The Ascent and Arrival at The Summit
The final climb up to The Summit from The Noble’s District is a journey in itself, each step leading you higher into the heart of Shalannan’s most sacred tier. The air grows cooler and thinner, the sounds of the bustling city fading as you ascend. The towering walls of the second tier gradually recede, and before you lies a broad expanse of carefully manicured pathways, quiet courtyards, and solemn monuments.
As you approach the summit, the white marble buildings gleam like beacons against the azure sky. The winding road, lined with columns and shaded by ancient trees, guides you to the grand gates of The Summit. The stone beneath your feet is smooth and weathered, a testament to the centuries of footsteps that have tread this hallowed ground. The soft crunch of gravel beneath your boots is the only sound, save for the distant bells of the Grand Cathedral.
The Cathedral
The first structure to greet you is The Cathedral, towering above all else. Its spires reach into the heavens, adorned with golden accents that seem to shimmer even in the dim light. The sheer scale of the building takes your breath away—its columns stretch skyward, and intricate carvings of saints, angels, and celestial beings wrap around the exterior, each one more detailed than the last. The soft sound of a choir hums from within, their voices rising and falling in delicate harmony, carried through the open windows that line the cathedral’s upper reaches.
The path from the Cathedral leads you to the old, abandoned Chapel—the remnants of the first settlers’ humble beginnings. Though the Chapel stands in ruin, its quiet presence contrasts sharply with the grandeur of the Cathedral beside it. The wrought-iron fence that surrounds it is tall and uninviting, the gate long since vanished, leaving only an impression of mystery. The windows, some shattered and others boarded, reflect the stories of generations gone by, and the weathered wood of the doors hints at a time before The Cathedral, before Shalannan became what it is today.
Though this forgotten place is hidden behind the towering Cathedral, there is no mistaking its significance. The air here feels still, heavy with the weight of history, and the courtyard—once a place for quiet reflection—is now home to the gnarled apple trees that sway gently in the breeze. Their roots have long since broken the ground, twisting around the stone like the fingers of the past reaching into the present.
The Grand Cathedral – A Monument to Divinity
The Grand Cathedral is, without a doubt, the heart of The Summit, both physically and spiritually. It stands as a monument to the divine, its walls inscribed with prayers, blessings, and blessings for all who pass through its doors. The Cathedral is immense, with an entrance that dwarfs even the tallest individuals who dare to approach. The air surrounding it is thick with reverence, and the hustle and bustle of the city outside is replaced by the soft whispers of prayer, the rustle of robes, and the hum of holy chants.
Entering the Cathedral is like stepping into another realm. The first thing you notice is the sheer scale of the interior. Towering columns rise like mighty trees, their bases lost in shadow and their tops lost among the arched ceiling far above. The vaulted roof is a masterpiece of stonework, adorned with intricate carvings that tell the stories of the divine and the history of Shalannan itself. The light that pours through the cathedral’s many stained-glass windows casts brilliant hues across the floor—reds, blues, purples, and golds mingling in delicate patterns. Sunlight from the heavens seems to pour into the space, illuminating the sacred altars, statues of gods, and the flickering candles that line the aisles.
The interior is always alive with activity, though never in a hurried or jarring manner. Clerics, acolytes, and paladins bustle about, preparing for services or meditating in quiet corners. Some of the walls are lined with gold filigree sconces that hold flickering candles, casting a soft glow across the ancient stone floor. The scent of incense is heavy in the air, its sweet fragrance mingling with the coolness of the stone.
Divinity, Peace, and Power
As you walk further into the heart of the Cathedral, the overwhelming sense of awe only grows. Above you, the massive dome rises, decorated with depictions of celestial beings, saints, and holy figures. The art is both beautiful and humbling, as if the heavens themselves have descended to embrace this place. In the center of the room, an enormous altar stands, bathed in soft light from the window above. This is where the most sacred rites are performed, where the faithful gather in communion with the divine. The priests, robed in flowing white and gold vestments, move about the altar with reverence, their voices a soft murmur as they chant the sacred words that have been passed down through generations.
