Twelve Towers of the Sarathi

Although the Sarathi Empire spanned all of Ailar, it's actual area of direct control was relatively small. The imperial territories consisted of many discrete enclaves scattered around the globe. The most significant of these enclaves were the Twelve Towers of the Sarathi:

• The Bronze Tower of Healing was dedicated to the study and application of medicine, both magical and mundane. While the tower itself was primarily used for research and education, the surrounding settlement was home to various clinics, hospitals, and apothecaries.
• The Copper Tower of Service was dedicated to the administration of the government. The tower was located in Pernimus, the capital city of the Empire. Various clerks and officials from the Copper Tower - and it's many local branches - ensured that no citizen lacked food, shelter, or opportunities to contribute to society.
• The Crystal Tower of Magic was dedicated to the study of arcane magic. Unlike most other tower, the Crystal Tower was entirely self-contained, with no supporting settlement. Records indicate that the tower had no fixed location, and could travel through unknown means.
• The Gold Tower of Commerce was dedicated to trade and the economic health of the Empire. The Gold Tower was renowned for its fabulous wealth - and commensurate security. The surrounding city, Osaurum, was an international trade hub and home to merchants from all over Ailar.
• The Iron Tower of War was dedicated to the defense of the Empire and the study of tactics. The tower was the site of the Sarathi's most prestigious military academy as well as its central command. The Iron Tower was rediscovered by a wandering tribe of humans and goblinoids three centuries ago, and is now the site of Vara, the capital city of the Varasuda Empire.
• The Ivory Tower of Law was dedicated to the application of imperial law. Adjudicators who trained in the Ivory Tower traveled the Empire settling disputes. The most important cases were heard in the tower itself, in front of a panel of the most respected judges.
• The Jade Tower of Artistry was dedicated to the pursuit of art in all of its forms, from painting and sculpture to poetry and music. It was the first Tower built in non-Sarathi lands - specifically, in the city-state of Bet-Darm.
• The Marble Tower of Theology was dedicated to the study of divine magic and phenomena, including the nature of the gods. This secluded tower was surrounded by a small community consisting mostly of clergy, pilgrims, and the occasional philosopher.
• The Mithril Tower of Making was dedicated to engineering, construction, and crafting. The tower housed one grandmaster of each discipline; their various apprentices lived in the surrounding settlement. This tower was buried beneath the earth during The Devastation, but was accessed by a group of adventures through it's still-active teleportation mechanism.
• The Orichalcum Tower of the Sciences was dedicated to the study of physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics. After an experiment gone awry nearly destroyed the surrounding settlement, the tower was outfitted with various protective magics and technologies.
• The Silver Tower of the Stars was dedicated to understanding the nature and movement of celestial bodies and other planes of existence. The tower was located in the far north, where prolonged periods of darkness made for optimal study. The tower was recently rediscovered by adventurers, who accessed it through a teleportation device.
• The Stone Tower of History as dedicated to preserving the history of the world. While significant attention was given to the history of the Sarathi Empire, the historians at the Stone Tower also recorded the events of other civilizations as well as natural phenomena. The tower was home to the greatest of the Sarathi libraries.

Each of these towers contained a teleportation device that, with the appropriate activation rods, allowed rapid transportation between locations.
After The Devastation, many of the towers were displaced and their locations lost. Over time, some have been rediscovered, explored, and even rebuilt. The location and condition of the others remains a mystery.