Skorage

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Skorage is a city located in the eastern half of the Golden Vale. It has become known for its intense connection to the divine, as a result some within the Empire have compared it to a significantly smaller version of Sovmora.

Description

Skorage is considered to be a city of divine origins, as such it takes inspiration from Sovmora itself with the architect originating from the Cradle of Life. As such, there are a number of buildings that seem unlike those of much of the rest of the Ossalimarian Empire, instead taking on the inspiration of the stone structures of the oldest city in the world. The city is divided into five districts, each one dedicated to one of the empire approved deities. Each of the districts contains an imposing cathedral that is dedicated to the deity, giving the city an air of grandeur.
The site of Skorage was once an older city that was the capital of the region when it was under the control of Malithan Bornate. However, during the Ossalimarian Conquest, the city of Melth'rock was burned to the ground, leaving ruins and many people who became refugees. In the modern day, several sections of the city contain areas of ruins from Melth'rock.

Districts

Morthris

Dedicated to The Mistress of Death, Morthris is based in the center of the city of Skorage and contains the most complete ruins of Melth'rock. The majority of the district is comprised of these ruins and the large cathedral to The Mistress of Death, however there are some locations and shrines to the other ancient beings known as the Dual Idols, who while not worshipped by the Emprie, are still respected.

Candlegrave

While many cathedrals across the world have a large grandiose presence, Candlegrave is somewhat demure in comparison. It is a fairly small temple made of black stone with a large stained glass window showing a white faced figure surrounded by the shadows of death. Candlegrave is overseen by a quartet of clerics who each taken on the form of a different type of death. These members are known as The Unkind, after a collection of Ravens, when the four of them are in the same room, each of them are considered a united calling from The Mistress of Death.
During powerful days of mourning or during the Night of Rest, Candelgrave goes completely dark. The shadows are a representation of the different and powerful moments of a life, allowing it to shine. As the end of the day approaches, a single candle is lit to give a singular focus for those who wish to worship, and those who are mourning to know that The Mistress of Death has taken the person into her embrace.

Halevan House

A small tavern of worship for those who are still followers of the various Dual Idols. The Halevan Hosue is said to be a sanctuary and home for those in need, costing less than in other regions of the city. This allows for those who really need the accommodation to take it up, but also for those who need additional protections that shelter can provide, to use it as a place to gather.

Skorage

General Information

Also Known As	Home of the Divine
Constructed	During the 610s AR
Leader	Crown-appointed Margrave
Current Leader	Margrave Elthris Maran
Guard Unit	Crownsguard

Location Information

Plane	Material Plane (Nonvyrox)
Continent	Ossalimar
Region	Golden Vale
Districts	Morthris Holenis Soldrena Okaris Anarisa
Points of Interest	Candlegrave Silver Asylum Kazruk-Varn Galdra Hall Warrior's Rest

Societal Information

Population	31,816 (in 755 AR)
Population	71% Human 10% Dwarf 7% Elven 12% Other Ancestries
Affiliation	Ossalimarian Empire

Placeholder Flower by Owen Davies

Holenis

Dedicated to The Fist of Justice, the entire district houses much of the judiciary within the city as well as those who are higher up within the government within the city. Holenis is located in the north of the city and has a strong set of walls that act as a strong defense if needed. There are many residential buildings for empire officials as well as those who are linked with the cathedral dedicated to The Fists of Justice.

Silver Asylum

A large cathedral based in Holenis, the Silver Asylum is a powerful and imposing stone structure with a large tower that is crowned with a silver roof, that shines brightly upon the city during the day. However, the strong and imposing location feels like a bright sanctuary to all those who enter it. Additionally, there is a powerful compulsion that people speak the truth within the cathedral.
The Silver Asylum is taken care of by an armored priest known as the Lawbringer. They work alongside a council of Justices that act as a direct connection to the laws of the land and the idea of impartiality. They act as an ultimate court for all disputes and lawbreakers within the vast city and its surrounding villages. It is also common that this Court are called upon in times of great need by the Empire.

