Storm Observatory

Overview

Housed in a special room of the Royal Palace in Obrok is the Storm Observatory. A large scale magical artifact of the utmost importance for the continuing independence and security of the Queendom of Vreabia.

History

Created by Vincent Speyrer during the Autarky War against the Atralum Empire. The activation of this magical device actually signalled the end of the conflict. The arcane shield that it projects, known as the Storm Wall, is an impenetrable wall of wind and water that saved the region from the armies of The Dragon.
The magic user Speyrer used all his magical energy and life force to activate it initially, dying in the process. A statue to his sacrifice stands, immortalising him, in the palace's courtyard.
The power he gave it started to run out about 30 years after his death. Scared of what would happen if it failed, they tried many things to continue to power it. All attempts failed until one of the newly formed Indranate offered a device they had created to link with the device and feed energy to it. Instead of taking it all in one large burst, like it had with Vincent’s first activation, they had refined the process to draw from a linked individual. They tested people from all walks of life for compatibility with the device, but they only found two people suitable to link with it, the newly crowned Queen and her brother. Found to have a link with the device that was so strong they stopped all testing. Not wishing to link the Queen to the device, they used her brother. This ended poorly, however. The device created an enormous amount of feedback that nearly killed him. Further testing of the device found males were entirely incompatible with the device. The reason for this continues to be unknown. The Indranate announced they had a way to bolster her power and therefore the power being fed to the device, and it was also a way her brother could help her shoulder some of the burden. This was the first Ritual of Bonding. The Queen’s brother gladly gave her his magical potential and added it into her own magical well, with the added side effect of an increased lifespan it turned out. Linking the Queen with the Storm Observatory was a simple process, with no problems after that.
This ritual bonding between siblings has continued, each new monarch being joined to her brother before being linked to the Storm Observatory. Ensuring the continued power of the Storm Wall and protection of the Queendom.

Purpose and Functions

The Observatory’s prime function is to process an extensive amount of magical energy and distribute it to the magical construct known as the Storm Wall. The location of the Observatory is in the exact centre of the bubble generated. Storms created by the magical spell have since taken on a life of their own somewhat, rampaging all around the boundary of the spell.

Physical Description

On the floor, in the room holding the device, is a perfect map of the geography of the Queendom. It displays this in a faintly ethereal, magical energy. Any changes to the physical layout of the landscape changes in this display as well. At the centre of the room is a series of discs and connected metal arm, these revolve around the centre point. This strange contraption and the landscape display give this artifact its name.
At the heart of this revolving machine is the black, blue orb that is used during the joining ritual. It gives off a faint light.

Upkeep

A semi-religious organisation known as The Storm Keepers have taken it upon themselves to maintain the workings of the Observatory and to watch out for the continuing health of the Storm Wall itself. Referred to by the title Storm Ranger, their members patrol the edges of the Queendom testing the magical strength of the wall. Known as the Deacon of the Storm, the head of their organisation looks after the mechanisms of the Observatory himself.