The Spire of Ebb (ɛb)

In the Dhaoshee city of Ebb-Ta, offset, in the southeastern quadrant's centre, is the Spire of Ebb (Tavebb in Daoshi). It is a monument of sorts ascribed to the ancient culture of daoSvor, antedating the kingdoms and empires of the Qh'énnish Ascension era. However, some Schqhènnite scholars, Yssian historians, and Svor arcanists believe it is older still. They believe it was present before daoSvor was established and that the subsequent city of Evtla—now Ebb-Ta—was built around it.
The Spire is over three storeys tall and dominates the city. Many Dhaoshee architectural styles and flourishes were based on and/or inspired by the Spire: most notably the colour, tilation, and the end of outward points becoming elongated and serrated like curved swords. The body of the Spire consists of triangular wing-like protrusions that rotate around a central core; all of which end in the distinct jagged blade-like edges that are prominent throughout Dhaoshee. Each of the 'wings' are framed in black with bright, polished, faintly opalescent, orange tiles cut to look like kite-shaped dragon scales. The scales are convex with a central line bisecting them. The "wings" rotate in two helical patterns and are slightly curved from the central core downwards such that rain, snow, dust, silt, or sand slide off of them. The shape and curves, opalescence and brilliance, kite-scales and wings, all combine to make the spire seem to be at once a giant orange, black, and iridescent tree, and simultaneously invoke the titular dragon god, and almost like a pyramid frame with lattice-like openings. Seen from a distance it looks more like a painted triangle dominating the centre of the city. See close it looks like a tree of metal, marble, and gemstones in autumn regalia. It seems to move as one does regarding it.
As a sacred site dedicated to Ebb, the Dragon-God of Magic, arcanists, magi, dragon priests, and Rifters often make a pilgrimage to see the Spire. Most aspiring students who travel to Dhaoshee for magical training, deliberately travel through Ebb-Ta so that they can touch the Spire and have it bless them in their endeavours. Sometimes the bladed tips are so sharp that the unwary are cut. Bleeding on the statue thus is considered quite auspicious, but only if it happens accidentally. Intentionality instead bodes ill. During festival times, petitioners will adorn the Spire with paper with wax sealed images—personal seals for the wealthy and powerful; generic glyphs and animals for the commonfolk—and painted with the dragon cult's eye-glyphs. At the close of the festival, a cautious child is invited to climb the Spire and collect all the adornments which are then cast into a bon fire. It is considered ideal to have ones offerings on the higher reaches of the Spire. It is not unknown for the child sent to collect all the offerings to have fallen and become injured. Some have died, having taken a great fall, and having been sliced by the jagged edges on the way down. However, the city has often attempted to scale down the practice and limit the height that the offerings can be placed (both for the unfortunates who must place them, and the likely more unfortunate who take them down). Children selected for these rites are often orphans, urchins, or the poorest of the poor and they are feted and paid well for their efforts in addition to being raised (slightly) in social station. It is said that street children often train throughout the year climbing around the city that they might be selected.

Alterations

Other than the seasonal decorations placed on its flanges, inadvertent blood spilt on it by the unwary, it is considered sinful and contrary to laws of city and state to modify or alter the Spire. However, there is no legal sanction or official punishment as it has never happened. More conspicuously, the Spire has itself never shown to have deteriorated in anyway over the hundreds years (perhaps more) that it has existed. Even in late summer dust storms, the Spire somehow manages to slough off the dirt and grit from the arid regions of eastern Dhaoshee/western Ys that invariably accumulate in the streets and buildings of Ebb-Ta.
This is considered taboo to discuss, but, in hushed tones, the denizens of the city invariably do. The Cult of Horbaus (Ebb to the locals) encourages the awe surrounding the immaculate, ancient monument.

Architecture

As stated above the Spire is unique in its styles and architectural flourishes and has influenced all of subsequent architecture in all of Dhaoshee. As a result, Dhaoshee is known for its orange tiled roofs, and jagged, blade-like, protrusions at the ends of support beams, points on roofs, and corners. Architects, artisans, scholars, and artificers are uncertain what the Spire's various components are made from; there exists much scholarly literature in Schqhènnite tomes. As such, although the styles and design choices of the Spire are mimicked ubiquitously throughout the region (even into Ys to the east), rarely do the attempts capture the unique opalescence of the tiles, the sharpness of the edges, or the sheer awesome presence of the Spire. This of course is attributed to its divine sanction by the Cult of Horbaus; no one debates this point.

Tourism

A sacred site for devotees of Ebb (Horbaus), pilgrims from far off nations are not unknown. Students of magic are all but expected to visit the Spire at least once. Although Ebb is considerably in-land, the Spire has such draw that it is all but considered Dhaoshee's sea port. Foreign and local traffic through the city is common. It is primarily for this reason that Ebb-Ta is the most prosperous city in the region.

Founding Date

Unknown. Possibly pre-daoSvor; circa 1200 PA. Likely older.

Alternative Names

Iibhil, Ebboskil, kess'Baus, Baustina, Boshtina, Ebboshtina

Type

Monument, Large

Parent Location

Ebb-Ta