At the far end of the Cathedral, a massive organ stands, its pipes gleaming in the sunlight. The sound of its music is both powerful and serene, reverberating throughout the building. The melodies echo in the grand chamber, filling every corner with a sense of peace and divinity. The organ is played during the grandest ceremonies, its majestic tones accompanying the hymns of the faithful. Even the mere sound of it, drifting through the halls, brings a sense of tranquility to all who hear it.
The Bank and City Seat – Shalannan’s Power
Directly adjacent to the Cathedral lies The Bank, a large, imposing structure of gleaming white marble and gold, its façade engraved with the names of those who have shaped Shalannan’s financial legacy. It serves as a symbol of the city’s wealth and stability, and the meticulous care that has been taken to maintain it is evident in every polished stone and carefully crafted column.
Inside, the Bank is a hive of activity. The clerks, wearing robes of dark red and gold, move quickly between the marble counters, transacting business, counting coin, and managing the city’s wealth. A steady flow of people, from wealthy merchants to visiting dignitaries, pass through the bank’s doors, each of them tending to their own business or entrusting their fortunes to the institution. There is a quiet hum of conversation as the business of the city is carried out within these sacred walls.
The Bank
Behind the Bank, you will find The City Seat—Shalannan’s political heart. The City Seat is a grand building, its architecture both noble and utilitarian. Large windows overlook the city, providing a commanding view of the districts below. Inside, the rooms are furnished with plush velvet chairs, and large oak desks are lined with scrolls, books, and maps. At the head of the chamber stands the great council table, a place where the city’s leaders gather to discuss matters of governance, strategy, and policy.
The City Seat
The City Seat exudes power and control, but also a sense of responsibility. The officials who meet here are always respectful of the city’s long history, its founding principles, and the role they play in maintaining its stability. Some of the conversations here are heated, others are quiet, but they all carry the weight of the city’s future.
The Council Chamber itself is an imposing room, with high ceilings, stone walls, and the same intricate gold filigree that adorns the other buildings of The Summit. The windows allow light to pour in, but the room is often shrouded in shadow, the heavy curtains drawn to maintain a sense of privacy during discussions. The discussions that occur here shape the very future of Shalannan, and those who sit at the council table know the gravity of their decisions.
The Remains of the Old Chapel – Witness to the Past
Behind the Cathedral, cordoned off from the rest of The Summit, stands the old remains of the first chapel built by the settlers of Shalannan. Its weathered stone is a stark contrast to the gleaming white marble that surrounds it. The wrought-iron fence, tall and imposing, serves as both a boundary and a barrier to curiosity. The gate is long gone, leaving only the faintest impressions of what once stood here.
The chapel’s windows are boarded, many of them shattered, remnants of the youthful pranks that have taken place over the centuries. The door is sealed shut, paneling obscuring the way inside. The building seems frozen in time, locked away from the rest of the world, its purpose forgotten by all but a few. Yet, there is a certain reverence that surrounds this forgotten place. Its history is etched into the very stones, and though the city has grown around it, it stands as a silent witness to Shalannan’s humble beginnings.
The courtyard surrounding the Chapel is a quiet, sacred space. Ancient apple trees, gnarled and twisted, stand in rows, their roots pushing through the cracked stone floor. The sound of birds chirping and leaves rustling in the breeze is the only disturbance to the silence. Clerics, acolytes, and paladins in tutelage often gather here in small groups, discussing the land’s history, the teachings of their faith, and sometimes even speculating about the rumors that have circulated through the city. These young devotees, eager to learn and to understand, approach the remains of the Chapel with reverence, but also with curiosity, as though the past is a mystery waiting to be uncovered.
Conversations
A conversation between an Elder and an Acolyte of the Cathedral as they go about a daily lesson:
“My Good Son, what wisdom do you seek of me today?”
“Dear Elder, as a lowly acolyte, I am hoping that you could teach me about the history of our beautiful city, the lands around, and the mysteries that go unanswered.”
“My Good Son, I shall try. Please take a seat, take up quill and ink, and record what I shall relay to you on the parchments in front of you.
The Lands of Shalannan
These lands were settled well more than a dozen ages ago, my family came to these lands around the time of the second founding, when the port was constructed yet before the creation of the Great Walls. My family has always ministered to the city locals and the travelers from abroad who seek our blessing. The hands of my forebears helped to consecrate the walls of the Chapel, and then later build the walls of the Cathedral. Our God, Fharlanghn, to which the Cathedral has been consecrated, has led the Port, then the Village, then the Town, and now the City Elders to prosperity. Our wise and understanding Patron, Fharlanghn has provided the guidance and insight to transform our once fledgling port to the grand city that we find today.
