The Archtower

I have visited the Archtower a few times and it was so different every time. All iterations of the inside of the tower have been magnificent. High-Elves really like to show. It is perhaps a bit of a waste of materials in my opinion.

— High Sage Syronikir

In ancient center of the Farmar, the capital of Mervidel there is a tower which has been part of the city for so long nobody remembers when it was created. Some say that the Archtower even came before the founding of the city itself.
It is, however, known that the Archtower was always used in relation to magic. During the Avaronian time the Archcollege was created around it. The purpose of the tower really changed after the fall of the Avaronian Empire when it became the seat of government for Mervidel.
Although the buildings around it have changed the outside of the tower has not. The inside, however, is a different matter. As a center for magic it is changed at least every generation to show of the magic skills of the Council of Colleges. For example gravity has been completely nullified since the magical methods to do so were discovered.

Extra Information

Location

Located in the capital of Mervidel, Farmar.

Construction Date

Unknown

Owner

Council of Colleges

Function

Seat of government for the Council of Colleges

Magic in abundance

Purpose

Archcollege

Nobody really knows when the Archtower itself was constructed. Some even theorise that the city Farmar was founded after the construction of the Archtower. In every theory, however, the tower has been used as a place for magic, either the home of powerful mages or place for arcane research.
During the Avaronian Era the Archcollege was constructed around the tower. It soon became the best place in Farlis for any mage to study the arcane. Many of the powerful mages in Elven history had studied here, which gives the Archcollege even more prestige. In the last centuries this changed when the arcane college of Marelia took over the top position. Sadly even to this day it is impossible for a Non-Elf to study at the Archcollege. Only Half-Elves are currently being accepted although this has only been implemented for 200 years.

Council of Colleges

The most important use for the Archtower is currently as a seat of power for the Council of Colleges. The top floor of the tower consist of a large round room where all member of the council can sit and discuss the issues of Mervidel. In the center of the room there is a large Mind Crystal which is used to project the results of any vote.

Yamaderis misplaced this image by Kefkjaco with heroforge

The tower

Yamaderis misplaced this image by Kefkjaco with heroforge

Outside

The tower is truly an ancient building but somone who stands in front of it would think the Archtower is brand new. As one would suspect this is due to magic that keeps it in a perfect state. The outside wall is covered in white marble which makes the tower stand out from other parts in the city. Its green roof tiles are made of glazed materials and are decorated with gold linings.
Standing about 140 m high it was the tallest building in the world for a long time. It would take a long time before buildings of that height could be made through non-magical means.

Inside

The inside of the Archtower is truly magnificent and ever changing. It is the place where the most important mages of Mervidel can show off their magical capabilities. The first thing that someone notices is that the building is much larger on the inside than on the outside. This is due to a pocketdimension which was already created during the construction of the tower.
The lower floor is home to a large garden that if filled with exotic plants some of which are even created through magic. It is one of the parts of the tower that is changed the most. Across the entire garden there are spells kept in statis to form maginificent dipslays, living mosaics and shows with animated objects. Most striking, however, is perhaps the waterstreams that end in a waterfall which flows to the top of the tower.

There are many smaller rooms at the sides from the central room but no direct ways to get there. Stairs are seen as too basic in current Mervidel fashion. Those who know a bit of mind magic are able to reach the rooms by thinking about their destination at which point they will automatically start floating towards it. Those who do not have the ability need to use one of the many floating platforms.