Muren's Mantle Building / Landmark in Laminarum | World Anvil

Muren's Mantle

"When you stand far from the city, out in the fields, you can see his mantle on the mountain. As the sun rises up and reaches his serated crown, its rays sever and unfurl into streams of piercing light. When you return home, back to the city that sits his palm, you can feel his gaze as the sun embers across his ruby eyes. When the sun finally sets, its crimson lights strike the crown's mirrors, casting every church and chapel in light that's thick as water. If what I say is not yet clear, let me say once more: when in Euvurcrest, all are subject to the Great Muren's gravity."

Muren's Mantle


Muren's Mantle is a statue built into the eastern mountain range of Eldurgrund. It is meant to resemble Muren, the god of mountains. It is recorded as being 7500 feet tall and depicts a man sitting upon a brutalist throne with a serrated crown of iron upon his head. His right arm rests on the throne, while the other is extended to the left, where it holds a plate that rests upon a flattened portion of mountain. Upon the plate is the city of Euvurcrest, capital of Eldurgrund. The throne sits unfinished with no plans of continuation. The back of the monument rests on the mountainside, with only 1/3 of the mountain being shaved away for the project.  

The Crown

Perhaps the most popular part of the monument is the crown. Made of steal and cemented upon the head, the crown has a hollow interior which people can access from stairs that lead up the mountain. Within the crown is a series of mirrors that reflect the sun's light. These mirrors are directed towards empty slots in the crown's frontside, which direct towards the city below. The mirrors are arranged so that the entire city gets sunlight in the morning, but shifts as the day goes on. In the afternoon, the 5 temples in the city are illuminated, and at night the light shines upward to the sky. Some say that on a partially cloudy day, you can see the light from his crown strike the clouds.  

The Body

The body is partially hollow, allowing entrance for those that wish to see the city's constitution. A large metal iris is mounted 30 feet above the document's pedestal and requires manual opening, typically by indentured servants. In a nearby tunnel, one can find the Governor's council room, where meetings and closed-door celebrations are held.  

The Plate

The plate is made of grey stone, though one can easily find roads paved in granite, or gardens carved into the center. It is not uncommon for parts of the plate to become extensively damaged, typically by mining accidents from above. It is also a regular sight for citizens to observe construction crews utilize cranes to access or deliver materials through the plate itself, as can be seen in the lower portion of the "garden district," which rests on the plate's edge.

History

The construction of Muren's Mantle has changed hands many times, from the domineering mind of Epithet to the dwarves and humanity, it's history is a point of reverence among historians lucky enough to read the tomes of its construction.  

Construction under Epithet, "the Fleet"


The city of Euvurcrest served as the last frontier for the raiders of in the era of Ettermiddag. With savagery leaking into every other corner of Trinen during this dark age, the civilized citizens of the city expected their downfall to be hiding just around the corner each and every. It wasn't until the heavenly arrival of Epithet, the Fleet, an Ohdaufehl and messenger from the gods. The dragon was sent to defend the city and spread civilization back to the far reaches of the continent, destroying the raiders that refused to abandon their savage ways. It was under Epithet that Muren's mantle was to be constructed, in order to show reverence towards the gods.    Epithet had been quite clear in his plans and expectations for the Elduri people: erect a glorious monument to the mountain god, Muren, and relocate the capital of Eldurgrund to the crests of the mountains, rather than lining at their feet. Construction would be brutal and unending under Epithet's, with the torso, left arm, and the plate upon his hand being completed. The plate was the only necessary piece for citizens to relocate to their homesteads, which meant a climb of 3000 feet to the new city.   Construction would eventually be halted when Epithet abandoned the city for unknown reasons, flying to the Northlend Sea. Upon his return, Epithet brought an army of the remaining Ettermiddag Raider Factions. What caused his betrayal is unknown, but it nearly wasted the years of effort put into construction. Thankfully, with the help of the new Icelend Dwarf citizens, Epithet was detained within the tunnels of the mountain and frozen.  

Construction under Humanity


After Epithet left the city, humanity continued construction on the monument, unsure whether or not their leader would return. The citizens were only certain of the fact that they did not wish to disappoint the short tempered beast. During this portion of construction, 56 houses of stone were constructed, the back of the throne was carved into the mountainside, and rudimentary work on the head had begun. Unfortunately, the first head would be destroyed in the attack by Epithet in the War of Storms and Wings, multiplying the difficulty ten-fold.   

Construction under the Icelend Dwarves


When the Icelend Dwarves arrived at Euvurcrest during the absence of Epithet, they would assist with the construction of advanced battlements in preparation for the return of the mountain's master. While humanity kept their heads in the sand, believing rumors of his betrayal to be false, the dwarves were hard at work. When their preparations eventually saved the city, the dwarves were allowed permanent residence in the city. The only further stipulation was the completion of the statue, as the great defenses of the city were still owned to Muren and his protection over the land. The dwarves agreed, managing to finish construction on the head, shoulders, right arm, legs, and crown in a long term form of indentured servitude.   This piece of history is a sore spot for the dwarves, as they tend to disrespect Muren as a false stand in for their own deities, believing that if most of the construction was on the shoulders of the dwarves, the monument should be dedicated to their own gods. Unfortunately, no movements have gained enough traction for their plights to be recognized.

All art generated in Midjourney*
All maps made in Inkarnate*

The Great Mountain City of Euvurcrest

Those who wish to visit Muren's Mantle have no choice but to visit Euvurcrest, as the city rests on a plate held in the monument's palm. Day and night, those who live in the city can see the ginormous head blocking light from one direction. When the sun rises rises in the east, it strikes the crown of Muren and reflects across a series of mirrors that direct towards the plate, ensuring that the town gets morning light.   Those who enter the city may proceed to the dwarf quarter if they wish to enter the statue itself. There is little within the statue, but the constitution of Eldurgrund sits upon a pedestal in the dark, where a grand metal iris can be unfurled to allow the sun to illuminate the page.    Many say that walking the city grounds is eternally surreal, and that one may never get used to seeing the head and body of Muren nuzzled against his mountain throne. This has been an omen of good and bad, as the humans and dwarves continue their cultural battle over what deity truly reigns over the mountains.
Type
Monument / Statue, Large
Parent Location
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Muren
Character | Jul 20, 2023

Map of Eldurgrund


Eldurgrund

Comments

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Aug 16, 2023 00:44 by Dani

Sooooo taaaaaall! That's got to be crazy imposing for anyone who spots it from the distance. Your maps look terrific!


You are doing a great job! Keep creating; I believe in you!
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Sep 7, 2023 02:32

Thanks a lot! I had never messed with isometric maps before but I'm really happy with how that one turned out.