Goldstone, the Twin City
Wars are famously known for people losing their capital cities. So go ahead and take ours, we have a spare.
~ Wulfick Civilius V ~
Imperius Curtain
Before the War of Turmoil began, this stretch of coast would have been nothing but an array of rocky sandbanks. But in the span of only thirty years after, it has turned into one of the Tenelean empire's largest, most defensible, and significant coastal settlements. From the tall dual towers of the Imperial Consulate to the high stone walls of the Quay Ferric that protect its port, something caused the city's unprecedented growth and construction. And it all began with domination.
The continent was left burning. The infamous War of Turmoil had finally come to a close as the empire ceased the advance of their troops and agreed on talks of peace with its enemies. But the damage had been done. Land was left burning. People were left for dead. And the empire had gained control of it all.
Dauphin was an island of the Silver Piece Collective. An island formerly controlled by the pirate communities of the collective, and before that the native inhabitants known as the Curuni Nenar. After the war, it had fallen to the empire's realm of authority, and its archaeological and experimental regime, the Tenelean Inquisitors, were dispatched to execute what they did best. Scavenge for discarded and buried artifacts of great power to fuel the iron war machine.
In their search, a small pocket came across an ancient large door, strangely buried into the wall of a deep underground cavern. Covered in hieroglyphs and iconography, the inquisitors did what they could to unlock it. But nothing worked. Over time, more and more inquisitors arrived and set up camp, and before long, the entire division was present. A high inquisitor, Tal Authorus, realized one thing by this point. A secret too valuable to let the outside come to realize.
Word was sent to Emperor Civilius V, and everything about this secret was discussed. He too knew of the background behind this untold revelation, and knew exactly that its concealment was high priority. With zealous command, Civilius V sent wave after wave of settlers and pioneers to occupy and inhabit this coast side. Tenelea would build a city so great that it would forever obscure the real operations that were occurring. And the great Twin City it became. Houses of many stories were constructed in days. Trade networks were fully formed in a matter of a couple months. And even a diplomatic environment rivaling that of the capital, Enendale, was established, all held within its famous monument, the Imperial Consulate. With magnificent speed, this port city of Goldstone had become a fortress as much as it had an imperial paradise. The Quay Ferric and its sea walls guaranteed near-impenetrable protection from potential raids by the collective pirates. And its endowment as the home port for Tenelea's honored Iron Armada and its Iron Admiral, Sonia Arissa transformed it into a naval citadel like no other. All of this added together to create a city many imperialists called the empire's second capital. And it all combined into exactly what the emperor and the inquisitors needed. A blanket that covered the hidden agendas and actions taken to solve and uncover Goldstone's great secret. Of course, not all inhabitants fell for this facade. Gverta, an elemental temple located just north in the mountains was once home to a small community who harnessed its powers of lightning. With the war, many were killed while the rest were driven from it. Those who were driven were survivors. Refugees lead by a man named Jezebel Edge. A man who knew exactly who Teneleans were. And he knew there was more to Goldstone when it first began being settled. Teneleans were always people who settled on resource-rich lands. But Jezebel knew its land, and he was certain it held nothing richer than fish and rock. The magnitude to which it was being built was highly uncharacteristic. To him, there was a hidden agenda, and he took advantage of that. In its early birth, Jezebel and his followers, the Colorless Beasts, mixed in with the settling families. Blended and unsuspected, a small portion of his people became spies. These spies were responsible for one thing, find out what was really going on in the Twin City.
