Part 1: [Date of Arrival at the Last Great City]
Date: Date: 632 AF March 22th
The Last Great City of Tiamaht looms before us, a massive metropolis that sprawls across the landscape like a behemoth of stone and steel. It is a sight to behold, close to being a megalithic city in its sheer size and grandeur. Nestled within the center of a circular mountain range called the Dragon's Tooth or the Teeth of Tiamaht as they are known here; meet the Horns of Tiamaht beyond the outer edges of its boundary. I could see the tip of the Horns of Tiamaht rising out beyond the mountains.
The city entrance is flanked by two large majestic stone gates adorned with intricate dragon designs etched into the stone of the mountainside. Their depictions of dragons interest me as the dragons of the Veil and Kordaxian Hoard bear no resemblance to them. It is written that these are based on the mythic creatures of the old world, once revered as vengeful and benevolent Gods, often righteous royal entities that protect the lands, seas, and rivers; other times vile evil selfish beings that bring death and destruction and stand guard to great secrets and wondrous forbidden treasures.
It is from this myth that the Great Sleeping Mother-The Slumbering Titan; World Dragon Tiamaht has derived its name.
The intricate designs are masterfully crafted into the stone walls of the mountains, the artists took great care to carve in delicate details that rely on the lights and shadows of the sun and the mountain ranges to bring the depth of their art to life, the contrast of lighting and shade help in defining the vibrant and vivid illustrations in a way I never thought possible.
Each one depicts legends and stories of the city, its, and the land for all those who journey here. It is said that new stories of those who are worthy are carved into the mountain to this day.
It was a beautiful sight.
It was reminiscent of rune artistry back home; where they were animated images that moved in fluid motions that spoke highly of the rune scribers and advancement of our home, this one held a feeling of timeless wonder, a primitive fascination stirred within me akin to that of a child witnessing something new for the first time - it was as if the stones of the mountain spoke its own wisdom, reminding me that even as we advance and changed in our ways we remain the same in other ways. That even as we parish we may as well be carvings in the stone tablets of time and memory as legacies for those who came after.
The fact that they were carved centuries ago during the Age of Formation only added to their ageless appeal.
Variana took it upon herself to inform me of a few of the stories they tell.
Some depicted Princess Tamarah as she became a Queen; others tell the tale of the formation of the city and individuals who arose the status legends during their time; illustrations depict wars and battles with other Divine Chosen Families, Chosen figures, and other strange denizens of the world. Most curiously were the tales of the Cities meeting and peace treaty with the illusive but deadly Elysian Race.
It reminds me why the City of Tiamaht is called the Last Great City. It is because they welcome all factions into their gates, be they Chosen, Strangers, Veil Dwellers, Kordaxian, Grey's, Dargonians, Sargonians, Bellonaris, Outsiders, Colonials, or simple wonderers and natives.
It is a City for all people. Truly a city deserving of its title.
As we approach the gates, we are greeted by the imposing presence of two colossal statues, each depicting the first Queen Tamarah. They stand guard on either side of the gate, their hands holding outstretched olive branches, both meeting in the middle to form a symbolic archway into the city. It is a testament to the city's rich history and heritage, a reminder of the strength and resilience of its people.
We are greeted at the gate by a Bishop of Tiamaht, accompanied by a few adepts of the temple of Tiamaht. They welcome us to their city and aid us through the process of entry.
Variana and Lily remain as close to me as they can for their memories are fading faster. Lily holds hope for me but Variana has informed me that there will be no answers for me in the City. She is a practical individual and I am thankful for her for her words but I have resolved myself to seek out my answers.
I pray to the Chosen and the Divine Venturas that this city holds to answer my troubles.
The Bishop and Adepts address me as a Stranger, a title that fills me with both trepidation and curiosity. It seems they have experience in dealing with the Strangers of the Veil. They assure me that they will help us as best they can, offering their assistance in navigating the labyrinthine streets of the city and providing any resource they can aid me in my quest to find a cure for the fading that threatens to consume me.
As we pass through the gates and into the city, I am overwhelmed by the bustling activity that surrounds us. The streets are teeming with people from all walks of life, each going about their daily routines with a sense of purpose and determination. It is a city alive with energy and vitality, a vibrant tapestry of sights and sounds that assault the senses in the most delightful of ways.
