| Myrcathis
Sanctovar |
Sanctovar
|
General Information Sanctovar is the crown of the world — the city of light, purity, and faith. Built upon the sacred hill where the Flame first descended, it shines above the southern sea, its towers crowned with eternal fire. From the grand Castle of the Flame above to the shining harbor below, every stone of Sanctovar stands as a monument to divine order. The people live under the warmth of the sacred fires, protected from the endless void beyond the seas and walls. The sound of bells, the scent of incense and burning oil, and the glow of pyres fill the air from dawn to dusk. Every day begins with prayer, and every night ends with gratitude that the Flame still burns and the world still endures. Life in Sanctovar The people of Sanctovar live by three virtues: Faith, Duty, and Purity. Each home keeps a candle burning, each street bears the symbol of the Flame, and every citizen — from craftsman to cleric — serves the divine order in their work. Children are taught from birth to honor the Flame and the King, to fear the corruption of magic, and to thank the Inquisition for their vigilance. The sight of the Inquisitors’ red robes in the streets is a comfort, not a fear — for they keep the Flame’s will alive. The Castle of the Flame The Castle of the Flame rises at the summit of Sanctovar’s great hill — a vast fortress-palace of pale stone and red glass, its towers shimmering with reflected firelight. It is the seat of the King of Myrcathis, the place where divine authority meets the edge of the sword. The people of Sanctovar look to it with reverence and fear. Its braziers burn through every night, casting their glow across the sea. For many, the sight is proof that the Flame still watches over them. For others, it is a reminder that nothing within those walls ever truly sleeps. The Hall of Judgment At the base of Sanctovar's great hill, where the city descends toward the sea, stands the Hall of Judgment — a fortress-cathedral of black marble and crimson glass. It serves as both tribunal and sanctuary of the Inquisition of the Pure Flame, the order that guards the soul of Myrcathis through fear and fire. It dominates the lower quarter: its shadow falls across the harbor each morning, and its bells echo through every street at dusk. All who live in Sanctovar know its smoke and its silence. Beneath the Hall lies the Harbor of Purity — the only port in all of Myrcathis. Every vessel that docks here is inspected by the Dock Inquisitors, who perform rituals of cleansing before cargo or crew may step onto the city’s soil. Incense burns constantly along the piers; the air tastes of salt and ash. Bells ring when a ship approaches, summoning priests in red to bless the waters. No ship sails beyond sight of the cliffs. The people believe the sea ends where the Flame’s light fades. The Silver Sail The Silver Sail is one of Sanctovar’s oldest taverns — a sturdy, three-story building of white plaster and oak beams, its façade facing the platform of executions. From its windows, the pyres of the Hall of Judgment can be seen blazing across the square, their smoke curling like black ribbons into the sky. Despite the grim view, the Silver Sail has endured as a haven for the living. Its door is always open, its hearth always warm. Within its walls, the chants from the Hall seem distant — muffled by laughter, music, and the clatter of mugs. It is being run by Maria & Tomas Blond. (More details and information will be revealed when they have been discovered by the characters.) |