Yvrenil

Named by those who lived within Melth'rock, Yvrenil seems to be the remains of an ancient amphitheater or fighting pit. The structure has been uncovered and parts have been rebuilt to have the region act as a powerful memory of the city that was and the goodness that became of the location after the defeat of the Bornate Tyranny.
The Yvrenil is mostly considered as a monument to the power of the people and is not actively used as an entertainment venue. Instead, when there is a meeting of the powerful figures within the city, such as the Margrave, the different district leaders and other well known individuals, they meet within the Yvrenil as a location that is protected from divination magic and well defended.

Soldrena

Dedicated to Goldhammer, Soldrena is based in the eastern region of the city and contains the most prominent collection of residents within the city. The buildings within the district often have an arch within it that acts as a boundary of a buildings area. Within each arch is embedded a gemstone from a local mine known as a Sunstone, which is said to give good fortune and let light shine upon those who own the building.

Kazruk-Varn

Named in the Ancient Dwarvish tongue, Kazruk-Varn is the Dawnforge, a modest but powerful temple dedicated to Goldhammer. It appears to be a small modest temple on the surface, but digs extremely deep into the ground, with a vast network of Clerics and Healers helping those who are sick or injured. The majority of the clergy within the Dawnforge are Dwarves who trace their line back to a city that once inhabited Myr's Ridge, however the Bornate Tyranny pulled those dwarves from their home and integrated them into the society. As a result, the Dawnforge is built from the remnants of the old dwarven temple to Goldhammer. The leader of the temple, known as the Dawnseeker, is most commonly seen out with the temple as a figurehead, but inside the temple is one of the best healers within the city.

Statue of Goldhammer

Depicted as a dwarf with one arm missing, replaced by a hammer ready to forge, this statue is a reminder of the fact that the Goldhammer will always shine light on those within the city, giving them more access to life.
On the day of Midsun, while the rest of the empire is demonstrating military strength, those who follow the Goldhammer head over to this statue to give thanks for their abilities to craft and forge powerful items. As a result, on this day, things created across the city are given in "sacrifice" to Goldhammer. At the end of the day, the Dawnseeker takes the items and stores them in a vault deep within Kazruk-Varn.

Placeholder Flower by Owen Davies

Placeholder Flower by Owen Davies

Okaris

Dedicated to Oceanfall, Okaris is based in the western region of the city. Despite their being no direct water within Skorage that would indicate worship of the god of Oceans and Seas. However, the region is known for being a commercial district with a vast number of markets and shops that have become known for a powerful mercantile class. Many of the buildings share a significant number of designs from all across the empire as well as areas beyond from those who have arrived in the city.

Galdra Hall

Unlike other temples across the city, Galdra Hall acts as an open-air market hall as much as a temple. On specific days within the month, the market is closed to allow for more intense worship for those who wished to. However, during the rest of the month, Galdra Hall is thriving with several powerful markets ranging from food and drinks from across the empire to small magical trinkets.
Galdra Hall is overseen by a cleric of Oceanfall known as the Tidebearer, a person who is known for walking along the parts of the hall during the day to ensure safe working for all of those who are within the Hall. However, when the Hall is closed for worship, a number of clerics are known to hear the prayers of the many followers of Oceanfall. Each of these clerics often spend their days travelling around the district to watch and protect each of the different people within the district, regardless of their links beyond the Empire.

Maradin's

Owned and run by Maradin von Therren, Many people see Maradin's as a general store within Okaris. This is very much the case as Maradin's houses many different amenities that are needed by all people across Skorage. Maradin is known for their connection to the Veritas Convention as an enchanter who has worked alongside them. As a result, Maradin and their shop seems to contain a collection of magical items that were enchanted by them, allowing them to gain more coin through the years.