Massive structures rise into the sky, their facades adorned with gears, cogs, and intricate patterns reminiscent of a bygone era. Steam billows from towering chimneys, mingling with the gentle hum of machinery that fills the air. Yet, amidst the industrial landscape, there are pockets of greenery – rooftop gardens and hanging vines that lend a touch of nature to the urban sprawl.
The city is built around a vast hole in the earth, known as 'The Mouth of Tiamaht', which serves as a focal point for the bustling activity that surrounds it. Crowds of people bustle through the streets, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns and the warm rays of the sun. It is a city alive with energy and vitality, a vibrant tapestry of cultures and traditions woven together in harmony.
What caught my attention were the Star Dust pylons. They were strategically placed in central locations around the city. Shining crystal monoliths bathe the city in a golden hue even as the sun sets over the horizon.
I had forgotten about this in my musing of discovery and travel. The unique nature of the Last Great City is not its only name, it is also known throughout the land as The City of Golden Star Light. I now bear witness to the source of its name. It is quite an experience to witness such sights in person.
Despite the hustle and bustle of the city, my thoughts are consumed by the fading that continues to plague me. My sister, Lily, forgets me a little more with each passing moment, her memories slipping away like grains of sand through her fingers. And yet, she still tries her best to treat me well, her love for me shining through the haze of forgetfulness that clouds her mind.
Her happiness is infectious as I find myself laughing and enjoying the sites with renewed vigor.
My sister has become a bustling ball of excitement and mirth, She asks as many questions as she can in a single breath and jumps around taking in the sites. The adept is kind enough to provide her with answers as she would soon be a Sister of the order of the temple of Tiamaht herself.
As she is taken with the city Variana and I share a moment of comforting silence as we observe her move from one place to another in barely contained glee. We hold our own conversation as we plan our next course of action.
Variana informs me that we must first register for a sunstone before we are allowed anywhere else in the city. Our companions would register in the city halls but we are to register at one of the many temple's spread throughout the city.
With the help of an adept, Lily, Variana, and I make our way to the temple of Tiamaht to meet the High Priestess. It is a journey filled with trepidation and uncertainty, yet I cannot help but feel a sense of hope stirring within me. Perhaps here, amidst the hallowed halls of the temple, we will find the answers we seek and a cure for the fading that threatens to consume me.
Meanwhile, my companions depart to meet up with a representative of Tiamaht at the City Hall to complete our mission. Led by the Bishop, they set off on their own path, leaving me to navigate the intricacies of the city with my sister and Variana by my side.
As we venture deeper into the heart of Tiamaht, I cannot shake the feeling that our destinies are intertwined with the fate of this city and that the answers we seek may lie within its ancient walls.
Until next time,
Rodney Edwarte
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Excerpts from: "Tiamaht: The City of Golden Starlight & the Mysteries of Star Dust by High Scholar Dia Vali"
"Tiamaht is a visionary city that harnesses the awe-inspiring power of Dust Stars to sustain its society and propel it into a future of boundless possibilities. Nestled within its city streets is a landscape of breathtaking crystal pillars, Tiamaht stands as a beacon of ingenuity and progress, embodying the harmonious fusion of advanced technology and natural wonders.
At the heart of Tiamaht's energy infrastructure lies the Crystal Pillar Network, a mesmerizing array of towering structures housing miniature fusion reactors powered by the enigmatic Star Dust. An energy source of which they are the sole providers of this energy source throughout the land. All factions require the help of Tiamaht to utilize this renewable energy source.
These crystal pillars are similar to monoliths in size and scope. They are known as Star Dust pylons which are meticulously crafted from advanced synthetic materials within the Nation of Tamarah and moved to Tiamaht upon completion, they serve as conduits for the cosmic solar energy radiated by the Star Dust, channeling it into a sustainable source of power that fuels every aspect of city life.
