OVERVIEW
On the slope of Mount Dindaro, at the end of a road considered almost sacred and away from the lights of the city, but in sight from every point of it, rises majestically the colossal Nyx Observatory. The building is divided into different floors open to the sky with large windows to the outside and colonnaded terraces to its gigantic inner courtyard, presided over by an armillary sphere of pure magic with representations of the constellations and with its center in Meletis itself.
The lower halls hold an extensive collection of books centered on the observation of Nyx and the messages read by oracles and scholars, understood as prophecies and universal laws. Different observation lenses, magical and mechanical, decorate the openings to the outside. The interior remains in semi-darkness, softly illuminated by the lights emanating from the stars of the armillary sphere. The movement of scholars and priests is constant, but there are hardly any distant murmurs and the propitiatory silence of the study is respected. Faithful devotees of Keranos whisper their chants amidst incense accompanied by their oracles, while the clergy of Ephara carefully arrange the bundles of knowledge read in the heavens.
The highest floor, with a golden pyramidal roof, holds an inner dome that, under the orders of oracles and priests, reflects Nyx itself as if at night. Several large lenses and stone tables allow the highest officials to study the cryptic laws hidden in Nyx, even with the sun overhead. Outside, a huge stoa surrounds the building to the north. Here travelers and petitioners in search of answers refresh themselves and eat at long stone tables while waiting to be attended to by priests and experts. To the east, a building of considerable size serves as quarters for scholars, in dozens of sober cells with a central courtyard covered by a golden dome under which a sculpture of Ephara allows worship of the goddess.
The Observatory is overseen by a spindly, grayed human named Janax. Janax takes his duties seriously, and will relentlessly regulate who is allowed to ascend to the top of the Observatory. The Twelve regulate enter into the Observatory. While permission is routinely granted for citizens, at least one member of The Twelve must vouch for a non-citizen before they may enter.
Location Description
Outside
Perched on the slope of Mount Dindaro, the Nyx Observatory looms as a majestic beacon, visible from every point of the city. The sacred road leading to it is lined with the gentle glow of distant city lights, contrasting with the darkness of the night sky. The observatory, a towering structure with large windowed floors and colonnaded terraces, stands out against the backdrop of the starry heavens. The air is crisp and carries a hint of incense from within, mixed with the natural scents of the mountain. The quiet murmurs of the wind and the soft crunch of gravel underfoot accompany you as you approach this revered center of celestial study.
Inside
Inside the Observatory, a sense of serene reverence fills the air. The interior, bathed in a soft glow from the magical armillary sphere at its center, is a haven of quiet contemplation. The lower halls, lined with shelves of ancient tomes, carry the musty scent of old books, and the feel of well-worn pages under your fingertips connects you to centuries of scholarly pursuit. The upper floors, under the golden pyramidal roof, house large lenses and stone tables, where the highest officials delve into the mysteries of Nyx. The murmur of scholarly discussion is ever-present but subdued, respecting the sanctity of the place. The highest dome, a marvel of magic and engineering, reflects the celestial realm of Nyx, creating an illusion of nighttime even under the sun. Outside, the expansive stoa provides a space for rest and reflection, where travelers and petitioners can ponder the mysteries of the universe while waiting to consult with the temple's priests and oracles.
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