Intellectual Lighthouse System

"The air was electrified with vigilance, I could tell. The sustained paranoia of the people evolved into a collective clairvoyance as their minds all braced for what was ahead. The lighthouses sparked to life with electricity... a barrier was formed over the city. No one was getting in any time soon. The people of Cape Memory had protected their freedom... but for how long?" - Unnamed member of the Protectors of Zeal

The Intellectual Lighthouses are a chain of 4 lighthouses surrounding Cape Memory on all four sides with a fifth lighthouse being in the center of the city on the cape. This system was developed in part by the explorer Pulshio, and in part by one of the founding members of the Order of Chaos (for information see Senturica). They were conceived about 25 years before the current age of industrialization brought on by the New Zealian Empire and were designed as a mechanism to use the power of Cape Memory's inhabitants' minds to power a magical barrier around the cape.

History

The Intellectual Lighthouse System (I.L.S) was conceived from the mind Xlchatn of the jungle, the Sun Dragon founding member of the Order of Chaos (a legendary group of Zealomancers). Xlchatn designed the I.L.S. as a defense system for the Sun dragon empire against any threats. However the blueprints were lost during the thousand year storm with the rest of the legendary airship, The Insomniac. The legend of the treasures of The Insomniac were all but myth until a chest from the ship washed up on the shore near Cape Memory. This chest contained actual blueprints for the I.L.S., confirming the existence of the airship. However, the actual airship was never found, so it is still unclear what became of it. The blueprints were discovered by Pulshio who made modifications to them before gifting them to the prince of Cape Memory. While he wanted to see the project to completion, Pulshio had more pressing matters to take care of, so he entrusted them to the then young prince, Submarl. Prince Submarle made the project the city's top priority over the coming years, and after two decades of work, the project was complete. Now the system is being used to defend against the New Zealian Empire's attacks.

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Blueprints for the Southeastern Lighthouse, "Scout"

Components

The I.L.S. was designed to utilize the power of a collective emotion from a group of people. While Xlchatn's design detailed the use of stone towers with dragonglass beacons surrounding the city, Pulshio revised these blueprints and designed the system to use lighthouses instead. He felt this would better accommodate the coastal setting of Cape Memory. The modern I.L.S. uses anticipation Dragonglass to heighten the electric powers of a collective state of anticipation. The system is broken down into 5 stages in the case of an emergency:

1. Scout

Located on the southeastern coast of Cape Memory, lighthouse number 1 "Scout" is strategically placed to detect invading enemy forces. Once enemies are spotted, the city goes into early warning mode and sends an announcement for every citizen trained in Zealomancy to manifest the emotion of anticipation. Living in Cape Memory is accompanied by regular training sessions to prepare for a situation such as this one. Due to this, everyone in the city knows to manifest as much energy as they can to power up the anticipation dragonglass in the lighthouses. It's in this stage where Scout sends electrical signals to the other 4 lighthouses.
Scout represents the vigilance and careful planning that goes into the effective execution of the I.L.S, and is a good example of the efficacy of leadership in Cape Memory.

2. Warrior

Located on the northeastern coast of Cape Memory, lighthouse number 2 "Warrior" is the first lighthouse which receives the electricity from Scout's alert. Warrior's primary function is to active the weapons systems of Cape Memory. The electricity from the anticipation is diverted to a large engine under the city affectionately named "M.I.A." (Magically Igniting Arms System). The electricity is combined with joy dragonglass to create White Lightning. This lightning is then diverted to a separate chamber where it is harnessed into an element similar to heavenfire but with more magical energy. This "Holyfire" is then combined with water to create Golden Steam. An extremely complex elemental compound, golden steam is one of the most effective, efficient, and powerful energy sources in Zealor. The elemental cannons and railguns lining the outer wall are then powered up and ready for battle. Additionally, Warrior is characterized as being the largest of the 4 outer lighthouses doubling as an armory and a fort of last stand in case the rest of the city is overrun.
Warrior represents the military resilience of Cape Memory and is also a testament to the willpower of its government and ruler.

