met with underwhelming support by the human community, and in favor of looking to avoid possible violence, the
Festival of Mending was announced. Alongside this, the plans for Gwent Ravan were revealed, and construction began immediently. In AoR 456, only 8 years after the end of the war, Gwent Ravan was finished. It sought to bring together human and elves alike, both of which could take pride in the beauty of the monument that sought to combine artistic aspects of both cultures.
Unfortunately, the unveiling of the monument was marred by actions of
The Remnants. Just days after the first celebration under the gaze of the statues,
Cassius Bell, a member of
The Council of Nine, was abducted on his travel back from Gwent Ravan. He was tortured and later killed by the elven rebels. This was a grave reminder of on the true cost of the war, a stark contrast to the peaceful expression of the Monument of Mending.
AoR 608
Gwent Ravan was once again the site of violence in AoR 608, when during a speech from Council Member
Ailmon Hastleaf, several nature spirits were awoken and moved to attack those that had gathered in celebration. Several of Astora's highborn nobles and Astoran soldiers were killed in the attack, though it was quickly quelled by member's of Ailmon's
Vigil detail and a group of adventurers. This happened shortly after the reveal of Gwent Ravan's newest addition, a statue of Farithil Firsthand.
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