Flamekeep

From afar, Flamekeep resembles a gigantic fortress enclosed by high walls, its buildings perched atop a rocky plinth surrounded on all sides by a water-filled crevasse. Deep within this crevasse sits the city’s bustling harbor and more crowded districts. The magnificent Cathedral of the Silver Flame, its white alabaster walls agleam, surmounts the rocky plinth—a glorious beacon visible for miles in every direction. West of the Cathedral rise the slender spires of Thalingard, the ancestral home of Thrane’s kings. Unlike the Cathedral, the royal palace is sculpted from gray rock and looks somewhat glum by comparison. Flamekeep is, in all respects, the heart of Thrane. Nearly half of the nation’s population lives here, both in the city and in outlying areas. Therefore, it should surprise no one that most of the cloak-and-dagger intrigue gripping the theocracy unfolds here.
Flamekeep sits along the western cliffs of Scions Sound. Most of the city rests atop a multi tiered pedestal of rock. A water-filled channel surrounds the great plinth, enabling ships to move between Scions Sound and the city’s well-hidden and well-defended harbor.
On a clear day, one can stand on the highest parapets of the Cathedral and barely make out the distant island of Thronehold, seat of the Kingdom of Galifar, to the east.
Built where the divine battle between the paladin Tira Miron and the abomination of darkness and shadow was fought, Flamekeep began as a small temple built around the purified fire. In time, a cathedral replaced the temple, and the church’s evolution from cult to religion brought people from all over the realm until a city took shape. The city bears the signs of its devotion in all things—icons, flame imagery, and stone placards bearing sacred texts adorn nearly every surface. Architects were commissioned to use light and soaring construction to capture the nation’s devotion to the Silver Flame, giving the city its distinctive look.
Flamekeep is Thrane’s spiritual and political center. Pilgrims descend on the city from all over the nation and beyond to behold its beauty, to enter the Cathedral of the Silver Flame, and, if they are lucky, to catch a glimpse of the miraculous flames within. Although the presence of the divine infuses the city, with statues and imagery devoted to the church wherever space allows, the city is also a hotbed of intrigue. Influential religious officials, foreign emissaries, and others meet to negotiate secret alliances and make backroom deals to advance their agendas and grow their power.
Most of the city rises from a tiered pedestal of land surrounded by a deep channel. The waterway leads all the way south from Scions Sound, enabling ships to sail in and dock at the low-lying western ports. Three bridges span the water, to the north, east, and south.
The spiritual heart and capital of Thrane, Flamekeep is a massive fortress city. The Keeper of the Flame dwells in the great Cathedral of the Silver Flame, which holds the pillar of fire born when Tira Miron sacrificed herself to bind the demon Bel Shalor. The cathedral is the seat of the Council of Cardinals and the primary garrison of the templar order. Flamekeep is also home to Thalingard, the ancestral palace of the rulers of Thrane and current residence of Queen Diani ir’Wynarn.

Population

150,000

Owner/Ruler

Jaela Daran

Owning Organization

The Silver Flame

Characters in Location

• Borrir ir'Kundarak
• Cassius-Ro
• Fallit ir'Jorasco
• How Spark
• Issabella ir'Iona
• Jullian Gerld
• Krozen
• Niben ir'Sivis
• Panben ir'Lyrandar
• Prefect Oas
• Queen Diani ir’Wynarn
• Rhik
• Talia ir'Sivis
• Yohannas ir'Deday