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Artist's depiction of Warrior during a sunset

3. Cleric

Located on the Northwestern coast of Cape Memory, lighthouse number 3 "Cleric" is activated once warrior engages the defense systems of the city. Cleric acts as a base for the medical and food supplies of Cape Memory. It is usually where injured soldiers on the front lines will go to recuperate. A number of Zealomancers take hold here during a conflict to be on standby to heal injured warriors. Despite these uses, Cleric has another function that is vital to the conflict. When Cleric is activated, the golden steam generated from warrior powers a system which drains the canals of Cape Memory and fills them with holy water for a short period. This is not only used to evoke the spirit of the ancient city of Senturica which withstood many great conflicts, but is also a practical function. Holy water has healing properties which may provide injured warriors with a chance to heal themselves when a wound is not serious enough to warrant a trip to the lighthouse. While Warrior is meant to engage in offense, Cleric is built to support the troops of Cape Memory.
Cleric represent the mentality that the citizens of Cape Memory take care of their own, and is also a testament to the compassionate spirit of the Cape's leadership.

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Artist's depiction of Cleric in beautiful beach weather

4. Mage

Located on the Southwestern coast of Cape Memory, lighthouse number 4 "Mage" is the penultimate piece that needs to be put in place to fully activate the I.L.S. By the time Mage is activated, the ships that were sent around the cape from Warrior would've likely come into contact with the enemy. Mage is practically used as a center for military strategy and provides a perfect vantage point for strategists to oversee a conflict. However, Mage also plays a critical role in the communications of the army on the battlefield. Any commands from the lighthouse are flashed through it's light in an encrypted code only learnt by commanders of the Cape Memory army. Additionally, Mage is also positioned next to one of the safest exits from the Cape. If need be, Mage could oversee a safe evacuation of Cape Memory to the west.
Mage represents Cape Memory's advanced technological prowess and communications ability.

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Artist's depiction of Mage being harnessed by a Zealomancer

5. Grand Emperor

Located in the center of Cape Memory, lighthouse number 5 "Grand Emperor" is the final and most vital component of the I.L.S. Unlike the other lighthouses, Grand Emperor is a part of the castle of Cape Memory, and is at least 50% larger than Warrior. Grand Emperor's purpose is to create the ultimate defense for the cape. The electricity and golden steam that was passed between the 4 previous lighthouses would all be diverted to Grand Emperor. Grand Emperor then uses a massive store of dragonglass combined with the efforts of multiple trained Zealomancers to project a barrier over the cape. This barrier would be a massive wall of whatever element was manifested by the citizens of the cape. While this is usually a hazy mix of electrical golden steam commonly referred to as the "Thundercloud", theoretically any other emotion could be projected as a barrier if enough people felt it vividly. Grand Emperor also has a self-destruct function to be used in the case of an emergency. After getting the approval of at least three of the four outer lighthouses, Grand Emperor can divert all excess power into M.I.A. This would cause the entire system and all of its combustible components to explode, leveling the entire cape. This would be done in the event of the city being taken and the King wanting to destroy anything that may be of use to the enemy. The inhabitants of the Cape would evacuate through Mage before the devastation.
Grand Emperor represents the centralized yet effective leadership structure of the cape and how the unity of many can lead to great strength.

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Artist's depiction of Grand Emperor remaining after the destruction of the cape

Shared Functions

While each lighthouse specializes in a certain function, they all share some attributes. First of all, every lighthouse comes with a store of weapons and supplies, even though the main stock is found within Warrior and Cleric. Every lighthouse also has access to a weapon called a Zeal beam. This beam is a powerful magical attack that comes from the lighthouse when harnessed by a Zealomancer. These attacks can only be used once every so often, but can deal significant damage.

Other Uses

Each lighthouse has its own docks which each receive different goods and people. First off, Scout receives very few shipments, but most are high-value manufactured goods which are sent straight to the city. Warrior usually receives weapons and other resources such as dragonglass. Cleric has by far the largest port receiving food and water, medical supplies, and a number of other things to improve the quality of life for citizens. Mage usually receives raw materials that don't fall under the use of weapons, food and water, or other quality of life improvements. Many of the materials that pass through Mage are construction related such as stone, wood, and the like. Lastly, Grand Emperor's wharf in the center of the city is a bustling area where anything can be traded. However, farther into the inlet there is a private dock which is generally used to accept personal guests of the King into the castle.

Symbolism

The 5 lighthouses of Cape Memory all serve to display the strength, decisiveness, and outstanding leadership of its monarchy, especially in times of crisis.

Components:

• Scout
• Warrior
• Cleric
• Mage
• Grand Emperor
• M.I.A.

Type

Lighthouse