Ruins of Tircople
Located on a high plateau in the northern part of the Scythirian Mountains, Tircople lies ruined and abandoned. A broken road runs across the dry, rocky landscape to its shattered gates and tumbled walls. The view into the city is nothing but broken buildings. On a hill within the city are the remains of what may have been the high temple of Muir. Fluted columns rise far enough to be seen from the gate, but the entire roof is gone, and the walls are crumbling. Sometimes wandering folk of the desert come into the city for shelter, but since water is hard to find among the ruins, none stay long.
According to legend, this ancient city was founded by the brother of the very first imperator of the Hyperborean Empire. Built to honor the Hyperborean goddess Muir, it was for centuries a pilgrimage destination and a bastion for the cause of good in the world. A pilgrim road was maintained from the Hyperborean capital of Curgantium, all the way across the Isthmus of Irkaina to the Sacred Table, and thousands made the trek each year.
Tircople was the capital of the Hyperborean Empire for a time after the tragic destruction of Curgantium. Later, the Hyperboreans abandoned the city, and it was only restored when claimed by Macobert, first overking of the Hyperborean Monarchy of the Foerdewaith. Under that kingdom’s auspices, pilgrimages resumed, much to the relief of towns and villages along the route who served the travelers.
Tircople was the focus of the various crusades by people of the western kingdoms against the Huun, who attacked the area for religious reasons. (See “Sacred Table” below.)
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