Star Dust is as the name implies, a miniature star no larger than a sand grain that releases energy, pressure, and light that surpasses all known chemical reactions. Our attempts to replicate and understand the particles of stardust have been futile. They possess the same source energy signature as the Tamahrian Titanborne's but that is to be expected as they are its makers. Scholars still find difficulty in accepting that a star of such size and scope can be as self-sufficient in energy production as the stardust have been and continue to study it as a new Guild has been formed around its study- The Stellar Guild, a branch from a guild within Tiamaht.
It is clean renewable energy that rejuvenates the environment around it with altered solar radiation - each Star Dust pylon is fine-tuned so that the light, heat, and energy they emit are healthy and rejuvenating for the surrounding environment. This resulted in the city being constantly bathed in a golden hue from which it got its name.
Although there is little known about how Stardust is made it is well known that Stardust is supplied to the Tiamaht and beyond by the Nation of Tamarah, they are the only ones with the secrets to its creation. Their main supplies of Start Dust are carried through the city of Tiamaht which serves as both the capital of Tamarah and Tiamaht and the trading center for Star Dust.
It has been theorized that a Chosen is responsible for its production, creating star dust using their gifts - the traces of Tamahrian Titanborne source energy seem to support this hypothesis. Some even believe this to be the work of the Golden Child but that theory has been dismissed as mere superstition by many scholars as the last known sighting of the Golden Child was before the Age of Formation.
Even so, one can't help but wonder about the origin of such a power source and how it's been applied masterfully in the City of Tiamaht.
Among the city's most cherished marvels is the Sun Stone, a hand-held device comprised of miniature crystals that serve as batteries that can be charged by simply holding it near one of the crystal pillars. This ingenious invention allows Tiamaht's residents to harness the boundless energy of the Dust Stars, providing them with portable power to illuminate their homes, energize their devices, and propel their vehicles with effortless convenience.
Its functionality is further increased with the application of the runes arts of Venture. Through a beneficial relationship between the City of Ventura and Tiamaht trade is established securing an exchange of technology and knowledge.
Our Rune Scribers annually travel to and live within the city to scribe runes on sunstones that bind each one to an individual's unique bloodline, serving as both a form of identification and a key to power the machines within the city. It is to the extent that should a shard be stolen or its holder killed the sunstone would lose its power over time.
We have applied a similar functionality within our city through the use of sun shards - a lesser version of the sunstones that serve only as batteries and the Sun Halls located around the city of Ventura used to recharge them. Thou we have tried to improve its application it seems that the use of runes is too engraved into our culture to make do without it.
However, through further studies, rune artisans and tinkers have managed to interweave them into our armor and weapons which led to the creation of the current standard Pathfinder armor, blades, and tools. As long as the sun is high a pathfinder armor would charge the runes and enhance the wearer with renewed solar energy. The use of such applications in a military setting is still being considered.
Sun Shards also serve as the best energy source for our machines and are further enhanced and empowered by runes. Our sky ships are powered by stardust crystals and fitter with runes that amplify the absorption of solar energy. Our Carriers and trains are slowly being altered and fitted with star dust crystals, and certain parts of our city are even powered by sun dust crystals now although there is only a slim number of Star Dust pylons within the city through further study and integration, we could harvest the renewable energy that is Star Dust.
Even so, it seems that we may pale in comparison to its application when compared with the city of Tiamaht.
Tiamaht's urban landscape seamlessly integrates the crystal pillars into its design, with charging stations and docking ports scattered throughout the city, ensuring easy access to the abundant energy provided by the Dust Stars. Smart infrastructure and wireless connectivity empower residents to monitor their energy usage, optimize charging processes, and contribute to a sustainable and interconnected energy ecosystem.
The visionary leaders of Tiamaht recognize the transformative potential of Star Dust energy, driving ongoing research and development efforts to unlock new applications and harness its power for the betterment of society. From advanced scientific endeavors to innovative technological solutions, Tiamaht stands at the forefront of exploration and discovery, embracing the limitless possibilities afforded by the cosmic energies that course through its veins.
In Tiamaht, the brilliance of Star Dust illuminates not only the night sky but also the path toward a future where sustainability, prosperity, and harmony reign supreme. As the city continues to thrive and evolve, guided by the guiding light of Dust Star energy, its residents embark on a journey of boundless innovation and collective achievement, forging a legacy that will endure for generations to come."
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(End of Chapter 5)