Wonders of Amb

The Rainbow Bridge - The Stone Tower of Alos - The Temple of Fate - The Stone Watcher of Emeris - The Green Flame of Sosen - The Ruby Gate - The Artisian Guardians

The Rainbow Bridge

Location: Amberline-Pastine, Arascon

The Rainbow Bridge that connects the two halves of Amberlin-Pastine is about three quarters of a mile long and nearly a quarter mile wide. It is raised over the ocean by huge stone pillars and reinforced by old magic. The Rainbow Bridge is considered one of the finest achievements of man in all the world and people travel from far and wide to take the Twelve Night Pilgrimage, part of which travels over the bridge. The bridge hovers over the Amber-Past straights. It is high enough that every boat in the Arascon Navy can pass beneath it with ease.

The Bridge is large enough that many merchants sell their wares on the bridge. Many of these merchants have taken up residence upon the bridge as well, their home located above their shop. The buildings on the bridge are made of the same stone as the bridge itself. The buildings line the edges of the bridge, making it seem simply like a long road in a city. (Which is what it really is.)

The Bridge was commissioned by the High Queen Tama Toril. She was the first Queen of Arascon, ruling after a long line of male predecessors. She built the bridge in an attempt to prove her power, majesty and strength to the world. Legend says that the reason the bridge is so strong and stable is because Queen Tama gave one of her fingers to support each of the eight mighty pillars that support the bridge across the straights. This is actually not true, but it makes for a good story. Queen Tama is considered the 3rd God-Blessed Warrior to live in Arascon.

The Stone Tower of Alos

Location: Kach Ridge, Arascon

One of the many wonders in Arascon, the stone tower of Alos was built during the reign of Addington Toril. He built it on finding the notes of his Mother Tama. The Stone Tower is built in Kach Ridge and spires nearly 500 feet above the peak of the highest mountain within the Ridge. It is considered to be the pinnacle of the world. It is dedicated to the God Alos, the God of protection. The tower only has one room at the very top of the building. The room is circular and open with many windows so visitors can see in a complete circle around them. To get to the top of the tower, a visitor can take either the Magic Lift or the stairs. (Most people take the Lift.)

The Magic Lift is nearly as remarkable as the tower itself. It has never broken and it magically transports people to the top of the tower. Some people taking the Pilgrimage think it is a sign of your virtue and commitment to take the stairs, but most simply don't want to hike the entire way up.

The sides of the tower are carved with ornate scenes of the God Alos bringing in the storms, clashed in battle and protecting the people. The artwork is fading with age, but it is still quite remarkable. It is said that the scenes were at one time painted with gold and silver paint, but time has worn away the color.

The Temple of Fate

Location: The Holy Isles, Arascon

The Temple of Fate is located on the Holy Isle of Arascon. It is the final stop on the Pilgrimage of truth and the home of the Third Holy Sister, Neviah. The Temple is a gleaming white color. It is uncertain what type of stone it is made from, but the three sisters built the Temple with the help of the Ageless and their Divine magic. The Temple is round and surrounded by twelve pillars of colored glass. The Pillars are about 30 feet tall and come to a point at the top. At different times of the year, the Suns and moons pass by the tips of the pillars.

The inside of the Temple is plain and everything is made from simple white stone. There is an inner sanctuary where Pilgrims go to meet Neviah and receive their name. The ceiling of that room is inlaid with colored glass in the shape of a star. It matches the tiling of the room, mirroring it.

The Temple does not let anyone inside that is cursed or possessed. The person under the cursed influence cannot pass the boundary of the twelve glass pillars. People who are not cursed, but are found unworthy cannot enter the inner sanctuary. The Arch that leads to it glows blue and the unworthy person cannot pass. Because of this, some people do not receive their Pilgrimage name.

The Stone Watcher of Emeris

Location: Grand Emeris, Gildensol

The Stone Watcher is located in the bay of Grand Emeris. The Upper torso of the Watcher rises out from the sea. The Watcher is made from stone and wields a great trident. He wears a crown and his face has strong, angular features. It is estimated that the Watcher is about 50 feet in Height.

From time to time, the Stone Watcher moves, changing the direction from which is Watches over Grand Emeris. The Direction of its eyes are said to be the direction from which the greatest danger lays. In times of great war and turmoil, the Watcher walks to land and destroys whatever brings chaos and harm to the land. It is said that it was created by several mages at the end of a great war with Arascon to protect the capitol of Gildensol from the great navy that threatened the ports of the city.

The Green Flame of Sosen

Location: Opal, Rosedese

The Green Flame of Sosen burns atop a huge stone pillar in the center of the city of Opal in Rosedese. The flame never flickers, never fades and never extinguishes. The Flame gives off no heat, but it lights the entire city of Opal with it's light at night. The Flame was set by the Avatar of Sosen who carried it through the desert upon meeting with the God Sosen.

The Green Flame was placed atop the pillar only recently after spending most of its life in a cauldron in the center of the city. Anyone who touches the Flame with a piece of is granted a small amount of the holy flame that will extinguish after three days. In Ancient times, the Rone of Rosedese where cremated upon a Holy Pyre in the Center of Town. People from all over would walk to the Flame to gain a bit of the Holy Fire and carry it back to their loved ones to grant them healing or exorcism.

The Ruby Gate

Location: Whitegrove, Arascon

The Ruby Gate is the Seal on a portal that leads to other planes of existence. The Portal is located in what is now the city of Whitegrove. The gate lays in the center courtyard of the Magical Institute and is guarded by one of the three High Sorcerers of the land. It is made from a combination of pure elements and stone. Runes made from carved ruby circle the round gate, enchanting the doorway with a powerful sealing spell.

Before the Gate was erected, the portal was open to the other plane. Beings from other planes were free to enter Amb from the gate, however, it was impossible to go through the portal from this side. The Portal is what opens the way to the Void and the Darkness that is holds. After the Second Dark, Wilhelm and his companions fought back the Void and created the Gate.

There have long been rumors of the Ten Prophecies, but even the most holy scholars have never heard them. It is said that at the end of the Second Darkness, Wilhelm and his closest companions sealed away the Void. But, before the Void was sealed by the Ruby Gate, a single woman stepped forth from it and delivered the Ten Prophecies. After she uttered the final word of the Prophecies, the final Rune was carved upon the Gate and the woman turned to stone. Unfortunately for the woman, neither Wilhelm nor any of his companions had a knack for remembering things and thus, the prophecies were lost.

The Artisian Guardians

Location: Artisia, Gildensol

The Ten Artisian Guardians stand in the center of the isle of Artisia. Each of the Guardians is depicted wielding a mighty sword. They stand facing the center of the circle, sword to the Sky and hand on their heart. Each of the guardians is 12 feet tall and carved from black marble. The guardians act as protectors and as oracles to the people of Artisia.

A traveler may stand in the center of the Circle of Guardians and if worthy may ask one questions that will be answered. The guardians open their eyes and look into the person's heart and if the preson is unworthy, the guardians bring down their swords upon that person. If the person is worthy, the question is answered. The guardians are used as judge and jury for the nobles of Gildensol who stand outside of the normal law of the land. The guardians are said to bring down divine judgement on the people who stand within their circle.