Laviku’s tower is built on a rock upcropping on the beach, overlooking both the Bluevein and the Sea Gates. The top is a massive flame reflected out to sea by man-sized mirrors. The light guides sailors out at sea into Riverfall’s harbor during storms and dark nights. Some say the light is also for Laviku’s Kalvikasi, warning them of Riverfall’s land location so they do not unintentionally stray too close.
The area of the beach around the upcropping where the tower was built is depressed, and legend has it that the tower was not built by men, but by Kalvikasi who came to shore to honor their god and construct the tower. This legend is historically false, as there exist records of the tower being constructed by the Council in Riverfall’s early days. It was one of the first towers constructed, after Akajia’s and Wysar’s, to bring Laviku’s blessing upon the city toeing the edge of his domain.
There are openings and chambers carved out of the rock base, but are usable only by Charoda and sea creatures, as it is usually flooded in anything but low tide. The base of the tower inside the rock is available from the above-water level via a small staircase, which leads down to the internal water level and a platform. Fishing is not allowed inside the tower, therefore many of Riverfall’s more interesting species of fish have thrived in the calm water there, inviting enthusiasts to visit and study.
There are stairs and a balcony on the rock outside of the tower, which is usually above water level, and available to the public, though they sometimes require a boat to get there. Inside, there are glass and tiled chambers of water inside the walls, many containing delicate algae or marine life. Some are vertical chambers, becoming part of the wall itself, while others are basin-like, with small dark caverns opening up to shelled, concave openings in the wall. One of these water chambers is a secret passageway to the upper levels of the tower, where only the high priestess and those she deems worthy are permitted. In the center of the tower is a wide stone, hollow column, which opens up to a basin of water in the priestess’s quarters.
The upper levels contain her living quarters, the light house at the very top, which she and other acolytes maintain, and a chamber specifically for ceremonial purposes. The stone basin in the high priestess’s quarters may be entered, and by swimming down through the column that runs the length of the tower, no small feat, she alone may pass into a water cavern beneath the tower, where rites pertaining to the Kalvikasi are performed.
NPCs
Name: Belea Tana’ti
Race: Charoda
DoB: 90th of Spring
PoB: Charbosi
Title: High Priestess
Skills: Leadership 68, Coral Manipulation 50, Riding: Seahorse 41, Weapon: Spear 30,
Gnosis: 3 Oceanus
Additional Info: One of the very few Charoda in the city, she is considered a passionate, but stern woman, who speaks almost too often of Laviku’s blessings. It is an understandable devotion, stemming from events that led her to priesthood: As a child, after straying too far from home while gathering seaweed, she encountered a massive Kalvikasi sleeping in a trench. Being a curious child, she swam closer instead of fleeing, and accidentally woke the great sea-beast. Startled awake, it turned on her, and though it had no intention of harming her, she felt certain that she would die in that moment. In a flourish of seaweed and cool water, Laviku appeared before her and told her not to be afraid. He took the terrified girl’s hand, and together they faced the Kalvikasi, who, now calmed by the sea god’s presence, slowly turned his enormous body and swam away.
She earned her first mark that day, and has devoted her life to Laviku ever since. In Riverfall, she is always on hand for festivals celebrating Laviku, though is always disappointed that more is not done to celebrate his name. She, like most of her race, abhors violence, but maintains competency with a spear to retain her Riverfall citizenship.
*Credit goes to Rosela.
