The Spire
From Snowblossom
The Spire is a magical fortress (and some say artifact) which forms the center of the city of Vernassa, the City of Diplomats. No one (save perhaps the city's Spire Council) knows precisely what the Spire is.
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Details
The spire is approximately four square miles of fortress laid out with many vertical towers and a thick wall surrounding it. The tallest tower in Spire measures at 1000 feet, making it dwarf most any other building in the Eye.
The Spire itself seems to be made from a strange metallic substance colored a deep red, detailed with varieties of stone and detailed with precious metals like admantine and mithril. Many of its doors open and close automatically. Whether or not there is an intelligence to the Spire, it seems to recognize officials of the city and allow them entrance to restricted areas.
The Spire is able to close itself off and float a few hundred feet into the air. It has not used this capability in centuries, but stories are still told about its transference from Nezrahim to Argun. Many stories are told about its previous travels, although the truth of such tales is questionable.
History
The origin of the Spire is lost to the ages, but many theorize it was a creation of the Engineers. It does not bear their distinctive bird motifs, however, so other scholars doubt that claim. Whoever and wherever it was created, it is singularly unique in the complexity of its design and the eerie self-awareness of its magics. While dozens of other mobile fortresses or magical cities exist across the Eye, none of them is as old, nor as potent as the Spire.
Previous to its current location in Argun, the Spire was in Nezrahim. During the War of the Bale, the Spire closed up and floated to its new location. Whether it did so on its own or by someone's command is a matter of debate. Regardless, the city it left behind, called Androva, was abandoned by its citizens shortly before the Bale assaulted Nezrahim.
Since landing in Argun, the Spire has continued in its role as the center of diplomacy for many people of the Eye. The city of Vernassa thrives on the crowds following diplomats through the city and the many traders who bring exotic goods to the high end markets in the city.
Government
The Spire itself is controlled by the Spire Council, a roundtable of seven citizens whose identities are kept secret. The Spire Council replaces members by choosing a replacement, although this occurs rarely. The Spire enjoys neutrality, and a treaty with Argun allows the neutrality of the entire city of Vernassa. This neutrality allows diplomats of all nations to meet in the Spire, much to the pleasure of the Spire Council.
Rumors
Some inhabitants of the Spire and visitors to the place believe the fortress is intelligent. There are rumors of folk who could talk to the Spire, although no one has yet demonstrated it. Some claim to hear the Spire speaking to them as well, and others have said the Spire will act to defend itself if someone attempts to mangle or sabotage it.
Most people believe that the Spire Council has managed to harness the magic powers of the fortress, whether it is intelligent or not. A term is bandied about - "Dominion" - which describes the power of an individual over the Spire itself.
