The Triskelion
Big. Neutral. Triangular.
The Triskelion is the last standing Magic Tower left from the Age of Magic. It is unknown who the original builders were due to all pertaining records becoming lost or destroyed. A few Dwarven Mason clans independently claim sole responsibility for the construction, but the unique design of the Tower does not match any known Dwarven architectural styles. It is estimated that the Triskelion was originally built in approximately 900 EM and has since stood for over 1,200 years.
Purpose / Function
The Triskelion structure is a university and dormitory. Since its founding, the tower has provided facilities to study arcane and mundane knowledge. As of the start of the Age of Regrowth, the tower is the only place in Miras where magic is performed unabated by societal or economic influence (for better or worse). The tower contains the world's largest archive of arcane artifacts and the oldest private library in Miras.
Alterations
Since its construction, several additions were made to the central tower's complex, such as dormitories and gardens, to accommodate the growing student body. A total of one dozen magical wards were erected over the centuries in the form of stone spires along the tower ground's perimeter (App. 50 ER). These wards have dual-purpose designs to both protect the Triskelion from outside forces and protect Roue D'or from wayward tower experiments.
Architecture
The Tower's name comes from its unique three-sided shape. Historical records show that the Tower's corners were initially oriented with the region's natural ley lines, placing the Tower at a magical crossroads; however, modern scholars studying the ley lines show that this is not precise. While the Tower is indeed built atop a ley line crossing, the corners of the Triskelion are not aligned. Arguments are made as to whether the records are flawed or whether the ley lines have moved in the millennia since the Tower was erected. The Triskelion's placement at these crossroads grants the Tower increased stability while many mages gather in one area. Previous Towers of Magic had experienced disruptions in magic and, in the case of the Tower of Wort, total magical burnout.
Floors 5-15 and 25-35 share an open area that allows for increased airflow and mobility between floors for magic users. Advanced mages can quickly navigate between these floors using magical means.
Floors 36-42 are reserved for the Grand Arcanist's personal use, including private studies and living quarters for their family and retainers. These are located where the Tower's roof begins its slope, making these floors smaller in area than the floors below.
The Triskelion's basement floors descend nine levels. Only the first and second levels are permitted for students/guests. Floors three through nine require prior approval to access, for they contain the Tower's most dangerous artifacts and secrets.
Floors
The Triskelion is made up of 42 floors of polished granite. The outer walls do not taper and remain flat. The Tower's roof is sloped to one side, leaving the eastern-facing wall higher than the western-most corner.Floors 1-5 Composed of common areas: kitchens, dining areas, and public offices (admittance and government facing). These floors also contain the Tower's oldest dormitories, whose rooms are reserved for the youngest students. |
Floors 16-24 Consists solely of living quarters for Triskelion professors and Tower Mages. |
Floors 5-15 Contains classrooms and laboratories for primary students. These rooms are for mundane academics and low-tier magic studies. Floor seven houses the main library. |
Floors 25-35 Contains advanced laboratories and research halls. Typically inaccessible to non-Tower Mages or non-faculty. Floor thirty-five houses the Elder's Library for books/records considered dangerous or sensitive. |
History
Origin
Founded by First Arcanist Bhíralíze during the Age of Magic and since standing for over a millennium, making the Triskelion one of the world’s oldest structures still in continuous use. Contemporary records remark on Bhíralíze’s schism with another (unnamed) mage cloister after gathering his following. Breaking off of the previous group, the new cloister founded the Triskelion mage organization. The Destruction of the Towers of MagicThe Destruction of the Towers of Magic">The Destruction of the Towers of Magic">The Destruction of the Towers of Magic
[/history] Unlike other remote and isolated magic towers, the Triskelion was unique in that it was located near an existing population. Due to the coincidental kindness of the then Grand Arcanist, the Triskelion had good social standing with the local population. Because of this uncommon political situation at the time, the Tower and its mages were sparred in the revolution against the towers of magic that marked the end of the Age of Magic. Because of this, the Triskelion continued to grow and became the largest arcane university in history.Unopposed Growth
Since the start of the Second Age, the Tower has served as the sole Arcane University in Miras. Because of the lack of alternatives, all persons who wished to study magic would turn to the Triskelion for instruction. Without any opposition, the Triskelion quickly gained the sole authoritative voice in the world for magic-related issues. While the organization grew in power, the Tower grew in regional influence. As more students joined the university, more space was needed to house them. The Tower's leadership legislated a deal with the ruling governors of Roue D'or for additional land. In exchange for control of the immediate area around the Tower (which had been settled by residents of the city), the organization agreed to man the city's defenses with Tower Mages. On the Tower's 12th centennial celebration, the Triskelion announced its resident population had exceeded 14,000 active members and students (including Mages currently in permanent positions abroad).The Siege of 814 ER
Following the city fires in 812 ER caused by Demon Lord Akante's attempted invasion from Lon'Dun, a garrison of Whitecloaks formed outside the city walls of Roue D'or. Despite many attempts, the soldiers could not enter the city due to the entry ban set by the Merchant Kings decades prior. Over the next two years, tensions grew between the Whitecloak garrison and the Tower Mages who patrolled the walls above them. The Whitecloaks believed the Triskelion had purposely summoned the demons with forbidden magic and, as such, incurred the scrutiny of a Whitecloak General. Rumors spread that the Triskelion housed a population of devils within its mysterious basement levels. In Kotallah of 814 ER, a company of Whitecloak soldiers broke through the city walls under the cover of night despite the threat of igniting a war against Roue D'or. In a brief, bloody siege against the Triskelion, the Whitecloak General made their way into the deepest level of the Tower's undercroft. It has been questioned how the soldiers were able to penetrate the Tower's defenses; some believe bribery of key positions and internal collusion were involved (the full investigation has been kept classified by tower officials). After the General was captured and later extradited to Aster Prienne, it was revealed that the General had indeed discovered a prison of sorts inhabited by Tieflings, Deep Folk, and other proclaimed 'dark-kin'. Rumors spread that these inhabitants were secretly experimented on by the Triskelion, others professed that they must be malevolent actors who were captured by the Tower Mages. Because of the General's lack of evidence and poor faith against the Whitecloaks because of their illegal invasion, the Merchant Kings dismissed all allegations against the Triskelion.Before he could even see the city gate, Karl witnessed the grey tower rise over his royal procession. It was the first time he had seen the legendary Triskelion and it had broken all expectations. Ambrose has certainly underplayed a few aspects, Karl thought, let's hope these talks go well.
Type
College / Academy
Parent Location
Owner
Owning Organization
by E. Jones
"They invited me to an advanced class in the dungeons! Third level down! Professor Horngrove said I was the youngest student to ever get invited... What? No, you can't come too. It's supposed to be a secret.
Fantastic article! I love the amount of effort and details you have put into this article and it definitely deserves my like. The first thing I have to say is that the details about the architecture was. Sry good. That combined with the artwork makes the reader able to perfectly visualise your creation. Second of all, the history was the most interesting bit to read. It’s really nice to see the history behind the Triskelion. For expansion you could use a bit more linking or if you are short on time, then you can use tooltips for a short summary of that topic like Moras. A quote or two would also help in bringing this article to life. Overall it’s very concise and good and really piqued my interest. Congratulations and keep up the great work!
Thank you for detailed comment! I will definitely take your advice and add in some links and quotes soon. I really appreciate your time and for stopping by.