Locations/GlitteringCitadel

The Glittering Citadel

by Moxiane

Description

Nestled in a valley far to the north-west, on the very edge of Creation and looking down onto the plains of madness that constitute the Wyld, stands the Glittering Citadel. Set in eternal vigilance over one of the more common routes for Fair Folk incursions during the chaos that followed the Usurpation, the Glittering Citadel is a powerful barrier against the liquid insanity of the Fae, the stability of its Essence anathema to their very being.

To those who behold it its name is instantly apt, as it is visible from the far end of its nameless valley, a gleaming spire of light in the distance. As one approaches, the glare resolves into a tower some three stories in height composed of imperishable crystal, a relic of the powerful sorceries still available in those long lost days, surrounded by a veritable sea of bones – all that remains of a vast army of hobgoblins driven by their Wyld-borne masters down the valley in a hopeless attempt to get past this irreducible thorn in the side of the Wyld.

Special Features

Apart from its location, the Glittering Citadel has no extra features that were not incorporated into its defences. The excess energy from its Demesne (rated at •••••, one point higher than the Manse and its Hearthstone), is channelled into those functions.

Hearthstone Chamber

At the top of the tower, in a chamber of crystal so clear that one can see for miles, motes of light dance endlessly within five pillars of glass that surround the room. Occasionally one of these motes will detach from the pillar only to be drawn to a small niche set into the very point of the room, some 8’ above the floor, where, in a cradle of white jade and orichalcum, the Hearthstone of the Glittering Citadel, a Guardian Gem forms.

Manse Defences

Designed and constructed as a defence against the Fair Folk, the Glittering Citadel acts as a stabilising influence, bringing a section of the world that would normally fray this close to the Wyld fully into reality. This stasis function has the secondary effect of causing intense pain and even injury to any member of the Fair Folk who would approach it, the effect increasing as the unfortunate Fae moves closer to the Citadel. At a mile’s distance any creature of the Fair Folk suffers one die of aggravated damage per hour, increasing to one die per minute at a half-mile and finally one per turn (3 seconds) at anything less than 100yds, this damage, being an effect of the ultra-stable nature of Creation around the Glittering Citadel, bypasses any armour that the Fae may be wearing. If there is an Exalt in the Hearthstone chamber he may increase the damage the Manse inflicts on any Fair Folk by channelling his own Essence directly into the occult geometry of the Manse, causing an extra die of Aggravated damage (up to the character’s permanent Essence) for every 10 motes and 1 Willpower that he spends, this increased damage persists for an hour, during which time the Essence spent is considered committed.

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