Anarisa

Dedicated to The Red Storm, the southern district of Skorage feels much more closely aligned with the Imperial ideals. There is a strong dark stone presence in the buildings which have a more angular design with all symbols being that of The Red Storm. There is a strong presence of the Crownsguard within Anarisa, with many of the residents within the district being closely linked with service in both the Crownsguard and its militia component.

Warrior's Rest

A modest temple within Anarisa, Warrior's Rest is purely dedicated to The Red Storm and their tenets of war as domination. It is a modestly sized building that is made of dark stone that was sourced from the mines in the north of the Empire. There are several statues of armor and blades commemorating the military power and might of the Empire as a whole.
The temple also acts as a base of operations for the Crownsguard within the city, with the temple's leader being the Commandant of the Crownsguard, a leader within the city who was also ordained as a cleric of The Red Storm. Skorage is used as a training ground for those within the Crownsguard who are blessed with the eyes of The Red Storm leading to a concentration of clerical abilities under The Red Storm.

Skullspire

Built as a basin deep within the core of Anarisa, Skullspire is a fighting pit and training area for members of the Crownsguard. While it is used throughout the year, Skullspire is almost completely filled with spectators and participants during the Day of Challenge. On this day, the Commandant puts out a challenge looking for the most powerful fighter within the city. The winner of the fight is rewarded handsomely and is celebrated as the champion in the following year.
Skullspire resembles a large pit in the ground with what looks like a section of the rock under the city being carved to create seating for those observing around the entire fighting pit. It is large enough that those using most forms of archery struggle to ensure that they are within the right range, however, close enough that even those skilled with melee combat are not at a disadvantage against archers.

Placeholder Flower by Owen Davies

Society

Demographics

Skorage has a population of 31,816 as of 755 AR. While there are a number of diverse communities in the city, the majority of its population are of human descent. 71% of the population is comprised of humans. The rest of the population breakdown is as follows: 10% dwarf, 7% elven, 12% other ancestries

