First Bastion of the Rorende

On the southern shore of Fienenheim, an ancient building of worn black stone stands, saved and restored from complete ruin. It now stands as a place of power for the Rorende, or magically inclined amongst the Fienen people.

Purpose / Function

The Bastion is one of the few near in-tact buildings left from before the fall of the Empire of the Ancients. Its original construction was to process and handle the molten form of a metal that is now known as Biosteel, though the name the Ancients had for it is long since lost.
Since its rediscovery by the modern residents of Fienenheim, it has become a place for magic-users to come on a sort of pilgrimage.

Architecture

The Ancients had need of a building that could withstand the extremely high heat needed to melt, refine, and forge their metals, so specially treated fire bricks were used in the basic structure of the refinery. The bricks were rough and blackened in color. It was constructed in an extremely crude, and basic style and shape, as there was no need for anything aesthetically pleasing. The years have done little to change the color of the brick, but weathering has smoothed them considerably.
In the Bastion's re-purposing, it has been fitted with support structures and other features to maintain the ancient building and to protect it from further decay.

History

Originally constructed in the Ancients era, this refinery fell out of use after the empire collapsed and the manufacturing capabilities of the structure were no longer needed. It, and much of the surrounding area, remained sparsely inhabited over the next thousand years, with everything falling to ruin.
It was rediscovered by a group of travelers who had gotten lost in the region during a violent storm at night. Despite the near- ruined status, enough of the building remained and served as temporary shelter. A rorende within the group felt a strange presence within the building, and upon investigation found that traces of the metal were embedded in the stone of the whole building. Pressing a small amount of magic against the stone caused the whole ruined building to light up as bright as day. Upon return to their civilization, the rorende spread news of the stone that reacted to magic.
The worship of magic had already been growing thoughout the country at this point, and as it grew, so too did word of the ancient building. Within a few decades, it evolved into a holy site for those who believe in the divine nature of magic and the elements.

Tourism

Most tourists to the area are rorende who come on pilgrimage. It is custom for visitors to press a hand to the stone and imbue it with their magic to see how bright they can make it glow.
The town of Rorendale is approximately an hours' walk away and was formed solely to support any visitors to the Bastion, as well as the clerics who maintain the structure.

Founding Date

100 a

Type

Temple / Church

Parent Location

Fienenheim