Word was sent to Emperor Civilius V, and everything about this secret was discussed. He too knew of the background behind this untold revelation, and knew exactly that its concealment was high priority. With zealous command, Civilius V sent wave after wave of settlers and pioneers to occupy and inhabit this coast side. Tenelea would build a city so great that it would forever obscure the real operations that were occurring. And the great Twin City it became. Houses of many stories were constructed in days. Trade networks were fully formed in a matter of a couple months. And even a diplomatic environment rivaling that of the capital, Enendale, was established, all held within its famous monument, the Imperial Consulate. With magnificent speed, this port city of Goldstone had become a fortress as much as it had an imperial paradise. The Quay Ferric and its sea walls guaranteed near-impenetrable protection from potential raids by the collective pirates. And its endowment as the home port for Tenelea's honored Iron Armada and its Iron Admiral, Sonia Arissa transformed it into a naval citadel like no other. All of this added together to create a city many imperialists called the empire's second capital. And it all combined into exactly what the emperor and the inquisitors needed. A blanket that covered the hidden agendas and actions taken to solve and uncover Goldstone's great secret. Of course, not all inhabitants fell for this facade. Gverta, an elemental temple located just north in the mountains was once home to a small community who harnessed its powers of lightning. With the war, many were killed while the rest were driven from it. Those who were driven were survivors. Refugees lead by a man named Jezebel Edge. A man who knew exactly who Teneleans were. And he knew there was more to Goldstone when it first began being settled. Teneleans were always people who settled on resource-rich lands. But Jezebel knew its land, and he was certain it held nothing richer than fish and rock. The magnitude to which it was being built was highly uncharacteristic. To him, there was a hidden agenda, and he took advantage of that. In its early birth, Jezebel and his followers, the Colorless Beasts, mixed in with the settling families. Blended and unsuspected, a small portion of his people became spies. These spies were responsible for one thing, find out what was really going on in the Twin City.
Goldstone's reputation as a sprawling city equal to that of Enendale is not the reason for the empire's strongest naval division to make its headquarters there. But in actuality, it is the unarguable fact of the Iron Armada's strength that it is docked in Goldstone.
Its reasons fall deeper than any cultural significance or strategic military placement. A strong navy led by an equally strong woman. Such force only further enables the inquisitors in both the freedom of their work and the protections of their secret. And with this prized fleet, even if it were to be made public, Tenelea would have another, more physical shield protecting that unveiled mystery from falling into the wrong hands.
In some cases, some naval loyalists already suspect something deeper happening behind the scenes, such as the Iron Admiral herself. But in every case, they choose not to pry and in someway make sure they can aid in accomplishing what the Twin City is working towards.
Take one look at Goldstone. Tell me why it has warranted all these extravagancies. I know this metropolis protects something else. I may not know what it is, but I'll ensure it remains so. For empire.
~ Sonia Orissa ~
Type
City
Owning Organization
The Imperial Consulate
There is no monument more memorialized than the Imperial Consulate building located just off the coast sides of Goldstone. Its two massive towers connected by a curled archway is a site to see just as it is a site for important action.
This landmark functions as the hub for the majority of internal diplomatic action taken by Tenelea on the island Dauphin. Governors, diplomats, and other noble hierarchy from Arruns and Vollus Port often convene here when discussing any sort of action island-wide.
But more than that, deep below its foundations, it is the headquarters for the Tenelean Inquisitors as well. Just as diplomatic action takes place on the surface, debates and innovations surrounding the inquisitor's covert operation carry out far beneath.
One day, we will achieve what we've worked at for decades. Then, perhaps, we could start another war right then and there.~ Tal Authorus
The Quay Ferric
A magnificent harbor surrounded by walls submerged in the sea. With towers, ballistae, cannons, and trebuchets to protect it, the Quay Ferric is a district just as well defended and advanced as the entire city itself. Its massive sea gate controls the influx and outflux of vessels, strong Tenelean iron able to repel even any barrage of cannonballs.
It is the home port to all ships that dock at Goldstone, and it is the shipyard where the Iron Armada resides when standing by. Often, ships from the Armada will patrol the waters in and outside the Quay Ferric to ensure safety and security in the sea near Blood Bottom Bay remains stagnant. Other times, it will be empty then the ships are out at sea under orders.
Even then, it is still an unbreakable and inescapable water prison that even the siege weaponry atop the seawall's towers is more than enough defense.
Gaze upon this city's military might. Soon, through the Cosmic Warrior, not even gods will be able to stop us.~ Orlan Uthorim
Take one look at Goldstone. Tell me why it has warranted all these extravagancies. I know this metropolis protects something else. I may not know what it is, but I'll ensure it remains so. For empire.~ Sonia Orissa
Comments