The lands around us are plentiful and bountiful. North of the city, beyond the river and forest, are the farmlands and ranches that provide the grains, fruits, and wool for the city centered around the settlement of Beadale. North of Beadale is the mining town of Otian, where parties set out into the northern mountains and return with ore, gems, and minerals that are turned into the weapons and armor of the guard. In the western expanses of the plains is a large lake, Vollous, where a town, Volland, has been founded to catch fish and bounty of the waters and facilitate the movement of logging materials from Greyn, on the extreme western edge of the plains bordering the Great Forest that lies beyond the pass. Between Volland and Otian rests Kylead in the plains of the west, a training center for armies should defense be needed again. To the south of our city, nestled deep within the wood, is Kyfathalas where students identified by the elven visitors to our city may go to learn the ways of the wood and the magic of nature.
Across our lands, there is a calm, but that is being broken by intrusions from the northern mountains, and a number of the guard have been sent to station there, along with some of our brothers to ensure the morale of the men.
The Lore of the Lands
As for mysteries, what can I answer for you my child?”
“Dear Elder, can you tell me why the Chapel remains even as the Cathedral stands? Why are we no longer admitted entrance to the Chapel? Can you tell me what of the dragons that were seen in the lands? How can I help in the Hospital? Can you tell me how I can gain piety and serve at the altar of the Cathedral? Can you….”
‘Calm, now, Good Son!! Your heart is too conflicted with all of these questions; as some are not meant for us to know; or at least not for me to provide to you. I will try to answer for you what I feel you should know, but some mysteries you will have to divine yourself.
The Chapel is a site of holiness, and as such was needed to stand during the construction of the Cathedral; you cannot rob one to buoy the other. When the Cathedral was completed the Chapel fell into disrepair, and the High Elders decided it should not be disturbed, and as such it was locked and boarded. This was done swiftly, some of the statements say that the Chapel was declared abandoned and sealed in one night. None were admitted the archives, and some of the scholars believe that were still great works contained in that Chapel.
We are not admitted for, after ages without upkeep, the building may not be sound of structure; hence all are dissuaded from attempting entrance. I can see it in your eyes, and yes, Good Son, I know that there are rumors of voices or lights in the Chapel, and I will say to you again that these are merely the delusions of the weary, the ramblings of the drunkards, or the mischievous putting their own desires onto that building. Bah! I wish I could keep it from site so as to not be so desecrated!
I am not sure how your mind has come to think of fanciful things such as Dragons! Are not the sufferings of our fellow man here and across these lands cause enough for care without needing to try to bring to life a fey creature of legend? Come, come, Dear Son, let not your heart mediate on these things.
The Ministries
For helping in the hospital, you should practice with the Elven elders and learn the ways of medicine from them, or find yourself a place in the clerical order and learn the divine crafts to aid in the healing of your flock. Your path here is still to be found by you, it is up to you to find it and walk it on your own.
If your calling is to serve in the Cathedral, the High Elders will find you and call upon you. They constantly are in meditation to find the proper amongst us to join their ranks, or those that would best serve the Cathedral by being sent abroad in missionary service. Just last week they sent another of our order, an inquisitive young lad who was curious and studious away from the cathedral into service. Although his questions to me had always been about Greyn and the Great Forest beyond, the High Elders saw him most fit for a post in Otian, as he was needed to help with the troops who daily foray into the mountains.
Remember this! While you may have a preference of a path, the High Elders and Fharlanghn will always know the right road for you to walk, and you should always defer your road to them.”
“Dear Elder, thank you for your time. Are the grounds of the Chapel still allowed to us, the pious, to roam and walk for reflection? I should very much like to meditate on the history or our order in a place of tranquility and calm.’
“Good Son, I do not believe that would violate any of the commandments of the High Elders, but do mind that if you are directed to come away then you should do so at once.’
“Thank you, Dear Elder. I shall take my leave of you now. Be well, and may Fharlanghn find you in good health and good fortune on the morrow.’
