Quea Vetara e Amelia
One of the greatest fortresses the world had seen since the Oblivion Hour. A monument build at the height of Tarquinnian power. How fitting that it only came under threat from Tarquinnian steel and never that of a foreign conqueror.When one follows the rushing water of the mighty Sirryn down from its origin in the Mountains of Ice, they will eventually come across the wide-open plains of western Vardania. One might imagine them to extend endlessly into every direction, only to be shaken from such revery by a massive slap of stone, rising jarringly from the surrounding countryside. Thrice as high as a man and thicker than four horses head to tail, it seems formed by giants hand. This is the Quea Vetara e Amelia, or rather what is left of it.
Shield of Velaris
One could argue that the Quea consists of two separate walls. Both the Quea Amelia and Quea Vetara begin along steep cliffs within the Mountains of Ice, move across the plain in a wide bow and finally meet at the titanic fortress that is the Castra Bellora. The Amelia cuts across open plain, while the Vetara follows the rivers Aleri and Sirryn on their eastern banks. The area they encompass is vast, it takes five days to traverse it on foot, and has the city of Velaris at its centre. Both consist of two rows of walls, the first fifteen and the second twenty meters high. Every three kilometres, a tower will break the monotony. Every fifteen kilometres, a small garrison is located and every forty-five kilometres, a larger camp stretches across the land. These camps also serve as mini fortresses and can be held even if all surrounding wall sections have fallen. In times of use, an extensive network of signals allowed fast communication in case of assault. When crossing the mighty rivers Sirryn, Aleri and Itrid, they sit atop massive, rounded stone pillars, integrated chains and gates able to make travel impossible. Walls several meters thick require a severe amount of force to even attempt to damage and even the traditionally weakest point of a wall, its gate, is an obstacle, one better not underestimate.
History
After moving the capital from Tarquinnia toward Velaris in 1853 DA, the Hegemony began to construct a series of fortifications to protect its new heartland. Originally designed as a network of fortifications, similar to the Northern Marches, the project changed under Warmaster Lucius Trajanus. The only thing remaining from the original design, are the various camps along the wall. The new fortification essentially served two purposes. One, prevent raids into what was fast becoming Vardanias wealthiest region. Two, hold the enemy for as long as possible and buy time for either the defenders of Velaris to prepare or outside help to arrive. It was never meant to present an invincible barrier like the Northern March. After centuries of peace, the fortifications would see combat in the 23rd century. The War of the Seven Princes would see it come under repeated assault. Several times the walls would be taken, either by force or treachery. The Second Siege of Velaris saw vast stretches of the fortifications razed. Rebuild under Seron the Red after the war ended, they would finally be destroyed by Vitrian forces in 2245. Since then, the walls have remained a ruin, as the area around Velaris lost its importance. In 3326, Henrik Andrael would use them to his advantage in the Battle of Bellora.They say these walls are grey and white, but all I see is red. The bloody stain of a million men, painted by my family.
RUINED STRUCTURE
2220 (temporarily)
2245
2220 (temporarily)
2245
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Interesting building.