Notable People

Name	Pronouns	Description
Margrave Elthris Maran	She/Her	Human Margrave of Skorage and Matriarch of the Maran Noble House. She has acted as the Margrave of Skorage since she was 24 after the untimely death of her parents.
Maro'leitha Thorend	She/Her	High Elven member of The Unkind. Maro'leitha acts as a representative of quiet death. She is a powerful cleric of The Mistress of Death and the longest serving of The Unkind. She is commonly seen wearing a thick veil that allows only her pale face to be seen.
Helena Olveer	She/Her	Fiendling member of The Unkind, Helena acts as a representative of painful death. She is the most recent cleric to ascend to the position of an Unkind, however she was known for her fiery temper and time as a wanderer of the realms. She is a significant cleric of The Mistress of Death but is often seen wielding a set of visible (and invisible) daggers.
Tar'mador Highvalon	He/Him	Dwarf member of The Unkind, Tar'mador acts as a representative of death from old age. He has been a part of The Unkind for over 100 years, as he approaches the end of his life as a cleric of The Mistress of Death. He is often seen with a thick grey beard and flowing black clothes over his frame. A cane is usually in his hands helping support him as he walks along.
Lernas Corvier	They/Them	Human member of The Unkind. Lernas acts as a representative of violent and untimely death. They are the third of their family to take up this position within The Unkind after showing themselves the greatest cleric of The Mistress of Death within this generation of the family. They are often seen wielding a warhammer, said to be the instrument used by The Mistress of Death to take those who face an untimely death. However, they wear a mask that covers their emotion to highlight the fact that even The Mistress of Death has to hide her emotions when she takes someone too soon.
Suene Ignelle	They/Them	Silver Drakin Lawbringer. Suene has lived within Skorage all their life and has been a fervent member of clergy towards The Fist of Justice. They were chosen among the Justices to step into the role of Lawbringer due to Suene's calm and justice-minded approach to the law. She is commonly seen wearing a blue toga that gives her room to flow but bears the sigil that marks her as the Lawbringer.
Gemar Colehorn	He/Him	Dwarven Dawnseeker. Gemar is a powerful cleric of Goldhammer who has resided within Skorage since its founding. He is known for his thick brown beard with some white in it that shows his wisened age. He carries with him a hammer that acts as a focus for his divine miracles, however it is sturdy enough to use in forging should Gemar wish.
Mellera Thynas	She/Her	Sea Elf Tidebearer. Mellera took her position after a pilgrimage to Port Zan during The Festival of the Ocean, this journey deepened the connection between Mellera Oceranfall, allowing her access to abilities that were beyond even her imagination. She is commonly seen wearing a circlet of silver that contrasts her blue skinned frame and sea foam green hair.
Quirnass Morthrenish	She/Her	Orc Commandant of the Crownsguard, Quirnass worked her way up the ranks after showing an intense skill with the divine abilities that The Red Storm bestowed upon her. For several years, she was the most prominent member of a group of adventurers said to be doing her deity's will striking down non-believers of the core of the Emprie. She has a streak of red hair and a set of thick tusks that match her impsoing height over many of those around her.
Maradin von Therren	He/They	Wood Elf shopkeeper within Skorage, Maradin is known for excentricity and a seemingly lavish lifestyle. For many years, Maradin has worked alongside the Veritas Convention as an enchanter of great skills, so much so that many within the Convention use Maradin as one of their main sources of enchantment. Maradin has thick lucious hair that falls just below their shoulders and darker skin, like an oak tree. He is often seen wearing a patterned outfit and a daring bright red cloak.
Gornak	He/Him	Hobgoblin champion of Skullspire, Gornak hails from deep within the Fae Lands. Sent on a mission years ago from the Seelie Court, Gornak lost his way and found that he enjoyed using his methods and abilities to best even the strongest of champions. As the years have passed, Gornak's fae abilities have seemingly started to fade, but he rejoices, using this as an opportunity to better his skills.

History

Founding

While the city as it stands was once the home to the powerful city of Melth'rock, many of its ruins were covered and scattered during The Ossalimarian Conquest, leaving much of the former city and the knowledge that it contained limited to the people who survived its downfall.
By 584 AR, the reigning monarch Queen Ashlan Ossalimar decreed that old city sites should be reconstructed, allowing for a great revitalization of the Empire and its power. Skorage was one of the cities that was to be constructed, a house for the divine elements of the Empire to reside and thrive, a monument that the Empire was going to last as long as Sovmora had and will continue to do so.
Queen Ashlan herself appointed Derrig Strongmare in 585 AR to design and lead with the construction of the city, as originating in Sovmora while being connected to the stone of the city's former blood would allow him a greater understanding of the importance of the city's construction. He spent several years surveying what remained of Melth'rock and could be used to give the city a much older feeling by uncovering the ruins that lay beneath.
Over the next 25 years, Derrig and many others worked to construct the city and its districts dedicated to the gods of the Empire. During the 614 AR, the city was deemed complete and given the seal of approval by the newly crowned monarch King Teyvon Ossalimar. He crowned the city as the "Home of the Divine" giving a speech that highlighted the importance of each of the deities to the continued success of the Empire.

Imminent Attacks

Through the sordid history of Ossalimarian Empire and Dolvalyn Sovereignty, Skorage had remained fairly neutral in its designs. However in the onset of The Shrouded War Skorage lined up more closely with the rest of the Empire, acting as a religious figurehead in supporting those who were involved in the secret conflict.
However, during 755 AR, there was an attack on the Galdra Hall that caused a significant part of it to become irreperable. This attack caused outrage from the residents within the district, and increased abilities for members of the Empire to push propaganda that the Sovereignty was a dangerous set of renegades that were still supported by the power of their Deceiver Gods that they covet so tightly.