Melorian Catacombs
The Melorian Catacombs are a vast and complex system of incredibly ancient tunnels and passages built deep into the heart of one of three high hills that comprise the Elven City of Melorian, the Mons Solitaria. Constructed by unknown hands more than 4,700 years ago, the Catacombs were discovered and later utilized by the Vytuian Elves that had recently arrived in the region after a century-long migration from the far, far west around the year 2,930 BF.
Since its discovery, the Catacombs have become a cultural and spiritual focal point for the entire Elven Realm, and for many Elven communities outside the Realm. The complex now houses several ancient and revered centers of learning and research, many shrines and sites of great spiritual reverence, and a vast cemetery and memorial for thousands of Vytuian Elves that have passed on beyond this world.
The full extent of the Catacombs is not yet entirely understood. The current portion of the complex that has been utilized since its discovery consists of the "main level" (the portion of the complex located on roughly the same floor as the Gatehouse entrance) and the three subsequent levels above it. These occupied and utilized levels are made up of more than 16 miles of passages, tunnel, halls and chambers. Most of these are carved from the living Mons Solitaria, while a select few are large (sometimes immense) chambers that have been divided into smaller levels or chambers since their discovery with the construction of masonry walls and floors.
The Catacombs continue down many levels lower than the main level, however. So much further down that its full extent is still not entirely determined even after nearly 3,000 years of use and occupation. Currently, the only Elves allowed to venture lower than the main level are select members of the Order of the Quinary and Elven scholars and researchers hand-picked by the Autarch himself.
Purpose / Function
The original purposes for the underground complex now known as the Melorian Catacombs is not fully understood. Built at least 4 millennia before the present day by unknown beings, only educated guesses and suppositions can be made about many of the features and designs of the complex. It is currently the largest and most visited cemetery and memorial to the Realm's dead and has within its many miles of tunnels and passages the crypts, vaults and memorials to many of the greatest and most influential members of Vytuian society and culture since the Realm's founding nearly 2.900 years ago.
Entries
The primary entrance to the Catacombs is through the Gatehouse of the Portae Domus. This entrance is an ornately constructed iron facade that stands more than 100' tall. The iron structure is made up of thick iron bars and plates that create a wall of iron and stained glass that many believe to be impregnable, although that claim has never been tested.
Denizens
221 living Elves call the Catacombs their "home", alongside the more than 60,000 dead interred or memorialized within its passages. Most of these living residents are curators or undertakers of the servus caste, with only 40 well-trained guards of the militarus caste to maintain the peace during popular festivals and holy days.
Tourism
The Catacombs are one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in all the Realm. As many as 10,000 Elves travel the length and breadth of the Realm to visit the site every year. The wealthiest and most powerful clans and families of the Elven Realm still bury their dead within the vast halls even today.
The gatehouse entrance at the Portae Domus and its three-story tall iron gate
The Rotunda of the Portae Domus at the opening ceremonies of the Dies Festus Nari (Festival of Nari)
A view of the Requies Nari, or Nari's Rest, the site where Ghan'a Nari was killed
